RGT Nostalgia Society #12 - Pikmin

[gwardojones]

I fell off of this one after 12-13 parts. The time limit really did me in. I was having to replay levels over and over to get a route together, then execute on that route, only to have some silly little problem happen and wipe out half of my squad--the game demands a lot of precision with imprecise controls / AI. I had 45 Pikmin all jump in the water as I was heading to the ship parts in the northwestern corner of Gaia's Navel (I think that's what it was called). Sometimes they hop back out of the water without too much issue, but that time all of them went straight to Davey Jones's Locker, which meant a restart. Had several restarts on that level from simple little problems like that and realized I wasn't really enjoying myself anymore.

I think the game is really interesting, so I grabbed a copy of the sequel off of the Repository. I'd probably enjoy it a lot more without that time pressure adding to what is already a demanding game. But no regrets here. Really glad I finally got to get my feet wet with this series. It was one of the few Nintendo series I'd never really tried.

Looking forward to June's game!

 

[PupinDaTurd]

I feel like many players get in their heads that their play in this game needs to be perfect or near perfect to finish or even have fun with it and it really doesn't.

You can beat this game without ever restarting or reloading and get the normal ending. Even if you lose every single Pikmin you have like once a week there's places and time to grow new ones.
Then on any replay you can get the Happy End with casual play, not some kind of complex pre-planned perfect execution, because you're experienced and won't spend time exploring and learning.

 

[DanCalibur]

I feel like many players get in their heads that their play in this game needs to be perfect or near perfect to finish or even have fun with it and it really doesn't.

You can beat this game without ever restarting or reloading and get the normal ending. Even if you lose every single Pikmin you have like once a week there's places and time to grow new ones.
Then on any replay you can get the Happy End with casual play, not some kind of complex pre-planned perfect execution, because you're experienced and won't spend time exploring and learning.

Yeah, and also the bad ending is the best. Real stuff of nightmares

 

[ThatOneLum]

I'm actually away right now so I'm unlikely to finish since my machine is at home

I'll have to finish it off at the start of June. Meanwhile, I should probably start that nominations thread soon huh?

---

Nominations thread is live!

RGT Nostalgia Society #13 - NOMINATIONS Thread

June madness is almost here and that means it's time we decide what we play this month in the RGT Nostalgia Society!!!! If you're not familiar with us, the RGT Nostalgia Society (or RGTNS for short) is a monthly play-together group. Each month we nominate and then vote for a game, and we all...

retrogametalk.com

 

[Tsukishima]

Hope I'm not too late! I'd love to enlist in this society and play games when they get to me.

This file select screen always puts a smile on me. It's so beautiful isn't it? It's like beginning a space-faring odyssey ... Except Pikmin is anything but

 

[dkpopman]

Hope I'm not too late! I'd love to enlist in this society and play games when they get to me.

View attachment 190835
This file select screen always puts a smile on me. It's so beautiful isn't it? It's like beginning a space-faring odyssey ... Except Pikmin is anything but

You definitely have time to get through a playthrough before the end of the month. Have fun!

 

[Tsukishima]

7 ship parts at only Day 3 is a new record for me. Learning about how swarming is a far more effective enemy killer then basic tossing, how you can bypass the water wall that blocks you from otherwise accessing the Armored Cannon Beetle before you get Blue Pikmin

I definitely could have got Forest of Hope done ON day 3 with all parts if I was better though, i think!

Pikmin's such an amazing game because it might seem like a simple RTS, perhaps boring to some. But don't understimate that witches' cauldron of potential strategies laying underneath. That's why this game's always gelled with me. Learning even more strategies every time you play.

And the fact Pikmin was responsible for a massive growth in me back then.

Post automatically merged: May 28, 2026

DAY 12!!

... I can't believe I got to the end this quickly. It really is astounding how much time one can save if you truly commit to something you want to do.

This is the fastest I ever done it.
Now time for something embarrassing

So, there was a strat I attempted to do for Bulblax, which is to put it crudely: nuke him. Get every single bomb from the deposits, line up the Bomb Yellows in a perfect spot, recall them before they get licked, and let bulblax itself get nuked. This went perfectly up until now, but the yellows took priority in how i moved towards the Bulblax, so he was a quarter dead when he got back up

It led to a final desperation state (since i had no bombs left lol) at rampaging at his chin until he finally died. Thankfully there was enough time to snag the final part before day's end.

Some deaths admittedly were due to the horrible AI (and pathfinding) the Pikmin has in this game. It's always kinda why I always prefer and love 2 over it because it's a perfect refinement of it.

Rambling aside, i'm happy you guys gave me a reason to play this game again. Getting a faster day count was something to seriously puff my pride at.

Looking forward to the next game!

 

[diapered]

Yeah, and also the bad ending is the best. Real stuff of nightmares

I watched it on youtube just now out of curiosity ( I guess I could have just went to sunset repeatedly but I was lazy >_<) and I guess you could see it as a fate worse than death O_o It is an interesting ending though, and how you can interpret it.

View attachment 190838

7 ship parts at only Day 3 is a new record for me. Learning about how swarming is a far more effective enemy killer then basic tossing, how you can bypass the water wall that blocks you from otherwise accessing the Armored Cannon Beetle before you get Blue Pikmin

I definitely could have got Forest of Hope done ON day 3 with all parts if I was better though, i think!

Pikmin's such an amazing game because it might seem like a simple RTS, perhaps boring to some. But don't understimate that witches' cauldron of potential strategies laying underneath. That's why this game's always gelled with me. Learning even more strategies every time you play.

And the fact Pikmin was responsible for a massive growth in me back then.

Post automatically merged: May 28, 2026

DAY 12!!

View attachment 190855

... I can't believe I got to the end this quickly. It really is astounding how much time one can save if you truly commit to something you want to do.

This is the fastest I ever done it.
Now time for something embarrassing

View attachment 190856

So, there was a strat I attempted to do for Bulblax, which is to put it crudely: nuke him. Get every single bomb from the deposits, line up the Bomb Yellows in a perfect spot, recall them before they get licked, and let bulblax itself get nuked. This went perfectly up until now, but the yellows took priority in how i moved towards the Bulblax, so he was a quarter dead when he got back up

It led to a final desperation state (since i had no bombs left lol) at rampaging at his chin until he finally died. Thankfully there was enough time to snag the final part before day's end.

Some deaths admittedly were due to the horrible AI (and pathfinding) the Pikmin has in this game. It's always kinda why I always prefer and love 2 over it because it's a perfect refinement of it.

Rambling aside, i'm happy you guys gave me a reason to play this game again. Getting a faster day count was something to seriously puff my pride at.

Looking forward to the next game!

Wow O_o I think 12 days right off the bat is really good! Nice ^_^

Already posted this in a pfp, but here's where I'm at everyone ^_^

I said in my pfp that 19 is probably best I can do. I am generally really terrible at games requiring micromanagement and planning, and I think one reason I have such high casualties and am a little slow is I don't use bombs on enemies: I just use overwhelming force >_< Does everyone else use them on enemies here and there? But maybe I will try for a third time this weekend. I'm not tired of it, and have found this game really fun, but have been playing other stuff in the meantime.

 

[Tsukishima]

I don't think I have quite gotten the hang of it either... For those you hit from behind. Often I find myself fucking around with the c-stick to make sure everyone is fighting. I don't know if that's how to use it though >_<

That's right! Sorry for necro-ing your comment but after reading through a bit i think I know how to help the new players out a little more.

See, due to the innate system lag and many other issues with the first game, it's actually much, much more effective to use the C-Stick to "direct" all your Pikmin at once on your enemies like the Bulborbs. Simply aim them all at their behinds, and then soon enough, they'll be rinsed to ruin in seconds!

the Black Bulbears in the Distant Spring are especially weak to this, no matter how monstrous they seem!

Contrary to how you feel like throwing *is* the effective measure, it's not quite there yet. In the sequel it absolutely will be the most effective way but 1 wants you to play it a little different due to the game's "rules"

Sometimes, it can feel like the health bar of an enemy is lying to you. But maybe that's because I swear to the PAL version forever because well, that's just what I grew up with

I feel like sometimes, even though i totally get Xyber's feel for the first game being put on here, the second game due to a MUCH more improved AI for the Pikmin, it would have been more easier on new players.

I really commend your spirit to improve yourself on the game @diapered ! It's so great to read your posts on the game and getting better

 

[Nebulon_Galaxy]

View attachment 190838

7 ship parts at only Day 3 is a new record for me. Learning about how swarming is a far more effective enemy killer then basic tossing, how you can bypass the water wall that blocks you from otherwise accessing the Armored Cannon Beetle before you get Blue Pikmin

I definitely could have got Forest of Hope done ON day 3 with all parts if I was better though, i think!

Pikmin's such an amazing game because it might seem like a simple RTS, perhaps boring to some. But don't understimate that witches' cauldron of potential strategies laying underneath. That's why this game's always gelled with me. Learning even more strategies every time you play.

And the fact Pikmin was responsible for a massive growth in me back then.

Post automatically merged: May 28, 2026

DAY 12!!

View attachment 190855

... I can't believe I got to the end this quickly. It really is astounding how much time one can save if you truly commit to something you want to do.

This is the fastest I ever done it.
Now time for something embarrassing

View attachment 190856

So, there was a strat I attempted to do for Bulblax, which is to put it crudely: nuke him. Get every single bomb from the deposits, line up the Bomb Yellows in a perfect spot, recall them before they get licked, and let bulblax itself get nuked. This went perfectly up until now, but the yellows took priority in how i moved towards the Bulblax, so he was a quarter dead when he got back up

It led to a final desperation state (since i had no bombs left lol) at rampaging at his chin until he finally died. Thankfully there was enough time to snag the final part before day's end.

Some deaths admittedly were due to the horrible AI (and pathfinding) the Pikmin has in this game. It's always kinda why I always prefer and love 2 over it because it's a perfect refinement of it.

Rambling aside, i'm happy you guys gave me a reason to play this game again. Getting a faster day count was something to seriously puff my pride at.

Looking forward to the next game!

Very nice and impressive. Day 12 is really good

 

[X y b e r - S k u ll]

I feel like sometimes, even though i totally get Xyber's feel for the first game being put on here, the second game due to a MUCH more improved AI for the Pikmin, it would have been more easier on new players.

I’d love for Pikmin 2 to be a future nostalgia society game, and I was half tempted to nominate it for June, but I think it would be best to let people recharge a bit on Pikmin and then hit them with absolute peak maybe later in the year lol. I agree; it’s a much better game imo, mostly for the new game engine they made for it that does nothing but wonders.

Just out of curiosity; you ever played Pikmin²? It’s a mod for Pikmin 2 that recreates the entirety of Pikmin 1 but in 2’s engine. It’s honestly my favourite way to play through Pikmin 1 now. Would recommend to any fan of the series.

 

[Tsukishima]

I’d love for Pikmin 2 to be a future nostalgia society game, and I was half tempted to nominate it for June, but I think it would be best to let people recharge a bit on Pikmin and then hit them with absolute peak maybe later in the year lol. I agree; it’s a much better game imo, mostly for the new game engine they made for it that does nothing but wonders.

Just out of curiosity; you ever played Pikmin²? It’s a mod for Pikmin 2 that recreates the entirety of Pikmin 1 but in 2’s engine. It’s honestly my favourite way to play through Pikmin 1 now. Would recommend to any fan of the series.

I was gonna make 1 squared the next time I played Pikmin 1 actually, but I don't think this society would have allowed romhacks?

It's my next Pik 1 play for sure though, I'm so excited to get real deep about how different the game feels, how everything changes simply due to updating the game to what's what and freshen things up a LOT.

That whole new Louie story too ...

 

[X y b e r - S k u ll]

I was gonna make 1 squared the next time I played Pikmin 1 actually, but I don't think this society would have allowed romhacks?

It's my next Pik 1 play for sure though, I'm so excited to get real deep about how different the game feels, how everything changes simply due to updating the game to what's what and freshen things up a LOT.

That whole new Louie story too ...

Yeah, it would be something you’d have to play in your own time and not a part of this, but it’s definitely worth your time. I did a replay of it after I finished my Pikmin 1 replay for the nostalgia society, and man it’s just too good.

 

[HoyeBoye]

Spent today finishing off Emporer Bulblax and getting my piggy bank to get the happy ending. Final thoughts on re-playing the first game in my favorite series.

• So many QoL updates in Pikmin 2 that I missed while playing Pikmin 1.
  • Pikmin sprout from the ground slower.
  • They won't pick up a pellet after knocking down the flour.
  • Not being able to select which color to throw. This one really hurt.
• I still love the quiet and solitary experience of survival on a deserted island. It's not as smooth as Pikmin 2, but it feels quaint. For this reason, I can't recommend the Pikmin^2 mod enough.
• I love the post-credit roll with all the enemies. Too many enemies in the later games for that.

Great replay. Looking forward to next month's game!

 

[Tbest25 Tbest25]

Heeyyyy folks. Remember when i said that i would grind some more on Pikmin today? Well, what if i told that i forgot, and instead spend most of the day on my RGT-Tan project?

Anyway, here's how far i got while playing one week before the end of the month. I stopped at the 10 day. Keep in mind that i'm a noob, i played a little bit before but didn't got far. So i'm going in mostly blind

I managed to get 1 part of the vessel for each day so far. Gonna keep it going like this until the end

 

[diapered]

Dammit, why do I still want to play pikmin O_o I knew this would happen >_<

 

[Tbest25 Tbest25]

Dammit, why do I still want to play pikmin O_o I knew this would happen >_<
View attachment 192309

Don't blame ya, the game's good

 

[HoyeBoye]

Dammit, why do I still want to play pikmin O_o I knew this would happen >_<

Because you're on a hot streak! 5 parts in the first 3 days is great! Dandori off the charts!!!

 

[diapered]

Because you're on a hot streak! 5 parts in the first 3 days is great! Dandori off the charts!!!

Yea, trying to see if I can do better than 19 days, I think that is the best pace for 3 days? Unless there is some trick I'm not aware of? Currently plotting for most efficient forest navel

Heeyyyy folks. Remember when i said that i would grind some more on Pikmin today? Well, what if i told that i forgot, and instead spend most of the day on my RGT-Tan project?

Anyway, here's how far i got while playing one week before the end of the month. I stopped at the 10 day. Keep in mind that i'm a noob, i played a little bit before but didn't got far. So i'm going in mostly blind
View attachment 192289
I managed to get 1 part of the vessel for each day so far. Gonna keep it going like this until the end

Nice! That's what my pace was at the start of this. Also went in noob as well: have not played this since it was released ^_^ And never got very far And now I'm trying to see if I can do better than 19 days on my third try

But no one think I'm that good, first two attempts used many savestates for quick retries of parts >_<