Pikmin Bloom is rolling out one of its most peculiar updates to date - and that's saying something for Niantic's AR lineup. This time, players will be hunting down seedlings at their neighborhood Italian restaurants to collect the all-new pasta-themed Pikmin.
Pasta Power Arrives in Pikmin Bloom
Forget what you knew about flower-capped Pikmin - the latest update swaps petals for penne as these adorable creatures deck themselves out in various pasta styles. From classic spaghetti to more obscure noodle varieties, your squad is about to get a carb-load of personality.
The genius (or madness) of this promotion lies in its simplicity: visit participating Italian eateries to discover seedlings that'll grow into these culinary companions. While it might seem random at first glance, the pasta theme makes surprising sense for encouraging urban exploration - everyone knows that amazing little Italian place around the corner they've been meaning to try.
Restaurant owners will likely appreciate the increased foot traffic, though neighborhood sidewalks might get crowded with players hunting for their perfect pasta pal. The update showcases Niantic's continued creativity in blending real-world locations with in-game rewards, even if the Italian food connection had us doing a double-take at first.
How to Join the Pasta Party
Before you start planning your pizza-and-Pikmin crawl, make sure you've updated to the latest version of Pikmin Bloom. The rollout begins soon, turning every trattoria and pizzeria into a potential Pikmin hotspot.
While you're waiting for the pasta Pikmin to appear, why not check out our roundup of the week's hottest mobile releases? Or dive into our review of Magical Maintenance Mystery, a charming text adventure that proves great games don't need fancy graphics.
