Upgrade

The Exploration Kit, as seen in Pikmin 2's pause menu.

For the updates to the games's software, see update.

For the upgrades in Pikmin 4, see Gear (Pikmin 4)

Throughout Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4, the leaders receive various upgrades. These are granted when specific objects are brought back to the ship. In Pikmin 2, the upgrades can be found on a checklist called the Exploration Kit on the pause menu, and there is a distinction between the treasure itself and the upgrade. In Pikmin 3, upgrades are obtained in the form of Gashapon style capsules or cellphones, and there isn't much of a difference between the object and the upgrade proper.

In Pikmin 2, collecting the treasures that give Exploration Kit upgrades is done by defeating the final boss of a cave, with the exception of the Spherical Atlas, which is not guarded by any enemy more dangerous than a Snow Bulborb, the Geographic Projection, which is found above ground and also in the open, and the Brute Knuckles, which is obtained from a Mamuta on a rest sublevel of the Frontier Cavern. In Pikmin 3, the spacesuit upgrades are found buried or off the beaten path. The two phones that allow for further exploration are obtained from defeating bosses, however. In Pikmin 4, the spacesuit upgrades (along with collar upgrades for Oatchi) become available after Russ is rescued, at which point they can be bought from the Lab in exchange for raw materials.

As soon as their associated object is collected, the upgrades take effect right away, and for all leaders. In Pikmin 2, if the player gets an upgrade's treasure and exits the cave from the pause menu instead of through a geyser, the treasure will be left behind, but the leaders will keep the upgrade.

Discovering new areas

In both games where new areas are discovered by collecting a specific object, there are only two such objects.

Sphere Chart

Sphere Chart
The Spherical Atlas.
Games	Pikmin 2
Function	Unlocks the Awakening Wood

The Sphere Chart is the name given by the ship to the data found within the Spherical Atlas. By collecting the Spherical Atlas from the Emergence Cave, the ship is able to create charts of the Awakening Wood, allowing the player to explore that area.

Survey Chart

Survey Chart
File:Geographic Projection TH.jpg
The Geographic Projection.
Games	Pikmin 2
Function	Unlocks the Perplexing Pool

The Survey Chart is the name given by the ship to the data found within the Geographic Projection. By collecting the Geographical Projection from the Awakening Wood, the ship is able to create charts of the Perplexing Pool, allowing the player to explore that area.

Data Glutton

Data Glutton
The Data Glutton.
Games	Pikmin 3
Function	Unlocks the Distant Tundra

The Data Glutton is an old cellphone, and is found within the belly of the Armored Mawdad in the Garden of Hope. It emits a signal that Alph and Brittany first assume to be Charlie. Upon collecting the device, Alph uses its technology to boost the signal strength of the Drake, allowing them to access the Distant Tundra.

• 

  The Data Glutton being scanned.

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  The Data Glutton is rewarded for defeating the Armored Mawdad.

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  Carrying the Data Glutton.

Folded Data Glutton

Folded Data Glutton
The Folded Data Glutton.
Games	Pikmin 3
Function	Unlocks the Twilight River

The Folded Data Glutton is a more modern, folding cellphone, found within the belly of the Sandbelching Meerslug in the Tropical Wilds. It emits a signal that the leaders first assume to be Olimar. Upon collecting the device, Alph uses its technology to boost the signal strength of the Drake, allowing them to access the Twilight River.

This cellphone has an image of two ferrets on its display. Despite its supposed lack of recent use, the interface on the phone claims that its current battery life is quite high, implying that it was either recently charged, or has been only recently turned back on after a long period of dormancy.

One can throw Pikmin at it when it is first found and have them dig it out without triggering the cutscene where the boss awakens. This is possible if the leaders are positioned just far away enough to not trigger the event, but still close enough for the Pikmin throw to reach. However, the Pikmin will never make any progress towards digging it out, forcing the player to face the boss. Alternatively, using a sequence break involving the Dodge Whistle, it is possible to observe this behavior regardless of proximity, by reaching the Meerslug's arena before rescuing Charlie from the Vehemoth Phosbat.

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  The Folded Data Glutton being scanned.

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  The Folded Data Glutton buried in the sand.

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  The Folded Data Glutton next to a deceased Sandbelching Meerslug.

• FDataGluttonCarry.jpeg

  Pikmin carrying the Folded Data Glutton.

Spacesuit upgrades

These upgrades enhance the abilities of the leaders' spacesuits more generally, either by giving them resistances, boosts, or entirely new abilities.

Scorch Guard

Scorch Guard
The Scorch Guard's capsule in Pikmin 3.
Games	Pikmin 2,  Pikmin 3
Function	Gives fire resistance

The Scorch Guard is an armor upgrade that makes all leaders' suits impervious to fire. In Pikmin 2, it is obtained by defeating the Emperor Bulblax in the Bulblax Kingdom, and collecting the Forged Courage. In Pikmin 3, it can be found buried on a ledge to the north of the strip of wood Pikmin and leaders hop to when the lily pad ride ends. The Burrowing Snagret and Desiccated Skitter Leaves could stop the Pikmin from carrying this piece back. Should the paper bag outside the Snagret's arena not be pushed down, the Pikmin may take a longer route to the Drake, which involves some Desiccated Skitter Leaves, an Arachnode, and a Flighty Joustmite.

With this upgrade, there is no need to worry about being hurt when destroying fire geysers, or fighting enemies such as the Fiery Blowhog or Fiery Bulblax. However, the Titan Dweevil's Flare Cannon will still be able to stun leaders, even if it does not harm them.

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  Location of the Scorch Guard.

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  Closeup of the Scorch Guard in Pikmin 3, after being dug out.

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  Blue Pikmin carry the Scorch Guard.

Anti-Electrifier

Anti-Electrifier
The Anti-Electrifier's capsule in Pikmin 3.
Games	Pikmin 2,  Pikmin 3
Function	Gives electricity resistance

The Anti-Electrifier, when unlocked, makes the leaders' suits immune to electricity, including electrical attacks. In Pikmin 2, it is obtained by defeating the Giant Breadbug in the Glutton's Kitchen, and collecting the Dream Material. In Pikmin 3, it can be found buried near the place where Charlie crashed onto the planet's surface, guarded by an Arctic Cannon Larva. This device is particularly useful when trying to pass by electrical hazards with a group of Yellow Pikmin. Although leaders become invulnerable to electrical attacks, the Titan Dweevil's Shock Therapist will still manage to stun them, despite not causing any damage.

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  Analysis of the Anti-Electrifier.

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  Close up of the Anti-Electrifier after being dug up.

Metal Suit Z

Metal Suit Z
The Metal Suit Z's capsule in Pikmin 3.
Games	Pikmin 2,  Pikmin 3
Function	Gives higher defense

The Metal Suit Z increases the integrity of the leaders' suits, reducing damage taken by half. In Pikmin 2, it is obtained by defeating the Pileated Snagret in the Snagret Hole, and collecting the Justice Alloy. In Pikmin 3, it can be found on a strip of path that connects the shore near the Mock Bottom and the place where Alph crash-landed, and must be reached by throwing leaders up either side. To note is that the Hermit Crawmad near the bridge could interfere with the carrier Pikmin.

This upgrade is useful for attempts in defeating a large Bulborb or Spotty Bulbear with leaders alone without coming to much harm. The Hocotate ship in Pikmin 2 claims that it will make enemy bites and being stepped on produce minimal pain. This is a gross simplification on its part, intended to avoid having to explain the intricacies in detail. In reality, all sources of pain will be reduced dramatically, not just those two, and enemies like Shearwigs and Wollywogs will still produce a significant amount of damage.

Close up of the Metal Suit Z.

Napsack

Napsack
File:Five-man Napsack.jpg
The Five-man Napsack.
Games	Pikmin 2
Function	Allows leaders to lie down

See more: Lie down.

The Napsack can be obtained by defeating the Burrowing Snagret in the White Flower Garden, and collecting the Five-Man Napsack. This upgrade provides a quick method of returning to the Pikmin Onions above ground or the Research Pod when underground, which is achieved by holding  / once it has been obtained. When used, the leader in control falls asleep, and any nearby Pikmin, up to a maximum of four, carry him to their associated Onion (or Research Pod), a minimum of just one being required.

Rocket Fist

Rocket Fist
The Brute Knuckles.
Games	Pikmin 2
Function	Gives leaders a punch combo

See more: Punch.

The Rocket Fist can be obtained by defeating one of the Mamuta in the Frontier Cavern, and collecting the Brute Knuckles. It enables a new, stronger punching combo attack for use by the leaders, which makes defeating enemies with leaders alone much easier and more efficient. Without the upgrade, the  / button will produce a simple right punch. Once this treasure has been collected, pressing  / a second time will perform a left-hook, and a third time launches a devastating wind-up punch. Due to a glitch, punching while moving makes the attacks come out faster, which greatly boosts the Rocket Fist's effectiveness.

Rush Boots

Rush Boots
The Repugnant Appendage.
Games	Pikmin 2
Function	Makes leaders run faster

The Rush Boots can be obtained by defeating the Empress Bulblax in the Frontier Cavern, and collecting the Repugnant Appendage. It is a modification to the leaders' footwear that allows them to run more quickly, around 1.3 times faster, or at around the same speed as flowered White Pikmin. The Rush Boots also renders the blowing attack of Puffy and Withering Blowhogs ineffective against leaders. The ship explains both functions as the result of lowered air resistance. It can provide to be a minor hindrance however, as the Pikmin's speed is not increased alongside the leader's, so they fall behind, are harder to control and often get stuck when going around corners.

Whistle upgrades

These upgrades are specifically for the leaders' whistle.

Mega Tweeter

Mega Tweeter
The Amplified Amplifier.
Games	Pikmin 2
Function	Increases the whistle's range.

The Mega Tweeter (メガ・スピーカー^?, lit.: "Mega Speaker") is obtained by defeating the Ranging Bloyster in the Shower Room, and collecting the Amplified Amplifier. This upgrade increases the range of the whistles of all leaders. The diameter of the visible circle projected on the ground increases to about 144% of its original size, thus more than doubling the area the whistle affects. This makes it easier to call scattered Pikmin to the leader's side, even when being slow in the Onions.

Pluckaphone

Pluckaphone
File:Professional Noisemaker.png
The Professional Noisemaker.
Games	Pikmin 2
Function	Allows whistle to pluck Pikmin

The Pluckaphone is obtained by defeating the Waterwraith in the Submerged Castle and collecting the Professional Noisemaker. It is an upgrade that allows the leaders' whistles to call buried Pikmin out from the ground, saving precious time that would otherwise be spent plucking them out. As well as picking newly produced Pikmin at the Onions, this is useful for calling out Pikmin that were planted by a Mamuta or a Swooping Snitchbug, or transformed by Candypop Buds.

In the first trailer for Pikmin, Olimar is seen calling Pikmin from the ground, so the Pluckaphone may be an implementation of a prerelease element from the first Pikmin game.

Dodge Whistle

Dodge Whistle
The Dodge Whistle's capsule.
Games	Pikmin 3
Function	Allows leaders and Pikmin to dodge

See more: Dodge.

The Dodge Whistle can be found on a small cliff a short distance away from the exit to the Vehemoth Phosbat cave, where the Pikmin will carry the spoils of the battle through. It can be obtained by throwing Pikmin onto the Bouncy Mushroom between it and the path. There are some enemies in the way, however: two Swooping Snitchbugs are guarding the object, and Joustmites, Skeeterskates, and Bearded Amprats can be found on the route the Pikmin will use to take it to the Drake. However, this all can be bypassed by having Winged Pikmin carry it.

Collecting it allows the leaders to dodge left or right, guiding the Pikmin. It is done in a straight line normally, or in an arc around a lock-on target (in the original Pikmin 3 only). When rolling, the leaders do not lose height, making certain sequence breaks possible.

Closeup of the Dodge Whistle's capsule.

Misc. upgrades

Solar System

Solar System
The Stellar Orb.
Games	Pikmin 2
Function	Increases lighting

The Solar System can be collected by defeating the Man-at-Legs in the Subterranean Complex, and collecting the Stellar Orb. It is a device that will illuminate any sort of darkness inside a cave's sublevels. This way, it is possible to see things that are very far away when underground. Although the name refers to a system that produces solar-like light, it is also a play on words on the system that planet Earth is located in.

When it is collected, the game gradually changes the cave's lighting to fit the new, brighter settings. This lasts around 3 seconds, and can be seen on the retrieved treasure analysis cutscene.

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  The final sublevel of the Subterranean Complex, before retrieving the Stellar Orb.

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  Same sublevel, after retrieving the Stellar Orb.

Cavern of Chaos 10

Oddly, the upgrade has an opposite effect on sublevel 10 of the Cavern of Chaos: the sublevel will be darker if the Stellar Orb was retrieved. The reason for this is because this sublevel uses the lighting configuration file light.ini, which is both only used on this sublevel, and the only configuration file that is in the version 0000 format (besides any unused files and settings in the disc). All other sublevels use a file in the 0001 version. Version 0000 has no support for different lighting with and without the Solar System; it only has one set of data for lighting instead of two. When a lighting file on this version is loaded into the final game, the values that are there are used to light up the cave when the Solar System is present, and because there is no data for what lighting to use when the upgrade is missing, it uses some default values. These default values make the tenth sublevel of the Cavern of Chaos look lighter when the upgrade has not been collected yet.

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  Sublevel 10 of the Cavern of Chaos before collecting the Stellar Orb.

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  The same sublevel after collecting the Stellar Orb.

Treasure Gauge

Treasure Gauge
The Prototype Detector.
Games	Pikmin 2
Function	Shows a treasure proximity indicator

See more: HUD.

The Treasure Gauge is a helpful device found in Pikmin 2 that helps with tracking down every treasure in the game, no matter if is out in the open, an enemy has it or it is buried. It is obtained by collecting the Prototype Detector from the Empress Bulblax in the Hole of Beasts. When it is in the Exploration Kit, a gauge appears on the HUD. In it, there is a needle that wiggles continuously when a treasure is in the current field or cave, and the closer the current leader is to a treasure, the farther to the right it goes, and the harder it beeps. If there are no treasures in a given area or sublevel, the gauge will be greyed out, and a chime will sound shortly after collecting the last treasure. It can be interfered with by the Antenna Beetle, the only Exploration Kit upgrade to be specifically targeted in gameplay.

Hey! Pikmin upgrades

In Hey! Pikmin, upgrades are provided by the S.S. Dolphin II, after the player collects certain amounts of Sparklium. These become unlocked at the specified levels of Sparklium, and don't decrease the Sparklium count when doing so.

Feature	Sparklium	Description
Radar	2,000	Allows the player to toggle the radar on the top screen with  / .
4 health bars	6,000	Gives Captain Olimar an extra bar of health.
Enemy logs	10,000	Allows access to the enemy category in the logs.
Extended jetpack duration	14,000	Allows the jetpack to fly for longer.
5 health bars	18,000	Gives Captain Olimar an extra bar of health.
Maximum jetpack duration	22,000	Allows the jetpack to fly for longer.
6 health bars	26,000	Gives Captain Olimar an extra bar of health.

In Pikmin

While Pikmin does not have an upgrade system, some ship parts change the appearance of the S.S. Dolphin, and one ship part, the Whimsical Radar, does provide a change to gameplay by unlocking the radar.

Badges

In Pikmin 3 Deluxe, there are two badges the player can gain from collecting upgrades:

• Evasive Action: Acquire the Dodge Whistle.
• Strong on the Inside: Acquire the Metal Suit Z, Anti-Electrifier, or Scorch Guard.

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  Evasive Action. The badge shows the Dodge Whistle emerging from its capsule.

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  Strong on the Inside. The badge shows a space suit emerging from a capsule, with symbols representing each of the three suit upgrades.

Gallery

• 

  A different angle of Olimar using the Rocket Fist.

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  The Pluckaphone being used.

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  The Napsack being used.

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  Alph encounters the Dodge Whistle.

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  The Metal Suit Z is encountered by Charlie.

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  Brittany finds the Anti-Electrifier.

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  Brittany finds the Scorch Guard.

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  The Dodge Whistle once returned to the Drake.

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  The Metal Suit Z once returned to the Drake.

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  The Anti-Electrifier once returned to the Drake.

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  The Scorch Guard once returned to the Drake.

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  Location of the Dodge Whistle.

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  Location of the Metal Suit Z. In this case, it is on a ledge next to Charlie.

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  Location of the Anti-Electrifier.

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  Location of the Scorch Guard. In this case, it is on the ledge right next to Alph.

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  The data file for the Dodge Whistle.

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  The data file that corresponds with the Metal Suit Z.

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  The data file that explains the Anti-Electrifier.

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  The data file for the Scorch Guard.

Trivia

• In the North American version of the New Play Control! game, with the language set to French, the Sphere Chart is called "Carte Sphérique" (Spherical Map) in the Ship's dialogs and "Système Solaire" (Solar System) in the pause menu. Since another upgrade is also called "Système Solaire" (the Solar System), this is likely a mistake.

Names in other languages

Sphere Chart

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	わくせいデータ? Wakusei Dēta	Planet Data
French (NoA)	Carte Sphérique (Ship's dialogs) Système solaire (pause menu)	Spherical map Solar system
French (NoE)	Pôle Nord	North Pole
German	Sphärenkarte	Sphere Map
Italian	Mapposfera	Sphere Map
Spanish	Carta esférica	Spherical map

Survey Chart

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	たんさデータ? Tansa Dēta	Search Data
French (NoA)	Carte topographique	Topographical map
French (NoE)	Pôle Sud	South Pole
German	Übersichtskarte	Overlook Map
Italian	Mappa rilievo	Overlook Map
Spanish	Mapa de cotas	Heightmap

Data Glutton

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	いにしえのパケシス? Inishie no Pakeshisu
Spanish (NoA)	Fósil de datos	Data fossil

Folded Data Glutton

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	折れたパケシス? Oreta Pakeshisu

Scorch Guard

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	フレア・ガード? Furea Gādo	Flare Guard
Chinese (traditional)	防火装	Fire Guard
Chinese (simplified)	防火装	Fire Guard
French	Para-brûlure	Burn counter
German	Flammschutz	Fire Protection
Italian	Parafuoco	Fire suit
Korean	방화복 banghwabog	Fire Suit
Spanish	Antillamas	Anti-flames

Anti-Electrifier

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	アンチ・エレキ? Anchi Ereki	Anti Electric
Chinese (traditional)	抗電装	Anti-electric equipment
Chinese (simplified)	抗电装	Anti-electric equipment
French	Anti-choc	Anti-shock
German	Elektroschutz	Electric Protection
Italian	Anti-shock	Anti-Shock
Korean	방진복 bangjinbog
Spanish	Anti-eléctric (Pikmin 2) Antieléctrico (Pikmin 3)	Anti-"electric" Anti-electric

Metal Suit Z

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	メタルスーツZ? Metarusūtsu Z	Metal Suit Z
Chinese (traditional)	金屬装Z	Metal Pack Z
Chinese (simplified)	金属装Z	Metal Pack Z
French (NoA)	Combinaison Z	Z Suit
French (NoE)	Combifer	Ironsuit	Portmanteau of "Combinaison" (suit) and "fer" (iron).
German	Metallanzug Z	Metal Suit z
Italian	Tuta metallo Z	Metal Suit z
Korean	강철복 Z gangcheolbog Z	Stel Suit Z
Spanish	Armadura Z	Armor Z

Napsack

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	たんけんねぶくろ? Tanken Nebukuro	Expedition Sleeping Bag
French (NoA)	Sacdodo	Napsack
French (NoE)	Sac Zzzz	Zzzz sack
German	Schlafsack	Sleep Bag
Italian	Sacconanna	Sleepy Time Bag
Spanish	Saco de dormir	Sleeping bag

Rocket Fist

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	ロケットパンチ? Roketto Panchi	Rocket Punch
French	Poing Fusée	Rocket Fist
German	Raketenfaust	Rocket Fist
Italian	Pugno razzo	Rocket punch
Spanish	Puño volador	Flying fist

Rush Boots

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	ダッシュブーツ? Dasshu Būtsu	Dash Boots
French (NoA)	Bottes grand V	Very fast boots
French (NoE)	Bottes Grand V	Very Fast Boots
German	Flinkstiefel	Fast Boots
Italian	Stivali lesti	Ready boots
Spanish	Velocibotas	Speed-boots

Mega Tweeter

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	メガ・スピーカー? Mega Supīkā	Mega Speaker
French (NoA)	Haut-parleur d'aigus	High-pitched sound (producing) loudspeaker
French (NoE)	Méga Tweeter	Mega Tweeter
German	Mega-Pleife
Italian	Megaspeaker	Mega Speaker
Spanish	Megabocina	Mega-siren

Pluckaphone

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	ひきぬきメガホン? Hikinuki Megahon
French	Déterraphone	Pluckaphone
German	Pflückerfon	Pluckaphone
Italian	Sradicofono	Pluckaphone
Spanish (NoA)	Cosecháfono	Harvestphone

Solar System

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	ソーラーシステム? Sōrā Shisutemu	Solar System
French (NoA)	Système solaire	Solar system
French (NoE)	Système Solaire	Solar System
German	Sonnensystem	Solar System
Italian	Sistema solare	Solar System
Spanish	Sistema solar	Solar system

Treasure Gauge

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	おたからセンサー? Otakara Sensā	Treasure Sensor
French (NoA)	Jauge à trésors	Treasure gauge
French (NoE)	Senseur	Sensor
German	Schatzanzeiger	Treasure Seeker
Italian	Tesorometro	Treasure meter
Spanish	Tesorímetro	Treasure meter

See also

• Treasure
• Fruit
• Go Here!