Prototype Detector

Prototype Detector Treasure Hoard icon.
File:Prototype Detectorrender.png
Number	186
Series	Explorer's Friend Series
Value	× 200
Weight	35 (normally)
Maximum carriers	45 Pikmin
Location	Hole of Beasts
Challenge Mode levels	Collector's Room, Secret Testing Range

The Prototype Detector (おたからセンサープロトタイプ^?, lit.: "Treasure Sensor Prototype") is a treasure in Pikmin 2. It is a toy called a "Love Tester", produced by Nintendo in the 1970s. It is found on the last sublevel (5) of the Hole of Beasts, and is held by this cave's boss, the Empress Bulblax. Retrieving this treasure unlocks the Treasure Gauge as an upgrade. Like some other treasures, if the player defeats the Empress Bulblax, but does not have enough Pikmin to carry the Prototype Detector, which requires the strength of 35 Pikmin, it will change weight to match the player's army.

Notes

Ship's dialogs

“How bizarre. This device is emitting black light. It must have been ingested by that creature.

What an absolutely repulsive life-form. Our return to Hocotate cannot come soon enough.

---

This contraption seems to react when it approaches treasure. I will connect it to my radar.

Processing...complete. The Treasure Gauge is now fully operational!

It will now appear on your monitor. The needle will move right as you approach treasure.”

Olimar's journal

“Today we searched a subterranean lair swarming with carnivorous bugs. The name Hole of Beasts immediately came to mind. The convenient contraption I found there has become an invaluable treasure-seeking tool. When it approaches a piece of treasure, the gadget beeps and the needle moves to the right. When all of the treasure in an area has been collected, the device powers down. When we left Hocotate, I thought we'd never be able to pay off the company's debt. But thanks to this gadget, I'm feeling optimistic about the outcome of this daring mission.”

Sales pitch

“Is this a miracle gadget born of universal desire, or a machine manufactured by the master of Dimension X? Whatever it is, it reacts to treasure!”

Gallery

• 

  Artwork of the Prototype Detector.

• 

  The Prototype Detector in-game.

• Prototype Detector P2 analysis.png

  The Prototype Detector being analyzed.

• 

  Texture used for the treasure.

• 

  Texture used for the treasure.

• 

  The original "Love Tester" made by Nintendo, in its pre-video game era.

Trivia

• The Exploration Kit ability that collecting this treasure gives the player, the Treasure Gauge, was originally going to be called the "Pikpik Radar".
• This treasure's weight changes depending on the amount of Pikmin within the player's squad, from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 35.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
French	Prototype de Détection	Prototype Detector
German	Prototyp-Detektor
Italian	Sensore prototipo
Spanish	Detector prototipo	Prototype detector
Spanish (NoA)	Detector prototipo	Prototype detector

References

This article was a featured article from March 1st, 2015 to June 1st, 2015.