Pikmin 4 Takes Over Times Square: Fans Go All Out with Game Ads!

In anticipation of the release of Pikmin 4 later this month, fans have purchased advertising space in New York City's Times Square. The highly anticipated fourth installment of the Pikmin game series will be available in the latter half of July, marking over ten years since the previous game was released on the Wii U. Nintendo has been actively promoting the game since its release date announcement, and the past few months have been dedicated to showcasing the franchise. To complement this, Pikmin 1 and 2 HD ports were unexpectedly released, making all numbered entries in the franchise playable on the Switch when Pikmin 4 launches.

Throughout June and July, additional information about the game has been gradually released, unveiling new gameplay elements such as a customizable character and nighttime missions. Fans had the opportunity to sample a portion of Pikmin 4 through a demo, with progress made in the demo carrying over to the full game upon release. While Nintendo has been generating buzz around the game prior to its launch, Pikmin enthusiasts are taking it a step further with unauthorized ads being broadcasted in New York City.

The initial sighting of a Pikmin 4-related advertisement in the city occurred on Twitter, with Pachi/Alph being the first to share it. The clip, which could easily pass as a meme, features a 3D animated Olimar engaging in twerking, accompanied by a caption urging viewers to purchase Pikmin 4 upon its release on July 21. Consequently, the fandom took notice, leading to a vigorous advertising campaign for the game as other users jumped in with their own creative contributions.

One noteworthy example is an unexpected ad starring the Pikmin antagonist, Bulbmin, which interrupted a series of birthday messages being broadcast at the same time. Enthusiastic fans have also joined the fun, with ads portraying Olimar and his Pikmin towering over the plaza, and another referencing a different meme. Without a doubt, fans are relishing the opportunity to exploit this newfound advertising potential to spread the word about the game.

These memes in Time Square are a result of TSX Live, allowing anyone to share a 15-second video on the TSX Broadway Screen. For a fee of $40, individuals find value in having their content viewed by many pedestrians in New York City. With only a few days left before the game release, the fandom plans to run these advertisements until then. Pikmin 4 is set to launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2023.

Source: GamesRadar