Pikmin 3 to feature three control schemes and off-TV play

Pikmin 3 will feature several control schemes and off-TV play with the Wii U GamePad, Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata announced today in a Nintendo Direct presentation.

Three different control schemes will be available for the title, including GamePad-only play (which is reminiscent of the series' standard control scheme), Wii Remote and Nunchuck play and a mode which utilizes the Pro Controller. In addition, players will be able to play off their TV screens using the Wii U GamePad — or, they can use the GamePad as a monitor as they play through the game with a Wii Remote and Nunchuck.

The game will feature a less punishing level select system, letting players retry levels they've botched, rather than requiring them to start the game over entirely to try to have a perfect run.

Pikmin 3 was announced for Wii U at E3 2012. The console's GamePad controller will be used to display the world map and allow players to quickly switch between leaders and swap Pikmin. The game will feature two new breeds of Pikmin: a Rock Pikmin and a pink Winged Pikmin that can carry items through the air.

Pikmin 3 will launch at retail and digitally through the Nintendo Wii U eShop on Aug. 4.