1) While the following doesn't completely offset the absence of C-stick functionality, it still does a good enough job. The AI of the Pikmin who follow you has been improved as they move in a narrower formation which doesn't make it too much of a hassle to move around hazards. You can command all Pikmin to attack at once when you've locked on to a target. Pressing left or right on the d-pad (*EDIT: Requires an upgrade.*) lets you and your Pikmin perform a roll to the respective side which, depending on your previous movement, can be inferior or superior to C-stick functionality. If you were circling around the enemy right before pressing the d-pad, then there's a good chance that some Pikmin won't be able to move out of harm's way, because they lag too far behind (although this held also true with C-stick controls). If you were standing still, then the roll is more effective than the C-stick was.

2) This is commonly done in games to make solutions to puzzles less obvious. However, if you scroll the map on the Gamepad, you can see an overhead view of the terrain on the TV screen, so that's at least something. And just like the things described in the above paragraph, this can either be inferior or superior to the old way. Viewing the entire landscape without having to walk there is superior. What is inferior is that not all objects can necessarily be seen from the overhead view.

3) The workaround for this problem is to create a dummy account on your console, because it's one save file per account.

I appreciate your response, but I still can't help but feel a bit disappointed over those ommisions/design choices. There was just no good reason to take any of that out. And while I understand you can do the "Dummy account" thing, you shouldn't have to. NSMBU doesn't require you to. I doubt the new Zelda will. So why Pikmin? It's just dumb.

Like I said, I love the Pikmin franchise, and have been waiting for this game forever. But it really does kind of amaze/disappoint me that I don't see more people (here or otherwise) mentioning these poor design choices I've brought up. The c-stick especially was such an integral part of the Pikmin experience, to take it out would be like taking out the "hold down b to run" element of Super Mario Bros. I have to accept the changes they made. But I'll likely never fully get over the fact that this game could have instead of just good, been a masterpiece with those things still in the game.

Do you need help? I am more than willing to help you out, because I want you to make it to a certain part of the game that pretty much guarantees a major meltdown on your part.

Are we talking about a boss here? You follow the fat bastard rather closely and then react depending on what he does.

If he is going to create a hole, you move away and throw down a bomb. Doesn't matter whether the Pikmin dies, because it's just one.

If he is going to come out of the earth, you move close enough to already stand on the edge of the hill or above, then activate the lock-on as quickly as possible and initiate a group attack. He spits the rocks at such a high angle that he is completely defenseless against the Pikmin running up the hill. The Pikmin with bombs will run in his direction at first too, but that's not an issue, because they only drop bombs when they get thrown. Since they can't grab on to an enemy when they carry something, they will return to you before they even reach their target. There is no risk of an explosion.

Once you depleted over half of his health, he will perform his special move. He draws several circles, so it's easy to anticipate the huge hole he is going to create. As soon as he starts to move in an ever-growing circle, you move to the very edge of the arena. Overall, your losses should remain in the single digit range, if you collect your Pikmin quickly enough everytime after he shakes them off-

You could have also played the entire fight without bombs. Takes a big longer though, because then you can only stun him when he forms a hill.

Sigh... you can afford to finish days without collecting any fruit.

Whilst we're on the subject, how much spare fruit did you have at the end, in juice? I don't foresee there being a tight limit, but I am very thorough and this is my first Pikmin game, so...

i have 34 juices left with exploring 23 days(or maybe 24 days)