Controls (操作ガイド?, lit.: "Control Guide") 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. Pikmin 3 Deluxe changes some of the Data Files.
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
- Pikmin 3 Classic controls text: “Take aim and press
/ 
/ to throw.” - Pikmin 3 Stylus mode text: “Touch and slide on the to aim, then tap quickly to throw.”
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: “Take aim with the cursor, then press
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
- Pikmin 3 location: In a small alcove right near the base, guarded by two Pellet Posies.
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe location: Near the Dapper Blob at the southernmost room of the main overworld segment of the area.
Looking Around
- Pikmin 3 US Classic controls text: “Press /
/ 
to move the camera behind you.” - Pikmin 3 US Stylus mode text: “Touch and slide left and right on to look around. Press to face forward.”
- Pikmin 3 Europe Classic controls text: “Press / / to switch the camera angle to the front.”
- Pikmin 3 Europe Stylus mode text: “Touch and slide left and right on the to look around. Press to face forward.”
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: “Face forward with
and look around with 
. ( won't work if the Joy-Con is held sideways.)” - How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.
Locking On
- Pikmin 3 US text: “Move the pointer onto your target and then hold / / to lock on!”
- Pikmin 3 Europe text: “Move the pointer on to your target and then hold / / to lock on!”
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: “Move the cursor to your target and press
to lock on! Throw nonstop by pressing and holding .” - How to obtain in Pikmin 3: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.
- How to obtain in Pikmin 3 Deluxe: Found near the Fiery Blowhogs near the landing site in the Garden of Hope.
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 of Pikmin 3.
- Pikmin 3 US Classic controls text: “While locked on, attack with / / ! Cancel the lock-on with / / .”
- Pikmin 3 US Stylus mode text: “While locked on, attack with "whistle button" on ! Cancel the lock-on with / / .”
- Pikmin 3 Europe Classic controls text: “While locked on to a target, use / / to unleash your Pikmin! Cancel lock-on with / / .”
- Pikmin 3 Europe Stylus mode text: “While locked on to a target, use "whistle button" on the to unleash your Pikmin! Cancel lock-on with / / .”
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: “Press and release
to charge with the currently selected Pikmin!” - Pikmin 3 area: Distant Tundra
- Pikmin 3 location: On the other side of the tunnel behind the Drake.
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe area: Garden of Hope
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe location: Under the pile of fragments next to the Dwarf Bulborb used on day 2.
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.”
- Pikmin 3 area: Garden of Hope
- Pikmin 3 location: Right outside of where Brittany is trapped.
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe area: Distant Tundra
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe location: Right next to the ledge that a leader must be thrown to, in order to push the iron ball.
Using Ultra-Spicy Spray
- Classic controls text: “Press /
/ to use an Ultra-Spicy Spray and invigorate the Pikmin in your squad.” - US Stylus mode text: “Press "spray button" on to use an Ultra-Spicy Spray and invigorate the Pikmin in your squad.”
- Europe 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 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.
Using the Radar #1
- Pikmin 3 US text: “Slide to scroll through your map and check your surroundings.”
- Pikmin 3 Europe text: “Touch and slide to scroll the map and check your surroundings.”
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: “Use to check your surroundings.”
- How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.
Using the Radar #2
- Pikmin 3 US text: “Touch the compass to toggle the radar's orientation.”
- Pikmin 3 Europe text: “Touch the compass to toggle the Radar's orientation.”
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: “Change the radar's orientation in Other Settings in the Options menu.”
- How to obtain in Pikmin 3: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.
- How to obtain in Pikmin 3 Deluxe: Found at the start of the cave in Alph's section of day 1.
Using the Radar #3
- Pikmin 3 text: “Review the replay to fine-tune your strategy.”
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: “Review the replay with (replay icon) to fine-tune your strategy.”
- How to obtain in Pikmin 3: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.
- How to obtain in Pikmin 3 Deluxe: Obtained on the results screen of the first day.
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!
- Pikmin 3 US text: “On the KopPad's radar, align "Pointer" with your destination and touch Go here to start moving!”
- Pikmin 3 Europe text: “Align "Pointer" on the radar and touch 'Go Here!' to move to that place!”
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: “On the KopPad's radar, align (pointer) with your destination and select "Go here" with to start moving.”
- Area: Garden of Hope
- Pikmin 3 location: Past the Crystal Wall right in the base.
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe location: Between Brittany's crash site and the section with Skutterchucks nearby.
Using the Camera
- Pikmin 3 text: “Press to snap a photo. Zoom with . Press to toggle flash.”
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: “Activate the camera via the
KopPad to snap a photo.” - How to obtain: Comes pre-installed with the Exploration Notes app on the KopPad.
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
- Pikmin 3 location: On the other side of the small bridge, it should be right next to a dirt wall and some fragments.
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe location: On the southern part of the main overworld segment of the area, where three leaders are needed, the Data File is after the tree stump.
Escaping
- Text: “Shake / / / repeatedly to escape.”
- Pikmin 3 area: Tropical Wilds
- Pikmin 3 location: On the ledge home to a Swooping Snitchbug and the Dapper Blob.
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe area: Distant Tundra
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe location: At the Pikmin exchange point, next to the Swooping Snitchbug.
Rescuing from Bubbles
- Text: “Knock into Pikmin to free them from bubbles!”
- Area: Garden of Hope
- Location: Near the Citrus Lump found to the left of the bamboo gate.
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
Moving the leaders.
Calling Pikmin to the party.
Throwing Pikmin.
Manual plucking.
Automatic plucking.
Changing the camera angle.
Locking on to a target.
Dismissing the party.
Charging Pikmin at a target.
Choosing a Pikmin to throw.
Changing leaders.
Throwing leaders.
Using Ultra-Spicy spray.
Obtaining Ultra-Spicy spray through nectar.
Searching for something on the radar.
Using the compass on the radar.
Using the replay on the radar.
The beacon showing fruit's location.
The Go Here! command.
Using the KopPad camera.
Dodge Whistle.
Scorch Guard.
Anti-Electrifier.
Metal Suit Z.
Two-captain gameplay.
Three-captain gameplay.
Escaping enemy clutches.
Escaping bubbles.
Waypoint of the Olimar escape.
Chain of command in the Olimar escape.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese |
操作ガイド? Sōsa Gaido |
Control Guide |
 Chinese(traditional) |
操作教學 Cāozuò jiàoxué |
Control Teaching |
 Chinese(simplified) |
操作指南 Cāozuò zhǐnán |
Control Guide |
 French |
Commandes | Orders |
 German |
Steuerung | Control |
 Italian |
Comandi | Controls |
 Korean |
조작 가이드 jojag gaideu |
Control Guide |
 Spanish |
Controles | Controls |
| Exploration Notes |
|---|
| Pikmin Behavior • Controls • Indigenous Life • Area Hints • Olimar's Log • Other • Olimar's Log Vol. 2 |