The Pikmin 3 Trial Map was the map that could be played on during the Pikmin 3 demos. It is a small, enclosed space with terrain similar to that of The Impact Site from the first Pikmin game.
Pikmin
It is presumed that each Challenge Mode map, just like this one and in the Challenge Mode in Pikmin 2, will have a preset number of Pikmin.
- 25 Red Pikmin
- 25 Rock Pikmin
Enemies and Flora
Terrain
The player starts out on a small grassy area which surrounds the spaceship pod. Red Pikmin can be found in the leaves around this area. Several of the Cupid's Grenade item can be found in this area. The Climbing Stick used to obtain the Gold Ore is also behind the player at the start of the level, allowing players to gain some quick funds.
As they go down the small slope in front of them, they will encounter 2 Dwarf Bulborbs and an Iridescent Flint Beetle. Several Spotcaps and a Kingcap can be removed to obtain more Red Pikmin (making for the full 25) and a Sunseed Berry and a Combustion Berry. Then, they will reach a small, dirt pathway that leads up to a Dirt Wall. A Citrus Lump can be found to the right on this path. After the Dirt Wall has been removed, players will be able to fight the Medusal Slurker to obtain Rock Pikmin. More Rock Pikmin can be found in this area under some leaves located beyond the Medusal Slurker.
Using the newly-acquired Rock Pikmin, the player can now break down the nearby Crystal Nodule, containing another Combustion Berry, to fight a Bulborb. Behind the Bulborb are more Sunseed Berries, the Bulborb itself has swallowed several Cupid's Grenades. A little bit more up the path is a pile of fragments which can be crafted into a bridge, and a pile of Gold Ore. However, one must be cautious of the nearby Skutterchuck, who will try to kill your Red Pikmin by launching the 3 small Crystal Nodules nearby. Behind the Skutterchuck is a Crystallized Wall that can be broken only by Rock Pikmin.
Behind the glass wall is an area covered in dirt and dry leaves. Here, the player will encounter 2 Pyroplasmic Slooches who set anything they touch ablaze, so be careful. Behind these Slooches are another couple of Sunseed and Combustion Berries.
Lastly, in the opposite direction of the gold ore pile is a small enclosed area with fungus growing on the sides. Next to the entrance of the area is a group of Skitter Leaves. Inside this area is a fearsome Whiptongue Bulborb who will swiftly slurp up your Pikmin with its long tongue, so be sure to take it out either by throwing Rock Pikmin when it is turned around, or my throwing Pikmin at its eyes to distract it. Once it is killed, it will cough up a Combustion Berry. A final set of Sunseed Berries can be found behind it.
Trivia
- The music that plays in the demo of this map is the same music heard in the Pikmin 3 trailer from E3. However, during Miyamoto's Pikmin 3 initial presentation, a different, more calmer song can be faintly heard.
- The "Meet the Rock Pikmin" Scene can be skipped by ignoring the Medusal Slurker. The Rock Pikmin under the leaves further into the map will not trigger the cutscene, allowing players to bypass it if they wish.