Radar: Difference between revisions

The '''radar''' ({{j|レーダー|Rēdā}}, lit.: "Radar") is a mechanic present in all {{pg}}. It allows the player to view an [[area]]'s layout, as well as the location of various important objects, such as [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]], the [[Onion]](s), and [[:Category:Collectibles|collectible objects]]. In {{p1}}, the radar is unlocked by collecting the [[Whimsical Radar]]. In {{p2}}, it is available from the start. In {{p3}}, it is unlocked when the [[KopPad]] is found. In {{p4}}, it is unlocked as soon as the player takes control of [[Pikmin 4 player character|their avatar]].

In the first two games and their remakes, the screen that contains the radar also enumerates how many Pikmin are with the current leader, of each type, how many Pikmin there are in the Onions, of each type, and how many Pikmin are roaming through the area, of all types. In addition, the screen also shows the total number of ship parts obtained, in ''Pikmin''.

The radar is disabled during [[Challenge Mode (disambiguation)|Challenge Mode]], but not [[Mission Mode]]. It is completely disabled in any 2-player game mode, except in {{p3d}}.

The radar in {{p3d}} must be opened up with {{button|switch|-}}, or {{button|switch|+}} if P1 is using a solo right joycon (and cannot be opened by P2 using a solo joycon regardless of which joycon they are using; their {{button|switch|-}}/{{button|switch|+}} is instead set to pause the game). Since there is no GamePad like in ''Pikmin 3'', the player cannot follow the radar as they play on a different screen, and opening the radar pauses gameplay. Likewise, it is not possible to unpause gameplay while keeping the radar's functionalities open – the icon that would do this still exists in the radar in this game, but is not a button that can be pressed.

In {{p4}}, the radar is accessed from the [[Tablet]], via the Radar Map application. The radar's design features blue colours, the shade of which changes based on elevation, with a thick navy border surrounding the edge of the area. Bases are indicated by pairs of magenta circles. After purchasing the [[Survey Drone]] from the lab, it is possible to drop up to three pins in red, yellow, or blue by pressing {{button|switch|y}}. It is also possible to make the player face a certain direction by moving the cursor and pressing {{button|switch|zl}}.

In ''Pikmin 3'' and ''Pikmin 4'', players have the ability to tell leaders and [[Oatchi]] (and their army of [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]]) to go to a specific spot on the map automatically, so that they may do something else with a different leader. In order to use the Go Here! functionality, the player must first collect the [[data file]] located on the other side of the [[crystal wall]] at the [[Garden of Hope]]'s landing site in ''Pikmin 3'', free Brittany in ''Pikmin 3 Deluxe'', or reach Command level 2 in ''Pikmin 4''.

The instruction manuals for ''Pikmin 2'' and ''New Play Control! Pikmin 2'' have a section explaining how the radar works, and in most versions, a legend of its symbols. The legend for the dots that represent the Pikmin is different between all types of manual, and all of them have some quirks to point out.

The GameCube North American version lists the five main Pikmin colors but bizarrely, a sixth color as well: a soft pink color. It is unknown what this color is meant to represent. The GameCube European version only lists the five main Pikmin types. The US version of ''New Play Control!'' remake's instruction manual doesn't have a legend, and only has a shorter overview of how the radar works. It does however have a list of the radar dot colors some pages ahead, in the section describing the differences between Pikmin types. Finally, the European ''New Play Control! Pikmin 2'' manual brings back the legend of symbols, and includes an explanation of the dark green color used to represent buried Pikmin sprouts.