Bomb-rocks are explosive rocks in the Pikmin games. Upon being activated, their fuse starts going down (represented by a colored wheel), and when it reaches zero, the rock causes a violent explosion, capable of killing Pikmin and severely hurting leaders and enemes. In the first game, they can be carried by Yellow Pikmin, where their main purpose is to destroy rock walls. They can also be used to defeat enemies, and are particularly useful for doing so with bosses. When an enemy eats a Pikmin holding a bomb-rock, it explodes inside the enemy, harming it. They are usually found inside tin cans, pipes, or large animal skulls. In "Pikmin 3" they can be found in "dirt mounds".

A bomb-rock about to explode in Pikmin 2.

In Pikmin 2, they are much larger and cannot be carried by Yellow Pikmin, but can be detonated by attacking them. They are also produced by Careening Dirigibugs. Volatile Dweevils carry bomb-rocks on their backs, presumably for protection, even though they themselves are killed in the blast. One should never throw Purple Pikmin onto a bomb-rock, as that can cause near-instant detonation, which will likely kill the Pikmin. Bomb-rocks can even be petrified, so one should do that if in peril, but they will not release nectar or spray like many beasts do if destroyed in that state.

Emperor Bulblaxes can be tricked into eating bomb-rocks. In Pikmin, if one makes a Yellow Pikmin drop a bomb-rock just as the creature is preparing its tongue, it'll swallow it and take some damage, as well as being temporarily stunned. If the explosion occurs when the tongue touches the bomb-rock, it'll stun the Emperor even further. In Pikmin 2, the same strategy can be used, although it is harder because of the Pikmin being unable to carry bomb-rocks themselves. In Pikmin 3, other enemies can be tricked into eating bomb-rocks, such as the Peckish Aristocrab.

Controlling

The controls when dealing with bomb-rock-yielding Yellow Pikmin are a bit complex. Pikmin holding bomb-rocks will not interact with objects when the C-stick is used. Throwing Pikmin with bomb-rocks will make them idle, but ready to attack. If an enemy is close, they'll step back and throw the bomb-rock at it. When called back using the whistle, they'll drop and activate the bomb, and run towards Olimar. If, however, one wants the Pikmin to join the party without dropping and activating the bomb, one should touch them directly. When called to the yellow Onion, Pikmin yielding bomb-rocks will drop them without detonating them. When using X to dismiss the Pikmin, those carrying bomb-rocks will stay in a different group from the other Yellow Pikmin. When called back in any way after being dismissed with X, they'll keep their bomb-rock and join the group. In the New Play Control! version, switching to a different Pikmin while holding one (i.e. pressing B when holding A) will treat Yellow Pikmin and bomb-rock-holding Yellow Pikmin differently.

Curiously, when a Yellow Pikmin throws a bomb-rock, it'll warn nearby Pikmin to rejoin Olimar in order to stay away from the blast. However, if one throws a bomb-rock-holding Pikmin next to a group of idle Yellow Pikmin, and calls the bomb-rock-yielding Pikmin back with the whistle (i.e. make it drop the bomb-rock), it will not call the idle Yellow Pikmin.

In Pikmin 2's 2-Player mode stage Hostile Territory, bomb-rocks can be picked up and thrown by a captain, which can be used to defeat enemies, or deal a serious blow to the opponent's Pikmin count. To perform this, one merely needs to run into a bomb-rock for around one second, and then press A to throw it (the distance is around twice as far as the reach of the cursor), or B to drop it. In both cases, the bomb-rock will be activated. In every other point in the game where bomb-rocks are found, they can be activated by being attacked, provoked (in the case of Volatile Dweevils), or dropped (in the case of Careening Dirigibugs).

In Pikmin 3, the bomb-rocks return, now able to be held by Pikmin once more. They can be found inside eggs, or from digging holes. All Pikmin types can now carry bomb-rocks. They can once again be used to destroy stone walls and defeat enemies. This time, all Pikmin are capable of carrying them. Controlling the way Pikmin behave with the bomb-rocks is much simpler in this game - the Pikmin will always keep hold of its bomb until it is thrown, in which case it will drop the rock exactly where it landed. When dismissed, any bomb-rock wielding Pikmin will separate from the group of their color, making it easier to get only the bombers.

Minor glitch

In places where a bomb-rock falls near Mitites, such as sublevel 6 of Bulblax Kingdom, there is a chance of it being launched back into the air if it lands on one, landing somewhere else on the level.

Bomb-rock locations in Pikmin

Story mode

Challenge Mode

Bomb-rock locations in Pikmin 2

Story mode

Challenge Mode

2-player mode

  • Hostile Territory: Many bomb-rocks are littered here. Interestingly, captains can pick up bomb-rocks and use them.

Note: a Volatile Dweevil can appear in any 2-player stage as a roulette item.

Bomb-rock locations on Pikmin 3

Gallery

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
  Portuguese Rocha-bomba Bomb-rock