Red Pikmin

Red Pikmin
Scientific name	Pikminidae rubrus
Family	Pikmin
Resistance	Fire
Attack strength	Above average(?)
Mobility	Average(?)
Throw	Average
Digging speed	Above average(?)
Carrying capacity	1
Size	Body length: 33mm
Voice actor	Hajime Wakai

Red Pikmin (赤ピクミン^?) are a red species of Pikmin with the special abilities of fire resistance and strong attack power. They are the first Pikmin type seen or discovered in all games by the main playable captain, and are usually considered the "main" type of Pikmin due to their relatively simple traits and early discovery. They are cultivated via the Red Onion (or the Master Onion), and like Yellow Pikmin, Blue Pikmin and Bulbmin, their buds and flowers are white. These Pikmin are present in all games of the series, and make an appearance in all game modes.

Traits and abilities

Red Pikmin are immune to fire, as seen here.

Red Pikmin have spiked noses, and as a result, have above average attack power, at 1.5× that of most types. This means they deal more damage when latched onto an enemy, making them especially useful in battle.

Red Pikmin also exhibit an immunity to fire, in that they ignore the heat whereas other Pikmin (besides Bulbmin and Glow Pikmin) would have their leaf, bud, or flower catch on fire and run off in a panic. According to Olimar's notes in the Pikmin 4 Piklopedia, this is because their skin and muscle fibers are made up of a flame-resistant cellulose. This ability is most useful in Pikmin 4, due to the presence of fire starters that only they can pick up and sizzling floors that only they can extinguish. It is also useful in Pikmin and Pikmin 3 due to the fact that fire geysers are indestructible and Fiery Blowhogs are prevalent. Their ability is less useful in Pikmin 2, where the geysers can be destroyed by any Pikmin, and Fiery Blowhogs can easily be defeated with Purple Pikmin. Their main use in the second game is for defeating Fiery Bulblaxes, though this task doesn't always require them. In Hey! Pikmin, they act just like in all other games, except they also have the ability to stomp out flames, allowing Olimar or other Pikmin safe passage.

In 2-Player Battle in Pikmin 2, Player 1's army is made up of Red Pikmin, while Player 2's army is made up of Blue Pikmin. For the sake of fairness, their attack strength is reduced in this mode to equal that of Blue Pikmin, and the only elemental hazards are from Fiery Blowhogs and Watery Blowhogs.

In Pikmin

Discovery

The first Red Pikmin in Pikmin.

In Pikmin, Red Pikmin are the first type of Pikmin ever discovered by Captain Olimar. They are discovered in The Impact Site, along with their Onion, just a short walk away from the landing site. When the dormant Onion wakes up and ejects a seed, and Olimar plucks the seed, it marks the first time Olimar ever sees a Pikmin. Here, at least 20 Red Pikmin must be grown in order to carry back the Main Engine, so that Olimar can exit the planet's surface during the night. However, it's possible to grow up to 25 Red Pikmin on the first day.

Uses

There is no task in the game that can only be completed with Red Pikmin specifically. However, as they are the first type discovered, they are by default required until another type is obtained. In addition, the following tasks are intended to be completed with Red Pikmin, though they can be done with other types:

• Ship parts
  •  Libra: Red Pikmin are needed to carry the piece through fire geysers, unless careful timing, whistles, and a large number of carriers are used.
  •  Analog Computer: Same as the Libra.
  •  Omega Stabilizer: Same as the Libra.
  •  Bowsprit: Same as the Libra, but if a nearby bridge is extended and the gate that is out of the path of any other ship part is destroyed, the Pikmin will carry it that way instead, and avoid the geysers.
  •  Secret Safe: Red Pikmin are the only ones that can cross the path of fire geysers necessary to complete the puzzle leading to this part, but with accurate aiming and a long throw, one can throw Yellow Pikmin from the northern bridge onto the end of the geyser path.
• Enemies
  •  Fiery Blowhog: This enemy shoots fire towards the player, but can be defeated with any Pikmin type.

In Pikmin 2

Discovery

Louie seeing a Red Pikmin for the first time in Pikmin 2.

In Pikmin 2, the first Red Pikmin are found by Captain Olimar, immediately after landing on the planet. There are 5 Pikmin fighting a Dwarf Red Bulborb in the Valley of Repose right next to where Olimar lands. Whistling them gives Olimar control over them, which he uses to defeat the enemy. After this, once Louie has regained consciousness, he walks a short distance and finds the Red Onion. From there, Louie builds up the population in order to crush a bag separating him from Olimar, and from then on, the leaders are united.

Uses

There is no task in the game that can only be completed with Red Pikmin specifically. However, as they are the first type discovered, they are by default required until another type is obtained. In addition, the following tasks are intended to be completed with Red Pikmin, though they can be done with other types:

• Treasures
  •  Gyroid Bust: They are needed to carry the piece through fire geysers, unless careful timing, whistles, and fast carrying strategies are used or the fire geysers are destroyed.
  •  Essence of Despair: There is no water around to defeat the Fiery Bulblax with other Pikmin, so Red Pikmin are needed. But it can be killed using the alternative methods listed below.
  •  Frosty Bauble: Same as the Essence of Despair.
  •  Gemstar Wife: Same as the Essence of Despair.
  •  Dimensional Slicer (US) /  Patience Tester (Europe): Same as the Essence of Despair.
  •  Insect Condo: Same as the Essence of Despair.
• Enemies
  •  Fiery Blowhog: This enemy shoots fire towards the player, but can be defeated with any Pikmin type.
  •  Fiery Bulblax: Only Red Pikmin can withstand its flames. However, if the enemy is submerged, its fire goes out. Even with the fire active, Purple Pikmin can damage it with their impact damage, and White Pikmin can be ingested to poison it. In certain caves, it can be lured into walking into the abyss as well.
  •  Fiery Dweevil: This enemy can set a large group of Pikmin on fire at once, but can be defeated with any Pikmin type.

In Pikmin 3

Discovery

Alph first finding a Red Pikmin in Pikmin 3.

In Pikmin 3, the story begins with Charlie discovering Yellow Pikmin and ending up captured by the Vehemoth Phosbat. After this prologue, Alph wakes up in a small puddle at the Tropical Wilds. He walks a short distance before seeing a Red Pikmin, which surprises both of them. After walking a bit more, he finds three wild Red Pikmin trying to free their Onion from a branch. Alph throws the Pikmin at it and succeeds in freeing it. He then proceeds to grow his army up to 20 (21 if the one sitting on the pot is obtained), so that he can push the cardboard box and get back to the S.S. Drake, as well as try to rescue Brittany. Although Yellow Pikmin are seen first, Red Pikmin are the first type to have their Onion discovered, and thus, formally introduced.

Uses

There is no task in the game that can only be completed with Red Pikmin specifically. However, as they are the first type discovered, they are by default required until another type is obtained. In addition, the following tasks are intended to be completed with Red Pikmin, though they can be done with other types:

• Fruits
  •  Sunseed Berry: The one in the Distant Tundra is inside of a Pyroclasmic Slooch. This Slooch is not near any water, so Red Pikmin must be used. Other types can attack it as detailed below, though.
• Enemies
  •  Fiery Blowhog: This enemy shoots fire towards the player, but can be defeated with any Pikmin type.
  •  Plasm Wraith: This boss is able to create fire-type elemental plasms that create fire over a large area. But there is a short period before the fire starts burning, and the elemental plasm can be destroyed before then.
  •  Pyroclasmic Slooch: The Pyroclasmic Slooch is a slug that is cloaked in flames. By luring one into water, however, its flames temporarily go out while it remains in the water, and can be attacked by any Pikmin type. Other than that, Rock Pikmin deal impact damage to Slooches even if they are cloaked in fire, although the player should whistle them right afterwards to save them. There is also a glitch that allows other types of Pikmin to attack a Slooch without catching fire.

In Pikmin 4

Discovery

Plucking the first Red Pikmin in Pikmin 4.

In Pikmin 4, Red Pikmin are discovered in the tutorial on day 1, but not straight away. After the player character lands, they first find Oatchi, rescue Collin, make their way through the Burrow of Beginnings and rescue Shepherd, and make it to the landing site of the Rescue Command Post. There, the Red Onion is found buried in the ground, and after digging it up with Oatchi and pulling it to the landing site, the Onion springs into action and releases a single Red Pikmin seed, which the player can pluck to start growing a squad.

Uses

There are many items in Pikmin 4 that require the use of Red Pikmin to collect. This is due to the existence of sizzling floors, obstacles that can only be destroyed by Red Pikmin, and fire starters, tools that can only be carried by Red Pikmin. Additionally, since they are the first type discovered, there are certain tasks that require Red Pikmin to be used:

• Rescue Command Post (Treasures)
  •  Stone of Advancement: Whilst Oatchi is needed to knock it down from the high platform, Red Pikmin are required as it weighs 10 and Oatchi can only carry 3 at this moment in time.
  •  Path Creator: It's on a high ledge which cannot be reached with Oatchi
  •  Noble Bident: This weighs 3, meaning it's possible to use Oatchi.
• Enemies
  •  Fiery Blowhog: This enemy shoots fire towards the player, but can be defeated with any Pikmin type.
  •  Fiery Bulblax: Only Red Pikmin can withstand its flames. However, if the enemy is submerged, its fire goes out. White Pikmin can be ingested to poison it.
  •  Fiery Dweevil: This enemy can set a large group of Pikmin on fire at once, but can be defeated with any Pikmin type.
  •  Pyroclasmic Slooch: This enemy is covered in fire so only Red Pikmin can withstand the flames. However, it is possible to submerge the enemey allowing other Pikmin types to attack it.
  •  Titan Blowhog: This enemy shoots strong and fast fire towards the player, but can be defeated with any Pikmin type.
  •  Scorchcake: The underside of this enemy is covered in fire, so only Red Pikmin can withstand the fire but the upperside has no flames meaning all Pikmin types can attack it.
  •  Ancient Sirehound: The fourth phase of this fight uses fire based attacks.

Red Pikmin are also required in certain areas due to the need to use a fire starter:

• Caves
  • Frozen Inferno: There are Treasures and entrances to the next sublevel.
  • Cradle of the Beast: There is a group of dried plants which block access to the entrance to the next sublevel
• Dandori Challenge
  • There is an entrance to a Dandori Challenge which is surrounded by dried plants which a fire starter is needed to access.

To do: Write whether fire starters are required in any dandori challenge or battles. Care to do so?

In Hey! Pikmin

Discovery

The first group of Red Pikmin whistled in Hey! Pikmin.

In Hey! Pikmin, after Captain Olimar crash-lands on the planet, he explores the area he lands in until he stumbles upon a lone Red Pikmin. After he and the S.S. Dolphin II's pod stare at it for a bit, it runs away. After moving forward some more, Olimar and his ship find the Pikmin's hiding spot, a bush. After using the whistle here, the Pikmin that was hiding behind, along with three others, pop out of the bush and join him. These Pikmin are used shortly after to collect some Sparklium Seeds that are out of reach. Eventually, Olimar finishes exploring this starting area, and leaves the Pikmin he found behind. The adventure proper then starts, with the area First Expedition, where he once again meets the Red Pikmin, again, hiding behind a bush. This time, and from here on out, he takes any Red Pikmin he finds and salvages at the end of the area with him, and leaves them in the Pikmin Park.

Required uses

To do: Write a list of treasures requiring Red Pikmin to collect. Care to do so?

Red Pikmin must be used in order to collect the following treasures and defeat the following enemies, and there are no glitches or exploits that allow other Pikmin types to do so.

• Enemies
  •  Fiery Blowhog: Red Pikmin are the only ones able to defeat it.
  •  Fiery Dwarf Bulblax: Because of its fiery back, it can only be defeated with Red Pikmin.
  •  Fiery Young Yellow Wollywog: Its body is perpetually on fire, meaning that only Red Pikmin can kill it.
  •  Fireflap Bulborb: Since its body is on fire, only Red Pikmin can be thrown at one to take it out.

Recommended uses

Other Pikmin can be used for these tasks, but Red Pikmin are especially recommended due to their fire resistance.

• Enemies
  •  Fiery Blowlet: Red Pikmin are recommended to defeat it, but other Pikmin types can defeat it too.
  •  Firesnout Beetle: Red Pikmin are recommended to defeat it but other Pikmin can defeat it too.

In Pikmin Bloom

In Pikmin Bloom, Red Pikmin are the first Pikmin type unlocked, with 2 being given to the player during the tutorial. Their seedlings require a minimum of 1 carrying strength to be retrieved, along with 1000 steps to grow. In expeditions, they have a carrying strength of 1 and have a time modifier of 1. In mushroom battles, they have a base attack power of 4 and are the only Pikmin that can battle Fire Mushrooms.

Notes

Dalmo's Notes

“These peppy little darlings are a vivid scarlet red! As you can tell by their appearance, these critters are very passionate. In fact, they're such hotheads that they're immune to fire! Even their displays of affection are ardent. They'll beat their tiny fists on you in an abundance of enthusiasm!”

Olimar's Notes

“Pikmin are part of the Ambuloradicis class, which consists of creatures that exhibit both plant and animal characteristics. A Pikmin will instinctively follow whoever plucks it from the ground, so it so quite common for them to form symbiotic relationships with another species or accept a leader of a different species, as it serves the goal of propagating their own species as a whole. The Red Pikmin is the most common Pikmin species. It can be identified by the nose-like protuberance on its head and its highly aggressive behavior. It also has a few surprising and unique qualities- for example, its immunity to extreme heat and fire, despite the fact that it's a living organism. This can be explained by looking closely at its skin and muscle fibers, which are made up of a flame-resistant cellulose.”

Louie's Notes

“Looks like a Pikpik Carrot. I bet it tastes good, but I'm practicing self-restraint.”

Hey! Pikmin logs

 US version

“What a joy it was to meet these Pikmin again upon crash-landing here! Working with them is as comforting as eating my beloved pikpik carrots, for whom I named the species. Their pointy noses are a bit carrot-shaped, aren't they? These particular Pikmin are the strongest of the bunch and make short work of any dangerous creatures. I'm not sure how, but they're also impervious to fire, making them good candidates to send into a hot situation.”

 European version

“What a joy it was to meet these Pikmin again upon crash-landing here! Working with them is as comforting as eating my beloved pikpik carrots, for which I named the species. Their noses are a bit carrot-shaped, aren't they? These particular Pikmin are the strongest of the bunch and make short work of any dangerous creatures. I'm not sure how, but they're also impervious to fire, making them good candidates to send into a hot situation.”

Pikmin Bloom description

“Red Pikmin have a sharp, nose-like spine on their face—and they’re immune to fire! They’re trusty allies you can rely on in any situation.”

In the Super Smash Bros. series

This article or section is a short summary on Pikmin as fighters. SmashWiki features more in-depth content.

Red Pikmin appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a type of Pikmin Olimar can pull from the ground via Pikmin Pluck. Red Pikmin, like in the games, deal a high amount of damage in most attacks; Purple Pikmin only have higher knockback, but do less damage to foes than Red Pikmin. Also, Red Pikmin have fire effects on their attacks, and are immune to fire attacks such as Bowser's Fire Breath or Mario's Fireballs. In Brawl and Smash 4, they also appear as trophies, and in Brawl exclusively, two stickers exist with Red Pikmin on them, one with a reclining Pikmin, and one with a posing Pikmin.

Brawl trophy

	Description: “A type of Pikmin—which are odd beings who grow like plants yet are as mobile as animals. Red ones are heat and fire resistant and are strong attackers, which makes them valuable when facing dangerous foes. Purple Pikmin are also tough fighters, but since it's difficult to increase their numbers, red Pikmin are easier to manage. Red Pikmin have distinct pointed noses. Pikmin Pikmin 2”
How to obtain: Clear the "Sproutage of the Flower Pikmin" event.		Type: Fighter

Smash 4 trophy

3DS

Red Pikmin

	US description: “This Pikmin has a red body and a long, pointy nose. It was the first type of Pikmin Olimar ever met. In Smash Bros., they have the second highest attack power among the Pikmin. Like their fiery color suggests, they can attack with flames and withstand them.”
	EU description: “Telling Red Pikmin apart from the other Pikmin is easy: these ones have long, pointy noises. Also, they're red. They're the very first kind of Pikmin Olimar finds on their planet, and their high attack power makes them very useful. In this game, they can deal powerful attacks, and they're very resistant to fire damage.”
How to obtain: Random appearance.		Type: Fighter

Wii U

	US description: “This Pikmin has a red body and a long, pointy nose. It was the first type of Pikmin Olimar ever met. In Smash Bros., they have the second highest attack power among the Pikmin. Like their fiery color suggests, they can attack with flames and withstand them. Appears in: Pikmin (12/2001) Pikmin 2 (08/2004)”
	EU description: “Telling Red Pikmin apart from the other Pikmin is easy: these ones have long, pointy noses. Also, they're red. They're the very first kind of Pikmin Olimar finds on their planet, and their high attack power makes them very useful. In this game, they can deal powerful attacks, and they're very resistant to fire damage. Related Games Pikmin (06/2002) Pikmin 2 (10/2004)”
How to obtain: Random appearance.		Type: Fighter	Trophy Box: 60. Pikmin

Technical information

Pikmin technical information (?)
Attack strength	≈1.5× the norm
Carrying strength	1

Pikmin 2 technical information (?)
Attack strength	15
Carrying strength	1
Running speed	120 leaf, 140 bud, 170 flower
Digging speed	≈1.5× the norm

Pikmin 3 technical information (?)
Attack strength	15
Carrying strength	1
Running speed	Unknown
Digging speed	≈1.5× the norm

Pikmin 4 technical information (?)
Attack strength	15
Carrying strength	1
Running speed	140 leaf, 170 bud, 200 flower, 220 spicy
Digging speed	≈1× the norm

Hey! Pikmin technical information (?)
Attack strength	2× the norm (exact value unknown)
Carrying strength	1

Pikmin Bloom technical information (?)
Base attack strength	4
Carrying strength	1
Expedition time modifier	1

Naming

See more: Pikmin family#Naming.

• Common name: Red Pikmin.
• Japanese nickname: 赤ピクミン^?, lit.: "Red Pikmin".
• Japanese name: アカネピクミン^?, lit.: "Red Root Pikmin". アカネ^? also refers to madder, a plant used for red dye.
• Scientific name: Pikminidae rubrus. Rubrus is Latin for "red".
• Internal names: Unknown.
• Prerelease: None.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	赤ピクミン? Aka Pikumin	Red Pikmin
Chinese (traditional)	紅色皮克敏 Hóngsè Píkèmǐn	Red Pikmin
Chinese (simplified)	红色皮克敏 Hóngsè Píkèmǐn	Red Pikmin
Dutch	Rode Pikmin	Red Pikmin
French	Pikmin rouge	Red Pikmin
German	Rotes Pikmin Rote Pikmin (Pikmin 4)	Red Pikmin
Italian	Pikmin rosso	Red Pikmin
Korean	빨강피크민 Ppalgang-Pikeumin	Red Pikmin
Spanish	Pikmin rojo	Red Pikmin
Portuguese	Pikmin vermelho	Red Pikmin	Used in various Portuguese language material
Russian	Красный пикмин Krasnyy pikmin	Red Pikmin	Name taken from the Super Smash Bros. series
Czech	Červený Pikmin	Red Pikmin	Name taken from Hey! Pikmin launch trailer
Danish	Rød Pikmin	Red Pikmin	Name taken from Nintendo's official website
Finnish	Punainen Pikmin	Red Pikmin	Name taken from Nintendo's official website
Hebrew	פיקמין אדום Pikmin Adom	Red Pikmin	Used in official media
Hungarian	Píros Pikmin	Dark Red Pikmin	Name taken from Nintendo's official website
Norwegian	Rød Pikmin	Red Pikmin	Name taken from Nintendo's official website
Polish	Czerwony Pikmin	Red Pikmin	Name taken from Nintendo's official website
Swedish	Röd Pikmin	Red Pikmin	Name taken from Nintendo's official website

Gallery

Pikmin

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  Artwork of a Red Pikmin waving.

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  Artwork of a Red Pikmin being thrown.

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  A leaf Pikmin runs.

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  A budded Pikmin runs.

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  A flower Pikmin runs.

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  Artwork of an idle Red Pikmin.

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  Olimar guiding a group of three Red Pikmin.

Pikmin 2

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  Clay art of the Red Pikmin's different stages of Maturity.

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  Clay art of a Red Pikmin in its leaf stage.

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  Clay art of a Red Pikmin frightenedly running, most likely about to trip.

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  Clay art of a Red Pikmin waving.

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  Clay art of a Red Pikmin laying on its side.

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  Clay art of a Red Pikmin being thrown.

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  Clay art of a Red Pikmin carrying a purple Burgeoning Spiderwort berry.

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  A Red Pikmin e-card pack.

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  The Pikmin's e-card, #00 (1^st red card).

Pikmin 3

• 

  Artwork of a Red Pikmin surrounded by fire.

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  Artwork of the 3 stages of Red Pikmin.

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  Alternate version (no shadow).

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  Monochrome flat art.

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  Monochrome flat art.

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  Monochrome flat art.

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  Colored flat art.

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  Colored flat art.

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  Red Pikmin carrying.

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  Red Pikmin lying down.

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  Red Pikmin walking.

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  Red Pikmin running.

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  The back of a Red Pikmin.

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  The data file on Red Pikmin's fire-proof nature.

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  The data file on Red Pikmin's superior attack power.

Pikmin 4

• 

  Alternate artwork of a Red Pikmin standing.

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  A Red Pikmin relaxing in its leaf stage.

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  A Red Pikmin relaxing in its flower stage.

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  A Red Pikmin tripping.

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  A walking Red Pikmin.

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  Another walking Red Pikmin.

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  The model of the Red Pikmin.

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  Piklopedia icon.

Hey! Pikmin

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  Artwork of two Red Pikmin carrying the Private Castle.

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  Artwork of Olimar throwing 2 Red Pikmin and a Blue Pikmin.

Pikmin Bloom

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  In-game sprite.

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  Artwork of a Red Pikmin.

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  Artwork of a Red Pikmin with some flowers.

Other

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  A Red Pikmin in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

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  A Red Pikmin seen in the Greninja and Charizard reveal video for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

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  The Red Pikmin costume from Nintendo Land's Pikmin Adventure.

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  Red Pikmin's abilities explained in Pikmin, Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3, New Play Control! Pikmin 2 and New Play Control! Pikmin.

• 

  An animation of a Red Pikmin from the Play Nintendo website.

Trivia

The Red Pikmin hat being worn in Streetpass.

• The first piece of downloadable content in Animal Crossing: City Folk was a hat item called "Red Pikmin". The item covers all of the character's head except the face, and stems out into a leaf. It could be sent to other regions through befriending Japanese players. The same item was later made available in Europe and then North America (March 25^th, 2009 as the second DLC item). It is worth 360 Bells.
• A rectangular pot with a red, blue, and Yellow Pikmin planted in it is a piece of furniture in Animal Crossing: City Folk. It can only be obtained by hacking, however.
• A Red Pikmin Hat can be found in Streetpass Mii Plaza by playing Find Mii.
• Red Pikmin are the only Pikmin type to be used as the default for more than one Dandori Battle stage, as they are present in both Trial Run and Hot Sandy Duel.

See also

• Pikmin family
• Red Bulborb
• Fire

References

This article was a featured article from August 1st, 2023 to October 1st, 2023.