Pikmin 4 adds the missing ingredient: fun

Plus, Vampire Survivors plus Diablo 2 equals...

Jul 28, 2023

Pikmin 4’s spaceman stands next to Oatchi the dog and a group of red Pikmin

It’s a little weird to see the release of the fourth entry in a Nintendo franchise and for the reception to be so calm. But that’s always been the energy around Pikmin, despite being a favorite of Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto.

Pikmin 4 is a great on-ramp to the series. It’s faster, more playful, and has an adorable two-legged dog name Oatchi! We talk about why this entry clicks and then turn our attention to another less-successful revival: Might and Magic Clash of Heroes Definitive.

In the back half of the episode, we answer your questions from the comments and replies to the newsletter!

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Games discussed:

Image: Halls of Torment, a game that mixes Diablo’s visuals with Vampire Survivors gameplay

Pikmin 4, Might and Magic Clash of Heroes Definitive, Nier Automata, The Magic Circle, Paranormasight, the There Is No Game series, Universal Paperclips, Halls of Torment, Ridiculous Fishing EX, UN Squadron, Gravity Circuit, Luck Be a Landlord, Chrono Cross Radical Dreamers Edition

Movies discussed:

Matinee

Hardware discussed:

Photo: The Resties modded Game Boy Advances by Kyle Starr

Game Boy Advance mods.

Books discussed:

Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits and Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick by David Wong

A picture of UN Squadron’s box art:

U.N. Squadron/SNES | Capcom's 1940 Series Wikia | Fandom

And its approach to international peace.

Daily Classic: U.N. Squadron's SNES Identity Change | VG247

Have questions for The Besties?

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Next week on The Besties:

Disney Illusion Island

Bonus links:

Patrick Willems on why A.I. filmmaking is not the future.
Need clothes to brave the summer elements? Why not try the official Besties T-shirt?
Polygonathon returns this week! Come have fun and help the Polygon folks raise money for Foster Love. The charity stream runs from August 3-4 on Twitch.tv/polygon and will feature guest appearances from Frushtick and Plante!