Editing Pikmin 3 prerelease information

{{page title|''Pikmin 3'' prerelease information}}
{{game icons|p3=y}}
{{clean|It'd probably make more sense to organize this page chronologically by version than by type of content.}}
{{stub|Add unused content that hints to cut enemies, areas, etc. (i.e. exclude obvious debugging content). Additionally, important information in [https://vimeo.com/53319101 this video] should be noted.}}
{{p3}}, like other [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]], went through several iterations that never made it to the public. Some of these had content that was changed or removed before the final release. Because the exact versions in which these tidbits appear is not known, their name is not given here, but fans usually call these "beta", "alpha", or "pre-alpha" versions.

In addition, there is [[Unused content in Pikmin 3|unused content inside the disc]] that also hints at what type of content was meant to be in the final release, at one point.

==Characters==
===Alph===
In a prototype version, Alph had smaller eyes and pupils.

<gallery>
Alph and Pikmin E3 2012 screenshot.png|An early E3 2012 screenshot of Alph leading Pikmin; here his eyes are smaller.
Pikmin 3 Gamepad gameplay.png|In the GamePad screen, Alph's early [[radar]] icon can be seen.
Bridge P3 E3 2012 screenshot.png|Another shot with Alph's different eyes.
</gallery>

===Brittany===
In a prototype version, Brittany's suit was yellow, both in-game and on concept art. In the final version, her suit was changed to pink. Her original concept art also lacked glasses, which she has in the final game.

<gallery>
Character B back.png|Brittany in her yellow suit in a prototype version of the game.
Bchara.png|Different image of the prototype Brittany.
P3 Prerelease Brittany Screenshot.png|Another screenshot of Brittany from an earlier build of the game.
Demo leaders.png|Early concept art of Brittany (labeled B), showed off at E3 2012.
Brittany.png|The final version of Brittany.
</gallery>

===Character D===
[[File:Demo leaders.png|thumb|The unused character "D" (leftmost) as shown at E3 2012.]]
There was one character that never made it into the game in any footage whatsoever, and was scrapped early in development. He was shown off at E3 2012 in a bit of concept art, and all that was underneath him was the letter "D". With an interview with Shigeru Miyamoto{{source needed}}, he stated that there were three leaders playable in the game, suggesting Character D was scrapped early on, since he was never shown in any footage. Since Alph, Brittany, and Charlie all had the first letter of their name under their art at E3 2012, it is speculated by fans that the character's final name was meant to be Drake, keeping in line with the military alphabet theme, but this name was eventually moved to the game's ship, the [[S.S. Drake]]. A possible reason for the scrap could've been due to the fact that controlling and switching between four leaders would have been considered too chaotic.

===Red character===
[[File:Red Captain Best View.png|thumb|left|A front view of this red character.]]
In some footage, it is possible to see an unknown leader that wears a red-accented spacesuit and looks similar to Alph but with brown-yellow hair rather than blue.

{{clear}}

===Rock Pikmin===
In the earliest footage shown of ''Pikmin 3'', [[Rock Pikmin]] had a slightly different appearance, with slightly darker coloration and dark-colored limbs. They also made different sounds that sounded like lower-pitched versions of common Pikmin sounds. Each Rock Pikmin was also shaped slightly differently (e.g. some were shorter but wider). This made them seem more like real rocks, but the feature was eventually removed in the final game. Also something to note, Rock Pikmin in the E3 demo have blue bulbs on their heads, instead of purple like the final game. Winged Pikmin also have blue flowers, as seen on the E3 presentation.

<gallery>
Rock Pikmin.png|The original concept art for Rock Pikmin.
RockPikminHD.png|The Rock Pikmin's final look.
Rock Pikmin E3 2012 screenshot.png|Rock Pikmin in the E3 2012 demo. Some are shaped differently.
Pink-Pikmin-in-Pikmin-3.jpg|Winged Pikmin with blue flowers.
</gallery>

===Winged Pikmin===
As referenced by their internal name and seen in [[#2014 Nintendo Game Seminar notebook concept art|concept art]], [[Winged Pikmin]] were originally going to be orange, as opposed to the final main color of pink.

===Bulbmin===
Bulbmin were probably considered to be in the game, based on [[#2014 Nintendo Game Seminar notebook concept art|concept art]] and their model's presense in the game files. It was likely scrapped early in development though, as its appearance is identical to Bulbmin in {{p2}}.{{cite youtube|HWrVtwhoAUA|explaining the Bulbmin model|m=5|s=34}}

===2014 Nintendo Game Seminar notebook concept art===
[[File:2014 Nintendo Game Seminar prerelease Pikmin.jpg|thumb|The page in question, featuring several unused and unfinalized ideas.]]
A notebook handed out in the 2014 [[nwiki:Nintendo Game Seminar|Nintendo game seminar]] featured several concepts of ideas for Pikmin types, mostly unused ones, presumably for ''Pikmin 3''.{{cite web|https://twitter.com/jewelbcrown/status/742330767557038080|Tweet by クラウン|Twitter|published={{date|13|June|2016}}|retrieved={{date|17|October|2022}}}}{{cite web|https://twitter.com/jewelbcrown/status/742327211017932800|Tweet by クラウン|Twitter|published={{date|13|June|2016}}|retrieved={{date|17|October|2022}}}} It includes art, as well as notes in Japanese. The following can be noted:
*An early design for Rock Pikmin differing from the final.
*A blob-shaped "light blue" Pikmin type, described as moving slowly and fixing structures with mucus.{{cite web|https://twitter.com/SleepyBakes/status/1390347914959073282|Tweet by SleepyBakes|Twitter|published={{date|7|May|2021}}|retrieved={{date|31|December|2021}}}}
*An early design for Winged Pikmin, featuring them walking outside of a hazard and colored orange.
*A slim "green" Pikmin type, which could be connected together to form a bridge, and also described as "parasitic" and "farming".
*A "black" Pikmin type shaped like a hairball, described as having evolved to suit cold climates.
*A Pikmin type with a carapace for a head.
*A Pikmin type shaped like a seed, described as being able to stick to walls, not latching on to enemies, making a lot of seeds, and being small and weak.
*A hairy, [[Purple Pikmin]]-like "brown" Pikmin type, described as being big and strong, efficient at building, and difficult to grow (requiring 10 pellets to grow 1 seed).
*A Pikmin type shaped like a ghost, which probably became the [[Glow Pikmin]].
*A Bulbmin.
*A concept for a [[Candypop Bud]]-like flower.
*A [[Spotty Bulbear]] with a leaf sticking out of it, similar to Bulbmin. It can be seen in two drawings, both times following Olimar with Pikmin on its back, and in one of them traveling in the water. This idea was later reworked into [[Oatchi]].

==Enemies==
{{main|Unused content in Pikmin 3#Unused enemies}}
There are unused files inside the game for a handful of enemies, both new and returning. These got removed for reasons unknown. Many of these, such as the returning enemies from {{p2}} are heavily unfinished, and some do not even spawn.

*An unknown purple and yellow leech-like enemy. It does not hurt Pikmin, but it will burrow underground when a Pikmin or a leader approaches.
*A version of the [[Wollywog]] with a [[crystal]] on its stomach. It is possible that it would've stomped with its crystal, and only [[Rock Pikmin]] could destroy it.
*A version of the [[Beady Long Legs]] with its round head replaced with a foot. It likely would've stomped with its head as well.
*A version of the [[Male Sheargrub]] that is rounder. It has bright orange "armor" and its behavior is not finished.
*An alternate-colored [[Ravenous Whiskerpillar]].
*The [[Honeywisp]].
*The [[Emperor Bulblax]].
*The [[Wollywog]].
*The [[Breadbug]].
*Several [[Armored Cannon Larva]] variants.

Moreover, while in the final version of ''Pikmin 3'' a [[Whiptongue Bulborb]] releases any Pikmin caught in its tongue if it is hit in the eye, in the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxWIvaD2XQI&feature=youtu.be&t=1m18s E3 trailer] of the game, it is seen eating the Pikmin before flinching.

==Mechanics==
===Lock-on===
In an early build of the game, the [[lock-on]] feature would cause the camera to enter a tilt-shift mode to focus only on the creature, which would be highlighted in blue. A simlar effect would appear in ''Pikmin 3 Deluxe''. The name of said creature was then displayed in simple blue text above it. This was greatly changed for the final game, in which the scene is covered by a {{w|vignette}} effect, and the name is displayed in a box in the lower right corner, surrounded by [[Koppaite text]]. With the [[update]] released on {{date|29|May|2014}}, the lock-on mechanic featured two new images on the left side of the screen. One shows which [[Controls|control]] makes the Pikmin charge, and the other shows how to cancel the lock-on.

<gallery>
Pikmin3 SkitterleafScan.png|The prototype version of the lock-on mechanic on a [[Skitter Leaf]].
Early Skutterchuck.jpg|The same prototype version, but on a [[Skutterchuck]].
Sandbelching Meerslug Scan.png|The lock-on interface in the final game, before update 2.0.0.
</gallery>

===Whistle===
[[File:Early whistle radius P3.png|thumb|A red character whistling.]]
Originally, the [[whistle]] in ''Pikmin 3'' had a smaller radius than in the past two games, and lasted for a shorter length of time. This was later changed to be slightly larger and longer, and included the ability for the whistle to call [[Winged Pikmin]] by raising off the floor after fully expanding to create a cylindrical beam of light.

{{clear}}

===Throwing leaders===
[[File:Pikmin 3 prerelease ledges.png|thumb|left|Brittany is higher than Alph, her starting point.]]
[[File:Leaders E3 2012 screenshot.png|thumb|Alph throws Brittany to another tree stump.]]
In the early footage shown of the game, the leaders were first shown to have the ability to [[Throw|toss]] one another to access new locations. At this point in development, the leaders were thrown much higher than they are in the final game. This change was most likely made to rid the game of some areas where players could easily break the barriers.

{{clear}}

==Stats==
*In the 2012 demo of ''Pikmin 3'', the [[Insect Condo]] was shown as one of the fruits returning from ''Pikmin 2''. In this footage, it required only 8 Pikmin to carry it, as opposed to the 10 required in the final game.
*In the E3 2012 demo, the [[Medusal Slurker]] required 7 Pikmin to carry, while in the final game, it can be carried by 6.
*In the E3 2012 demo, the [[Whiptongue Bulborb]] required 10 Pikmin to carry, while in the final game, it needs 12 Pikmin.

==Names==
*In the 2012 demo for ''Pikmin 3'', the [[Golden Sunseed]] was referred to as the "[[Combustion Berry]]", sharing the same name as a fruit treasure that appeared in ''[[Pikmin 2]]''.
*In early footage, the [[Pyroclasmic Slooch]] was one of the first new enemies revealed, and its name was instead "Pyro'''p'''lasmic Slooch", a one letter difference from its current name.
*[[Crystal wall]]s were originally called "Crystallized Walls".
*According to the [[Koppaite text]] visible when the [[Formidable Oak]] is highlighted, its name is patterned after [[The Final Trial]]. However, the two names are not similar in the slightest, nor are their Japanese names &ndash; the Formidable Oak is {{j|哀しき獣の塔|Kanashiki Kemono no Tō|Tower of the Wretched Beast|f=tp}}, and The Final Trial is {{j|最後の試練|Saigo no shiren|Final Trial|f=tp}}. This indicates that, earlier in development, the Formidable Oak had a different English and/or Japanese name.
*In an early screenshot, the [[KopPad]] can be seen in a video call. Its frame is visible, and the [[Koppaite text]] on it spells out {{kt|P|P|A|D}} ("PPAD"). For the final game, the frame was changed to say {{kt|G|P|A|D}} ("GPAD") instead, which is the KopPad's Japanese name. In addition, the Koppaite text on the final game's [[lock-on]] mode contains the sentence "Simple dictionary in the PIPAD". This could also be an early name for the KopPad, or just a Romanization of "PPAD".

<gallery>
Pyroplasmic Slooch P3 early.png|The Pyroclasmic Slooch called Pyroplasmic Slooch.
Crystalized wall.png|A crystal wall called crystallized wall.
Alph and Brittany KopPad P3 screenshot.png|The KopPad, with the text "PPAD" on its frame.
</gallery>

==Areas and missions==
One early screenshot of the game shows the snow pile with an [[iron ball]] that resembles [[the President]]. On top of this pile lies a [[Cupid's Grenade]] that is not in this location in the final game. It is likely that the Cupid's Grenade behind the sculpture is where this one was moved, as it is the closest to the earlier location.

In the Nintendo Direct on {{date|17|April|2013}}, it's possible to see a [[Swooping Snitchbug]] in the [[Tropical Wilds]]. In the final game, the Swooping Snitchbug is placed somewhere else in the map, and in this part of the area, a [[Bulborb]] and three [[Dwarf Bulborb]]s appear after day 1.

It should also be noted that some [[Mission Mode]] areas contained certain types of Pikmin that are no longer available in these maps today.

<gallery>
Ice Area.jpg|The Whiptongue Bulborb in [[Distant Tundra]] in a different location. The slide on the right also has icicles that are not present in the final game.
Syacho.png|The Cupid's Grenade in a different place.
Early SinTW.png|The early location of the Swooping Snitchbug in the [[Tropical Wilds]].
Twilight Hollow 1.png|In the final version of the [[Twilight Hollow]], the [[Sunseed Berry]] is located elsewhere and the pile of [[Nugget]]s in the right corner of the screenshot is absent (there is an [[egg]] instead).
Twillight Hollow 2.png|The [[Citrus Lump]] is replaced by a [[Face Wrinkler]] in the final version. Also, it's not possible to get [[Red Pikmin]], [[Yellow Pikmin]] or [[White Pikmin]] in the final version of the area.
Twillight Hollow 3.png|In the final version, there are no [[Blue Pikmin]]. Instead, it's possible to find [[Winged Pikmin]] in this place. Also, the [[Cupid's Grenade]]s are replaced by a [[Golden Sunseed]] in the final version.
Twillight Hollow 4.png|These Winged Pikmin are located elsewhere in the final version. They are replaced by a group of buried [[Purple Pikmin]] instead.
Pikmin 3 Firstlook.jpeg|Early version of Shaded Garden.
Shaded Garden.png|There are no [[Dwarf Bulborb]]s here in the final version of the [[Shaded Garden]].
Bridge P3 E3 2012 screenshot.png|An early version of the [[Tropical Forest]] showing that it was possible to get Red, Yellow and Blue Pikmin in the area, which is not possible in the final version.
Desiccated Skitter Leaf P3 E3 2012 screenshot.png|[[Desiccated Skitter Leaf]]s are shown here in the [[Tropical Forest]], but in the final game, this area is home to [[Pyroclasmic Slooch]]es.
</gallery>

==Audio==
*The idea for a different [[Music in Pikmin 3#End of day|end of day theme]] depending on how profitable the day was, like in ''Pikmin 2'', might have been considered, seeing as how there are [[unused content in Pikmin 3|unused files]] for a "happy" and a "sad" version of the ''Pikmin 3'' song.

==Other changes==
===Title screen===
In an early version of the [[Menu#Title screen|title screen]], the logo contained a "3" made of violet flowers, to resemble the flowers of the [[Rock Pikmin|Rock]] and [[Winged Pikmin]]. In the final game, these flowers were changed to orange, possibly to represent [[ultra-spicy spray]]. In addition, the earliest footage of the game showed that it was originally much dimmer than the final version, although this was possibly due to the fact that the lighting engine wasn't complete at the time it was shown.

<gallery>
pikmin-3-logo.jpg|''Pikmin 3'''s original logo and darker setting.
pikmin-3-logo-final.jpg|''Pikmin 3'''s final logo and more lit-up design.
</gallery>

===Crystals===
In the earliest footage of ''Pikmin 3'', [[crystal]]s were much more opaque. In the final game, they were changed to be transparent.

<gallery>
Rock Pikmin Crystal P3 E3 2012.png|Crystals, as they looked in the game's early production.
Pikmin3 FinalCrystal.jpg|Crystals, as they appear in the final game.
</gallery>

===HUD elements===
* In the Nintendo Direct on {{date|17|May|2013}}, the [[HUD#Juice counter|juice counter]] was seen for the first time. However, unlike the final version, which has an orange colored juice in the bottle, this version has a silver colored juice.
* In the {{date|17|May|2013}} Nintendo Direct, the [[Menu#Pause|pause menu]] was shown. The last option says "To Ship's Log", which was later changed to "To Earlier Day" in the final game. In addition, the menu received some minor appearance tweaks, mostly on the "{{button|wii|+}} Back" label.
* In the first trailer of ''Pikmin 3'', it's possible to see the early design used for the [[Mission Mode]] timer. The figures used for it look a bit different and they are in a blue rectangle, in the final version.
* It's possible to see a previous version of the Collect Treasure! counter in the E3 2012 trailer of ''Pikmin 3''. The design of the medals and figures look a bit different from that of the final version.
* In the E3 2012 trailer, it's possible to see an early version of the Pikmin counter.
* In E3 2012 images that contain the [[radar]], it is possible to see that the colors of the terrain are much less saturated and harder to tell apart.
* In the E3 2012 footage, the font used for the number of standby Pikmin that appears next to the [[cursor]] is in italics, unlike the final version.
* The original version of the "[[Assets used in the Pikmin series#DF Craft Sumi|DF Craft Sumi]]" typeface was still being used during E3 2012. In the final version of the game, [[Assets used in the Pikmin series#Pikmin 3 bubble-like font|this font was modified]].

<gallery>
Early juice.jpg|The juice counter in an early version. The standby Pikmin number in italics can also be seen.
HUD Juice counter.jpg|The juice counter in the final game.
P3 early pause menu.jpg|The pause menu in an early version.
Pikmin 3 pause.jpg|The pause menu in the final game.
Early timer.png|A screenshot showing the timer used in a previous version of ''[[Pikmin 3]]''.
HUD Mission Mode time.jpg|The final timer.
Early Collect Treasure! counter.png|A screenshot showing the [[Collect Treasure!]] counter as it appeared in a previous version of ''[[Pikmin 3]]''.
HUD Collect Treasure! counter.png|The final counter.
Early Pik count.png|The early version of the Pikmin counter used in ''Pikmin 3''.
HUD Pikmin counter P3.jpg|The current Pikmin counter used in ''Pikmin 3''.
WUPP Pikmin3 Ev05 scrn03.png|In the final game, there is no "Day 1" icon in the part where the player plays with [[Captain Charlie]].
Pikmin 3 Gamepad gameplay.png|The [[radar]] in E3 2012 footage.
KopPad map Go Here.jpg|The radar in the final version of the game. The terrain colors are more vibrant.
</gallery>

There is also gameplay of an unknown build of the game that takes place in [[Tropical Forest]], but the [[HUD]]'s positioning is different from anything in the final game or other demos of ''Pikmin 3''. Particularly: the [[health]] meter for the current leader is next to the left edge of the screen, a bit above the center, and the Pikmin counter is at the bottom of the screen, centered horizontally. There is one recorded image of the gameplay, but it's not clear if this is single-player gameplay, or if it is the left screen in co-op mode.

<gallery>
Face wrinkler scan.PNG|Locking-on to the Face Wrinkler in a version of the game with a different Mission Mode HUD.
Whiptongue Bulborb.jpg|Locking-on to a Whiptongue Bulborb.
Fragments.jpg|Locking-on to [[fragments]].
Spotcap.png|Locking-on to a [[Spotcap]].
</gallery>

===Appearance changes===
[[File:Bridge P3 E3 2012 screenshot.png|thumb|An early bridge.]]
* In an earlier version shown at E3 2012, blue bridge [[fragment]]s had a different appearence, looking less shiny and more aged.

==See also==
*[[Unused content in Pikmin 3|Unused content in ''Pikmin 3'']]
*[[Prerelease information]]

==References==
{{refs}}

{{prerelease}}