The Pikmin franchise is one of Nintendo’s most unique IPs to date. Which is really saying something, considering that they’ve brought us Splatoon, the adorably charming world of Animal Crossing, unique one-offs (so far) like ARMS and so on.
This quirky RTS series sees the player controlling tiny space farer Captain Olimar (or an associate), as he tries to lead a ragtag band of plant like creatures called Pikmin. There are a variety of Pikmin species, denoted by their different colors & appearances, each of which have exclusive skills and a different part to play in achieving the player’s goals. Before Pikmin 3 Deluxe launches on Nintendo Switch on October 30, here’s a crash course on every Pikmin type and how to use them.
10 Red Pikmin
Red Pikmin are the player’s standard warriors, the first (and perhaps most iconic) species that gamers meet in the series. A stalwart of all three games, these crimson critters bring two major assets to the table.
Firstly, they’re the most powerful type of regular Pikmin, capable of dealing huge damage and decimating foes in large numbers. They’re the hardy warriors you’ll always want on your side when there are tough enemies to be fought. Secondly, as their appearance suggests, they’re immune to the otherwise devastating effects of flames, as beings of fire themselves. As such, they’re very useful for traversing certain areas and taking on certain fire-breathing foes (the original game’s Fiery Blowhog, for instance).
9 Yellow Pikmin
This curious species is encountered second in the series, after the player has got to grips with the red variety and their quirks. In comparison, they’re less effective in battle, dealing only average damage, but they also have some important advantages over the other Pikmin species.
In Pikmin, their unique traits were the ability to reach high ledges (Olimar could throw them further, thanks to their flappy ears), resistance to electricity, and the ability to handle bomb rocks, crucial for both blowing open new paths and causing extra damage to enemies. Pikmin 3 gave them another exclusive advantage: they’re much faster diggers than other Pikmin. The Super Smash Bros. series has also given them electrically-charged attacks.
8 Blue Pikmin
The final species Captain Olimar meets in the original game, the Blue Pikmin, are again very different. They have very average traits in all areas, perhaps being the least unique of the original trio. As you’ve probably guessed, though, they have a certain ability that no other variety of Pikmin boasts: as water-dwellers, these little watery enigmas can happily swim!
Water is otherwise fatal to Pikmin, meaning that (as with Red Pikmin’s fire resistance) there are certain areas in the game that are accessible only to them. They can also rescue fellow Pikmin if they fall into the water, and it’s the most adorable thing you’ll ever see in your life. For some reason, though, they can’t do this in Pikmin 3.
7 White Pikmin
The elemental-based gameplay and combat of Pikmin comes into play again with the White Pikmin, which made their debut in the second game. Rarer and harder to produce than the three original colors, White Pikmin bring intriguing new strategic options to the table.
They both move and attack super quickly, which can come in handy when tackling highly mobile enemies. The player shouldn’t be careless with them in battle, though, as they’re tough to produce in large numbers. They are, however, highly poisonous critters, causing big damage to foes that eat them. Valuable team members to use with great care.
6 Purple Pikmin
Purple Pikmin, which also made their first appearance in Pikmin 2, are a kind of polar opposite to the white variety. They’re the bruisers of the Pikmin ranks, the slowest, heaviest, and most powerful of all. As in the Super Smash Bros. games, they deal a lot of damage on making contact with a foe, so the player can capitalize on this with well-aimed throws.
Their great strength is also a big help when it comes to carrying plunder back to base, but they are also difficult to produce in large numbers and shouldn’t be used carelessly. Save them for moments when their brute strength and resistance to knockback (their immunity to wind was also removed in Pikmin 3) will be most effective and remember to plan for their lack of speed: they won’t be making any quick getaways if things go awry!
5 Rock Pikmin
The remaining Pikmin species aren’t denoted by a specific color, but are distinct varieties that need to be addressed anyway. To prepare you for Pikmin 3, let’s meet the Rock Pikmin!
These odd-looking, rocky creatures appear in the third game, encountered by the player just after the Red Pikmin. They cannot be crushed by enemies (an insta-kill for other varieties in Pikmin 3), while also being able to smash obstacles and items that their brethren can’t. Throw in the heavy damage they deal when thrown (ala Purple Pikmin) and you’ve got a unique, powerful ally. They can’t grab onto enemies and continually hit them, though, so keep this in mind in combat.
4 Winged Pikmin
It was only a matter of time before these little guys developed wings, wasn’t it? Winged Pikmin were also added to the mix with Pikmin 3, adding another intriguing layer of strategy to the series.
As you may have guessed, Winged Pikmin can… fly. This gives them an enormous advantage, allowing them to completely avoid dangerous terrain and certain foes. Their attacks are weak and they’re very vulnerable in battle, so you’ll want to be careful with them. They’re perfectly suited to finding quick roots back to base with loot, though.
3 Bulbmin
Finally, we have some species of Pikmin that are only available in certain limited capacity, or aren’t technically ‘species’ in their own right. The first of these odd offshoots is the Bulbmin.
Bulbmin are parasitic creatures that have infected Bulborbs. The player can defeat the Mature Bulbmin to bring its underlings temporarily under their own command. They behave much like standard Pikmin, though they remain in the cave that they were found in. They appear only in select caverns in Pikmin 2.
2 Mushroom Pikmin/Puffmin
Mushroom Pikmin, or Puffmin, aren’t technically a species either. They’re only found in the original game, and under specific conditions. This is a good thing, too, as their cold, dead eyes are reminiscent of Parasect, the notoriously creepy Bug/Grass Pokémon.
Mushroom Pikmin are regular warriors from Olimar’s army that have tangled with the Puffstool boss. This ghastly creature emits a strange gas that temporarily causes Pikmin to adopt a spooky appearance (though they retain all their species’ traits) and attack Olimar. They won’t attack regular Pikmin, but their friends can save them by attacking them in turn, as can Olimar by whistling and jostling them off him. Sometimes, Mushroom Pikmin are killed in the effort. Approach this boss with caution!
1 Olimin/Pikmar
As if the Mushroom Pikmin aren’t frightening enough of a concept, ‘Olimin’ also features in the original game. This Pikmin variety cannot be used in any way in the game itself, appearing only in the bad ending. You don’t want to get the bad ending, friends.
Should Olimar and the Pikmin fail to gather enough parts of the ship to take off (in the limited days available), the plucky little spaceman will seemingly die. As this alternate ending shows, his still-loyal Pikmin bring his body back to an Onion, which takes it in as it does other resources. The result is a strange hybrid Pikmin known as Olimin or Pikmar. Players are only given a brief glimpse of this creature planted in the ground as the game ends.
NEXT: 10 Bad Endings In Otherwise Great Games
