New AR Game 'Pikmin' From Makers Of 'Pokemon Go' To Launch This Year

Niantic Labs, the maker of "Pokemon Go," is joining forces with Nintendo for an augmented reality video game based on "Pikmin."

The game is the first in a new mobile games partnership between the companies, reported USA Today.

"Pikmin," a 2001 game developed by Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, starred colorful plant-inspired creatures that the players could control.

"Niantic’s AR technology has made it possible for us to experience the world as if Pikmin are secretly living all around us,” Miyamoto said in a statement.

"Based on the theme of making walking fun, our mission is to provide people a new experience that’s different from traditional games. We hope that the Pikmin and this app will become a partner in your life.”

The app, which is scheduled to be unveiled globally later this year, will be the first game from Niantic's Tokyo Studio, established in April 2018.

"As we continue to expand our games portfolio, it was a natural next step to team up with Nintendo," said Niantic CEO John Hanke.

"We’re looking forward to shaping the future of AR together, bringing Nintendo’s beloved game characters to life for mobile game players around the world."

Fans are excited about this new announcement.

"Pikmin in the real world, I wonder how its going to work? Sounds like a fun game idea though," one tweeted.

Another commented, "I have gotten so desperate for pikmin content I’ll take anything at this point Being a pikmin fan is the worst."

Another tweeted, "Oooh, interesting! Pikmin could work brilliantly as an AR app!"