sigh I mean, honestly, it's a pretty good introduction/re-introduction for newcomers or people who haven't played in a while. It's just that, it's a very back to basics Pokemon, especially compared to the more interesting Black and White games. It feels like in the rush to go to 3D, implement a new type, and start focusing more and more on gimmicks, that other things faltered here (still the least amount of Pokemon added in a new game outside of Legends: Arceus and a bad and lazy plot even by Pokemon standards.)
My team: Greninja, Venusaur, Pangoro, Aegislash, Heliolisk, and Sylveon

I'm finally going to get around to doing a, hopefully, quick marathon of the Pikmin games up to 4. I've honestly only played 3 before, so I'm curious to try out the older ones now. This one's a nice little package that can still be a little difficult with the time limit and the Pikmin's wonky AI (luckily got all ship parts in 22 days, even with two or three days spent going back to the Impact Site to restock my Pikmin numbers). I quite enjoyed its air of mystery and how it only tells you about the world through Olimar's eyes. He has a more interesting perspective than I thought with him being portrayed as curious and stubborn and gullible, when my only other experiences with him are in Pikmin 3 (where he is barely in it) and Smash Bros. (which doesn't show off much of his personality except that he's good at leading Pikmin)

My favorite Pikmin game so far! Even though it took a little time to come to grips with less time limits and less emphasis on the hub world puzzling compared to 1 and 3, I do really dig Pikmin 2's more strict approach to its levels/caves. Some later levels can be pretty frustrating, but it's a nice challenge (and made slightly more bearable by saves between levels) to make up for the lack of time limits. Purple and White Pikmin are great additions to the puzzling possibilities, as well, thanks to their specific abilities (increased carry weight and power for purples, faster carrying and poison resistance in whites) and limited availability. Also, I love how in-depth the world building is thanks to the Piklopedia and Treasure Hoard that even provides funny commentary and differing viewpoints from Olimar (biology of creatures/views on treasure he finds), the spaceship (how to sell treasures), and Louie (best ways to eat creatures). That comedic streak even extends to the plot and crux of the game that it's all spent to clear up the debt for Olimar's company as he slaves away on a cute yet hostile planet

Before this marathon, the only main Pokemon game I had never played at all. I was worried that I might get tired of wandering around Unova after two straight games, but this game shows how interesting of a setting it is. There's less going on in the narrative as the first game, but it visits its repercussions often. The increased diversity in Pokemon gives a wealth of options to use in a playthrough, and the amount of post-game content rivals even that of HeartGold. I think this might be my favorite Pokemon yet.
My team for this playthrough: Samurott, Magnezone, Flygon, Heracross, Zoroark, and Volcarona

A very good game, if one that I did not become as attached to as Earthbound. Gameplay's a bit improved with less problems with item storage and save points and rhythm based bashing to have more player activity in turn based combat. While the story is a lot more involved than Earthbound's with some strong emotional points (especially at the end), I do think the early chapters switching focus between characters feels more scattershot, and the shifts between quirky and serious don't feel as earned as Earthbound's (very quirky but gets quite serious at the end) or Undertale's (good balance between quirky and serious). Still a worthy game that everyone should play, and one that Nintendo should make widely available at some point, even with its more adult subject matter