Pikmin (game)
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Pikmin 3

Bulborb

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Bulborb In-game icon.
Appears in PikminPikmin 2Pikmin 3
Scientific name Oculus kageyamii russus
Family Grub-dog
Areas The Forest of Hope, Valley of Repose, Awakening Wood, Garden of Hope, Tropical Wilds, Formidable Oak
Caves Hole of Beasts, Hole of Heroes, Dream Den
Challenge Mode stages The Forest of Hope, The Distant Spring, Explorer's Cave, Lost Toy Box, Red Chasm, Collector's Room, Breeding Ground, Emperor's Realm
Mission Mode Collect Treasure! stages Tropical Forest, Twilight Hollow, Shaded Garden, Tropical Forest Remix, Twilight Hollow Remix, Beastly Caverns
Mission Mode Battle Enemies! stages Tropical Forest, Silver Lake, Thirsty Desert, Shaded Garden, Garden of Hope Remix, Formidable Oak Remix
Side Story days None
2-Player Battle stages Angle Maze
Bingo Battle stages Shaded Terrace, Stagnant Sea, Jigsaw Colosseum
Attacks Eats Pikmin

Red Bulborbs (アカチャッピー?, lit.: "Red Chappy") are among the most well-known enemies in the Pikmin games and are often just as much a staple for the games as Pikmin themselves. They were originally known as Spotty Bulborbs until various other subspecies, all with spots, were discovered in Pikmin 2. In Pikmin 3, it is simply named Bulborb, despite the Orange Bulborb also appearing in the game. This nocturnal creature will sleep out in the open, exposing itself to Pikmin attacks.

Bulborbs in general are surprisingly apathetic creatures and won't arise from their sleep even if one of their own is under attack. That being said, however, Dwarf Bulborbs in Pikmin will let out a screech when agitated, awaking any nearby Bulborbs.

Stats

Game Weight Max.
carriers
Seeds Value Health Regen.
Pikmin 10 20 12 N/A 1100 Unknown
Pikmin 2 10 20 12 Poko × 7 750 No
Pikmin 3 (?) 10 20 (normally) 10 Poko × 50
Spirit × 50
1000 No

Notes

Olimar's voyage log

The most plentiful species on the planet, they are quite ferocious despite their appearance, using their massive jaws to swallow Pikmin whole. Frontal assaults result in disaster; attacks from behind are more successful. Attacking their legs is also effective.

Reel notes

This nocturnal hunter feeds mostly on small animals returning to their nests at night.

Olimar's notes

This large organism has the familiar mandibles and cranial morphology of the grub-dog family, as well as the characteristic bulging eyes. As with most grub-dogs, the creature's cranium comprises half of its total length and girth. Showing a scarlet abdomen with white spots, this creature is primarily nocturnal, choosing to prey upon smaller creatures returning to their nests. Originally classified as the spotty bulborb, further research has reclassified this species as the red bulborb. Subspecies of varied colors have recently been discovered, but academics are divided into two rival camps over how to handle their classification.

Louie's notes

Plump specimens are best spit-roasted whole, stuffed with a lime and a slab of bacon. Baste frequently to ensure a magnificently moist haunch.

Pikmin 3 Nintendo Player's Guide

The weakest of the larger Bulborbs, the Red Bulborb can still hold its own against a good-sized Pikmin squad. Since it is a nocturnal species, most of the Red Bulborbs that you encounter in the daytime will be asleep to start. Sneak up on them from behind and hit them with a stream of flying Pikmin.

Pikmin 3 website

It's considered one of the weakest of the Bulborbs, but can still hold its own against a good-sized Pikmin squad. Attack from behind to gain the advantage. Weakest point: eyeballs.

Pikmin 3 Prima Guide

These large creatures use their jaws to gobble up several Pikmin with each bite. Whenever possible, use a large squad of Pikmin to charge the creature from the rear. If brute force isn’t an option, throw Red Pikmin and Rock Pikmin onto the creature’s back. During an extended battle, it’s important to retrieve your Pikmin as the Bulborb shakes them off.

Biology

Red Bulborbs are among the most mammalian enemies in the series due to them having leathery, soft skin and bulbous eyes, opposed to the compound eyes of most insects. Judging by the size of their eyes and their nocturnal lifestyle, their eyes have a wide pupil, a large lens and possible increased retinal surface used for collecting more ambient light during night time.

Olimar mentions the Red Bulborbs having a set of mandibles. Mandibles are a pair of appendages near an insects mouth, used for grinding and chewing food. The so-called mandibles Olimar mentions in his notes look nothing like normal mandibles and are instead most likely sabre-teeth, used for breaking exoskeletons of prey insects and digging through the soil for roots. Their diet is, however, quite the mystery, as they are equipped with eating both animal and vegetable life, but they are known to fully ignore Spectralids.

It seems that the juvenile Red Bulborb is the favored host of the parasitic Pikmin known as Bulbmin. This type of Pikmin appears to control its host, causing the animal to behave less like a Bulborb and much more like a Pikmin, following a leader (which is naturally an older Bulbmin) and hunting in packs. Red Bulborbs are not observed at the two stages of development displayed by Bulbmin anywhere else in-game (unlike the Spotty Bulbear), so it is unknown whether Bulbmin are a common stage in Red Bulborb initial development or not, as symbiotic cooperation from the parasite would give this slightly weaker form of Grub-dog an advantage in the subterranean environment that all stages of the Red Bulborb species are found in.

Strategy

The following article or section contains guides.
The strategies shown are just suggestions.

File:Pikmin 002.jpg
Artwork of several Pikmin attacking a Red Bulborb.

Pikmin

Swarming it with a large group of 50 or so Pikmin, preferably Reds due to their high attack power, proves quite effective. If only a few Pikmin are available, they should be thrown onto the Bulborb's back repeatedly while retreating if the enemy starts charging at them. Waiting until it goes back to sleep takes longer, but is a lot safer. If bomb-rocks are used, the Bulborb will die with two blasts. If you attack its back it will usually do a quarter-turn right, hiding some of its back from your current position.

Pikmin 2

Rather than swarming it, continuously tossing Pikmin onto its back is preferable when the army is at least 30 Pikmin strong, even if some are shaken off. A few Purple Pikmin can cause serious damage, especially if they stun the Bulborb. If it is accidentally awakened before being attacked by Pikmin, you should run away until it turns around, then make a new pass at it.

If the Pikmin army is very small, the creature can also be woken up and made to chase the leader until it leaves its territory, at which point it will turn around and return to its original sleeping spot. At this point the player must follow it and wait for it to reach its spot. Once there it will yawn, fall asleep, then wake up and attack again if provoked. Beginning the attack at the moment the creature yawns provides the player with a few crucial seconds in which the Bulborb is entirely immobilized and harmless.

In some metallic themed caves, Red Bulborbs can be led off of the stage by awakening it and quickly running around a hole in the sublevel, causing it to fall off.

Pikmin 3

A Bulborb gets hit on the eye in Pikmin 3.
A Red Bulborb in Pikmin 3, hit on the eye.

The first game's tactic of swarming the creature from behind returns in this game, though here it is far more effective. If the Pikmin charge at the creature's behind, they will flawlessly cling to it as it rises and continue attacking, making 20 Red Pikmin enough to take it down before it has any chance of resistance.

If it is awake, repeatedly throw Pikmin at its eyes, even when it's shaking in pain, and whistle them when they scatter around and you end up low on Pikmin to throw. You can also escape from a Red Bulborb by hiding under a tall plant.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

A Bulborb in the Smash Run mode of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Bulborbs appear as enemies on the Super Smash Bros. for 3DS exclusive game mode Smash Run.
SmashWiki.png

This article or section is a short summary on the enemy in the Super Smash Bros. series.
SmashWiki features more in-depth content.

A Red Bulborb is the main stage hazard on the Distant Planet stage in Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for 3DS. It is considerably larger than a Bulborb in the Pikmin series, and will periodically appear on the right side of the stage. It occasionally opens its mouth, and any fighters that fall in will be eaten and taken away, resulting in a KO.

In the Smash Run mode of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, a Red Bulborb appears as one of many enemies featured in the mode. It is one of the largest enemies in the game, and has a comparable amount of knockback resistance. Its attacks are also deadly, KOing fighters with minimal effort.

A Red Bulborb also appears in the background of the Garden of Hope stage in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, but its purpose is merely cosmetic. Finally, there is a sticker for a Red Bulborb in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but it is merely called "Bulborb".

Brawl trophy

File:BulborbTrophy.jpg Description:

A creature whose Japanese name translates as "spotted crimson bug-eye." These bulky nocturnal animals have white-and-red-flecked rumps that resemble strawberries. Red bulborbs sleep in the day and wake in the evening to feed on small animals. Several colors of bulborb subspecies have been discovered—their classification is a hot subject for scholars.

GameCube Pikmin 2
How to obtain: Random appearance. Type: Stage

Smash 4 trophy

3DS
The trophy for a Bulborb in the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, fighting Red Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin, Blue Pikmin, Purple Pikmin, and White Pikmin. US version US description:
These creatures from the Pikmin series have snail-like protruding eyes, huge mouths, and really bad tempers. They're known for snapping at fighters and trying to trample them underfoot. If you see one in a group of enemies, you should try to take it out fast—it'll shoot off and bounce around, hitting other enemies as it goes!
European version EU description:
These creatures from the Pikmin series have snail-like protruding eyes, huge mouths and really bad tempers. They're known for snapping at fighters and trying to trample them underfoot. If you see one in a group of enemies, you should try to take it out first – it'll shoot off and bounce around, hitting other enemies as it goes!
How to obtain: Random appearance. Type: Enemy
Wii U
The Bulborb trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. US version US description:

These creatures from the Pikmin series have snaillike protruding eyes, huge mouths, and really bad tempers. Despite their cute appearance, they'll happily gobble up Pikmin! In Smash Bros., they appear on the Garden of Hope stage, wandering around or chasing the poor Pikmin. Thankfully, they don't seem interested in the fighters duking it out.
Appears in:

GameCube Pikmin (12/2001)
GameCube Pikmin 2 (08/2004)
European version EU description:

With their spotted backs and big round eyes, Bulborbs are almost cute. But don't be fooled! They have a voracious appetite, and will gladly eat as many Pikmin as they can get their tongues on. In this game, you might spot one in the Garden of Hope stage, getting in the Pikmin's way. Luckily, the Bulborbs won't bother you. Phew!
Related Games

GameCube Pikmin (06/2002)
GameCube Pikmin 2 (10/2004)
How to obtain: Random appearance. Type: Stage Trophy Box: 61. Distant Planet & Indigenous Creatures

Technical information

Pikmin technical information (?)
Internal name swallow
HP 1100
Pikmin 2 technical information (?)
Internal name chappy
Global properties (List)
ID Japanese comment Property Value
s000 friction(not used) Friction 0.5
s001 wallReflection Unknown (wall bounce speed multiplier?) 0.5
s002 faceDirAdjust Unknown 0.25
s003 accel Acceleration 0.1
s004 bounceFactor Unknown (bounce when it hits the ground?) 0.3
fp00 ライフ HP 750
fp01 マップとの当り Unknown (related to slopes) 40
fp02 ダメージスケールXZ Horizontal damage scale 0.3
fp03 ダメージスケールY Vertical damage scale 0.3
fp04 ダメージフレーム Damage scale duration 0.35
fp05 質量 Unknown (weight?) 0.1
fp06 速度 Move speed 100
fp08 回転速度率 Rotation acceleration 0.4
fp09 テリトリー Territory radius 400
fp10 ホーム範囲 "Home" radius 15
fp11 プライベート距離 "Private" radius 70
fp12 視界距離 Sight radius 500
fp13 視界角度 FOV 90
fp14 探索距離 Unknown (exploration radius?) 500
fp15 探索角度 Unknown (exploration angle?) 90
fp16 振り払い率 Successful shake rate 1
fp17 振り払い力 Shake knockback 120
fp18 振り払いダメージ Shake damage 1
fp19 振り払い範囲 Shake range 40
fp20 攻撃可能範囲 Unknown (shock attack max range?) 75
fp21 攻撃可能角度 Unknown (shock attack max angle?) 25
fp22 攻撃ヒット範囲 Unknown (attack hit range?) 80
fp23 攻撃ヒット角度 Unknown (attack hit angle?) 35
fp24 攻撃力 Attack damage 10
fp25 視界高 Unknown (height visibility?) 50
fp26 探索高 Unknown (exploration height?) 50
fp27 ライフの高さ HP wheel height 90
fp28 回転最大速度 Rotation speed 4
fp29 警戒時間 Unknown (warning time?) 7
fp30 警戒ライフ Unknown 30
fp31 ライフ回復率 Regeneration rate 0
fp32 LOD半径 Off-camera radius 40
fp33 マップとのあたりポリゴンの選定 Collision processing radius 50
fp34 ピクミンとのあたり Pikmin damage radius 30
fp35 石化時間 Petrification duration 1
fp36 ヒップドロップダメージ Purple Pikmin drop damage 50
fp37 地震気絶確立 Purple Pikmin stun chance 0.3 (30%)
fp38 地震気絶時間 Purple Pikmin stun time 5
ip01 振り払い打撃A Shake mode 1 – hit count 6
ip02 振り払い張付1 Shake mode 1 – Pikmin requirement 5
ip03 振り払い打撃B Shake mode 2 – hit count 12
ip04 振り払い張付2 Shake mode 2 – Pikmin requirement 10
ip05 振り払い打撃C Shake mode 3 – hit count 17
ip06 振り払い張付3 Shake mode 3 – Pikmin requirement 20
ip07 振り払い打撃D Shake mode 4 – hit count 22
Specific properties
ID Japanese comment Property Value
fp01 足元範囲 Unknown (foot range?) 30
fp02 白ピクミン毒 White Pikmin poison damage 750
Pikmin 3 technical information (?)
Internal name chappy
HP 1000
Rock Pikmin throw hits to kill 25
White Pikmin ingestions to kill 5
Bomb rock explosions to kill 1
Bomb rock ingestions to kill 1
Number of direct hits on top to kill 0
Damage to leaders 20
Territory radius 300
Mission Mode value 50

Other information

Development history

Bulborbs were created before the concept for Pikmin was established. When Adam and Eve was being worked on, the Red Bulborb had been created to serve as a mammoth-like beast. When the concept for the game was scrapped, the Bulborbs were reused for Pikmin. As clued by the internal name for this enemy and the Dwarf Red Bulborb, it is possible that the Dwarf Red Bulborb is the original Bulborb, and the Red Bulborb was created afterwards in development, although the "mammoth" properties of the beast, as mentioned by Shigeru Miyamoto, indicate that the first "Bulborb" creature to be developed was large, and hence, not the Dwarf Red Bulborb.

Their name in Pikmin is "Spotty Bulborb", and at this point, only one type of Bulborb was planned to exist (besides the false variations of Bulborb, the Dwarf Bulborbs). For Pikmin 2, it was decided that further types of Bulborb would be developed, but because they would all be Bulborbs and have spots on their backs, the original one needed a rename. Due to it being red while the others are orange and hairy, the name "Red Bulborb" was given to this enemy.

In the New Play Control! remake of Pikmin, their sounds were changed to be much higher-pitched, although this is likely an oversight.

For Pikmin 3, perhaps with the purpose to simplify things, its name became known simply as "Bulborb", despite two other types of Bulborb existing in the game: the Orange Bulborb and the Whiptongue Bulborb. In an attempt to flesh out this iconic enemy, its behavior was made slightly more complex in this game, in the form of it reacting to Pikmin thrown at its eyes with a flinch, and by looking at Pikmin while it chases them. These behaviors also happen with the other Bulborbs.

Naming

The first word in the name "Red Bulborb" refers to its red coloration, in comparison with other known Bulborbs. The name "Bulborb" itself is likely a combination of "bulb" and "orb", referring to its large, round eyes and bulbous body. The term "Spotty Bulborb" was initially used to refer to this enemy, in Pikmin, until other types of Bulborbs were made for Pikmin 2. "Spotty Bulborb" is also used in New Play Control! Pikmin. The "Spotty" in the name is due to the spots it has on its back.

According to the Brawl trophy, its Japanese name, アカチャッピー? translates to "Spotted Crimson Bug-eye". The Japanese name in Pikmin is merely チャッピー?, lit.: "Chappy". On the scientific name, oculus kageyamii russus, oculus is Latin for "eye", while russus is Latin for "red". In an early script left inside the game, the creature used to have the technical name oculus kageyamii ssp RED.[1] It is unknown what the "ssp" could mean, while the "RED" is perhaps a placeholder used until a proper word for "red" was found.

Its internal name in Pikmin is swallow, given that the name chappy is already used by the Dwarf Red Bulborb. The internal name in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 3 is also chappy, the same as the Japanese name for Bulborb.

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Flag of Japan Japanese アカチャッピー?
Aka Chappī
Red Chappy
Flag of France French Bulborbe à pois (Pikmin), Bulborbe rouge (Pikmin 2), Bulborbe (Pikmin 3) Spotty Bulborb (Pikmin), Red Bulborb (Pikmin 2), Bulborb (Pikmin 3)
Flag of Germany German Roter Punktkäfer Red Dot Beetle
Flag of Italy Italian Coleto Rosso Red Coleto The species name may come from "boletus", as its spots look like those found on mushrooms.
Flag of Portugal Portuguese (NoE) Olborbo Bulborb Name taken from the Super Smash Bros. for 3DS trophy.
Flag of Mexico Spanish (NoA) Bulbo rojo Red bulb

Gallery

Trivia

  • On the title screen of Pikmin 2, pressing X / the 1 Button on the Wii Remote will summon a Red Bulborb onto the screen. The player can control it by using C / the + Control Pad on the Wii Remote and can eat Pikmin using Z / the Z Button on the Nunchuk.
  • The first and last words of its scientific name translate to "eye" and "red" respectively, likely making its scientific name similar or identical to its Japanese name translation.
  • In New Play Control! Pikmin, it uses completely different sound clips, making it "whistle" and "squeak" instead of roar.
  • If a bomb rock is planted near a Bulborb, the noise produced by the explosion will wake it up.
  • The Brawl trophy game appearance section claims that the Red Bulborb first makes an appearance in Pikmin 2. This is incorrect, as the enemy is present in the first game as well. The only part about the trophy that debuted in Pikmin 2 is the name "Red Bulborb" – this enemy was known as "Spotty Bulborb" prior to that game.
  • In the Nintendogs games, at the second-hand shop, there is a Red Bulborb toy on a shelf of products in a pre-rendered background shot.
  • Along with Captain Olimar, the Pikmin and Louie, the Red Bulborb is available as a plush toy, along with being a secret figurine in the first volume of Pikmin Figures.

See also

References

  1. ^ Pikmin 2/Early English Script on The Cutting Room Floor