Pikmin 3 Adds Enhanced GamePad Support One Year After Release

Almost a year after it was released on Wii U, Pikmin 3 has been updated to introduce a new stylus-based control scheme that puts the system's GamePad touchscreen to use.

The update, noticed by a pair of Twitter users (via Nintendo Everything), reportedly makes the new control scheme the default option when not using a Wii remote and nunchuk. It allows players to throw Pikmin by tapping the touchscreen, similar to the control setup used in Nintendo Land's Pikmin-themed minigame, Pikmin Adventure. Prior to this update, the GamePad's touchscreen had been used only for things like manipulating the map.

Many players, including GameSpot's reviewer, found using a Wii remote and nunchuk preferable to the more traditional controls offered by using the GamePad or Pro Controller's analog sticks and buttons. Pikmin Adventure's controls made good use of the GamePad, so this setup should be a welcome addition here, particularly for those getting their hands on the game for the first time through Mario Kart 8's free game promotion.

Nintendo doesn't have the most extensive track record for updating its games, especially this long after release. Oftentimes, updates for its games are released only to fix serious bugs, like those found in Pokemon X/Y and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

Do you plan on checking out this new control scheme, or are you satisfied with one of the existing options? Let us know in the comments below.