The Challenge Mode in Pikmin challenges the players to grow as many Pikmin as they can in a single day. It is unlocked when all three types of Pikmin are discovered in the game's main story mode. This is independent of log file, and once unlocked, the Challenge Mode will be available forever on the title screen, under Options. Levels are unlocked as they are encountered in the main game, again, for any ship log. The areas are slightly different from the ones in story mode, having different enemies and obstacles in different places, and lacking in ship parts. In addition, the S.S. Dolphin is not present during play, meaning Olimar cannot repair his spacesuit, so the player must take great care as to not let Olimar fall. In Challenge Mode, the areas are slightly darker than their in-game counterparts, and the tempo of each area's music is increased slightly.
When the time is up, the number of Pikmin that have been raised is recorded, and the top 5 numbers for each level are recorded.
Maximum Pikmin
Using advanced strategies, it is possible to reach a cap on the number of Pikmin for all levels, except the Distant Spring (it's too big to be fully covered within the time limit). That means that tied world records are not uncommon.
- The Impact Site - 278
- The Forest of Hope - 569
- The Forest Navel - 482
- The Distant Spring - 752 (there is no strategy at the moment to reach this cap)
- The Final Trial - 299