Easter eggs are specially hidden secrets that have been put inside the games on purpose. Normally, these do not affect gameplay and are just for entertainment. This page will also include smaller secrets that do not qualify as easter eggs.
Pikmin
Fireworks
A commonly recognized bonus. When the D-pad down is held down (or 2 in New Play Control! Pikmin), Olimar will lie down on the floor. The Pikmin will then pick him up, and take him to one of the Onions. When he's sucked in, he will hit the bottom of the Onion, and a light will appear from the large flower on the ship. It will rise into the air, and explode into a burst of light, similar to fireworks. Nothing else happens. This was removed in Pikmin 2, but the captains can still lie down and be carried after obtaining the Napsack.
Nintendo logo
Every time the game is turned on, the word "Nintendo" will appear on a completely black screen, and a Pikmin will be heard saying "Pikmin!". However, at given times, the Pikmin will make different sounds, like "Whoo!" or a sigh. The cause for this is unknown, but it seems to happen randomly, despite being rumored that it changes according to the buttons pressed.
Pikmin 2
Pikmin theme song
Once all five types are uncovered, the current captain must have 20 of each type with him. The Pikmin will sing (or hum) the theme song that was used in the Japanese commercials for the first game.
Title screen secrets
On the title screen, some buttons perform certain actions:
- L /
: makes the Pikmin forming the title disperse and reform the letters "PIKMIN 2". This is possible even if "PIKMIN 2" is already spelled out. It also makes the beetle or Bulborb leave, if they're on-screen. - R /
: same as L, but they spell out "Nintendo". Note that there are no White Pikmin or Purple Pikmin in this formation (identifiable by their pink flowers). - Y /
: spawns an Iridescent Flint Beetle. The Pikmin will chase after it, but nothing happens to it. - X /
: spawns a Red Bulborb. It will make the Pikmin on the screen run around in panic. It'll bite twice and run away, unless it's manually controlled. - Cup / Padup: moves the beetle/bulborb forwards. It can't go over the borders of the screen.
- Cleftright / Padleftright: turns the beetle/bulborb left/right.
- Z /
: makes the Bulborb bite. Pikmin eaten will be gone until the title screen is refreshed.
Totaka's song
When in the treasure tally screen of a cave, if the player collected all treasures, and thus, has completed the cave, a small jingle will play, a message will appear, and confetti will drop. After waiting on this screen for exactly 3 minutes and 50 seconds, Totaka's song will start playing. This is a small jingle hidden by Totaka himself in some games he's worked on, like Mario Paint. However, it should be noted that this does not occur in the New Play Control! version.
Pikmin 3
Singing
If Alph, Brittany, and Charlie are walking together with no Pikmin, they will begin to sing. If the captains have 20 of each Pikmin type out and are walking, the Pikmin will start to sing the theme song. Finally, if the player has every Pikmin type and has 100 of one type out, the Pikmin will attempt to sing the theme song, but they will sing in discord.
Warp Pipe
If the player looks at the GamePad while in the Twilight River and looks at the tipped flower pot that leads to the second area of the map, the flower pot looks like a Warp Pipe from the Mario franchise.