Is Nintendo trying to make Pikmin known?

[sparkit34]

I think it was a brilliant cost effective strategy to introduce new gamers to Pikmin. I knew almost nothing about Pikmin having missed the GC era. NPC Pikmin at its price point was exactly the motivation i needed to get into the series. Now i am hooked.

I also expect for the sales of both NPC Pikmins to rise significantly after Pikmin 3 is officially announced and shown.

I would not be surprised if the two NPC Metroid prime games are also being developed too boost interest in a new Metroid Prime game (and to some extent spur sales of MP3)