Pikmin 3

Controls (Exploration Notes)

The following article or section is in need of assistance from someone who plays Pikmin 3.
Particularly: Get the US Stylus mode text.

Controls is a category in the Exploration Notes menu. These Data Files explain the basic controls of Pikmin 3, as well as what to do in some special events. Most of them feature images of characters who appear to be Olimar, Louie, The President, Alph, Brittany, and Charlie. Seven of the 30 Data Files are found around the terrain of certain areas, while the other 23 are acquired by completing specific tasks.

In this article, if there is no location stated for a Data File, it should already be obtained automatically, after meeting certain requirements, such as obtaining a certain item. Unless otherwise specified, the text provided is the same in both the US and European versions.

Data files

Moving

  • Text: "Move with   /   /  ."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Using the Whistle

  • Classic controls text: "Press   /   /   to blow the whistle and call Pikmin over. Hold   /   /   longer to increase the whistle's range."
  • Stylus mode text: "While touching and sliding on the   to aim, press   to blow your whistle and call Pikmin over."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Throwing

  • Classic controls text: "Take aim and press   /   /   to throw."
  • Stylus mode text: "Touch and slide on the   to aim, then tap quickly to throw."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Plucking #1

  • US text: "Press   /   /   to pluck nearby Pikmin sprouts. Press   /   /   to cancel."
  • Europe text: "Press   /   /   /   to begin plucking nearby Pikmin sprouts. Press   /   /   /   to stop."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Plucking #2

  • Text: "Throw your teammates to have them automatically pluck sprouts."
  • Area: Tropical Wilds
  • Location: In a small alcove right near the base, guarded by two Pellet Posies.

Looking Around

  • US Classic controls text: "Press   /   /   to move the camera behind you."
  • US Stylus mode text: "Touch and slide left and right on   to look around. Press   to face forward."
  • Europe Classic controls text: "Press   /   /   to switch the camera angle to the front."
  • Europe Stylus mode text: "Touch and slide left and right on the   to look around. Press   to face forward."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Locking On

  • US text: "Move the pointer onto your target and then hold   /   /   to lock on!"
  • Europe text: "Move the pointer on to your target and then hold   /   /   to lock on!"
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Dismissing Squad

  • US Classic controls text: "Dismiss your squad with   /   /  , and the Pikmin will sort themselves into different color groups."
  • US Stylus mode text: "Use "whistle button" on   to dismiss your squad. The Pikmin will split up into different color groups."
  • Europe Classic controls text: "Dismiss your squad with   /   /   and the Pikmin will sort themselves into different colour groups."
  • Europe Stylus mode text: "Use "whistle button" on the   to dismiss your squad. The Pikmin will split up into different colour groups."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Charging

"Charge!" in the European version.

  • US Classic controls text: "While locked on, attack with   /   /  ! Cancel the lock-on with   /   /  ."
  • US Stylus mode text: "While locked on, attack with "whistle button" on  ! Cancel the lock-on with   /   /  ."
  • Europe Classic controls text: "While locked on to a target, use   /   /   to unleash your Pikmin! Cancel lock-on with   /   /  ."
  • Europe Stylus mode text: "While locked on to a target, use "whistle button" on the   to unleash your Pikmin! Cancel lock-on with   /   /  ."
  • Area: Distant Tundra
  • Location: On the other side of the tunnel behind the Drake.

Selecting Pikmin Type

  • US Classic controls text: "Select the Pikmin or person you want to throw using   /   /  ."
  • US Stylus mode text: "Press   without touching   or use   to select the Pikmin or person you want to throw."
  • Europe Classic controls text: "Select the Pikmin type you want to throw using   /   /  . You can also throw teammates."
  • Europe Stylus mode text: "Press   without touching the  , or use   to select the Pikmin or teammate you wish to throw."
  • How to obtain: Obtained after discovering the Rock Pikmin.

Switching Leaders

  • US Classic controls text: "Press   /   /   to switch leaders."
  • US Stylus mode text: "Use the "leader button" buttons on  , or   to switch between leaders."
  • Europe Classic controls text: "Press   /   /   to switch control to a teammate outside the current squad."
  • Europe Stylus mode text: "Use the "leader button" icons on the  , or press   to switch to a teammate outside the current group."
  • How to obtain: Obtained after rescuing Brittany and completing the tutorial of throwing leaders.

Throwing Leaders

  • Text: "Throw teammates to places that can't be reached on foot."
  • Area: Garden of Hope
  • Location: Right outside of where Brittany is trapped.

Using Ultra-Spicy Spray

  • Classic controls text: "Press   /   /   to use an Ultra-Spicy Spray and invigorate the Pikmin in your squad."
  • Stylus mode text: "Tap "spray button" on the   to use an Ultra-Spicy Spray and invigorate the Pikmin in your squad."
  • How to obtain: Obtained after discovering the Ultra-Spicy Spray.

Using Ultra-Spicy Nectar

"Ultra-Spicy Nectar" in the European version.

  • US text: "Explorers automatically collect Ultra-Spicy Nectar when they find it."
  • Europe text: "Explorers collect Ultra-Spicy Nectar directly when they find it."
  • How to obtain: Obtained after discovering the Ultra-Spicy Spray.

Using the Radar #1

  • US text: "Slide to scroll through your map and check your surroundings."
  • Europe text: "Touch and slide to scroll the map and check your surroundings."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Using the Radar #2

  • US text: "Touch the compass to toggle the radar's orientation."
  • Europe text: "Touch the compass to toggle the Radar's orientation."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Using the Radar #3

  • Text: "Review the replay to fine-tune your strategy."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Fruit Finder

  • US text: "Display the location of fruit, even in areas you haven't explored."
  • Europe text: "Displays the location of fruit, even in areas you haven't yet explored."
  • How to obtain: Obtained after collecting 10 pieces of fruit.

Go Here!

  • US text: "On the KopPad's radar, align "Pointer" with your destination and touch Go here to start moving!"
  • Europe text: "Align "Pointer" on the radar and touch 'Go Here!' to move to that place!"
  • Area: Garden of Hope
  • Location: Past the Crystal Wall right in the base.

Using the Camera

  • Text: "Press   to snap a photo. Zoom with  . Press   to toggle flash."
  • How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.

Using the Dodge Whistle

  • Text: "Press   /   /   or   /   /   to make your Pikmin roll in that direction."
  • How to obtain: Obtained after returning the Dodge Whistle to the S.S. Drake.

Scorch Guard

  • Text: "Protects you from fire."
  • How to obtain: Obtained after returning the Scorch Guard to the Drake.

Anti-Electrifier

  • Text: "Prevents you from getting zapped."
  • How to obtain: Obtained after returning the Anti-Electrifier to the Drake.

Metal Suit Z

  • Text: "Increases the durability of your space suit."
  • How to obtain: Obtained after returning the Metal Suit Z to the Drake.

Dividing Labor #1

"Dividing Labour #1" in the European version.

  • Text: "Split into 2 squads to manage your workload more efficiently!"
  • How to obtain: Obtained after rescuing Brittany and completing the tutorial on throwing leaders.

Dividing Labor #2

"Dividing Labour #2" in the European version.

  • Text: "Split into 3 squads to manage your workload even more efficiently!"
  • Area: Tropical Wilds
  • Location: On the other side of the small bridge, it should be right next to a Dirt Wall and some Fragments.

Escaping

Rescuing from Bubbles

Rescue Olimar #1

  • US text: "Command the Pikmin carrying Captain Olimar!"
  • European text: "Command the Pikmin carrying Olimar."
  • How to obtain: Obtained once Olimar is carried.

Rescue Olimar #2

  • Text: "The order of responsibility for commanding Pikmin is: Brittany, Charlie, Alph."
  • How to obtain: Obtained once Olimar is carried.

Gallery