《皮克敏星球探險3》（英文名：Pikmin 3，日文原名：ピクミン3）是由任天堂開發並於2013年首次在Wii U平台推出的即時策略冒險遊戲，是「皮克敏」系列的第三部正統作品。相較前兩作，不僅在畫面表現上有飛躍性提升，還在操作系統與角色設計、節奏上進行全面進化，展現任天堂將家用主機策略遊戲進一步簡化卻仍保有深度的開發理念。

故事背景設定在與地球極為相似但充滿巨型植物與昆蟲的星球「PNF-404」上。來自資源枯竭星球「Koppai」的三位宇宙探險員——阿爾夫（Alph）、布列特妮（Brittany）、與查理隊長（Captain Charlie），為解決母星糧食危機，奉命展開尋找食物來源的任務。他們的太空船在降落PNF-404時意外墜毀，三人也因此分散各地。任務不僅是幫助他們重聚與修復太空船，還需收集當地的果實以萃取果汁作為補給，並探索這個既危險又美麗的星球。

在過程中，他們發現能夠指揮一種神秘而忠誠的生物「皮克敏」來協助各種任務。皮克敏依照顏色區分能力：紅色耐火、黃色可導電與跳得高、藍色能在水中活動，此外首次引入兩種新類型的皮克敏：灰白色的岩石皮克敏（Rock Pikmin），擁有打碎玻璃或堅硬物體的能力，以及粉紅色的飛行皮克敏（Winged Pikmin），可飛越障礙物並運送漂浮物件。這些新增元素讓解謎與路線規劃更具變化與策略性。

在操作方面，Wii U的GamePad帶來全新的指揮方式。可選擇使用GamePad觸控螢幕、Wii遙控器加Nunchuk，或是Wii U Pro控制器等方式來操作角色與發號施令。在三位角色間自由切換，進行多線同步行動，例如一邊採集果實、一邊指揮另一隊攻打敵人、另一隊建橋開路。這樣的設計大幅提升效率與戰術深度，使得時間管理與空間配置更加關鍵，也讓高階玩家能進行更流暢的流程規劃與速通策略。

畫面表現方面，作為首款HD畫質的皮克敏作品，充分展現Wii U的硬體潛力。畫面細膩、色彩飽和，光影效果與水面反射等細節極具寫實感，而各種自然環境與巨型昆蟲的設計也散發濃厚的生態風情。皮克敏的動作與神情同樣生動逗趣，與環境互動的方式豐富，讓整個星球仿佛是縮小版的微觀奇幻世界。

音效與配樂方面也維持系列一貫的水準。背景音樂帶有柔和的電子與自然氛圍，能隨著環境與狀況變化，從輕鬆探索到緊張戰鬥皆有適當的氛圍營造。皮克敏的可愛叫聲與怪物的吼聲形成強烈對比，音效層次豐富。

市場評價方面，在全球發售後普遍獲得高度好評。日本《Fami通》給予其34/40分，讚揚其關卡設計、畫面表現與操作優化，並認為是系列中最成熟的一作。國際媒體如IGN給予8.8分，指出本作成功讓即時策略遊戲更易於上手但不失深度，稱其為「小巧卻精彩的戰略傑作」。GameSpot評價則稱本作節奏掌握得當、視覺出色且創意十足，唯一缺點是主線劇情稍短，通關後玩家可能會希望有更多內容可探索。為補足這一點，任天堂亦透過DLC提供額外任務與挑戰模式，延長遊戲壽命。而多人模式方面，也提供本地雙人合作挑戰關卡與對戰模式，雖非主軸，但仍增加了遊戲耐玩度。

總體而言，這是集系列特色、視覺革新與操作進化於一身的優秀策略作品。無論是系列老玩家還是初次接觸的玩家，都能從中獲得富有趣味、挑戰與驚奇的遊戲體驗。不僅是Wii U平台上的代表作之一，也是任天堂對「小世界大冒險」概念最佳詮釋的經典作品。

Pikmin 3 (Japanese title: ピクミン3) is a real-time strategy adventure game developed by Nintendo and first released for the Wii U platform in 2013. As the third main installment in the "Pikmin" series, it features significant advancements in both visual presentation and gameplay mechanics compared to its predecessors. The game showcases Nintendo’s design philosophy of simplifying console-based strategy gameplay while maintaining depth and creativity.

The story is set on a planet known as PNF-404, which resembles Earth but is filled with gigantic plants and insect-like creatures. Three space explorers—Alph, Brittany, and Captain Charlie—are dispatched from the resource-depleted planet Koppai in search of a new food source to save their starving homeworld. However, their spacecraft crash-lands on PNF-404 during descent, scattering the trio across the unfamiliar terrain. The player must reunite the team, repair their ship, and gather local fruits to extract juice for survival, all while exploring the planet's dangerous yet enchanting ecosystems.

Throughout the journey, the explorers encounter a mysterious and loyal species called Pikmin. These tiny creatures follow commands and assist with tasks such as carrying objects, defeating enemies, and solving environmental puzzles. Each Pikmin type has specific abilities: red Pikmin are fire-resistant, yellow Pikmin can conduct electricity and be thrown higher, and blue Pikmin can move freely in water. Pikmin 3 introduces two new types—gray Rock Pikmin, which can smash hard surfaces like glass, and pink Winged Pikmin, which can fly over obstacles and transport items through the air. These additions greatly enrich the strategic possibilities and complexity of puzzle-solving and route planning.

The game takes full advantage of the Wii U GamePad’s features, offering several control options including the touchscreen, Wii Remote with Nunchuk, and Wii U Pro Controller. Players can switch freely between the three explorers, enabling multitasking across different parts of the map. For example, one team might collect fruit, another may engage in combat, while the third constructs a bridge. This multi-character system enhances efficiency and tactical depth, making time management and spatial coordination essential for success. Advanced players are able to devise optimized routes and engage in speedrunning-style gameplay with high levels of planning.

Visually, Pikmin 3 is the first in the series to support HD graphics, fully showcasing the Wii U’s hardware capabilities. The game’s visuals are richly detailed, with vivid colors, realistic lighting effects, and water reflections that bring the world to life. The environments are lush and alive, populated with lifelike vegetation and oversized insect creatures, creating a strong sense of ecological immersion. The Pikmin themselves are animated with adorable expressions and natural movements, adding charm and emotional appeal to the game’s micro-scale fantasy world.

In terms of sound design, the game continues the series’ tradition of soothing yet dynamic audio. The background music blends gentle electronic tones with natural ambiance, changing according to the time of day or intensity of the situation—from tranquil exploration to tense encounters. The Pikmin’s chirpy sounds and the growls of enemies provide a rich, layered auditory experience that enhances immersion.

Pikmin 3 received widespread critical acclaim upon its global release. Japan’s Famitsu magazine awarded it a score of 34 out of 40, praising its level design, improved visuals, and refined controls, calling it the most polished entry in the series. International outlets like IGN gave it an 8.8, highlighting how the game makes real-time strategy accessible without sacrificing depth, and calling it “a compact yet brilliant strategy gem.” GameSpot commended the game’s pacing, visual splendor, and creative systems, though noted that the main story felt a bit short, potentially leaving players wanting more after completion.

To address this, Nintendo released downloadable content (DLC) offering additional missions and challenge maps, thereby extending the game’s longevity. Although multiplayer is not the game’s main focus, it includes local two-player co-op for challenge modes and a competitive bingo-style battle mode, adding further replay value.

In summary, Pikmin 3 is a well-crafted strategy game that blends the series' signature charm with modern visual enhancements and evolved controls. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, the game offers a rich, imaginative, and surprisingly strategic experience. It stands as one of the standout titles on the Wii U platform and a quintessential example of Nintendo’s "tiny world, big adventure" concept at its finest.