Pikmin (species)

Pikminicus
Pikmin
Size	9-13mm
Debut	Pikmin

Pikmin are the namesakes of the Pikmin series. They are tiny, bipedal creatures with stalks coming out of their heads and a single facial feature (besides eyes) that is dependant on their color. In both games, the Pikmin ally themselves with Captain Olimar, though an exact reason for this behavior is never given. Olimar and associates are able to command the Pikmin to assist them in various ways, whether it is to defeat monsters, break down walls, or carry objects back to their spaceship. There are currently six types of Pikmin accounted for.

In General

Pikmin start their lives as seeds that are ejected from Onions, the color of the seed corresponding with the color of the Onion. The Onions will, on occasion, eject a seed for no apparent reason (namely at the start of the game, or if all of your Pikmin have been killed), though the most practical way to grow more Pikmin is to bring a pellet or a dead creature to the Onion; the amount of seeds created from these depends on the size of the object.

Onions are not the only things that plant Pikmin. If a Pikmin is thrown into a Candypop Bud, it will be shot back out as a seed of the same color as the bud. Swooping Snitchbugs will grab Pikmin away from Olimar and toss them into the ground hard enough to replant them and Mamutas will intentionally replant Pikmin, though in the process the Pikmin will grow a flower on its stalk (see below). There is also the chance that a creature that ate a Pikmin and was then killed will leave a Pikmin seed behind in the ground.

Though they can be plucked at any time after being planted by the Onion, it is in a grower's best interest to wait a bit. Pikmin will start their lives with a plain green leaf attached to the ends of their stalks. After a few minutes (or hours in the game), the leaf will transform into a bud, and a few minutes after that it will open up into a flower. Pikmin with a flower on their stalks are somewhat faster and stronger (fighting-wise) than Pikmin with a simple leaf. If a Pikmin does have a leaf or a bud however, giving it a sip of nectar can cause a flower to bloom. However, Pikmin with flowers can also be reduced to leaves by certain enemies or traps.

Only 100 Pikmin can be led about an area at a time; remaining Pikmin (including seeds) will stay within their Onions. The most effective way to use a Pikmin is to throw it at an object that needs to be picked up or onto an enemy that you want to attack. Pikmin respond to Olimar's whistle, and can either be called back to him by a single toot or led around in formation (without going far from Olimar's side). Pikmin can also be dismissed into ranks based on color and leaf, bud, or flower.

Though Pikmin are usually loyal to Olimar, they can occasionally be distracted. Areas where nectar can be found in particular will cause a Pikmin to drop everything and search for the sweet stuff. Certain enemies like Flint Beetles will draw a Pikmin's attention as well, while Mitites will cause them to go into a frenzy. The Puffstool in Pikmin can actually turn Pikmin against Olimar by infecting them with its spores. While infected, the Pikmin take on a purple hue and have a mushroom attached to their stalks, as seen to the right.

Red Pikmin

Red Pikmin are the first types discovered by Olimar in both games. He finds a Red Onion not far from his ship in the Landing Site in the first game, which gives him a free seed, and then encounters five of them fighting a Dwarf Bulborb at the Valley of Repose in the second game. Louie later finds the Red Onion at the Valley of Repose, which leads to an awkward confrontation between him and the Red Pikmin he plucks. Crimson Candypop Buds will turn other Pikmin into Red Pikmin, as well as Queen Candypop Buds (if the spots are red when the Pikmin is thrown in).

Red Pikmin are distinguished from the others by their long, pointy noses. They are able to withstand fire, making them perfect choices for disabling the fire spouts scattered throughout the planet and fighting the Fiery Bulblaxes of Pikmin 2. They were also, until the introduction of Purple Pikmin, the strongest fighters--able to take down enemies faster than Yellow or Blue Pikmin.

Yellow Pikmin

The Yellow Onion is the second one found by Olimar in both games, though Yellow Pikmin themselves are the fourth type found in Pikmin 2. In the first game, they are discovered not far from the landing site in the Forest of Hope; in the second game, five of them have been chased up a tree near their Onion by a Swooping Snitchbug in the Perplexing Pool. Pikmin that are thrown into a Golden Candypop Bud will turn yellow, as well as Pikmin thrown into a Queen Candypop Bud while its spots are yellow.

Yellow Pikmin are different from the other types because of their large ears. They are lighter than the other Pikmin (possibly because their ears catch the air), which lets Olimar throw them higher. In Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin were the only ones who could pick up bomb-rocks, making them the most versatile types; however, this ability was removed in Pikmin 2 and replaced by a resistance to electricity.