Yellow Pikmin

Yellow Pikmin
Resistance	Electricity
Attack strength	: Average (10) ; : Average (10)
Mobility	Average
Throw	High
Digging speed	: Average (~1.0× the norm) ; : Fast (~2.0× the norm) when digging an object, average (~1.0×) otherwise
Carrying capacity	1
Size	Body length: 33mm

Yellow Pikmin (黄ピクミン^?) are the second type of Pikmin discovered by Captain Olimar, and their first discovery is in Pikmin. They are the fourth type identified in Pikmin 2, and they're first found with Charlie in Pikmin 3. These Pikmin have what would appear to be large ears; these are the means by which they are primarily identifiable. It is not known, however, whether or not this actually aids their hearing. Yellow Pikmin can be thrown higher – an ability that is needed to retrieve certain elevated ship parts, treasures and fruits – and are immune to electricity. Additionally, Yellow Pikmin appear to like being in elevated places, such as trees – this can be concluded from the places they are found in in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 3. Like all other main types of Pikmin, their buds and flowers are white, and their main method of production is through the Onion. Like Red Pikmin and Blue Pikmin, they appear in all games of the series, and in all game modes.

Traits and abilities

A screenshot from a cutscene introducing Yellow Pikmin in Pikmin 3, where the Pikmin complete an electric circuit.

Yellow Pikmin showcasing their ability to conduct electricity.

Yellow Pikmin seem to have varying abilities that either change or get discovered as time goes on. In all three games, they have large ears, and can be thrown higher than other Pikmin, which is used at times throughout the games. In Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin are the only ones able to wield bomb-rocks, for whatever reason. Digging into the game's files has revealed that all Pikmin were originally supposed to be able to wield bomb-rocks.^[1] Because of the rare circumstances in which these Pikmin are needed, they are arguably the least useful type in the first game.

In Pikmin 2, the electrical hazards surface, with Yellow Pikmin now being immune to them (alongside Bulbmin). Additionally, when Olimar discovers the Yellow Pikmin, the Hocotate ship states that the static electricity readings are high. The explanation for this is never revealed, either. Although bomb-rocks appear in the same game, Yellow Pikmin are unable to use them, possibly due to the difference in size. Their immunity to electric hazards is very helpful, as electricity is an otherwise instant-death hazard.

In Pikmin 3, Yellow Pikmin once again exhibit their immunity to electricity and their ability to be thrown high. Technically, Yellow Pikmin are able to use bomb rocks again, but this isn't anything notable since all types of Pikmin can do so in this installment. Yellow Pikmin also show a new ability – they can dig faster than other Pikmin (except Rock Pikmin, which can dig tunnels even faster). This is never explained, though it could be because the ears act as a sort of shovel. This ability is rather helpful, since a number of objects in the game are buried. They also can now conduct electricity. If a circuit is incomplete, enough Yellow Pikmin can continue the flow of electricity and complete it. The Yellow Pikmin also get flowered in the process, somehow. Their immunity to electricity is less useful now, as electricity only stuns other Pikmin, as opposed to instantly killing them.

Interestingly, in New Play Control! Pikmin and New Play Control! Pikmin 2, if Yellow Pikmin are thrown from a piece of chiyogami,^[2] a plant,^[3] or a fire geyser,^[4] they will ascend higher and fall more slowly. This does not work on the GameCube versions.

Discovery

A screenshot from the cutscene introducing Yellow Pikmin.

The Yellow Pikmin resting on a tree in Pikmin 2.

In Pikmin, a single Yellow Pikmin can be found in The Forest of Hope inside a dormant yellow Onion. The Onion is located near a few Spotty Bulborbs and yellow pellets. It can be seen from the landing site, and is at the west of the map, beyond the area with the Eternal Fuel Dynamo. When the Onion awakens, it spits out the seed it has. Olimar uses this to grow more, eventually discovers their ability to handle bomb-rocks from the explosives nearby, and uses them to clear the path to various other ship parts.

In Pikmin 2, one can find these Pikmin in the Perplexing Pool near the center of the map, at the end of a long and twisted path; White Pikmin are necessary just to reach them, and a Fiery Bulblax guards the entrance to their Onion. They are found relaxing on top of a tree, and exhibit static electricity flowing from their bodies on their discovery cutscene. The Hocotate ship states that the static electricity readings are "unusually high".

In Pikmin 3, Yellow Pikmin are first encountered by Captain Charlie on day 1, at the Distant Tundra, with some of them idling atop some tree branches. After helping him for a bit, they flee when he faces the Vehemoth Phosbat. Later on, when going to the Distant Tundra for the first time with Alph and Brittany, Brittany falls out of the ship and into a cave (which consequently separates her from Alph). She finds two Yellow Pikmin trying to complete a circuit in the cave. The player must pluck three buried Yellow Pikmin nearby to complete the circuit; upon doing so, a light-bulb is activated, causing the yellow Onion to fly up out of the ground. Brittany then uses the newly discovered Pikmin type to reunite with Alph.

Mandatory uses

Yellow Pikmin must be used in order to obtain the following objects and defeat the following enemies. No other Pikmin type can be used, not even with exploits.

Pikmin

Ship parts
- Extraordinary Bolt: The reinforced walls near the yellow Onion and covering the bolt's alcove must both be taken down before the part can be accessed. Alternately, the reinforced wall near the landing site may be taken down instead of the one near the yellow Onion.
- Radiation Canopy: The reinforced wall near the yellow Onion must be taken down before this ship part can be accessed. Alternately, the reinforced wall near the landing site can be destroyed instead.
- Nova Blaster: Same as the Radiation Canopy.
- Guard Satellite: The reinforced wall before the Beady Long Legs needs to be destroyed with bomb-rocks.
Objects
- None
Enemies
- None

Pikmin 2

Treasures
- Decorative Goo: To reach the treasure, the electric gate blocking the northern section of the map needs to be cleared.
- Optical Illustration (US) / Abstract Masterpiece (Europe): The treasure is in a room closed by an electric gate.
- Conifer Spire: The treasure is behind a pathway only accessible through an electric gate.
Objects
- Electric gate: Electric gates can only be destroyed by Yellow Pikmin.
Enemies
- None
Caves
- Hole of Heroes: The only way to access the cave is through a path that's blocked by an electric gate.

Pikmin 3

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Fruits
- Disguised Delicacy: The one in the Distant Tundra is in a crystal in the room where Yellow Pikmin are discovered, meaning the room must first be opened.
- Pocked Airhead: The one in the Garden of Hope is in a room closed off by an electric gate.
- Scaly Custard: In the Tropical Wilds, this is located on a high ledge, and Yellow Pikmin must be thrown onto the seesaw blocks to access it.
- Juicy Gaggle: To access the room in the Tropical Wilds with said fruit, the player must first get to the higher area, but only Yellow Pikmin can reach the Bouncy Mushroom and activate the seesaw block.
- Astringent Clump: The one in the Garden of Hope is in an area closed off by an electric gate. Although one could throw a leader to the bricks above the gate via the first set of elevator platforms, and then using Winged Pikmin with the charge command, the gate still needs to be taken down.
- Dusk Pustules: The one in the Garden of Hope requires an electric gate to be destroyed.
- Stellar Extrusion: Same as the Dusk Pustules.
- Citrus Lump: One in the Distant Tundra can only be collected if the Bloominous Stemples are first expanded. While Winged Pikmin can reach it, they will simply drop into the maze of stems below, and be unable to carry the Citrus Lump anywhere meaningful.
Objects
- Electric gate: Electric gates can only be destroyed by Yellow Pikmin.
Enemies
- None