Pikmin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pikmin
Series logo since 2023
Genres	Real-time strategy Puzzle
Developers	Nintendo EAD (2001–2013) Arzest (2017) Eighting (2020–2023) Niantic (2021) Nintendo EPD (2023–present)
Publishers	Nintendo
Creators	Shigeru Miyamoto
Platforms	GameCube Wii Wii U Nintendo 3DS Nintendo Switch Android iOS
First release	Pikmin October 26, 2001
Latest release	Pikmin Finder September 1, 2023

Pikmin is a fun video game series from Nintendo. It was created by Shigeru Miyamoto, who also made Mario and The Legend of Zelda.

In Pikmin games, you control a tiny space explorer. Your job is to lead a group of small, plant-like creatures called Pikmin. You use them to collect items, clear paths, and fight strange creatures. The games combine strategy and puzzle-solving.

There are four main Pikmin games and two spin-off games. The first two games, Pikmin (2001) and Pikmin 2 (2004), first came out on the GameCube. They were later updated for the Wii and then remastered for the Nintendo Switch in 2023.

Pikmin 3 came out for the Wii U in 2013. An improved version, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2020. Hey! Pikmin was the first game for handheld devices, released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2017. The newest main game, Pikmin 4, arrived on the Nintendo Switch in 2023. There are also mobile games like Pikmin Bloom (2021) and Pikmin Finder (2023).

How to Play Pikmin Games

Olimar, surrounded by Pikmin, stands by Pellet Posies (right) that can be brought to the Pikmin Onion to grow more Pikmin.

Pikmin games mix action, puzzles, and strategy. You explore a planet called PNF-404, which looks a lot like Earth. You control a group of Pikmin, who are smart and loyal plant-animal creatures. They follow your commands.

Many leaders have guided the Pikmin. The first and most famous is Captain Olimar. He is a tiny alien from the planet Hocotate. In Pikmin 2, you can also play as Louie and The President. Pikmin 3 introduces new leaders from planet Koppai: Alph, Brittany, and Charlie. In Pikmin 4, you create your own character. You are part of a rescue team and get help from Oatchi, a space dog.

You tell Pikmin to do many jobs. Their main task is to find important items for your mission. You must guide them past obstacles and dangerous creatures. Each Pikmin is small and weak alone. But they are strong when they work together. You need to choose the right Pikmin for each task. This helps you get items, avoid dangers, and defeat enemies. Each game day lasts about 13 real-time minutes. You try to get as much done as possible before the sun sets.

Pikmin Types and Abilities

Pikmin come in different colors. Each color means they have special abilities. They also have different resistances to dangers. The number of Pikmin types has changed over the games.

Original Pikmin Types

The first Pikmin game had three types:

• Red Pikmin: They are good at fighting. They are also safe from fire.
• Yellow Pikmin: You can throw them higher than other Pikmin. They can also carry bomb rocks. In later games, they became immune to electricity. They can also dig faster.
• Blue Pikmin: They have gills. This lets them breathe and move in water. They won't drown from water attacks.

New Pikmin in Pikmin 2

Pikmin 2 added two more types:

• White Pikmin: These are the fastest Pikmin. They are safe from poison gas. They can also poison enemies if eaten. They can find hidden objects underground.
• Purple Pikmin: They are much stronger and heavier. They can carry heavy items. They also do more damage when attacking. They can stun enemies when they land on them.

New Pikmin in Pikmin 3

Pikmin 3 brought two more types:

• Rock Pikmin: These black Pikmin look like rocks. They can break crystal and glass. They cannot be crushed by enemies. They do a lot of damage when thrown.
• Winged Pikmin: These pink Pikmin have wings. They can fly freely. They can carry items over water or pits. They can also attack flying enemies.

New Pikmin in Pikmin 4

Pikmin 4 introduced two more types:

• Ice Pikmin: They can freeze enemies and water. They are also safe from being frozen. They have low attack power.
• Glow Pikmin: These ghost-like Pikmin only appear at night. They are safe from all elements like fire, water, and poison. They can stun enemies when many are charged together.

Pikmin Life Cycle and Onions

A selection of the varying Pikmin types (from left to right): Blue Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin, Red Pikmin, Winged Pikmin, Rock Pikmin, White Pikmin, Purple Pikmin, Ice Pikmin, and Glow Pikmin.

All Pikmin have a stalk on their heads. This stalk shows how strong and fast they are. It can be a leaf, a bud, or a flower. Pikmin get stronger when they drink nectar. They also get stronger if left planted in the ground.

At sunset, all Pikmin must return to their "Onions." Onions are their motherships. Pikmin are not safe from night predators. Onions are also important for Pikmin reproduction. When Pikmin bring food, like defeated enemies or pellets, to an Onion, it makes seeds. These seeds grow into new Pikmin. Each Onion houses Pikmin of its own color. The Onions travel with your leader to different places.

Pikmin Story and Characters

Main Heroes

• Captain Olimar: He is the main hero of the series. He works for Hocotate Freight. His spaceship is called the S.S. Dolphin. He has a family back home.
• Louie: He is Olimar's co-worker in Pikmin 2. He causes a big debt for their company. He is also playable in Pikmin 2.
• Alph, Brittany, and Charlie: These three new heroes appear in Pikmin 3. They are from the planet Koppai. Alph is an engineer, Brittany is a botanist, and Charlie is their captain.
• Customizable Character: In Pikmin 4, you play as a new member of the Rescue Corps. You rescue other team members and Olimar.
• Oatchi: This space dog helps you in Pikmin 4. He has special abilities.

Pikmin Creatures

Captain Olimar crash-lands on an unknown planet. There, he meets the plant-like beings he calls "Pikmin." He names them after carrots from his home planet. Pikmin are small, colorful creatures. They are about the size of a US dime. They follow any command you give them. They can attack enemies, defend Olimar, or carry large items. Pikmin are weak alone. But they are great at working together in groups. They make squeaking noises. You can give them commands with a whistle.

Other Characters

• The President: In Pikmin 2, he is Olimar's boss. He runs the Hocotate Freight company. He sends Olimar and Louie back to the Pikmin planet to find treasure. This treasure will help pay off the company's debt. The President's ship can talk and identify treasures.

How the Pikmin Games Were Made

Pikmin (2001)

Pikmin was the first game. It came out on October 26, 2001. Captain Olimar crash-lands on an unknown planet. He meets the Pikmin and needs to find his spaceship parts. He must escape before his air supply runs out. The game has three different endings. The ending depends on how many spaceship parts you find.

The game was later released for the Wii in 2009. It was also remastered in HD for the Nintendo Switch in 2023.

Pikmin 2 (2004)

Pikmin 2 was released in 2004. It takes place right after the first game. Olimar returns home and finds his company is in huge debt. His boss sends him and Louie back to the Pikmin planet. Their mission is to collect treasures to pay off the debt. These "treasures" are often human garbage like bottle caps. You control both Olimar and Louie. You can switch between them to do more tasks. Unlike the first game, Pikmin 2 has no time limit. You can take as many days as you need.

Like the first game, Pikmin 2 was also released for the Wii in 2009. An HD remaster came out for the Nintendo Switch in 2023.

Pikmin 3 and Spin-offs (2013-2022)

Shigeru Miyamoto hinted about a new Pikmin game for years. He thought the Wii controls would be great for it. Later, he said Pikmin 3 would be on the Wii U. He felt the HD graphics and special screen controller would work better. Pikmin 3 was officially announced at E3 2012. It showed the new Rock Pikmin and Winged Pikmin. It was released in mid-2013.

An improved version, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, was announced in 2020. It came out for the Nintendo Switch on October 30, 2020.

A new Pikmin game for the Nintendo 3DS was announced in 2016. It was a side-scrolling action game. Its title was revealed as Hey! Pikmin in 2017. It was released on July 28, 2017.

In 2021, Niantic, known for Pokémon Go, announced a Pikmin mobile game. It uses augmented reality technology. This game was later named Pikmin Bloom. It launched in October 2021.

Pikmin 4 and Spin-offs (2023-Present)

Miyamoto mentioned Pikmin 4 was in development back in 2015. It was officially shown on September 13, 2022. The game was developed using Unreal Engine. This was a first for a Nintendo game made internally. The team wanted to mix the best parts of previous Pikmin games. They aimed for a game that was easy for new players to enjoy. They also added new elements like Oatchi, the space dog.

Pikmin 4 was released on July 21, 2023, for the Nintendo Switch. Critics liked its level design, graphics, and how much content it had. They also praised how easy it was for new players to get into. It sold over three million copies worldwide. This made it the best-selling game in the series.

The first two Pikmin games were remastered for the Nintendo Switch in September 2023. They were released as Pikmin 1+2. Pikmin Finder is another mobile game released in 2023. It uses augmented reality. You use your phone camera to see Pikmin and tell them to carry treasure.

Pikmin in Other Games and Media

• Super Smash Bros. Series: Captain Olimar is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) and later games. He commands Pikmin in battle. He needs them to fight. You can pluck new Pikmin from the ground. There are also stages based on the Pikmin planet. Alph from Pikmin 3 can be an alternate costume for Olimar.
• Nintendo 3DS AR Games: Pikmin appear in the AR Games app on the Nintendo 3DS.
• Data Transfer Animations: Pikmin are shown carrying data when you transfer games or saves between Nintendo systems.
• Nintendo Land: The Wii U game Nintendo Land has a Pikmin-themed attraction called Pikmin Adventure. Players fight robot enemies. One player controls Olimar with the Wii U GamePad. Other players can play as Pikmin with Wii Remotes.
• Amiibo: Pikmin amiibo figures can unlock special costumes. You can get a Pikmin costume in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. You can also get Pikmin character costumes in Super Mario Maker.
• Super Nintendo World: You can see Pikmin figures at Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan. They are carrying items like coins and berries.
• Pikmin Gummy Candy: In September 2021, Pikmin gummy candies were released in Japan. They came in different fruit flavors for each Pikmin color.
• Pikmin Comic Strip: A comic strip based on Pikmin started being published in June 2023.

Pikmin Short Movies

Three short animated Pikmin movies were released in 2014. They were shown at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Then they were available on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS eShop. The movies are called "The Night Juicer," "Treasure in a Bottle," and "Occupational Hazards." They feature Pikmin and Captain Olimar. These movies were later put on YouTube to promote Pikmin 3 Deluxe.

See also

In Spanish: Pikmin (serie) para niños