This page lists all official descriptions of different Pikmin types from media outside of the games themselves (at least all the ones I can find).
TODO: Find out if the original Pikmin and Pikmin 2 websites have any information, see if Nintendo Power #280 has profiles, and see what the Prima guides for Pikmin and New Play Control! Pikmin say.
Red Pikmin
Pikmin instruction manual
“We can stand high temperatures and have really powerful attacks!”
Nintendo Power issue 151
“The first group of Pikmin that you will command are red. Red Pikmin can walk through flames without being harmed.”
Nintendo Official Magazine UK issue 112
“These little critters grow stronger in sunlight, making them a great choice for attacking other creatures.”
Pikmin Nintendo Player's Guide
“If your Pikmin can't take the heat, send in your red buddies. Only red Pikmin can withstand fire. Red Pikmin are also better fighters than yellow and blue Pikmin, so recruit a crimson crew for offensive maneuvers.”
Pikmin Nintendo Power booklet
“Burn, Baby, Burn!
Pikmin come in three different colors: red, yellow and blue. Red Pikmin are the ultimate firefighters, able to withstand direct contact with the hottest flames. Spicy!”
“Red Pikmin can take the heat. They'll walk through flames, dish out damage and live to tell the tale. They're also your strongest fighters, so gather a group of red Pikmin when it's time to wreak havoc on a particularly tough enemy.”
Pikmin 2 instruction manual
“Flame-resistant Pikmin with excellent attack ability.”
Nintendo Power issue 183
“Olimar is reunited with the red Pikmin first. They can withstand fire, and aside from the big purple bruisers, they're the fiercest attackers. (You might also note that they're the only Pikmin with noses. The yellow ones have ears and the blues[sic] ones have mouths. We think that stuff on the purple Pikmin is hair.)”
Nintendo Power issue 184
“Your Pikmin collection begins with fiery red sprouts. They're tough and too fearless for their own good. Wherever you lead them, they will follow, even if it's into an impossibly dangerous situation.”
“Of the original Pikmin types—red, blue and yellow—red Pikmin are the most powerful. Use them to pummel enemies.”
“Fiery Blowhogs and flame-spitting geysers are not an issue when you've got red Pikmin. Whereas other Pikmin would go up in smoke, reds walk through blazes with no consequence.”
Nintendo Official Magazine UK issue 145
“Red: Immune to Fire
Talents: Flame-resistant fighters. When these guys go to war, you'd better run.
NOM Reckons: Boss? What boss? Our gangstas from the red Onion crib mashed up every animal on the planet. That makes US boss.”Pikmin 2 Nintendo Player's Guide
“The first Pikmin you'll befriend have a rosy glow and a resistance to extreme heat. Red Pikmin cannot be harmed by fire, which makes them your number-one choice for dealing with flaming spouts and Fiery Blowhogs. While other Pikmin will run around with their leaves ablaze and eventually go up in smoke, the reds will remain intact.”
New Play Control! Pikmin instruction manual
“Heat doesn't faze us, and we're tough too!”
New Play Control! Pikmin website
“Can endure heat and have powerful attacks.”
New Play Control! Pikmin European website
“Red Pikmin are the brutes of the bunch. Their attack does more damage to the animal life of the planet than the others. They're also immune to the heat of fire. However, keep them away from water as they don't know how to swim.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 website
“Endures heat. Has powerful attacks.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 European website
“Your fire-resistant friends. You can count on Red Pikmin when the heat is on.”
Pikmin 3 instruction manual
“Resistant to fire and strong in a fight.”
Pikmin 3 website
“Able to withstand heat and fire, these little fellas are number one in offense.”
Pikmin 3 Prima Official Game Guide
“Unique Strengths:
- High attack power
- Immune to fire
Unique Weaknesses:
- None”
Hey! Pikmin website
“This Pikmin type is very strong and immune to fire.”
Hey! Pikmin European website
“Red Pikmin can handle themselves in a scrap. They're also resistant to fire.”
Hey! Pikmin Australian website
“The red ones are resistant to fire.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe website
“These feisty Pikmin are fire resistant. Loyal and ferocious, Red Pikmin make a strong first line of attack when it comes to battling creatures.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe European website
“These hot-headed variants are resistant to fire and are much fiercer in battle than other Pikmin, boasting powerful attacks!”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe "Get to know the Pikmin" YouTube series
“RED Pikmin:
- Fire-resistant
- Has stronger attack power”
Play Nintendo website
“These fire-proof fighters can take down a foe in nothing flat!
All the Pikmin will work hard for you, but will they walk through fire for you? Probably. But you should use the red guys for that job—so nobody gets hurt.”Play Nintendo "Which is the right Pikmin for the job?" quiz
“Red Pikmin are fire-proof, so they can take down fiery foes in nothing flat. They also fight fiercer in battle than other Pikmin types. That'll teach those Fiery Blowhogs a lesson!”
Pikmin Bloom Twitter Pikmin Guide
“Characteristics: They have a pointy nose and are resistant to fire.”
Yellow Pikmin
Pikmin instruction manual
“We can handle bomb-rocks.”
“You can throw us really high.”
Nintendo Power issue 151
“Yellow Pikmin can fly higher than the others and they can destroy obstacles by using bomb-rocks.”
Nintendo Official Magazine UK issue 112
“This type of Pikmin can throw bomb rocks, which are essential for breaking down tough walls and barriers.”
Pikmin Nintendo Player's Guide
“The only way to destroy a stone gate is to bomb it, and the only Pikmin that can use bomb-rocks are the yellow Pikmin.”
“You can throw yellow Pikmin higher than red or blue ones. If you need to reach something on a high ledge, toss your yellow Pikmin.”
Pikmin Nintendo Power booklet
“Yellow, Not Mellow
Captain Olimar can throw yellow Pikmin much higher than red or blue Pikmin. It's all thanks to their embarrassingly oversized ears.”
“Don't let stone walls get in your way! Yellow Pikmin have an instinctual urge to grab explosive bomb-rocks, so put your yellow pals to good use by tossing them at stone barricades.”
Pikmin 2 instruction manual
“Big-eared Pikmin that can be thrown high in the air. Also resistant to electricity.”
Nintendo Power issue 183
“Yellow Pikmin are highly agile and impervious to electricity. They're also much lighter than other types, allowing Olimar and Louie to throw them higher. You'll need them to retrieve items that would be out of reach otherwise.”
Nintendo Power issue 184
“They're bright, they're light and they'll spring into action at the sound of your whistle. Yellow Pikmin are shockingly useful in a variety of situations. Cultivate them and keep their numbers high.”
“Yellow Pikmin catch more air in a toss than any other Pikmin type. Use them to collect items from high ledges and to attack high-flying enemies.”
“Electrified fences and electrically charged enemies can fry most Pikmin types instantly. But yellow are shock-resistant.”
Nintendo Official Magazine UK issue 145
“Yellow: Immune to Electricity
Talents: Ruins electrical gates and enemies, and can be thrown higher than other Piks.
NOM Reckons: Check his ears, what a dude. They used to be The Bombers, but now there are no Bomb Rocks and they still have mad skills.”Pikmin 2 Nintendo Player's Guide
“The light and energized sunshine-colored sprouts reach heights unobtainable by their peers. When you spy a treasure on a high perch, the only way to claim it might be to toss high-flying yellows up to it. The bright mites are also resistant to electricity.”
New Play Control! Pikmin instruction manual
“We're bomb-rock experts!”
“Check out how high you can throw us!”
New Play Control! Pikmin website
“Can be thrown really high, and can use bomb-rocks.”
New Play Control! Pikmin European website
“Yellow Pikmin are daredevils. The lightest in weight of the breeds, they like to catch the big air when they're thrown, meaning they can reach the highest of heights. They're the only breed of Pikmin willing to handle the dangerous Bomb Rocks found on the planet.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 website
“Can be thrown high. Immune to electricity.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 European website
“Yellow Pikmin sport bigger ears than the rest of the bunch — helping them glide a little further when thrown by Olimar or Louie.”
Pikmin 3 instruction manual
“Can be thrown to high places! Shock resistant and expert diggers!”
Pikmin 3 website
“This type is easy to throw high in the air, and electricity doesn't hurt them. They're also excellent diggers.”
Pikmin 3 Prima Official Game Guide
“Unique Strengths:
- Immune to electricity
- Can connect Electrodes
- Can be thrown higher than other Pikmin
- Increased digging speed
Unique Weaknesses:
- None”
Hey! Pikmin website
“These lightweight Pikmin can survive an electric shock.”
Hey! Pikmin European website
“These yellow fellows like electricity. They can be thrown higher than other Pikmin, too.”
Hey! Pikmin Australian website
“And the yellow ones like electricity.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe website
“Electricity-loving Pikmin that are shockingly great at smashing electrified gates or directing currents. They get great air when thrown and are also champion diggers.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe European website
“These big-eared beings can be thrown higher than other Pikmin and aren't phased by electricity. They can also be used to break down electrified fences!”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe "Get to know the Pikmin" YouTube series
“YELLOW Pikmin:
- Electricity-resistant
- Can be thrown further”
Play Nintendo website
“These awesome, unshockable diggers soar through the air with greatest of ease!
Dig this! Toss yellow types high in the air, like they just don't care—because they fly super far when you need to get to distant objectives.”Play Nintendo "Which is the right Pikmin for the job?" quiz
“Yellow Pikmin are resistant to electricity, so they can be used to handle electric situations. Thay can be thrown higher than other Pikmin types!”
Pikmin Bloom Twitter Pikmin Guide
“Characteristics: Yellow Pikmin are known to conduct electricity, and no amount of voltage can knock them down!”
Blue Pikmin
Pikmin instruction manual
“We love water and never drown.”
Nintendo Power issue 151
“Blue Pikmin are the only ones that can swim. You'll need them to accomplish goals on the other side of water hazards.”
Nintendo Official Magazine UK issue 112
“Blue Pikmin are the only ones who can tolerate water, so they are great for building bridges and crossing water.”
Pikmin Nintendo Player's Guide
“Only blue Pikmin can survive in water. If you're battling an enemy near a body of water, your foe might shake your Pikmin into the drink. Use blue Pikmin to avoid accidental drownings.”
Pikmin Nintendo Power booklet
“Blue to the Bone
Blue Pikmin are seriously strong allies. They're the only Pikmin that can swim, which gives them access to areas off-limits to other Pikmin.”
“No need for safety vests here. Blue Pikmin love to hop in the drink, whether it's to grab a rocket part or to beat a bullying bad guy into submission. They're like the Navy SEALs of the Pikmin universe.”
Pikmin 2 instruction manual
“Aquatic Pikmin that feel at home underwater.”
Nintendo Power issue 183
“Blue Pikmin are the only ones that can survive in water (all the other colors freak out like a dunked cat). To reach a new area with other types of Pikmin, you'll often have to unclog a drain or build a bridge with a group of blue ones first.”
Nintendo Power issue 184
“Water-dwelling blue Pikmin will open a lot of paths for you by clearing underwater drains and breaking through water-surrounded barriers. They're the last part of the Pikmin puzzle.”
“If any other type of Pikmin goes into water, it'll flail about in serious danger, but the blues are aquatic. They even act as lifeguards for their non-swimming brethren.”
Nintendo Official Magazine UK issue 145
“Blue: Immune to Water
Talents: Water is their specialty, they don't even need to come up for air. Apart from that they're pretty standard.
NOM Reckons: Blues are a lifesaver with puddles around, but they should've had another ability, like laser eyes.”Pikmin 2 Nintendo Player's Guide
“The cool blue ocean feels like home to the azure sprouts known as blue Pikmin. Whether you're battling nasty puddle-dwellers, knocking down barriers that are surrounded by water or carrying treasure across a flooded expanse, the blues are your Pikmin of choice.”
New Play Control! Pikmin instruction manual
“We love water! It doesn't slow us down at all.”
New Play Control! Pikmin website
“Love water and never drown in it.”
New Play Control! Pikmin European website
“Blue Pikmin would love nothing more than to waste a day away swimming in solitude in the pools of the planet. Their gill-like openings allow them to breathe in the water, which makes them invaluable members of Olimar's team.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 website
“Will never drown in water.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 European website
“Just as at home in water as they are on land, Blue Pikmin aren't afraid to get their feet wet.”
Pikmin 3 instruction manual
“Right at home in the water.”
Pikmin 3 website
“These Pikmin are water-safe. They can't drown and can even attack underwater.”
Pikmin 3 Prima Official Game Guide
“Unique Strengths:
- Immune to water
Unique Weaknesses:
- None”
Hey! Pikmin website
“You'll need these gilled Pikmin for any underwater exploration.”
Hey! Pikmin European website
“Blue Pikmin love to get wet. They can swim and breathe underwater.”
Hey! Pikmin Australian website
“The blue ones love water.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe website
“Blue Pikmin can thrive both on land and in the water. Fling them into action whenever you need assistance in aquatic areas, be it to transport treasure or combat a creature.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe European website
“The amphibious kind, Blue Pikmin can survive both underwater and on land.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe "Get to know the Pikmin" YouTube series
“BLUE Pikmin:
- Amphibious
- Can breathe underwater”
Play Nintendo website
“We've got a sinking feeling that you'll like these amphibious creatures.
Most Pikmin don't like it underwater, but not these tiny troopers: they dive into hazardous waters to reach new areas, and can even attack aquatic enemies.”Play Nintendo "Which is the right Pikmin for the job?" quiz
“Blue Pikmin are the only type that can survive in water and also on land. These tiny troopers can dive into hazardous waters to reach new areas. They can even attack aquatic enemies!”
Pikmin Bloom Twitter Pikmin Guide
“Characteristics: That part that looks like a mouth is actually a gill that Blue Pikmin use to breathe underwater.”
Purple Pikmin
Pikmin 2 instruction manual
“Burly Pikmin with ten times the muscle and weight of other Pikmin. Slow moving. Can daze and stun enemies when thrown.”
Nintendo Power issue 183
“Purple Pikmin are the heavy hitters of the species (they stomp on the ground like a sumo wrestler when you first meet them). They're 10 times heavier and 10 times stronger—both in terms of carrying objects and of battling enemies—than other Pikmin types. They're a bit slow, however.”
Nintendo Power issue 184
“With stray hairs growing in every direction from their noggins, purple Pikmin are not the prettiest plants in the field, but they are the strongest. The only way to add purples to your squad is to transform other types in Violet Candypop Buds. The grape-colored goons are essential for heavy lifting and serious fighting.”
“The big guys pack a monstrous wallop, and they even stun some enemies with ground-shaking near-misses.”
“Purple Pikmin have 10 times the strength of any other Pikmin type. They can carry big loads, but don't expect them to break any speed records.”
Nintendo Official Magazine UK issue 145
“Purple: Immune to Zilch
Talents: Strength equivalent to ten Pikmin and a killer butt-stomp. But their fat asses make 'em slooow.
NOM Reckons: Brutish, but purple and that's a wimp's colour. AND they're immune to nowt. Pah. Reds would do 'em.”Pikmin 2 Nintendo Player's Guide
“Deep in the underground, Violet Candypop Buds transform normal sprouts into super Pikmin—ones with 10 times the strength and 10 times the heft of their puny siblings. They are so heavy, they shake the ground when they land, stunning enemies nearby.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 instruction manual
“Burly, slow-moving Pikmin with 10 times the muscle and weight of the others. Can stun enemies when thrown.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 website
“Strong but slow. Makes a thud when thrown.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 European website
“Boasting the strength of 10 normal Pikmin, the discovery of Purple Pikmin adds some heavyweight clout to Olimar and Louie's assembly of helpers. Just throwing them makes a big impact, with the resultant shockwaves being severe enough to leave enemies somewhat shaken.”
Pikmin 3 instruction manual
“Strong as 10 Pikmin.”
Pikmin 3 Prima Official Game Guide
“Purple Pikmin do not appear in the game's Story mode.
Unique Strengths:
- Has the strength of 10 Pikmin
Unique Weaknesses:
- Greatly reduced movement speed while carrying objects”
Play Nintendo website
“Purple flower power will give you the strength to carry on.
Nothing beats a Purple Pikmin when things get heavy. When the wind starts blowing down your other friends, these sturdy little spuds will keep moving forward.”Pikmin Bloom Twitter Pikmin Guide
“Characteristics: With their big body, they're very strong, but also slow.”
White Pikmin
Pikmin 2 instruction manual
“Small and fast. Resistant to poison. Good at finding buried treasure. Highly poisonous.”
Nintendo Power issue 183
“They might look a bit creepy with those big red eyes, but white Pikmin are incredibly versatile. Their high toxicity makes them immune to poison and deadly to most enemies when consumed. They're quite a bit faster than other Pikmin, as well, and they can sense treasure hidden beneath the soil.”
Nintendo Power issue 184
“The lithe and waifish white Pikmin have poison in their veins. If an enemy gobbles up one of them, the fiend will take damage. Since white Pikmin are the speediest sprouts, they're perfect for retrieving treasure when the clock is a factor.”
“Like pigs root out truffles, white Pikmin can see buried treasure and dig it up. Once an item is exposed, recruit additional types of Pikmin to pull it out of the ground.”
“White Pikmin are infused with poison, which means they can withstand exposure to poisonous gas. Use them to tear down poison walls or deal with Doodlebugs.”
Nintendo Official Magazine UK issue 145
“White: Immune to Poison
Talents: Professors of multitasking. They dig, poison things and run faster than a cheetah strapped to a firework.
NOM Reckons: Look at the eyes—this 'min don't mess. He's a skilful master, like a shaolin monk. He kicks ass.”Pikmin 2 Nintendo Player's Guide
“Poison gas pours from pipes and forms clouds around Doodlebugs. When exposed to gas, most Pikmin choke, but white Pikmin are immune. Since they're infused with poison, they damage the enemies that gobble them up. Use them to root out buried prizes and to carry items faster than any other Pikmin type.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 instruction manual
“Small and fast Pikmin that are resistant to poison. Good at finding buried treasure. Highly poisonous.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 website
“Small, fast, and poisonous. Immune to poison. Can find hidden things.”
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 European website
“The smallest members of the Pikmin family. But don't be deceived by their size — White Pikmin are both poisonous and immune to poison. Add in their ability to locate items buried underground, and you have a tiny ally with enormous potential.”
Pikmin 3 instruction manual
“Fast & poisonous.”
Pikmin 3 Prima Official Game Guide
“White Pikmin do not appear in the game's Story mode.
Unique Strengths:
- Increased movement speed
- Poisonous to enemies
Unique Weaknesses:
- None”
Play Nintendo website
“Sure, these little guys are poisonous—but only to your enemies. Feel free to hug them!
They're small and not particularly strong, but the White Pikmin leave a lasting impression on hostile critters with their cuteness and, um, long-lasting poison.”Pikmin Bloom Twitter Pikmin Guide
“Characteristics: They have big red eyes and a small body, and they can run super fast. They're very poisonous.”
Bulbmin
Pikmin 2 Nintendo Player's Guide
“They look like Bulborbs, but leaf-sporting Bulbmin will help you after you defeat their leaders and call them with your whistle. They can withstand exposure to fire, water, electricity and poison, but they can't leave the underground.”
“Pick Up Pikmin Wannabes
Leaf-wearing Bulbmin are a cross between Bulborbs and Pikmin. After you defeat the Bulbmin leader, its followers will join your party—provided that you are not already at the 100-Pikmin party limit. They're immune to the planet's myriad hazards.”Rock Pikmin
Pikmin 3 instruction manual
“Smash things with their hard bodies.”
Pikmin 3 website
“Perfect for smashing through obstacles, this sturdy Pikmin is extra powerful when thrown. Rock Pikmin also won't get crushed if something stomps on them.”
Pikmin 3 Prima Official Game Guide
“Unique Strengths:
- High attack power when thrown
- Immune to most crushing attacks
- Can shatter crystal objects
Unique Weaknesses:
- Cannot cling to most objects or enemies
- Falls down after each attack
- Bounces past target when thrown”
Hey! Pikmin website
“These tough guys can shatter crystals when thrown into them.”
Hey! Pikmin European website
“Rock Pikmin are as hard as stone and can't be squished. Fling them at anything you want to break.”
Hey! Pikmin Australian website
“And these rock ones are as hard as stone!”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe website
“Heavy and unbreakable, Rock Pikmin can be thrown to smash crystals. They can also stand firm when the larger creatures trample down.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe European website
“Heavier than all other types, their hard bodies can be used to smash all kinds of things.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe "Get to know the Pikmin" YouTube series
“ROCK Pikmin:
- The Heaviest Pikmin
- Can smash obstacles”
Play Nintendo website
“Chunky Rock Pikmin will do you a solid when obstacles are in your way.
Throw these heavy-duty hunks of helpfulness to smash hard objects and defeat enemies that are too troublesome for the other types of Pikmin.”Play Nintendo "Which is the right Pikmin for the job?" quiz
“Rock Pikmin are heavy-duty hunks of helpfulness when it comes to smashing through crystals and hard glass. You can also use them to try and defeat enemies that are too troublesome for the other types of Pikmin.”
Pikmin Bloom Twitter Pikmin Guide
“Characteristics: Rock Pikmin are as tough as they come. They can break any crystal or glass with ease.”
Winged Pikmin
Pikmin 3 instruction manual
“Able to fly! Can traverse water and hilly terrain with ease!”
Pikmin 3 website
“Able to fly anywhere, Winged Pikmin can even carry items over hazards.”
Pikmin 3 Prima Official Game Guide
“Unique Strengths:
- Flight
- Aerial combat
- Can pull Flukeweeds
Unique Weaknesses:
- Low attack power”
Hey! Pikmin website
“These Pikmin fly and can also carry small objects—and even Olimar.”
Hey! Pikmin European website
“These pretty little creatures can fly. They can also lift obstacles out of the way.”
Hey! Pikmin Australian website
“The pink ones can fly.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe website
“These high-flying Pikmin can carry things over water and lift obstructions. While not the strongest, Winged Pikmin can make for flying aces against airborne creatures.”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe European website
“These critters can fly, enabling them to carry things over water and lift blockades to clear paths!”
Pikmin 3 Deluxe "Get to know the Pikmin" YouTube series
“WINGED Pikmin:
- Flies above water
- Can lift objects off the ground”
Play Nintendo website
“Special delivery! Have these flowered flying friends hoist the burden for you.
If you throw enough Pikmin at something, they'll probably carry it, but sometimes you need a special buddy to carry it through the air. Luckily, you have such a buddy.”Play Nintendo "Which is the right Pikmin for the job?" quiz
“These tiny, flowered friends can fly through the air! When you need a Pikmin to carry things over water or lift items that are blocking your way, you can turn to Winged Pikmin for help.”
Pikmin Bloom Twitter Pikmin Guide
“Characteristics: This Pikmin has blue eyes, a striped belly and, most importantly, wings! They can fly everywhere!”