So, what makes it special? What makes it a great game? What does it have that stands out among the genre?

I have enjoyed the series for a very long time now but it's not always clear the reason why. There are loads of real time strategy games out there, especially on PC yet I keep coming back to Pikmin time and time again. I do like other strategy games but it surprises me how much I enjoy this series. The fact that it's very charming is not reason enough for this.

Of course the gameplay is very enjoyable but what is Pikmin doing right that other series haven't been able to? Is it maybe that the whole package works very well? The fact that it's very relaxing seems to be a major point to me. Something that you feel with many Nintendo IPs such as Animal Crossing.

I have a harder time coming up with what's not special about Pikmin. It is a real-time strategy game, but very generally speaking.

I think it's that Nintendo charm. I've never been super into the actual gameplay of Pikmin, but something about the way it's presented makes me want to play it.

I only played Pikmin 1 but it's a combination of simply solid gameplay married with great art. Not sure i'd call it an RTS though. It defies genre a bit