Nintendo is teaming up with Pokémon Go developer Niantic to create a range of new smartphone apps.
The first fruit of the partnership is a new smartphone app based on the Pikmin franchise. The game is coming from Niantic Tokyo Studio and is designed to encourage walking and make the activity more enjoyable. It’s due later in 2021.
Speaking about the partnership, John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, says:
“As we continue to expand our games portfolio, it was a natural next step to team up with Nintendo. We’re looking forward to shaping the future of AR together, bringing Nintendo’s beloved game characters to life for mobile game players around the world.”
Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto – or Representative Director and Fellow, to use his official title – adds:
“Niantic’s AR technology has made it possible for us to experience the world as if Pikmin are secretly living all around us. Based on the theme of making walking fun, our mission is to provide people a new experience that’s different from traditional games. We hope that the Pikmin and this app will become a partner in your life.”
It sounds like fun, but tread lightly and look where you are going. Pikmin are fragile little things.
Pre-registration for the new app is available now from the Niantic website.
For more on onion-based lifeforms, read our review of Pikmin 3 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch. You can also follow Thumbsticks on Flipboard, Facebook, Google News, YouTube, and Twitter for a daily dispatch of video game news.
