Nintendo’s Pikmin Are (Sort of) Visiting The San Diego Zoo

There was a 10-year gap between Pikmin 3 and last year’s Pikmin 4, but fans of the long-running game series won’t have to wait any longer for the adorable creatures are (sort of) crossing over into the real world. Starting today, the Pikmin are coming to the San Diego Zoo as part of an extended promotional event with Nintendo.

As related in the official announcement, “explorers of all ages” are invited to visit the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California to find the Pikmin throughout the zoo. The Pikmin are being used to encourage younger visitors to grow and expand their appreciation for nature and the animals who live in the wild. Visitors at the zoo will be able to find Pikmin-themed locations and take pictures of the tiny creatures. According to the zoo, the Pikmin “can help guide your expedition around Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.”

Additionally, there will be a My Nintendo kiosk in the San Diego Zoo at the Pikmin pop-up tent that will let registered Nintendo account holders claim 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points. Guests can also get a “Nintendo goodie bag” from the pop-up tent in exchange for small tasks like finding and photographing a Pikmin at the zoo. Platinum points can then be exchanged for physical rewards on the My Nintendo website.

The Pikmin promotion will be running at the San Diego Zoo until November 28, but the Pikmin pop-up tent will close a few days earlier on November 24. October is also Kids Free Month at the San Diego Zoo for all children 11 and under when accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket for the zoo.