Pikmin 2

Pikmin 2
File:1094506946-00.jpg
North American boxart
Japanese name	ピクミン2?
Console	GameCube
Developer	Nintendo EAD
Publisher	Nintendo
Genre	Real-time strategy
Players	{{{players}}}
Release date
Japan	April 29th, 2004
North America	August 30th, 2004
Europe	October 8th, 2004
Australia	November 4th, 2004
South Korea	N/A
Related games
Predecessor	Pikmin

Pikmin 2 is the second game in the Pikmin series, released in 2004 for the GameCube. It takes place directly after the first game, which ended with Captain Olimar successfully escaping the planet of the Pikmin. Compared to the previous game, it includes a 2-Player Battle mode, has no day limit, and features three new types of Pikmin. Its sequel, Pikmin 3, was released nine years later. The game was also released as a remake for the Wii, under the title New Play Control! Pikmin 2.

Plot

Upon returning to Hocotate after his adventure on the planet of the Pikmin, Captain Olimar meets 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 carrots, a situation brought about by Louie; Olimar's ship, the S.S. Dolphin, is consequently removed in order to repay some of the debt. Upon hearing this, Olimar drops a bottle cap in shock, brought back to Hocotate as a souvenir for his son. An old ship proceeds to absorb the bottle cap and values it at  × 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.

After the debt is fully paid, Olimar returns to Hocotate; on the way, however, he discovers that Louie is not with him. The President joins Olimar back on Hocotate, and the game progresses with the President replacing Louie as a playable character, as the two captains try to completely clear the planet of treasure and locate and rescue Louie. Louie is finally discovered in the Dream Den, atop a Titan Dweevil.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Pikmin 2 is similar to the series' first game, with a few changes. For example, Y / no longer opens up the map of the current area; instead, it is accessed via Start / . The previous button is now used to switch control between the two currently available pilots, introducing a multitasking aspect. Unlike the first game, this one has an endless amount of days 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 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 electric gates and paper bags. Red, Yellow and Blue Pikmin are stored in Onions, while Purples and Whites are stored in the ship's hull, due to their production being through appropriate Candypop Buds, thus having no respective Onions.

The Challenge Mode is also considerably different compared to the one in the previous game. Instead of having one day to raise as many Pikmin as possible, players are tasked to get out of the cave via the geyser on the last floor, but in order to open the geyser or the hole to a following sublevel, The Key must be delivered to the research pod. The player's score is calculated based on several factors, such as the time they took, and the number of Pokos won.

The Japanese version of Pikmin 2 features e-Reader compatibility. Sets of 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.

Locations

The following are the aboveground areas in which it is possible for the ship to land:

• Valley of Repose: A snowy valley in which Captain Olimar and Louie first land. They discover Red Pikmin and Purple Pikmin here.
• Awakening Wood: A small forest filled with Grub-dogs; it is where Olimar and Louie first discover White Pikmin and Blue Pikmin.
• Perplexing Pool: An aquatic area with many enemies native to water. The captains find Yellow Pikmin here.
• Wistful Wild: An autumn forest native to many tough beasts. This area is opened after the debt is repaid.

Controls

For more information on Controls, see Controls.

Action(s)	Controller
	Gamecube Controller	Wiimote Wii Remote + Nunchuk
Navigating the Menu
Select Menu Item	Stick
Confirm Selection	A
Cancel	B
Gameplay
Move	Stick
Punch	A (Without Pikmin)	(Without Pikmin)
Hold Pikmin	Hold A	Hold
Throw Pikmin	Release A	Release
Select Pikmin Type*	N/A	(While Holding Pikmin)
Select Pikmin Phase*	N/A	Paddown (While Holding Pikmin)
Whistle	B (Hold to increase range)	(Sensor-Controlled)
Direct Pikmin	C	Paddown (Sensor Controlled)
Dismiss Pikmin	X
Use Ultra-Spicy Spray	Padup
Use Ultra-Bitter Spray	Paddown
Center Camera	L
Move Cameraˆ	Stick (move lightly)	N/A
Change Camera Angle	R	Padleftright
Change Camera Height	Z	Padup
Change Camera POV	Hold R	Hold Padleftright
Pause Screen Controls
Show Map/Pause Screen	Y
Return to Game	B
Scroll Through Map	Stick
Other Options	Stick Left or right	Padleftright
Cancel	B
Onion/Hocotate Ship Controls
Access Onion Menu	A (under Onion)	(under Onion)
Deposit Pikmin	Stick up	up
Withdraw Pikmin	Stick down	down
Confirm	A
Cancel	B
Piklopedia/Treasure Hoard Controls
Access Piklopedia/Treasure Hoard	R / L	Padleftright
Scroll	Stick
View Olimar's Info	X
View Louie's Notes	Y
Pikpik Carrots	A
Use Ultra-Bitter Spray	Z
View Sales Pitch	Y
* = New Play Control! only
ˆ = GameCube only

The Pikmin

The Pikmin from the first game haven't changed, except for the Yellow Pikmin, who are no longer able to handle bomb-rocks (which are all larger in this game), but are instead immune to the 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, which are:

Purple Pikmin

File:Normal purplepikmin1.jpg

Purple Pikmin.

Main article: Purple Pikmin.

Purple Pikmin are the first underground Pikmin and the second kind of Pikmin discovered, and are found by using the Violet Candypop Buds in the last sublevel of the Emergence Cave. They have a bulky appearance and have visible hairs on their head. They are needed to carry the heavy Spherical Atlas in the cave, because Purples have 10 times the strength of an 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 Breadbugs and can make a Waterwraith vulnerable to attack by any Pikmin.

White Pikmin

File:Normal whitepikmin.jpg

White Pikmin.

Main article: 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 visit the White Flower Garden and progress to sublevel three, where the Ivory Candypop Buds are. They are smaller than other Pikmin and have red eyes. The poison clouds produced by poison pipes and Doodlebugs will cause any other Pikmin to choke, but White Pikmin are immune to it. These Pikmin can locate buried items on their own, making them essential for unearthing 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. Their downside is their weaker attack strength.

Bulbmin

File:120px-Bulbmin3.jpg

Bulbmin.

Main article: Bulbmin.

Bulbmin are the last type of Pikmin the player may find. They are found in three caves: Submerged Castle, Frontier Cavern and Hole of Heroes. Bulbmin may look like Bulborbs but they can be used like, and act similarly to, any other Pikmin. To retrieve small Bulbmin, one must defeat the larger Bulbmin and then call the small ones with a captain's whistle. Bulbmin are immune to all the hazards on the planet except physical threats posed by enemies, but are slower and weaker and can't leave underground areas. They are a good choice to use in Candypop Buds, due to the fact that they don't return above ground with the leaders.

New Play Control!

New Play Control! Pikmin 2's box art.

Main article: New Play Control! Pikmin 2.

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 save system.

Gallery

• 

  European boxart.

• Pikmin 2 Box Art.jpg

  North American boxart.

• 

  North American Player's Choice boxart.

• 

  North American Nintendo Selects boxart.

• 

  Canadian boxart.

• 

  Japanese boxart.

• 

  Logo for the game.

Commercials

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The Hot Dog commercial}}

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The Japanese commercial}}

Trivia

• In the Wii game 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.
• On the European boxart for Pikmin 2, one can faintly see a Red Bulborb in the background.
• The GameCube flavor text is "Find your fortune with the help of all-new Pikmin!".

See also

• Piklopedia
• Treasure Hoard
• New Play Control!
• Pikmin 3
• Pikmin
• Pikmin Adventure

External links

• Pikmin 2 on Wikipedia
• Pikmin 2 game manual