Easter egg
- This article is about secrets in the games. For the object with nectar inside, see Nectar Egg.
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 exactly qualify as Easter eggs.
Pikmin
Fireworks
A commonly recognized bonus. When Paddown / 
is held down, Olimar will lie down on the floor. Nearby 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 vessel. It will rise into the air, and explode into a burst of light, similar to fireworks.[1] 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 rare times, a different sound will play instead. The following instances are known to happen, but the chances of them being chosen are currently unknown:
- A Pikmin going "Whoo!". Same sound as when a Yellow Pikmin discovers a bomb-rock.
- A Pikmin sighing. Same sound as when a Pikmin tries to grab onto an object to carry it, but gives up.
- A Japanese voice saying an unknown word.
The cause for these sounds is unknown, but it seems to happen randomly, despite being rumored that it changes according to the buttons pressed.
Pikmin 2
Ai no Uta
Once all five types are uncovered, the current captain must have 20 of each type with him. As long the Pikmin aren't idle or working, they will eventually begin to sing (or hum) part of the theme song that was used in the Japanese commercials for the first game: Ai no Uta.
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 composer Nazumi 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
Pikmin drawings
- Main article: Pikmin drawings.
In certain Pikmin 3 areas, one can find small, well hidden drawings that portray Pikmin. There are ones that show just a Pikmin by itself, and others that show Pikmin near their specialty, such as Red Pikmin near fire, or Rock Pikmin breaking a Crystal Nodule.
Singing
In some circumstances, the leaders or Pikmin can sing or hum a small theme:
- If Alph, Brittany, and Charlie are walking together with no Pikmin, they will begin to sing to the tune of the theme that plays when landing on a new area for the first time. The lyrics consist entirely of the word "Koppai".
- If the captains have 20 of each Pikmin type out and are walking, the Pikmin will start to sing the theme song.
- 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.
- If 20 idle Pikmin of one type are left alone for long enough, they will sing along with the area music.
Warp Pipes
In the Twilight River, the main pipe that connects the two sections of the map, and the tilted flower pot near the section with the Clipboards are quite similar to the Warp Pipes from the Mario franchise. For the latter, the player might need to use the KopPad's camera.
Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt
During the introduction cutscene, when the diagram shows the S.S. Drake being gravity assisted by a celestial body (likely Koppai's moon), a faint chiptune-like sound effect plays[2]. This sound is actually the walking sound for Mario on the NES port of Mario Bros.[3]. In addition, when the cutscene shows a diagram of the Drake exploding and the three leaders scattering, a jingle similar in retro nature can also be heard.[4] This one is actually the sound byte that plays when a player lets the ducks fly away in Duck Hunt.[5]
Secret pellet colors
- Main article: Pellet.
Although it is unclear whether this is an Easter egg or a glitch, it is possible to see pellets that are colored purple, brown, or peach. They can be found atop the Quaggled Mireclops's back after it is defeated, and are only visible using the KopPad's map panning feature.
See also
References
- ^ YouTube video showing the fireworks Easter egg
- ^ The Pikmin 3 introduction cutscene, with the Mario Bros. walking being heard at 1:02
- ^ Gameplay of Mario Bros.; Mario's walking sound can be heard through most of it
- ^ The cutscene, with the Duck Hunt failure jingle being heard at 1:35
- ^ Gameplay of Duck Hunt, with the player letting a duck fly away at 7:23