Pikmin 3

S.S. Drake: Difference between revisions

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(Noted that it's called SS Drake in Europe.)
(It's generally better to describe features as they are in each game, rather than by comparison to a previous game.)
 
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{{game icons|p3=y}}
{{game icons|p3=y}}
[[File:ZlCfzRE3pLkutMwP0E.jpg|thumb|300px|The S.S. Drake.]]
{{Redirects|Drake|Alph's grandfather|Minor characters#Drake}}
The '''S.S. Drake''' ({{j|ドレイク|Doreiku}}; '''SS Drake''' in the European [[Region|version]]), simply referred to from the Koppaites as the '''Drake''', is the main ship in ''[[Pikmin 3]]''. It was built by and named after [[Minor characters#Alph's grandfather|Alph's grandfather]]<ref>[http://pikmin3.nintendo.com/story/ The official ''Pikmin 3'' website, detailing the story]</ref>. Much like the other ships from the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' series]], it serves as the main storage unit for all the gathered objects found by the captains. Its other purpose is to transport the captains from place to place. [[Charlie]] is its captain and [[Alph]] is its engineer.
[[File:Drake.png|thumb|150px|The S.S. Drake.]]
The '''S.S. Drake''' ({{j|宇宙船ドレイク号|Uchūsen doreiku-gō}}; '''SS Drake''' in the European Wii U [[Region|version]]), simply referred to by the Koppaites as the '''Drake''' ({{j|ドレイク号|Doreiku-gō}}), is the main ship in ''[[Pikmin 3]]''. It was designed by and named after [[Alph]]'s grandfather.{{cite web|http://pikmin3.nintendo.com/story/|''Pikmin 3'' for Wii U - The Story|Nintendo.com}} Much like the other ships in the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' series]], it serves as the [[leader]]s' base, where the time in between [[day]]s is spent. It also stores all the gathered objects found by the leaders, and transport the leaders from place to place. [[Charlie]] is its captain and Alph is its engineer.


==Appearance==
==Appearance==
The Drake is very different from the [[S.S. Dolphin]] and the [[Hocotate ship]] in design, as it appears to be more technologically advanced. The cockpit is also different in that it is capable of holding more people, and may also be used as an access hatch. The Drake has a base from which four legs protrude, containing green lights, a hydraulics system and several other hidden mechanisms.
[[File:SS Drake in Garden of Hope P3.jpg|thumb|250px|The S.S. Drake in the [[Garden of Hope]].]]
The S.S. Drake is not designed like a traditional rocket along the lines of the [[S.S. Dolphin]] or the [[Hocotate ship]], instead more closely resembling a {{w|Lander (spacecraft)|lander}} vehicle, particularly with its communication antenna which sits on top of the vehicle, plus its much rounder and stouter body providing a living space on foreign bodies. It also appears to be far more advanced than either of them, as the vehicle contains a small satellite that is used for surveying purposes, and instead of sitting on fins on the ground, the vehicle features four extending landing struts on which it sits on the ground, plus a set of other minor details. Several pieces of [[Koppaite text]] are written on the outside of the Drake.


Directly on top of the base is a round body, featuring red lights and several other unique characteristics. It holds the three captains, has a long antenna attached to the top, and harbors a small satellite from which a blue beam emanates, to help collect and analyze objects. It appears to have a world map on the back side.
The color of the antenna changes appearance throughout the game. At the start of the game, it is blue. After collecting the [[Data Glutton]], expanding the ship's range, the antenna becomes green. After collecting the [[Folded Data Glutton]], expanding the ship's range again, the antenna becomes orange.


==Background==
==Background==
Soon after the discovery of [[PNF-404]], the Drake was designed and built by Alph's grandfather (also named Drake) exclusively for the heroes' mission. It then picks up [[Alph]], [[Brittany]], and Captain [[Charlie]] before initiating a warp-drive sequence to PNF-404. As they arrive at the planet, something goes wrong as the Drake attempts to enter the atmosphere, and it ejects the three occupants onto the surface below, each landing on different locations on the planet. During the crash, the Drake loses an important mechanism, the [[#Cosmic Drive Key|Cosmic Drive Key]].
Soon after the discovery of [[PNF-404]], the Drake was designed and built by Alph's grandfather (also named Drake) exclusively for the heroes' mission. It then picks up [[Alph]], [[Brittany]], and Captain [[Charlie]] before initiating a warp-drive sequence to PNF-404. As they arrive at the planet, something goes wrong as the Drake attempts to enter the atmosphere, and it ejects the three occupants onto the surface below, each landing on different locations on the planet. During the crash, the Drake loses an important mechanism, the [[#Cosmic drive key|cosmic drive key]].


Charlie awakes in a snowy world, where he discovers [[Yellow Pikmin]]. However, his side of the story is cut short as he is soon abducted by the [[Vehemoth Phosbat]].
Charlie awakes in a snowy world, where he discovers [[Yellow Pikmin]]. However, his side of the story is cut short as he is soon abducted by the [[Vehemoth Phosbat]].


After landing in a pool of water, Alph regains consciousness to see a damaged Drake overhead, struggling to land safely. The sight startles him enough to wake him up fully, and he begins exploration of the surrounding area alone. Eventually, he comes across the [[Red Pikmin]] and their [[Onion]], and using their help, is able to recover his [[KopPad]] and relocate the Drake, which was able to land safely.
After landing in a pool of water, Alph regains consciousness to see a damaged Drake overhead, struggling to land safely. The sight startles him enough to wake him up fully, and he begins exploration of the surrounding area alone. Eventually, he comes across the [[Red Pikmin]] and their [[Onion]], and using their help, is able to recover his [[KopPad]] and locate the Drake, which was able to land safely.


==Cosmic Drive Key==
==Cosmic-drive key==
[[File:CosmicDriveKey.jpg|thumb|left|The Cosmic Drive Key, held by Olimar.]]
[[File:CosmicDriveKey.jpg|thumb|left|Olimar holding the cosmic-drive key.]]
The '''Cosmic Drive Key''' is one of the most valuable parts of the Drake. It is necessary in order to achieve warp-speed, a maneuver needed to go from Koppai to PNF-404 and vice-versa.
The '''cosmic-drive key''' (written as '''cosmic drive key''' in the European Wii U version) is one of the most valuable parts of the Drake. It is necessary in order to achieve warp-speed, a maneuver needed to go from [[Koppai]] to [[PNF-404]] and vice-versa.


{{spoiler}}
{{spoiler section|
When the S.S. Drake crash-lands on the planet, the Cosmic Drive Key is lost, a fact that becomes clear after Alph finds the ship. During the time it takes the Koppai explorers to travel around, [[Captain Olimar]] finds and keeps the key, hoping it is some sort of [[treasure]]. Throughout the game's story, both the Koppaites and Olimar mention the key, either by dialog or [[data file]]s, respectively. After Olimar is captured by the [[Plasm Wraith]] and some time after, released from it by the Koppaites, he joins the explorers and hands them the key he found, enabling the group to leave PNF-404 and return to their own planets.
When the S.S. Drake crash-lands on the planet, the cosmic-drive key is lost, a fact that becomes clear after Alph finds the ship. During the time it takes the Koppai explorers to travel around, [[Captain Olimar]] finds and keeps the key, hoping it is some sort of [[treasure]]. Throughout the game's story, both the Koppaites and Olimar mention the key, either by dialog or [[data file]]s, respectively. After Olimar is captured by the [[Plasm Wraith]] and some time after, released from it by the Koppaites, he joins the explorers and hands them the key he found, enabling the group to leave PNF-404 and return to their own planets.
{{endspoiler}}
|the ending of ''Pikmin 3''.}}


{{clear}}
{{clear}}
==Assemble All==
[[File:Pikmin 3DX Assemble All Menu.jpeg|thumb|The pop-up menu to confirm usage of Assemble All.]]
'''Assemble All''' is a mechanic introduced in {{p3d}}. Approaching the S.S. Drake and pressing {{button|switch|a}} will sound a large [[whistle]] and call all stray [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] back to the landing site. Any Pikmin that were performing a task will drop it, and all Pikmin run back at the same speed, which is slightly faster than that of a leader. This feature becomes available when the first sunset of Story Mode happens.
If Assemble All is used while a newly discovered [[Onion]] is still separate from the Master Onion, the Pikmin type belonging to that Onion will assemble there instead of the main landing site.
The [[Homesick Signal]] gear item in {{p4}} has a similar function to the Assemble All mechanic.
{{clear}}
==Quotes==
==Quotes==
{|class="collapsible collapsed"
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!
!
|-
|-
|
|
;Obtaining first fruit
;Obtaining first fruit
*''Drake: "Recovering..."''
:''Drake: "Recovering..."''
*''Alph: "Oh! There's an incoming transmission from the Drake!"''
:''Alph: "Oh! There's an incoming transmission from the Drake!"''
*''Drake: "Analyzing the recovered plant!"''
:''Drake: "Analyzing the recovered plant!"''
*''Drake: "Large quantities of Piktamin U detected!"''
:''Drake: "Large quantities of Piktamin U detected!"''
*''Drake: "This is a seed-bearing fruit, making cultivation on Koppai possible."''
:''Drake: "This is a seed-bearing fruit, making cultivation on Koppai possible."''
*''Drake: "Juice from this fruit is safe for consumption by crew members."''
:''Drake: "Juice from this fruit is safe for consumption by crew members."''
*''Alph: "I'll add a Fruit File to the KopPad, where we can store the results of our analysis."''
:''Alph: "I'll add a Fruit File to the KopPad, where we can store the results of our analysis."''
*''Alph: "But I don't know much about plants at all."''
:''Alph: "But I don't know much about plants at all."''
*''Alph: "I'll ask Brittany to write reports later, since she's the botanist."''
:''Alph: "I'll ask Brittany to write reports later, since she's the botanist."''
;Obtaining a new fruit
;Obtaining a new fruit
*''"New Fruit Recovered"''
:''"New Fruit Recovered"''
;Obtaining a fruit
;Obtaining a fruit
*''"Analyzing..."''
:''"Analyzing..."''
;Obtaining Data Glutton
;Obtaining Data Glutton
*''Drake: "Recovering..."''
:''Drake: "Recovering..."''
*''Alph: "We're receiving a transmission from the Drake!"''
:''Alph: "We're receiving a transmission from the Drake!"''
*''Drake: "Analyzing recovered item!"''
:''Drake: "Analyzing recovered item!"''
*''Drake: "An ancient communication device used on this planet."''
:''Drake: "An ancient communication device used on this planet."''
*''Drake: "It contains technology unknown to Koppai and is emitting a signal even now."''
:''Drake: "It contains technology unknown to Koppai and is emitting a signal even now."''
*''Alph: "If I integrate this device into the Drake's communication system, I should be able to boost our signal's strength!"''
:''Alph: "If I integrate this device into the Drake's communication system, I should be able to boost our signal's strength!"''
*''Alph: "Looks like it's going to be an all nighter for me!"''
:''Alph: "Looks like it's going to be an all nighter for me!"''
|}
|}


==In ''Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U''==
==In the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series==
[[File:SSB ss drake.jpg|thumb|The Drake in the background of the [[Garden of Hope]] arena.]]
[[File:SSB ss drake.jpg|thumb|The Drake in the background of the [[Garden of Hope]] arena.]]
The Drake appears in the background of the ''[[Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U|Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' ''Pikmin''-themed stage, Garden of Hope. It doesn't have any other function on the stage other than decoration. It is in the spot where a [[Waddlepus]] and a [[Burgeoning Spiderwort]] are in ''Pikmin 3''.
The Drake appears in the background of the ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' ''Pikmin''-themed stage [[Garden of Hope]]. It doesn't have any other function on the stage other than decoration. It is in the spot where a [[Waddlepus]] and a [[Burgeoning Spiderwort]] are in ''Pikmin 3''. The S.S. Drake also appears as a trophy in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U''.
 
{{smash trophy
|image  = SSDrakeTrophySSBU.png
|usdesc = {{Notes:S.S. Drake/ssb4wiiuus}}
|eudesc = {{Notes:S.S. Drake/ssb4wiiueu}}
|type  = Stage
|box    = 62. Space Explorer
|obtain = Random appearance.
}}


{{clear}}
{{clear}}
==Naming==
==Naming==
The vessel is named "Drake" after [[Alph]]'s grandfather, who was also named Drake.
The vessel is named "Drake" after [[Alph]]'s grandfather, who was also named [[Minor characters#Drake|Drake]]. This name seems to have been picked by the developers for a few reasons.
 
"Drake" is a word for a male duck, similar to how other ships in the series are named after various animals, with the [[SPERO]]s from the same game being named after sparrows, another type of bird. Additionally, the trophy for the S.S. Drake in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' hints that the name "Drake" could also be a reference to the famous navigator {{w|Sir Francis Drake}}.{{cite quote|{{Notes:S.S. Drake/ssb4wiiuus}}|Trophy description|''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''}}
 
At one point [[Pikmin 3 prerelease information|during production]], there were four main [[leader]]s, and their names had not yet been decided. They were given the placeholder names "A", "B", "C" and "D". Because the other leaders were given names that start with the same letter as the placeholder names, it is possible that "Drake" was the name that would be picked for the final leader.


This name seems to have been picked by the developers for a few reasons. At one point [[Pikmin 3 prototype information|during production]], there were four main [[leader]]s, and their names had not yet been decided. They were given the placeholder names "A", "B", "C" and "D". The first three later ended up being the three Koppaite explorers in the final game, but "[[Pikmin 3 prototype information#Character D|Character D]]" was eventually scrapped. Because the other leaders were given names that start with the same letter as the placeholder names, it is believed that "Drake" was the name that would be picked for the final leader, had he been accepted. Instead of deleting the name, the developers shifted it over to the game's main ship, the S.S. Drake.
Although the navy prefix "S.S" normally means "{{w|Steamship|screw-steamer}}", a steam-powered ship with a propeller, it can be assumed that this fictional navy prefix means something like "star ship" or "space ship."


In addition, the name "Drake" could also be a reference to the famous navigator [[wikipedia:Sir Francis Drake|Sir Francis Drake]]. This is hinted to by the trophy for the S.S. Drake in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''.<ref>{{transcript|{{Notes:S.S. Drake/ssb4wiiuus}}|Trophy description for the S.S. Drake, in ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''}}</ref>
===Names in other languages===
'''S.S. Drake'''
{{foreignname
|Jap=宇宙船ドレイク号
|JapR=Uchūsen doreiku-gō
|JapM=Space ship Drake
|ChiTrad=宇宙船德雷克號
|ChiTradR=
|ChiTradM=Space ship Drake
|ChiSimp=宇宙船德雷克号
|ChiSimpR=
|ChiSimpM=Space ship Drake
|Fra=Drake
|FraM=-
|Ger=Drake
|GerM=-
|Ita=Drake
|ItaM=-
|Kor=우주선 드레이크호
|KorR=Ujuseon Deuleikeuho
|KorM=Space ship Drake
|Spa=Drake
|SpaM=-
|Rus=Корабль Drake
|RusR=Korabl' Drake
|RusM=Drake Ship
|RusN=Name taken from Nintendo's official website
|notes=y
}}
'''Cosmic-drive key'''
{{foreignname
|Jap=ワープドライブ・キー
|JapR=Wāpudoraibu kī
|JapM=Warp Drive Key
|ChiTrad=傳送驅動鑰匙
|ChiTradR=
|ChiTradM=Transfer drive key
|ChiSimp=传送驱动钥匙
|ChiSimpR=
|ChiSimpM=Transfer drive key
|Fra=Clé supraluminique
|FraM=Faster-than-light key
|Ger=Überlicht-Schlüssel
|GerM=Overlight-Key
|Ita=Chiave di attivazione
|ItaM=Activation key
|Kor=워프 드라이브 키
|KorR=Wipi deulaibeu ki
|KorM=Warp Drive Key
|Spa=Llave turbolumínica
|SpaM=Turbo light key
}}
'''Assemble All'''
{{Foreignname
|SpaA=Reagrupar
|SpaAM=Regroup
|Ger=Alle rufen
|GerM=Call everyone
}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
P3Ship.jpg|The Drake analyzing fruit.
P3Ship.jpg|The Drake analyzing fruit.
ZlCfzR2utvYBkktPHX.jpg|The S.S. Drake analyzing a [[Burgeoning Spiderwort]] berry.
SS Drake analyzes Burgeoning Spiderwort P3.jpg|The S.S. Drake analyzing a [[Burgeoning Spiderwort]] berry.
QJPtLgf.jpg|The Drake in a landing site, along with the [[Onion]].
SS Drake in Landing Site P3.jpg|The Drake in a landing site, along with the [[Onion]].
Pikmin3_DrakeLanding.png|A damaged Drake flying past Alph as he awakens.
Pikmin3 DrakeLanding.png|A damaged Drake flying past Alph as he awakens.
Spanish 12.png|Alph and the Drake.
Alph finds SS Drake P3 screenshot.png|Alph looks at the S.S. Drake.
OK....png|The [[Menu#Area selection|world map menu]] in ''Pikmin 3''.
Pikmin 3 area selection menu TR.jpg|The [[area selection menu]] in ''Pikmin 3''.
DrakeInTundra-Pikmin3.jpg|The S.S. Drake flying low through the [[Distant Tundra]].
SS Drake in Distant Tundra P3.jpg|The S.S. Drake flying low through the [[Distant Tundra]].
Drake Blue antenna.jpg|The S.S. Drake's blue antenna.
Drake green antenna.jpg|The S.S. Drake's green antenna.
Drake orange antenna.jpg|The S.S. Drake's orange antenna.
SS Drake in space P3.png|The S.S. Drake in outer space.
P3D SS Drake Interior.jpg|The interior of the S.S. Drake.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
==Trivia==
*[[Hocotate Ship]]
*In the opening cutscene of ''Pikmin 3'', the sound made by the S.S. Drake while moving through space is the same as Mario and Luigi's walking sound effect from the arcade game ''[[mario:Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'', and when something sends it hurtling to PNF-404, it makes the sound of the dog's laugh in the NES game ''{{w|Duck Hunt}}''.
*[[S.S. Dolphin]]
*The S.S. Drake claims that the technology within the [[Data Glutton]] is unknown to Koppai, even though the [[KopPad]]s have radio and video features and the Drake itself can receive the Data Glutton's signal. This could possibly be a [[mistake]].
*In the French localisation of {{p3}} the Drake speaks in randomised capitals and makes peeps and cranking noises.
*The S.S. Drake's 3D model has more polygons than the entirety of the [[Perplexing Pool]].{{cite youtube|HWrVtwhoAUA|about ''Pikmin 3'' model trivia|published={{date|28|February|2017}}|retrieved={{date|21|April|2022}}}}


==References==
==References==
<references/>
{{refs}}
 
{{Characters}}
 
[[Category:Koppai]]
[[Category:Koppai]]
[[Category:Ships]]
[[Category:Ships]]

Latest revision as of 01:20, October 3, 2024

"Drake" redirects here. For Alph's grandfather, see Minor characters#Drake.
Artwork of the S.S. Drake.
The S.S. Drake.

The S.S. Drake (宇宙船ドレイク号?; SS Drake in the European Wii U version), simply referred to by the Koppaites as the Drake (ドレイク号?), is the main ship in Pikmin 3. It was designed by and named after Alph's grandfather.[1] Much like the other ships in the Pikmin series, it serves as the leaders' base, where the time in between days is spent. It also stores all the gathered objects found by the leaders, and transport the leaders from place to place. Charlie is its captain and Alph is its engineer.

Appearance[edit]

The S.S. Drake in the Garden of Hope.
The S.S. Drake in the Garden of Hope.

The S.S. Drake is not designed like a traditional rocket along the lines of the S.S. Dolphin or the Hocotate ship, instead more closely resembling a lander vehicle, particularly with its communication antenna which sits on top of the vehicle, plus its much rounder and stouter body providing a living space on foreign bodies. It also appears to be far more advanced than either of them, as the vehicle contains a small satellite that is used for surveying purposes, and instead of sitting on fins on the ground, the vehicle features four extending landing struts on which it sits on the ground, plus a set of other minor details. Several pieces of Koppaite text are written on the outside of the Drake.

The color of the antenna changes appearance throughout the game. At the start of the game, it is blue. After collecting the Data Glutton, expanding the ship's range, the antenna becomes green. After collecting the Folded Data Glutton, expanding the ship's range again, the antenna becomes orange.

Background[edit]

Soon after the discovery of PNF-404, the Drake was designed and built by Alph's grandfather (also named Drake) exclusively for the heroes' mission. It then picks up Alph, Brittany, and Captain Charlie before initiating a warp-drive sequence to PNF-404. As they arrive at the planet, something goes wrong as the Drake attempts to enter the atmosphere, and it ejects the three occupants onto the surface below, each landing on different locations on the planet. During the crash, the Drake loses an important mechanism, the cosmic drive key.

Charlie awakes in a snowy world, where he discovers Yellow Pikmin. However, his side of the story is cut short as he is soon abducted by the Vehemoth Phosbat.

After landing in a pool of water, Alph regains consciousness to see a damaged Drake overhead, struggling to land safely. The sight startles him enough to wake him up fully, and he begins exploration of the surrounding area alone. Eventually, he comes across the Red Pikmin and their Onion, and using their help, is able to recover his KopPad and locate the Drake, which was able to land safely.

Cosmic-drive key[edit]

The Cosmic-drive key of the S.S. Drake.
Olimar holding the cosmic-drive key.

The cosmic-drive key (written as cosmic drive key in the European Wii U version) is one of the most valuable parts of the Drake. It is necessary in order to achieve warp-speed, a maneuver needed to go from Koppai to PNF-404 and vice-versa.

Warning: the following text contains major spoilers about the ending of Pikmin 3..

When the S.S. Drake crash-lands on the planet, the cosmic-drive key is lost, a fact that becomes clear after Alph finds the ship. During the time it takes the Koppai explorers to travel around, Captain Olimar finds and keeps the key, hoping it is some sort of treasure. Throughout the game's story, both the Koppaites and Olimar mention the key, either by dialog or data files, respectively. After Olimar is captured by the Plasm Wraith and some time after, released from it by the Koppaites, he joins the explorers and hands them the key he found, enabling the group to leave PNF-404 and return to their own planets.

Assemble All[edit]

The menu that pops up when you select 'Assemble All' on the S.S. Drake
The pop-up menu to confirm usage of Assemble All.

Assemble All is a mechanic introduced in Pikmin 3 Deluxe. Approaching the S.S. Drake and pressing the A Button on the Switch will sound a large whistle and call all stray Pikmin back to the landing site. Any Pikmin that were performing a task will drop it, and all Pikmin run back at the same speed, which is slightly faster than that of a leader. This feature becomes available when the first sunset of Story Mode happens.

If Assemble All is used while a newly discovered Onion is still separate from the Master Onion, the Pikmin type belonging to that Onion will assemble there instead of the main landing site.

The Homesick Signal gear item in Pikmin 4 has a similar function to the Assemble All mechanic.

Quotes[edit]

Obtaining first fruit
Drake: "Recovering..."
Alph: "Oh! There's an incoming transmission from the Drake!"
Drake: "Analyzing the recovered plant!"
Drake: "Large quantities of Piktamin U detected!"
Drake: "This is a seed-bearing fruit, making cultivation on Koppai possible."
Drake: "Juice from this fruit is safe for consumption by crew members."
Alph: "I'll add a Fruit File to the KopPad, where we can store the results of our analysis."
Alph: "But I don't know much about plants at all."
Alph: "I'll ask Brittany to write reports later, since she's the botanist."
Obtaining a new fruit
"New Fruit Recovered"
Obtaining a fruit
"Analyzing..."
Obtaining Data Glutton
Drake: "Recovering..."
Alph: "We're receiving a transmission from the Drake!"
Drake: "Analyzing recovered item!"
Drake: "An ancient communication device used on this planet."
Drake: "It contains technology unknown to Koppai and is emitting a signal even now."
Alph: "If I integrate this device into the Drake's communication system, I should be able to boost our signal's strength!"
Alph: "Looks like it's going to be an all nighter for me!"

In the Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

The S.S. Drake in the background of the Garden of Hope stage.
The Drake in the background of the Garden of Hope arena.

The Drake appears in the background of the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Pikmin-themed stage Garden of Hope. It doesn't have any other function on the stage other than decoration. It is in the spot where a Waddlepus and a Burgeoning Spiderwort are in Pikmin 3. The S.S. Drake also appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

The trophy for the S.S. Drake in the Wii U version of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. US version US description:

“While its name might remind you of the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake, this ship is actually named after Alph's grandfather. After the S.S. Drake crash-lands, Alph finds his way back to it and soon gets it working. However, the crew must locate the cosmic-drive key before the vessel can return to Koppai.
Appears in:

Wii U Pikmin 3 (08/2013)”
European version EU description:

“The name may remind you of the navigator Sir Francis Drake, one of the first men to circumnavigate the globe, but this ship is actually named after Alph's grandfather. It initially crash-lands, but Alph finds his way back to it and gets it up and running. But it can't fly back to Koppai until he and his companions find the cosmic drive key...
Related Games

Wii U Pikmin 3 (07/2013)”
How to obtain: Random appearance. Type: Stage Trophy Box: 62. Space Explorer

Naming[edit]

The vessel is named "Drake" after Alph's grandfather, who was also named Drake. This name seems to have been picked by the developers for a few reasons.

"Drake" is a word for a male duck, similar to how other ships in the series are named after various animals, with the SPEROs from the same game being named after sparrows, another type of bird. Additionally, the trophy for the S.S. Drake in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U hints that the name "Drake" could also be a reference to the famous navigator Sir Francis Drake.[2]

At one point during production, there were four main leaders, and their names had not yet been decided. They were given the placeholder names "A", "B", "C" and "D". Because the other leaders were given names that start with the same letter as the placeholder names, it is possible that "Drake" was the name that would be picked for the final leader.

Although the navy prefix "S.S" normally means "screw-steamer", a steam-powered ship with a propeller, it can be assumed that this fictional navy prefix means something like "star ship" or "space ship."

Names in other languages[edit]

S.S. Drake

Language Name Meaning Notes
Flag of Japan Japanese 宇宙船ドレイク号?
Uchūsen doreiku-gō		 Space ship Drake
Flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Chinese
(traditional)		 宇宙船德雷克號 Space ship Drake
Flag of China Chinese
(simplified)		 宇宙船德雷克号 Space ship Drake
Flag of France French Drake -
Flag of Germany German Drake -
Flag of Italy Italian Drake -
Flag of South Korea Korean 우주선 드레이크호
Ujuseon Deuleikeuho		 Space ship Drake
Flag of Spain Spanish Drake -
Flag of Russia Russian Корабль Drake
Korabl' Drake		 Drake Ship Name taken from Nintendo's official website

Cosmic-drive key

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese ワープドライブ・キー?
Wāpudoraibu kī		 Warp Drive Key
Flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Chinese
(traditional)		 傳送驅動鑰匙 Transfer drive key
Flag of China Chinese
(simplified)		 传送驱动钥匙 Transfer drive key
Flag of France French Clé supraluminique Faster-than-light key
Flag of Germany German Überlicht-Schlüssel Overlight-Key
Flag of Italy Italian Chiave di attivazione Activation key
Flag of South Korea Korean 워프 드라이브 키
Wipi deulaibeu ki		 Warp Drive Key
Flag of Spain Spanish Llave turbolumínica Turbo light key

Assemble All

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Germany German Alle rufen Call everyone
Flag of Mexico Spanish (NoA) Reagrupar Regroup

Gallery[edit]

  • The Drake analyzing fruit.

    The Drake analyzing fruit.

  • The S.S. Drake analyzing a Burgeoning Spiderwort berry.

    The S.S. Drake analyzing a Burgeoning Spiderwort berry.

  • The Drake in a landing site, along with the Onion.

    The Drake in a landing site, along with the Onion.

  • A damaged Drake flying past Alph as he awakens.

    A damaged Drake flying past Alph as he awakens.

  • Alph looks at the S.S. Drake.

    Alph looks at the S.S. Drake.

  • The area selection menu in Pikmin 3.

    The area selection menu in Pikmin 3.

  • The S.S. Drake flying low through the Distant Tundra.

    The S.S. Drake flying low through the Distant Tundra.

  • The S.S. Drake's blue antenna.

    The S.S. Drake's blue antenna.

  • The S.S. Drake's green antenna.

    The S.S. Drake's green antenna.

  • The S.S. Drake's orange antenna.

    The S.S. Drake's orange antenna.

  • The S.S. Drake in outer space.

    The S.S. Drake in outer space.

  • The interior of the S.S. Drake.

    The interior of the S.S. Drake.

Trivia[edit]

  • In the opening cutscene of Pikmin 3, the sound made by the S.S. Drake while moving through space is the same as Mario and Luigi's walking sound effect from the arcade game Mario Bros., and when something sends it hurtling to PNF-404, it makes the sound of the dog's laugh in the NES game Duck Hunt.
  • The S.S. Drake claims that the technology within the Data Glutton is unknown to Koppai, even though the KopPads have radio and video features and the Drake itself can receive the Data Glutton's signal. This could possibly be a mistake.
  • In the French localisation of Pikmin 3 the Drake speaks in randomised capitals and makes peeps and cranking noises.
  • The S.S. Drake's 3D model has more polygons than the entirety of the Perplexing Pool.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pikmin 3 for Wii U - The Story on Nintendo.com
  2. ^ “While its name might remind you of the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake, this ship is actually named after Alph's grandfather. After the S.S. Drake crash-lands, Alph finds his way back to it and soon gets it working. However, the crew must locate the cosmic-drive key before the vessel can return to Koppai.
    Appears in: :Wii U Pikmin 3 (08/2013)    ” – Trophy description in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
  3. ^ YouTube video about Pikmin 3 model trivia, published on February 28th, 2017, retrieved on April 21st, 2022
Characters
Leaders Captain Olimar • Louie • The President • Alph • Brittany • Charlie • Pikmin 4 player character
Rescue Corps Oatchi • Collin • Shepherd • Russ • Dingo • Yonny • Bernard
Ships S.S. Dolphin • Hocotate ship • S.S. Drake • S.S. Dolphin II • SPERO • S.S. Beagle • S.S. Shepherd
Other Castaway • Leafling • Minor characters • Moss • Pikmin
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