I understand why they do it, and it's not really gonna effect a lot of people, but it still sucks. What I especially think sucks is that anyone who does own the Wii U version won't be able to buy the DLC if they don't own it. At least they try to make the Switch version more appealing by adding additional content other than just the DLC (in the form of additional side missions).

It seems like a really, really sleazy thing to do.

I get what Nintendo is thinking, but... How many people

A.) Have access to a Wii U
B.) Care about Pikmin 3
C.) Don't own Pikmin 3 already
D.) Can't find a used physical copy
E.) Own a Switch and will now buy the Switch version at full retail?

I feel like that subset of people is so small, it's going to be greatly overshadowed by the number of double-dippers.  There's being business-savvy, then there's being Scroogian levels of penny pinching.

You'd also have to either have your Wii U still hooked up or care enough about Pikmin 3 to pull it out from wherever you're storing it to play.  Granted, more people may care with all the press for the port, but convenience is such a huge factor (so much that it's a selling point for the Switch).

Agreed with everyone, disappointing move from Nintendo. It's sensible as a business decision, and I'll even cede the amount of lost customers over this will likely be very low. And sure, maybe they'll reinstate it again and call it a "mistake" again.

But it's just a petty, greedy move, and I don't like the precedent it's setting. Doesn't really affect me, and in the grand scheme of the world's awfulness this is the least interesting hill to die on, but on principle I still wanna voice some displeasure here.

The Metroid Prime Trilogy is another one that's worth picking up since that's been rumored to be coming to Switch for like a year. Those pointer controls are pretty slick.

I figured it was more just to remove the price comparison so that the Switch version wouldn't be competing against the Wii U version. How many times have people voiced complaints when a third party will bring a game over to Switch (or past Nintendo console) that is full price when it is available for much less on one of the other consoles by that point? Then the game will often fail to sell well because of it. Removing it could be seen more like the game was on sale for awhile and that sale ended. Of course, removing it also does lesson the ability of people to acquire where they can get it. If people could get a third party game cheaper on another console they own then they most likely will. With the game only available on Switch then that's their only option for now unless they can get a used Wii U copy for cheaper. But for those buying it for the first time on Switch, I suppose it takes away the hesitation of getting it for full price since the alternative cheaper option no longer exists.

However, if it is a case of not wanting to compete against itself then I'm not sure why Nintendo just doesn't increase the price of the Wii U version back up to match the Switch version. I know it was on their Nintendo Selects series for the Wii U but it's not like that is some legally binding thing for which it must always and forever stay that way and at that price. With the game not being sold physically in retail for years, why should they feel it must stay that way just for the eShop? Mark the price up and then the DLC is still available as well. Sure, it will still get the same complaints of Nintendo being greedy like they are getting now by putting the price back up but at least the game could still be purchased on the system if anyone wants to play it there with the Gamepad.

I wonder if, as someone who bought Pikmin 3 off the eshop, I would be able to download it again if I deleted it from my WiiU?

I recall that for de-listed games that were not pulled for exploit/legal reasons you could always redownload them, but they could have changed that.

Arrested Development Narration: "He could not."

Removing the DLC too seems pretty strange.

Fortunately it doesn't affect me, as I already got the DLC through Club Nintendo.