Why Pikmin Characters Appear at Super Nintendo World: Shigeru Miyamoto Explains

Nintendo fans visiting Super Nintendo World may have noticed the unexpected presence of Pikmin characters nestled among Nintendo’s most iconic franchises.

Unlike mainstays such as Mario or The Legend of Zelda, Pikmin's unique inclusion in the theme park stems from an intentional approach by Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto, reflecting evolving strategies in character integration across Nintendo’s growing ecosystem. As the creative mind behind blockbuster series including Mario and Zelda, Shigeru Miyamoto has long upheld a philosophy that Nintendo characters should exist solely within the context of their original intellectual properties (IPs).

"I have always ensured that characters like Mario or the Inklings from Splatoon remain exclusive to their respective universes," Miyamoto explained to IGN, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of each franchise's world. However, Pikmin stands as a rare exception to this rule.

Miyamoto elaborated, "Pikmin are different by nature—they evoke the feeling of being companions who could exist alongside you in real life.

In my view, they have the flexibility to interact and coexist with any other Nintendo property.

My goal in featuring Pikmin at Super Nintendo World was to quickly and clearly communicate the charm and accessibility of the Pikmin concept to visitors." This strategic decision highlights Miyamoto's efforts to expand Pikmin beyond its traditional boundaries.

Originally debuting on the Nintendo GameCube in 2001, Pikmin has slowly grown into a beloved yet niche IP, spawning multiple sequels with the most recent, Pikmin 4, launching on Nintendo Switch in July 2023.

The franchise has enjoyed a resurgence with strong sales on the Nintendo Switch platform, as Pikmin 4 quickly became the fastest-selling entry in the series. While cross-IP characters are rare in the broader Nintendo ecosystem, there are noteworthy precedents.

Titles like Super Smash Bros.

have famously brought together characters from nearly every major Nintendo property—and even several third-party IPs—for collaborative gameplay.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe further blurred franchise lines by introducing playable characters from The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and Splatoon, offering unprecedented crossover experiences for fans. Miyamoto has also spoken recently about his ambitions to continue growing the Pikmin brand.

In a previous discussion, he hinted that expanding Pikmin into new forms of media, such as animated features or films, is something he is open to considering.

This reflects Nintendo’s broader strategy of leveraging its rich character portfolio in new entertainment avenues, as seen with the 2023 release of The Super Mario Bros.

Movie. Pikmin's presence at Super Nintendo World marks a deliberate choice by Nintendo and Miyamoto to introduce the franchise to a wider audience by leveraging the unique flexibility and universal appeal of its titular characters.

As the company continues to explore new frontiers in interactive entertainment and cross-media projects, Pikmin appears poised to play an increasingly visible role both within and beyond Nintendo's most cherished worlds.

Nintendo Shigeru Miyamoto Super Nintendo Super Nintendo World Pikmin Miyamoto Mario The Legend of Zelda Splatoon Mario Kart 8 Animal Crossing Smash Bros IGN