The SPEROs (pronounced as "sparrow") are intergalactic probes built and launched by the Koppaites. Their function is to search out planets that harbor edible matter; in the case of the Koppaites, this means fruit. Many SPEROs were built, yet only one of the last few dispatched actually managed to find a planet with suitable food. This planet is named PNF-404, and happens to be the home planet of the Pikmin. PNF-404 is a planet with bountiful food to sustain Koppai's population.
Mission Mode
SPEROs are used as a storage device for the fruit collected in Pikmin 3's Mission Mode, comparable to the ship's Research Pod in underground areas in Pikmin 2. It can collect enemy corpses and treasures alike, and can even bring Louie back to consciousness when he is carried to one. It has no other functions, however.
Gallery
SPEROs searching for other planets with edible food for Koppai, from the game's introduction cutscene.
Official art of the SPERO from one of Nintendo's magazines.
- SPERO.png
A picture of a SPERO from Mission Mode.
Trivia
- SPERO also means "I hope" in Italian. Given the probes' mission, it seems fitting.
- As SPERO is written in all caps, it is most likely is an acronym, albeit an unknown one.