Editing Day

{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y|p4=y}}

[[File:HUD Day counter P3.jpg|thumb|The day icon in {{p3}}.]]

The main [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]] take place over the course of several in-game '''days''' ({{j|日|Hi|Day}}). Dangerous creatures roam at nighttime, so exploration on [[PNF-404]] [[night expedition|generally]] only happens during the daytime. The number of days spent on the planet is also important in some games: in {{p1}}, [[Captain Olimar]] has 30 days before his life-support systems fail and he's stranded on the planet permanently, and in {{p3}} the number of days left is determined by how many bottles of [[fruit]] juice are left, for a maximum of 99 days. {{p2}} and {{p4}} have no day limit, and in {{npcp1}}, the [[Pikmin 1 (Nintendo Switch)|Nintendo Switch port of ''Pikmin'']], and ''Pikmin 3'', the player is given the ability to go back in time and retry from a certain day of their adventure through an option in the [[saved game selection menu]] in the case of ''New Play Control! Pikmin'' and Nintendo Switch port of ''Pikmin'', and a dedicated [[day selection menu]] in the case of ''Pikmin 3''. A common challenge run in the ''Pikmin'' games is to [[Challenge run#Low day|complete the game taking the least amount of days possible]].

The [[HUD#Sun Meter|Sun Meter]] at the top of the [[HUD]] indicates the amount of daylight left, so effectively, the time the player has left on the current day. A number on the top right corner indicates the current day. In the [[Story Mode]] of ''Pikmin'' games, a day lasts between 13 and 18 real-life minutes, depending on the game, version, and [[difficulty]] mode, as explained [[#Durations|here]]. Alternative game modes have days with varying lengths. As the day goes by, the lighting in the area changes much as it does on Earth, but enemy behavior and area layout remains constant throughout.

Any important objects that are moved from their original spot like a [[ship part]], [[treasure]] (except in [[cave]]s in ''Pikmin 2''), and [[fruit]] will remain in the new spot on any following day. When an enemy is killed, it usually respawns in its original place after some number of days. Additionally, if an enemy's corpse is not brought back to an [[Onion]] before the end of the day, the corpse will disappear. Some enemies only appear on certain days. Some of the most notable enemies with this characteristic are the [[Smoky Progg]], which disappears after day 15, the [[Ujadani]], which only appear every 30 days, and the [[Goolix]] and [[Mamuta]] on [[The Impact Site]], that appear on alternating days. For a list of all enemies that appear on exclusive days, please read the list of enemies in the corresponding [[area]] article.

[[File:Clock.png|thumb|350px|The Sun Meter in the first 3 ''Pikmin'' games.]]

When the sunset arrives, all leaders and Pikmin must stop what they are doing, retreat into the [[Onion]]s and ship, and spend the night in low orbit, due to the fact that many predators become active at night. Additionally, in {{p2}}, the [[Hocotate ship]] needs to be in low orbit to communicate with [[Hocotate]]. In {{p4}}, the Onion retreats to orbit, but the S.S. Beagle returns to the [[Rescue Command Post]].

 

 

 

 

 

While it can be difficult to tell if a Pikmin is considered safe in the first 2 games, ''Pikmin 3'' added some ways to know for sure. A large white circle appears around all activated Onions in the area, indicating that Pikmin within it will be safe.  Although unactivated Onions do not show the circle, the safety radius still exists, and if a dormant Onion is activated after the sunset warning period begins, the circle will still not appear, but nearby Pikmin will still be counted as safe. This radius can also be seen on the [[radar]]. A small counter will appear on the top-right corner of the [[HUD]] to alert the player of how many Pikmin are in danger of being left behind. On the [[KopPad]], what types of Pikmin that are idle are displayed near the top of the map, along with how many. Pikmin icons will also appear larger on the radar when the sunset is approaching, and the icons of those that are at risk of being left on the surface will also appear flashing on the radar. Finally, when the player attempts to finish the day from the pause menu, a warning will show up saying that Pikmin will be left behind, if there are indeed any Pikmin considered not safe when the player tried to end the day.

Sometime after the warning, a countdown from 10 takes place (9 in ''Pikmin 4''). Each digit takes a few seconds to pass, as explained [[#Durations|here]], and is presented on-screen, slowly fading away to make way for the next one. 0 also appears, and the day doesn't end until after the 0 disappears completely. Interestingly, in ''Pikmin'', after the counter reaches 4, the player is no longer able to interact with the [[S.S. Dolphin]] or open the radar.  

When the countdown finishes, or when the day is ended with the [[pause menu]], two [[Cutscene|cinematic sequences]] take place. The first scene starts with all alive leaders and safe Pikmin following the leaders walking up to the landing site in a single group led by the leader who was selected when the day ended. The main leader then [[dismiss]]es and orders every Pikmin to get on their Onions or ship. In ''Pikmin 3'', if the player does not have any Pikmin in their group, the active leader will not do the dismiss animation and sound. Any Pikmin that is near an Onion, but away from the landing site will still climb to their Onion, despite not being shown. Any Pikmin that is buried will remain buried in the same spot and can be [[pluck]]ed on another day. After all the Pikmin have entered their Onion, the leader(s) are beamed into the ship.

A song plays during this cinematic, and while it is similar in each game, there is some variation. In ''Pikmin'', the song is slower, and repeats a section twice, lengthening the cutscene when compared to the later games. In ''Pikmin 2'', there are 4 songs that can play during this cinematic:

*If the player obtained no [[treasure]], even if they gathered [[Poko]]s from [[enemies]], a simple and quiet remix of the main "end of day" theme plays.

*If the player has collected some treasures, the regular song takes place.

*A third, more upbeat version of the song will play when the player has collected 15 or more treasures during the day.

*The final theme plays when both [[leader]]s are down or a [[Pikmin extinction]] occurs. It's a sad and lower-beat version of the main "end of day" theme.

[[File:Spaceship Pikmin3.png|thumb|The [[S.S. Drake]] and the Onion lifting off in ''[[Pikmin 3]]''.]]

The second cinematic shows the ship preparing for lift-off, while wild creatures draw near. If any Pikmin were not considered safe, they'll be shown running towards the ship in an attempt to be saved. However, it is too late, and the wandering enemies will begin to eat them. In ''Pikmin 4'', enemies only go to the landing site if Pikmin were actually left behind. The ship then takes off, and the [[Day results menu|stats for that day]] are shown. This is when the player may [[Saved game|save]] the game, and read [[Olimar's voyage log]], [[mail]], the [[Pikmin 3 voyage log|Koppaites' voyage log]], or (in [[Olimar's Shipwreck Tale]]) a monologue from Olimar. The following is a list of enemies that appear in each area in ''Pikmin'', ''Pikmin 3'' and ''Pikmin 4'', given that in ''Pikmin 2'', the game picks randomly from the enemies that can appear in the area, with more Pikmin left behind resulting in more enemies:

 

 

 

''Pikmin 4'' includes a fifth phase of the sunset, wherein the [[Pikmin 4 player character|player character]] and [[Oatchi]] return to the [[Rescue Command Post]] to spend the night there. The stats for the day are moved to this phase and are followed by some dialogue between major characters, typically [[Rescue Corps]] members and Olimar. The player character never partakes in this dialogue.

 

 

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', Olimar's Final Smash is called '''End of Day'''. It shows Olimar jumping into his [[Hocotate ship|ship]] then rocketing off into space as night approaches. The stage below becomes infested with mature Bulborbs that deal heavy damage to foes; following this, the ship crashes and explodes, hurting all nearby enemies. Strangely, Pikmin will be left behind and are immune to the predators, but not to other players.

 

 

|obtain = Complete All-Star mode with Olimar or Alph.

 

 

The exact duration of a day, the sunset stage, etc. varies between games, between versions, and between [[difficulty]] modes.

 

If the European [[region|version]] of {{p1}} runs at 50 Hz, the gameplay speed will be slower (see [[Frame#Framerate|framerate]]), which also makes the day longer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather for a day is set at the beginning of the day while the game is [[loading]], and does not change throughout the day. Generally, the weather is set [[Randomization|randomly]], with rainy weather having a 1/4 chance in the Tropical Wilds, Garden of Hope, and Twilight River, and snowy weather having a 1/2 chance in the Distant Tundra.<ref>This data is based on experiments in both versions of ''Pikmin 3'', and the exact probabilities may be different.</ref> However, a day can be forced to have a specific weather type, if at the beginning of the day, the amount of progress through the [[Story Mode|story]] is at a specific level, and the player is in a specific [[area]]. (The variable used to track the game progress is also used for [[objective]]s.)

*It is day 1 in the [[Tropical Wilds]].

*Brittany has not yet been rescued in the [[Garden of Hope]].

*The double [[bridge]] has not been built in the [[Distant Tundra]] and it is at least the third day in the area (not including day 1).

*Charlie has been rescued but the [[Sandbelching Meerslug]] has not been defeated in the Tropical Wilds.

*The [[dam]] has not been lifted in the [[Twilight River]].

*The Hocotatian has been saved from the Scornet Maestro but [[Blue Pikmin]] have not been obtained in the Garden of Hope.

*The cave has not yet been entered in the [[Formidable Oak]].

*The [[Armored Mawdad]] has been defeated but the Data Glutton has not been collected in the Garden of Hope.

*The [[Sandbelching Meerslug]] has been defeated but the Folded Data Glutton has not been collected in the Tropical Wilds.

*The [[Scornet Maestro]] has been defeated but the Hocotatian has not been rescued in the Twilight River.

*[[Blue Pikmin]] have been obtained but the [[Quaggled Mireclops]] has not been defeated in the Garden of Hope.

*The cave has been entered in the Formidable Oak.

The weather will be forced to be snowy if, at the start of the day:

*It is day 1 in the Distant Tundra.

*The double bridge has not been built in the Distant Tundra and it is the first or second day in the area (not including day 1).

As time goes by, the daylight changes much as it would on Earth, with the area being slightly foggy during the morning, the most lit during the middle of the day, and darker near the night.

In ''Pikmin'', the shadows under [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] and [[Olimar]] point in different directions as the day goes by. At the start of the day, they point to the southwest, at midday, to the south, and near the end, to the southeast. This is similar to sun-cast shadows on planet Earth, given that the sun rises on the east (and hence, the shadows are cast to the west), and sets on the west. In order to avoid rendering too many shadows at once and slowing the game down, Pikmin shadows are completely omitted if there are 51 or more Pikmin on the field.

 

In ''Pikmin 2'', the shadow limit does not exist, but shadows do not change direction as the day progresses and are cast directly under the leaders or Pikmin.

 

In ''Pikmin 3'', all objects cast shadows, and these shadows change direction throughout the day, but remain mostly directly below objects to allow depth to be judged more easily, only elongating very near the [[#Sunset|sunset]]. The direction of shadows corresponds with the location of the sun, which can be seen in the sky with the [[KopPad]] camera. The compass direction where the sun rises and sets varies between areas and segments. This is because different segments are rotated by varying amounts in the radar compared to their orientation within the area's model, which causes the direction of north to vary between segments. In segments where compass directions are not rotated relative to the area's model, the sun rises in the south, moves through the west of the sky, and sets in the north. Other segments have the sun rise and set in different directions based on their rotation.

Time passage P1.gif|Animation demonstrating the daylight as a day goes by, in ''Pikmin''.

Time passage P2.gif|Same as the previous animation, but for ''Pikmin 2''.

==Badges==

In {{p3d}}, there is a [[badge (Pikmin 3 Deluxe)|badge]] the player can gain from spending days on PNF-404:

==Gallery==

 

==Trivia==

*The sunset [[cutscenes]] cannot be skipped in the US [[Region|version]] of ''Pikmin'', but they can in the European version, as well as all ''[[New Play Control!]]'' and Nintendo Switch ports.

*The End of Day trophy description in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' is worded in a way that makes it sound like Olimar uses the [[Onion]], with all of his [[Pikmin (species)|Pikmin]] on board; neither of these are true, as Olimar uses the [[Hocotate ship]] and some Pikmin can get left behind. This is the case for both the Final Smash and the ''Pikmin'' series mechanic.

*In ''Pikmin 2'', there is a small delay before the day time continues, when unpausing the game. By repeatedly pausing and unpausing, one can gain a slight bit of time.{{cite youtube|EmIbm4b68cM|demonstrating how it is possible to gain a small bit of time by continuously pausing and unpausing the game}}

*In ''Pikmin 2'', the text for the message "Hurry! Gather your Pikmin!" changes color depending on how much time is left. From 10 to 7 it is white, from 6 to 4, yellow, and from 3 to 0 it is a reddish orange.

*In ''Pikmin 3'', if the Master Onion was in the process of beaming up something while the sunset cutscene starts, the effects for the beaming will remain throughout the cutscene, until it sucks in its "legs".

 

 

 

*[[Day selection menu]]

*[[Night expedition]]

 

[[Category:Gameplay]]