Pikmin: Distant Planet
Pikmin: Distant Planet is a non-canon Pikmin game for Wii, released two years after Pikmin: Sinister Incinerator. Much of what didn't make the cut in the production of PSI will make an appearance in DP. It is not part of the Buildup Trilogy and does not at any point mention elements of the trilogy's plot, nor anything about Pikmin: Ultimate Doom. It was presumably another adventure Olimar and Louie had embarked on at some point after the events of Pikmin 2. Major differences from PSI include better graphics, weather conditions, dungeons that aren't randomly generated, and multiplayer available for all game modes. It is compatible with the Classic Controller and Classic Controller PRO, although GCN controllers work just as they used to in PSI.
Story
Olimar, having reclaimed the Dolphin from the Government Pods at some point, decided to cautiously fly above the surface of the Distant Planet, having memorized its location. As he flew past a coast he saw what looked like a gigantic metal structure slowly sink into the water as a hurricane raged. The Dolphin got caught up in the hurricane before Olimar could react. Even so, he managed to pilot it steadily so that it didn't plummet into the ocean and sink. A few days after the storm subsided, Olimar still had not woken from his coma in the fortunately unharmed Dolphin. Louie had been sent by the President of Hocotate Freight to ensure that no harm had come to his most valuable employee in the Hocotate Ship with the Research Pod. The same day he arrived nearby where the Dolphin had landed, Olimar woke back up. After reuniting and discovering a strange mechanism (and meeting some Red Pikmin) they sent back a message to the President that they would investigate the mystery of the potentially deadly "metal phantom ship" and additionally return with a haul of new and scientifically valuable artifacts, showing him a picture of the odd mechanism. That meant treasure to him, so he agreed to let Olimar and Louie stay on the Distant Planet for the time being. And so, a new adventure began.
Controls
This game uses the Classic Controller/Classic Controller PRO (the latter of which is recommended.) Because of the similarities in the controller, the interface remains largely the same as the canon GCN Pikmin titles. In fact, using GCN controllers is also an option- same controls as PSI.
- Left Analog Stick: Moves Olimar and Louie.
- Right Analog Stick: Swarms Pikmin under your control in a general direction.
- A Button: Pluck nearby Pikmin sprouts. If there are Pikmin with you, you can throw them. If there are none with you, you'll punch.
- B Button: Whistles Pikmin back to you. Hold down the button for a wider whistle radius.
- X Button: Dismisses Pikmin into different-colored groups.
- Y Button: Switch control from Olimar to Louie and vice versa. In multiplayer, this button does nothing.
- L Button: Hold this button while moving Olimar or Louie to swivel the camera around 360 degrees.
- R Button: Gives you different viewpoints: close up, average distance, wide range.
- ZL Button: Optional ground view.
- ZR Button: Tilts camera from top-down to an angled view.
- D-Pad (L/R): While holding the A Button to throw a Pikmin, press left and right to switch between different Pikmin colors to throw.
- D-Pad (Up/Down): Here you can use the sprays you have equipped from the Pause Screen.
- Start Button: Pauses so you can view the map and your current status. In addition, you can equip or put away different sprays for use with the D-Pad. Lastly, you usually have choices presented here like "Go to Sunset," "Give Up and Escape" and others.
- Select Button: Same as the Start Button to avoid confusion.
- Home Button: Brings up the Home Menu so you can sync controllers or return to the Wii Menu. Save first, though!