mariner's Pikmin 3 Deluxe review

That's the way Nintendo have found to go mainstream, while still not forgetting more serious play, and players.
The real thing can't be — because the shareholders have another priority than serious gaming, or don't they — the main course. So it's the side dish, or the dessert, or something half-hidden under the (dining) table, so as to be there while not taking any comfort away from the too easily discomforted by anything serious and with some depth.

I wouldn't say that's universal: Breath of the Wild is a pretty clear counterexample. But that sentiment of an easy game with optional harder stuff certainly seems to be the case for Mario these days, and of course is here in Pikmin. I can sort of understand it even if I don't completely agree with it. I just hope this attitude doesn't effect Metroid; there are some games where it just isn't needed!