Editing Pikmin 2

{{page title|''Pikmin 2''}}

{{game icons|p2=y}}

|image=Pikmin 2 box art.jpg

|caption=North American box art

|esrb=E

|developer={{w|Nintendo EAD}}

|publisher=[[Nintendo]]

|successor=[[Pikmin 3]]

|rerelease=[[New Play Control! Pikmin 2]]<br>[[Pikmin 2 (Nintendo Switch)]]

'''''Pikmin 2''''' is the second mainline installment in the {{ps}}, released in 2004 for the [[GameCube]]. The game takes place directly after the events of {{p1}}, and sees [[Captain Olimar]] returning to the [[PNF-404|planet of the Pikmin]] with [[Louie]] to collect [[treasure]] to pay off a large debt. Elements new to the series include a [[2-Player Battle]] mode, underground [[cave]]s, and three new types of [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]]. The game has been ported to the [[Wii]] under the title {{npcp2}}, and ported to the [[Nintendo Switch]] under the title [[Pikmin 2 (Nintendo Switch)|''Pikmin 2'']]. Its sequel, {{p3}}, was released nine years later.

Upon returning to [[Hocotate]] after his adventure on the planet of the Pikmin, [[Captain Olimar]] meets up with [[The President|his employer]] and a newly hired, supposedly inexperienced employee named [[Louie]]. Olimar learns that [[Hocotate Freight]] is massively in debt due to the loss of a shipment of [[golden Pikpik carrot]]s, a situation brought about by Louie. Olimar's ship, the [[S.S. Dolphin]], is consequently sold in order to repay some of the debt, despite this not being enough. Upon hearing this, Olimar drops a bottle cap in shock, brought back to Hocotate as a souvenir for his son. [[Hocotate ship|An old ship]] proceeds to absorb the bottle cap and values it at {{pokos|100}}, leading to the President then sending Olimar and Louie back to the Pikmin planet, in order to retrieve [[treasure]] that can repay the company debt. Their goal is to repay the {{pokos|10000}} of debt remaining.

During the following days, Olimar and Louie enter a cave in the area and discover [[Purple Pikmin]] inside. With their help, they gather a treasure that allows them to travel to a new area, the [[Spherical Atlas]]. On this area, the [[Awakening Wood]], they find [[White Pikmin]], and gather a new treasure which provides access to the [[Perplexing Pool]]. Between the three areas, the two leaders gather treasure, explore caves, and discover [[Yellow Pikmin|Yellow]] and [[Blue Pikmin]]. Eventually, Hocotate Freight's debt is repaid, at which point, the duo triumphantly returns to their home planet.

 

{{see also|Completion}}

 

The gameplay of ''Pikmin 2'' is similar to the series' first game, but the structure of the game is very different, and there are some changes to the controls. The [[pause menu]] has been combined with the [[radar]] screen, and the button that opened the pause menu in the first game instead switches between the two [[leader]]s, introducing a multitasking aspect. Unlike the first game, ''Pikmin 2'' has an unlimited number of [[day]]s in which to complete all objectives.

There are two new [[hazards]] introduced in ''Pikmin 2'': [[electricity]] and [[poison]]. The majority of obstacles are present again, along with new ones, such as [[bag]]s and [[electric gate]]s. [[Red Pikmin|Red]], [[Yellow Pikmin|Yellow]] and [[Blue Pikmin]] are stored in [[Onion]]s, while [[Purple Pikmin|Purples]] and [[White Pikmin|Whites]] are stored in the ship's hull, due to their production being through appropriate [[Candypop Bud]]s, thus having no respective Onions.

Other additions to this game include [[spray]]s and [[Exploration Kit|treasures that provide upgrades]].

{{main|Challenge Mode (Pikmin 2)|t1=Challenge Mode in ''Pikmin 2''}}

Challenge Mode features 30 standalone challenges, where the goal is to reach the end of a special cave by collecting [[The Key]] on each sublevel. On the final sublevel, it is required to dig up the geyser to escape. The player's score is calculated based on several factors, such as the time they took, and the number of [[Poko]]s won. The mode is somewhat similar to {{p1}}{{'s}} [[Challenge Mode (Pikmin)|challenge mode]] and [[Mission Mode]] in {{p3}}.

===2-Player Battle===

In 2-Player Battle, two players control one leader each, and attempt to beat the other player by collecting [[marble]]s in cave-like environments. Players can also fight against each other using their own army of Pikmin. The mode is similar to [[Bingo Battle]] in {{p3}}.

===e-Reader===

{{main|e-Reader}}

The Japanese [[Region|version]] of ''Pikmin 2'' features e-Reader compatibility. Sets of [[Merchandise|Pikmin e-Reader cards]] were sold, which unlocked new mini-games. This feature was not available in other regions, because the peripheral had been discontinued. The option on the [[bonuses menu]] of these versions was removed (though it is still accessible through hacking and will work with a Japanese e-Reader). When the e-cards were first announced for ''Pikmin 2'', many people thought it was an announcement for a Game Boy Advance version of ''Pikmin 2''.{{source needed}}

 

==Content==

===Pikmin===

The [[Red Pikmin|Red]], [[Yellow Pikmin|Yellow]] and [[Blue Pikmin]] that debuted in the first game haven't changed, except for the Yellow Pikmin, who are no longer able to handle [[bomb-rock]]s (which are all larger in this game), but are instead immune to the [[Electricity|electrical hazards]] in the game. [[Mushroom Pikmin]] are not seen in ''Pikmin 2'', and there are three new kinds of Pikmin that can be discovered in underground areas.

====Returning types====

The following Pikmin types introduced in the first ''Pikmin'' game are in ''Pikmin 2'':

 

====Purple Pikmin====

[[File:Purple Pikmin sitting P2 art.png|thumb|50px|A Purple Pikmin.]]

Purple Pikmin are the first underground Pikmin and the second kind of Pikmin discovered in the game. They are found by using the [[Violet Candypop Bud]]s in the last sublevel of the [[Emergence Cave]]. They have a bulky appearance and have visible hairs on their head. Purple Pikmin are needed to carry the heavy [[Spherical Atlas]] in the cave, because Purples have ten times the strength of ordinary Pikmin. Their great weight means that they shake the ground upon landing from a [[throw]], which can temporarily stun nearby enemies of most species that are on the ground. Purples are also the strongest type of Pikmin, dealing the most damage in attacking enemies. They possess an advantage over other Pikmin when dealing with some bosses: for example, they can harm [[Giant Breadbug]]s and can make a [[Waterwraith]] vulnerable to attack by any Pikmin.

====White Pikmin====

[[File:White Pikmin P2 art.png|thumb|left|50px|A White Pikmin.]]

White Pikmin are the second underground Pikmin and third type of Pikmin found in ''Pikmin 2''. To find the game's first White Pikmin, the player must have more than twenty Purple Pikmin, to flatten the bag in order to get to the [[White Flower Garden]] and progress to sublevel three, where the [[Ivory Candypop Bud]]s are. They are smaller than other Pikmin and have red eyes. The poison clouds produced by poison pipes and [[Doodlebug]]s will cause any other Pikmin to choke, but White Pikmin are immune to them. These Pikmin can locate buried items on their own, making them essential for unearthing [[Dig|buried]] treasure. They are also the fastest of the Pikmin, both in terms of carrying items and keeping up with the leader. When eaten by an enemy, they poison their foe and cause it to lose some [[health]]; smaller enemies are killed instantly.

====Bulbmin====

[[File:Bulbmin2.jpg||thumb|left|80px|A juvenile Bulbmin.]]

[[Bulbmin]] are the last type of Pikmin the player may find. They are found in three caves – the [[Submerged Castle]], the [[Frontier Cavern]] and the [[Hole of Heroes]]. Bulbmin may look like Bulborbs, but they can be used like and act similarly to any other Pikmin. To retrieve Bulbmin, one must defeat their parent and then call them with a leader's [[whistle]]. Bulbmin are immune to all the hazards on the planet except physical threats posed by enemies, but cannot leave underground areas, making them a good choice to use in Candypop Buds.

 

 

 

Each of the areas in the game has a number of caves. Each cave is composed of multiple floors, and each time a floor is entered, its layout is [[random]]ly generated. Since there is no access to the Onions inside caves, Pikmin cannot be easily grown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This, occurring after the events of [[Pikmin (game)|''Pikmin'']], surprises Captain Olimar who just returned to [[Hocotate]]. He is so surprised by the news, in fact, that he drops a souvenir he brought back from his adventure for his son. The souvenir, a bottle cap, is collected by the ship, which then evaluates the item as a treasure and worth {{pokos|100}}, reducing the debt to an even 10,000. The President then orders Olimar and Louie to recover more treasure so that the debt is repaid.

 

 

 

Players control a leader with the [[GameCube]] controller. It is possible to swap between the two leaders, provided they're both conscious. Players can also control the [[camera]] to a degree, as well as issue basic commands to their Pikmin, which in turn, perform whatever complex task is necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The development of ''Pikmin 2'' started after {{p1}} was finished, and was originally supposed to take two years, though it ended up taking two-and-a-half. Director Shigefumi Hino wanted to include various things that couldn't be done in the first game, such as 2-player gameplay. The biggest change compared to the first game was removing the [[day]] limit, which removed a large source of tension from the game. In response, [[cave]]s were added, with the fact that Pikmin cannot be grown in them adding a new source of tension. Two new Pikmin types were added to give players more freedom in how to approach challenges, and real-world objects were chosen to be the main collectible items to give a sense of scale to the world.{{cite web|https://web.archive.org/web/20040708070251/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0405/1_2/index.html|''Pikmin 2'' development staff interview (in Japanese)|Nintendo Online Magazine|published=May 2004}}{{cite web|https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/25/pikmin-2-interview|Pikmin 2 Interview|IGN|published={{date|25|August|2004}}|retrieved={{date|22|May|2023}}}}

 

 

The first version of ''Pikmin 2'' to release was the Japanese GameCube version. Later, the game was localized for and released in North America, and later still, the same happened for Europe and Oceania. All three of these count as different versions, and contain notable changes from one another. Besides the Japanese version using Japanese text, the North American version using English text, and the European version using European-language texts, the biggest difference between all of these versions is the list of [[treasure]]s. A majority of the treasures are the same everywhere, but a handful of them were changed entirely to better suit each region's player-base. Other, minor versions also exist between all of these versions.

In 2009, a [[Wii]] enhanced port of this game was released, titled {{npcp2}}. This port has some notable differences, with the most important one being the different control scheme. Japan, North America, and Europe/Oceania each got a different version of ''New Play Control! Pikmin 2'', with changes very similar to the ones between the GameCube releases.

On {{date|21|June|2023}} a [[Pikmin 2 (Nintendo Switch)|Nintendo Switch port]] of the game based on the ''New Play Control!'' version was released, albeit with a number of changes.

''Pikmin 2'' has some of the best scores of any ''Pikmin'' game. It was applauded for the removal of the 30-day limit, which was not well received by some players. It scored 89.44% on GameRankings, and 90/100 on Metacritic.

 

 

''Pikmin 2''{{'s}} plot takes place directly after {{p1}}'s events, and Olimar's first encounter with the Pikmin from that game is referenced. Besides that, the game explains everything about the canon on its own.

 

Pikmin2boxart.jpg|European boxart.

Pikmin 2 box art.jpg|North American boxart.

NA Player's Choice Pikmin 2.jpg|North American [[Player's Choice]] boxart.

Pikmin 2 NA artwork.jpg|Artwork used on the North American box art.

Pikmin 2 Canadian boxart.jpg|Canadian boxart.

Japanese Pikmin 2.jpg|Japanese boxart.

Pikmin 2 logo.png|Logo for the game.

Pikmin 2 wallpaper.jpg|Wallpaper.

* The GameCube flavor text is {{transcript|Find your fortune with the help of all-new Pikmin!}}.

 

|PorPN=Name taken from the official ''Pikmin 2'' website.

*[[Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)|Piklopedia (''Pikmin 2'')]]

*{{npcp2}}

*{{p2s}}

*{{p1+2}}

*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gpvj/index.html Official Japanese website]

*[[strategywiki:Pikmin 2|StrategyWiki's article on ''Pikmin 2'']]

*[[NWiki:Pikmin 2|NintendoWiki's article on ''Pikmin 2'']]

*[http://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Nintendo_GameCube//Manual/formated/Pikmin_2_-_2004_-_Nintendo.pdf European version game manual]

*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/138Lhffj9L4o5LyhlEZzbcYOrHZ5lMk9e/view?usp=sharing Japanese version game manual]

 

[[Category:Pikmin 2| ]]

[[Category:Main series]]