Area Hints (Exploration Notes)

The Area Hints Category, is a category from the Exploration Notes menu in Pikmin 3. It holds 10 Data Files with special tips for each area of PNF-404. The files are scattered around the map and sometimes hidden. 

Data Files

A legacy of the past

Text: "We discovered the remains of what appears to be an underwater structure. Perhaps we can restore it so that we may cross to the opposite shore. Louie is here, but we would still need someone else's help to do this..." -Captain Olimar

Area: Garden of Hope

Location: Once Louie escapes, go right near the Blue Onion. You will find it on a buried pot next to a Flukeweed. 

Closed Path

Text: "In a dark place where I could barely see my own feet, I discovered a familiar plant. If I recall correctly, they're called Bloominous Stemples, and they bloom under a strong light. Is there anything nearby capable of generating such a light?" -Captain Olimar

Area:

Location:

Great partner

Text: "It seems like two people working together could use this mushroom to reach the other side. But for some reason, Louie and I just can't get our acts together. I wish I had a more reliable partner. Sigh... I wonder how my wife is doing back on Hocotate." -Captain Olimar

Area: Twilight River

Location: Cross the grey bridge to the south. Continue up the paper bag and through the tunnel. Pass straight through the clearing and go all the way to the shoreline.

Parting gift

Text: "We've found a snow sculpture in this frozen tundra. It looks like the face of a middle-aged man--one that I know all too well. The more I look at it, the more I think it looks like the president of Hocotate Freight. Especially that nose..." -Captain Olimar

Area: Distant Tundra

Location: Near the Arctic Cannon Larva on the highest portion of the hill. Either carefully walk down to it or throw a leader on the short ledge it is located on. 

Shortcut

Text: "If I can break down this wall, I'll be able to cut through this labyrinth and save myself some time. I wonder if there are any Bomb Rocks around..." -Captain Olimar

Area: Formidable Oak

Location: Behind the Reinforced Wall at the beginning of the cave. You can either use Bomb Rocks, or destroy the Crystal Nodule past the first Arachnode. If you take option 2, make sure you have Bomb Rocks, or else the Mysterious Life-Form will trap you. 

The cliff-top mystery

Text: "What a superb view! Hm...what is that over there? I need to get a closer look. Those Yellow Pikmin seem to be good at accessing those hard-to-reach places..." -Captain Olimar

Area: Tropical Wilds

Location: From the landing site, go west through the rock wall. Go through the hole and circle back to the north. Throw two leaders up on the ledge. Switch leaders and follow the path east. Throw a leader up on the ledge and switch leaders again. Go north to the top of the tree stump.

To future visitors

Text: "I consider myself to be a hardened veteran of planetary exploration now. With so many battles under my spacebelt, I no longer have need for this little item. I've since buried it nearby. Hopefully somoene will be able to get use out of it." -Captain Olimar

Area: Twilight River

Location: Go Through the rock wall and turn left. Get on the lilly pad and float through the tunnel. Float on the lilly pad all the way down the river until forced to get off. Head northeast to find the File.

To the survivors

Text: "Looks like someone took a tumble here in the fresh snow... Perhaps someone else is stranded here! If anyone is reading this, there are several electrical contraptions in this area. I've buried something here in the snow. Hopefully it's useful!" -Captain Olimar

Area: Distant Tundra

Location: Cross the bridge to the north and turn left back towards the shore. Go through the electric fence and then turn left into the cave. Take the exit from the cave to the west and continue under the little land bridge. Turn right and the file will be in a small pool of water.

With one more person...

Text: "We're picking up a strong singal, but we can't seem to actually reach it. If we had a third party, we might be able to, but I just got an out-of-office message from the boss. He probably doesn't get much reception at the beach. We're kind of on a beach, too... but it's not quite the same." -Captain Olimar

Area: Tropical Wilds

Location: From the landing site, go down the ramp to the east and turn right along the shore. Cross the brown bridge to the south. Turn right and pass through the dirt wall. Cross the clearing towards the small island. Throw a leader to the island. Switch leaders to collect the file if the thrown leader did not land on it.

With three of us...

Text: "Quite the discovery! If only I had a little more help other than Louie to get this mechanism going! I really wish the boss would answer us. Just because he's the president of Hocotate Freight doesn't mean he can just be on vacation all the time! Or is that exactly what it means?" -Captain Olimar

Area: Garden of Hope

Location: From the landing site, go north through the glass wall. Turn left and follow the shore. Go through the dirt wall and follow the path into the tunnel. Proceed southwest through the electric fence.