Editing Pikmin 2

{{page title|''Pikmin 2''}}
{{game icons|p2=y}}
{{Infobox game
|name=Pikmin 2
|image=Pikmin 2 box art.jpg
|size=250px
|caption=North American box art
|jname={{j|ピクミン2|Pikumin 2}}
|esrb=E
|pegi=3
|console=GameCube
|developer={{w|Nintendo EAD}}
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|genre=Real-time strategy
|players=Single-player (story mode)<br>1 or 2 players (Challenge Mode and 2-Player Battle)<br>2 players (2-Player Battle)
|savesize=27 blocks
|predecessor=[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]
|successor=[[Pikmin 3]]
|rerelease=[[New Play Control! Pikmin 2]]<br>[[Pikmin 2 (Nintendo Switch)]]
|jp={{date|29|April|2004}}
|na={{date|30|August|2004}}
|eu={{date|8|October|2004}}
|au={{date|4|November|2004}}
}}
{{for|the Nintendo Switch port|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.

==Plot==
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.

Whilst landing, they come across a small blizzard on the [[Valley of Repose]]. While trying to maneuver through some tree branches, Olimar hits one of them, which knocks Louie off of his cockpit and into the area below. The ship with Olimar inside manages to drop with a thud, ejecting the leader to the ground. He gets up and discovers some [[Red Pikmin]] fighting a [[Dwarf Bulborb|Dwarf Red Bulborb]]. He tries to [[whistle]] them to his side, and helps them defeat the enemy when he realizes that they obey him still. With the Pikmin's help, Olimar and Louie, both in different parts of the area, manage to reunite and recover a [[treasure]], the [[Courage Reactor]], from Louie's side.

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.

On the way, however, Olimar discovers that Louie was left behind. When he meets up with the President, he notifies him about the fact that there are still more treasures available. The President gleefully tries to command Olimar and Louie to go back and gather more goods, until he realizes that Louie is not around. He chooses to take his place instead. At this point, the final area is unlocked: the [[Wistful Wild]]. In it, they manage to find Louie in the [[Dream Den]], atop the [[Titan Dweevil]]. They save him, and at their own pace, they eventually manage to clear the areas of all treasure.

There is a cutscene that reveals the true story called "Louie's Dark Secret" - it wasn't a ravenous space bunny who ate the carrots, it was [[Louie]] who did it.

===Endings===
{{see also|Completion}}

This game has two endings, but these are not alternate endings, as one always occurs after the other. The first ending occurs when the debt is repaid, while the second happens when all treasures are collected; while both are technically [[canon]], the debt repayment ending is just a break in the story to introduce the President as a playable character. The side game of {{p3d}} involves the Hocotatians returning for more treasures after the rescue of Louie from the Dream Den sometime later, as both Captain Olimar and Louie are featured in ''Pikmin 3''{{'s}} story.

==Gameplay==
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.

At the end of a day, the nocturnal enemies of the planet awaken, posing an impossible threat, and any Pikmin left behind are killed. After the ship has risen into a low orbit, it is possible to view the treasures salvaged that day, the current Pikmin count, and any [[mail]] sent by various [[:Category:Characters|characters]].

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]].

==Alternative game modes==
===Challenge Mode===
{{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===
{{main|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'':

*[[Red Pikmin]]
*[[Yellow Pikmin]]
*[[Blue Pikmin]]

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

{{clear}}

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

{{clear}}

===Areas===
The following are the aboveground [[areas]] in which it is possible for the [[Hocotate ship]] to land:
*'''[[Valley of Repose]]''': A snowy region in which Captain Olimar and Louie first land. They discover the Red and Purple Pikmin here.
*'''[[Awakening Wood]]''': A garden-like area populated by several types of enemies; it is where Olimar and Louie first discover the White and Blue Pikmin. It is unlocked when the [[Spherical Atlas]] is collected.
*'''[[Perplexing Pool]]''': A wetland-like area with many aquatic enemies; it is where Olimar and Louie find the Yellow Pikmin. It is unlocked when the [[Geographic Projection]] is collected.
*'''[[Wistful Wild]]''': An autumnal forest home to many formidable enemies. It is unlocked after the debt is repaid.

====Caves====
{{see|Cave}}
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.

===Treasures===
{{see|Treasure}}
Treasures are the main collectible in ''Pikmin 2''. Each treasure helps repay the debt, and they have varying sizes, weights, and values. Enemies can also serve as a source of money, albeit minimal. Most of the objects considered treasure by the Hocotatians are everyday objects in the real world.

===Enemies===
{{see|Enemy#In Pikmin 2|t1=Enemies in ''Pikmin 2''}}
The enemies in this game are more varied than the ones in the previous one, and more of them make use of [[hazard]]s to hurt the Pikmin with.

===Plants and fungi===
{{see|Vegetation#Pikmin 2|t1=Vegetation in ''Pikmin 2''}}
There are more types of plant and fungus in ''Pikmin 2'', but they are still mostly decorative. Some of them have their own [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)|Piklopedia]] entry.

===Characters===
''Pikmin 2'' features three main characters.

{{clear}}

==== Captain Olimar ====
[[File:Captain Olimar P2 clay art.png|60px|right]]
{{main|Captain Olimar}}
Captain Olimar returns in ''Pikmin 2''. After Olimar's success on PNF-404, he was able to escape the planet to return to Hocotate, hoping to see his family again and return to his everyday life. After arriving at [[Hocotate Freight]], he met up with [[the President]] and a new employee named [[Louie]]. After landing his ship, he learned that the company was in debt, having to pay at least {{pokos|10,100}} for the loss of a [[golden pikpik carrot]] shipment. Learning that the Dolphin was sold to help pay the debt, Olimar was so shocked he dropped the souvenir for his son. As the bottle cap rolled past Louie, an [[Hocotate ship|old ship]] was able to suck up the item. Its pod analyzed the piece of salvage to be worth {{pokos|100}}, which lowered the debt to {{pokos|10,000}}. The President commanded Olimar and Louie to return to the Pikmin Planet and collect more [[treasure]] as a result.

==== Louie ====
[[File:P2 Louie Front View Clay Artwork.png|50px|right]]
{{main|Louie}}
Louie makes his debut appearance in ''Pikmin 2''. He is Olimar's partner and co-worker. Louie's first mission for Hocotate Freight was to transport a shipment of valuable [[golden pikpik carrot]]s. In it, he was supposedly attacked by a ravenous space bunny and the carrots were lost. The President of Hocotate Freight took out a giant loan to cover the losses of the carrots, and had no way to repay the debt other than sell off company assets. On Olimar's return to Hocotate, the President learns of the existence of treasure on PNF-404 and orders both Olimar and Louie to retrieve objects that can be sold for profit, in order to save the company.

Louie is playable in the Story Mode until he is left behind, and the President replaces him as the secondary captain for the remainder of the game. He is also playable in 2-Player Battle and Challenge Mode.

==== The President ====
{{main|The President}}
[[File:President P2 art.png|60px|right]]
He runs into financial trouble after Louie, shipping a supply of the very valuable golden pikpik carrots, is reportedly attacked by a ravenous space bunny who is said to have devoured the entire cargo of carrots. The President takes out a large loan to reimburse the loss of the golden pikpik carrots, and has no way of repaying the enormous debt. He sells off the only company asset, Olimar's ship, the [[S.S. Dolphin]], in Olimar's absence, but it only makes a small dent in the enormous loan, as {{pokos|10,100}} are still owed.

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.

After Louie is left behind, The President replaces him as the secondary captain for the remainder of the game.
{{clear}}

{{see also|Minor characters}}

==Controls==
{{see|Controls#Pikmin 2|t1=''Pikmin 2'' controls}}
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.

==Lists==
===Quotes===
{{see|Ship's dialogs}}
{{see|Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)#Notes|t1=Piklopedia notes}}
{{see|Treasure Hoard#Notes|t1=Treasure Hoard notes}}

===Soundtrack===
{{see|Music in Pikmin 2|t1=Music in ''Pikmin 2''}}

===References to other series===
{{see|Reference#Pikmin 2|t1=References to other series in ''Pikmin 2''}}

===Easter eggs and secrets===
{{see|Easter eggs#Pikmin 2|t1=Easter eggs in ''Pikmin 2''}}

===Regional differences===
{{see|Region#Pikmin 2|t1=Regional differences in ''Pikmin 2''}}

===Mistakes===
{{see|Mistakes}}

===Glitches===
{{see|Glitches in Pikmin 2}}

===Prerelease information===
{{see|Pikmin 2 prerelease information#Pikmin 2|t1=''Pikmin 2'' prerelease information}}

===Unused content===
{{see|Unused content in Pikmin 2|t1=Unused content in ''Pikmin 2''}}

==History==
===Development===
{{todo|1=Add info from [https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-10-pikmin-4-part-1/ Ask the Developer Vol. 10].}}
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}}}}

===Release===
''Pikmin 2'' has been re-released as part of the ''[[New Play Control!]]'' series of games for the [[Wii]] in Japan, Europe, Australia and North America. The game incorporates the Wii's controller's capabilities to allow aiming the cursor by pointing, as well as graphical enhancements and an updated [[Saved game|save system]]. The Japanese version of the game is only available in Japanese, while the American version is only available in American English, and the European version of the game is available in American English (though the [[Magical Stage]]'s sales pitch is in European English), European French, German, Italian, and Castilian Spanish.

===Versions===
{{main|Region|New Play Control! Pikmin 2}}
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.

===Reception===
''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.

==Connections to other games==
{{see also|Canon}}

''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.

==Credits==
{{see|Credits#Pikmin 2|t1=''Pikmin 2'' credits}}

==Gallery==
{{see also|Promotional material#Pikmin 2|t1=''Pikmin 2'' promotional material}}
<gallery>
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.
P2 JP Box Rear.jpg|Back of Japanese box.
Pikmin 2 logo.png|Logo for the game.
Pikmin 2 wallpaper.jpg|Wallpaper.
</gallery>

==Trivia==
* In the Wii game ''[[mario:WarioWare: Smooth Moves|WarioWare: Smooth Moves]]'' there is a mini-game based on and called "Pikmin 2". In it, the player controls an [[Empress Bulblax]] and must use the Wii Remote to roll it from side to side squishing Pikmin.
* This is the only game in the series in which the plot does not involve repairing the ship the protagonist uses to get home.
* On the European boxart for ''Pikmin 2'', one can faintly see a Red Bulborb in the background.
* The GameCube flavor text is {{transcript|Find your fortune with the help of all-new Pikmin!}}.
* The game does not technically have infinite days, as the day counter resets at the end of day 4,294,967,296, which displays as day 0. This results in multiple glitches.

==Names in other languages==
{{foreignname
|Jap=ピクミン2
|JapR=Pikumin 2
|JapM=Pikmin 2
|Fra=Pikmin 2
|FraM=-
|Ger=Pikmin 2
|GerM=-
|Ita=Pikmin 2
|ItaM=-
|Spa=Pikmin 2
|SpaM=-
|Dut=Pikmin 2
|DutM=-
|DutN=Name taken from various official sources.
|PorP=Pikmin 2
|PorPM=-
|PorPN=Name taken from the official ''Pikmin 2'' website.
|notes=y
}}

==See also==
*[[Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)|Piklopedia (''Pikmin 2'')]]
*[[Treasure Hoard]]
*{{npcp2}}
*{{p2s}}
*{{p1+2}}

==External links==
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gpvj/start/index.html Official Japanese website]
*{{w|Pikmin 2|Wikipedia's article on ''Pikmin 2''}}
*[[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]

==References==
{{refs}}

{{Games}}

[[Category:Pikmin 2| ]]
[[Category:Main series]]