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Gear

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The Exploration Kit menu.
The Exploration Kit, as seen in Pikmin 2's pause menu.

The following contains spoilers about a recently released game.
Particularly, spoilers about various unlocks and end-game rewards.

The following article or section is in need of assistance from someone who plays Pikmin 4.
Particularly: Fill in the requirements to unlock the items.

The leaf texture used in Pikmin 2's Challenge Mode menu. (Used on Pikipedia in the {{stub}} template.)

This article is a stub. You can help Pikipedia by expanding it.

"Upgrade" redirects here. For the updates to the games' software, see update.
This article is about gear as equipment and tools. For gears that are cogs, see Gear (disambiguation).

In most Pikmin games, players are able to obtain diverse pieces of gear that empower the main characters, typically by granting immunities to some hazards, increasing stats, or unlocking new abilities. The method by which they are obtained depends on the game, and some pieces of gear appear in multiple games. Before Pikmin 4 these upgrades were not given a name, but they are specifically referred to as "gear" in various places of Pikmin 4. Also unique to Pikmin 4 is the ability to enable or disable any upgrade (besides the Survey Drone, Idler's Alert and Homesick Signal) once obtained.

Obtaining[edit]

In Pikmin 2, the player needs to retrieve certain treasures, usually guarded by bosses. When the Hocotate ship takes the treasure in, it is able to make use of it to create an upgrade. The upgrades can be found on a checklist called the Exploration Kit on the pause menu, and there is a distinction between the treasure itself and the upgrade. If the player exits the cave from the pause menu after getting the treasure instead of using a geyser, the treasure will be left behind but the leaders will keep the upgrade.

In Pikmin 3, the two important pieces of gear that allow reaching new areas are cellphones that need to be retrieved to the S.S. Drake, while the optional spacesuit upgrades can be found buried or off the beaten path in the form of Gashapon capsules; these too need to be brought back to the S.S. Drake and there isn't much of a difference between the object and the upgrade proper.

In Pikmin 4, upgrades can be obtained by purchasing them from Russ's lab, or by completing certain missions. In the case of the lab, they will have an associated raw material cost, and some only become available in the shop when certain Sparklium thresholds are met or when certain things happen in-game. In Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, upgrades are among the rewards that Olimar may receive for each ship part he recovered during a day.

List[edit]

Purpose Gear Pikmin 2 Pikmin 3 Pikmin 4 Olimar's Shipwreck Tale
Stat improvement Air Armor See Metal Suit Z See Metal Suit Z Yes No
Stat improvement Pup Air Armor No No Yes No
Stat improvement Air Armor+ No No Yes Yes
Stat improvement Pup Air Armor+ No No Yes Yes
Stat improvement Air Armor++ No No Yes No
Stat improvement Pup Air Armor++ No No Yes No
Hazard immunity Anti-Electrifier Yes Yes Yes No
Hazard immunity Pup Anti-Electrifier No No Yes No
Misc. Brace Boots See Rush Boots No Yes No
New ability Charging Horn No No Yes Yes
Discovering new areas Data Glutton No Yes No No
New ability Dodge Whistle No Yes No No
New ability Extra Hand No No Yes No
Discovering new areas Folded Data Glutton No Yes No No
Misc. Gunk Busters No No Yes No
Misc. Headlamp See Solar System No Yes No
Misc. Headlamp+ No No Yes No
Misc. Homesick Signal No No Yes Yes
Misc. Idle Counter No No Yes Yes
Misc. Idler's Alert No No Yes Yes
New ability Lineup Trumpet No No Yes Yes
Stat improvement Mega Tweeter Yes No See Power Whistle No
Stat improvement Metal Suit Z Yes Yes See Air Armor See Air Armor+
New ability Napsack Yes No No No
New ability Pluckaphone Yes No See Plucking Whistle No
New ability Plucking Whistle See Pluckaphone No Yes No
Stat improvement Power Whistle See Mega Tweeter No Yes No
New ability Rocket Fist Yes No See Triple Threat See Triple Threat
Stat improvement Rush Boots Yes No Yes Yes
Hazard immunity Scorch Guard Yes Yes Yes No
Hazard immunity Pup Scorch Guard No No Yes No
Hazard immunity Pup Sniff Saver No No Yes No
Misc. Solar System Yes No See Headlamp No
Discovering new areas Sphere Chart Yes No No No
Discovering new areas Survey Chart Yes No No No
Misc. Survey Drone No No Yes Yes
Hazard immunity Thermal Defense No No Yes No
Hazard immunity Pup Thermal Defense No No Yes No
Misc. Treasure Gauge Yes No Yes Yes (as Parts Detector)
Misc. Treasure Gauge+ No No Yes No
New ability Triple Threat See Rocket Fist No Yes Yes
Stat improvement Tuff Stuff No No Yes No
Stat improvement Pup Tuff Stuff No No Yes No
Stat improvement Tuff Stuff+ No No Yes Yes
Stat improvement Pup Tuff Stuff+ No No Yes Yes
Stat improvement Tuff Stuff++ No No Yes No
Stat improvement Pup Tuff Stuff++ No No Yes No

In addition, there is a list of upgrades in Hey! Pikmin.

Air Armor[edit]

The following article or section is in need of assistance from someone who plays Pikmin 4.
Particularly: How much defense does Air Armor provide?

Air Armor Icon.
Icon for the Air Armor in Pikmin 4.
The Air Armor's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Increases defense
How to obtain Own Tuff Stuff, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 40

Pup Air Armor[edit]

Pup Air Armor Icon.
Icon for the Air Armor for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Air Armor's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Increases defense
How to obtain Own Pup Tuff Stuff, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 80

A decent if expensive strategy is to feed Oatchi 5 Scrummy Bones, nearly doubling his HP. All tiers of Air Armor also apply the damage reduction percentage to the temporary HP, making Oatchi much harder to knock down than he already is.

Air Armor+[edit]

Air Armor+ Icon.
Icon for the Air Armor+ in Pikmin 4.
The Air Armor+'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Decreases the player's damage taken by 50%
How to obtain Have Air Armor, have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 6000, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 80
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Retrieve 22 ship parts

Pup Air Armor+[edit]

Pup Air Armor+ Icon.
Icon for the Air Armor+ for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Air Armor+'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Decreases Oatchi's damage taken by 50%
How to obtain Have Pup Air Armor, have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 6000, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 120
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Have met Moss, retrieve 18 ship parts

Air Armor++[edit]

Air Armor++ Icon.
Icon for the Air Armor++ in Pikmin 4.
The Air Armor++'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Decreases the player's damage taken by 75%
How to obtain Buy for Raw material icon.png × 120, unlock Air Armor+

Pup Air Armor++[edit]

Pup Air Armor++ Icon.
Icon for the Air Armor++ for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Air Armor++'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Decreases Oatchi's damage taken by 75%
How to obtain Buy for Raw material icon.png × 160, unlock Pup Air Armor+

Anti-Electrifier[edit]

Anti-Electrifier Icon.
Icon for the Anti-Electrifier in Pikmin 4.
The Anti-Electrifier's icon in Pikmin 4.
Games Pikmin 2,  Pikmin 3,  Pikmin 4
Function Gives electricity resistance
How to obtain Pikmin 2 icon.png:  Defeat the Giant Breadbug, retrieve the Dream Material
Pikmin 3 icon.png:  Retrieve the capsule
Game icon for Pikmin 4 articles, from the September 13th, 2022 Nintendo Direct.:  Have had the player character or Oatchi take electric damage, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 50

The Anti-Electrifier, when unlocked, makes the leaders' suits immune to electricity, including electrical attacks.

In Pikmin 2, it is obtained by defeating the Giant Breadbug in the Glutton's Kitchen, and collecting the Dream Material. Although leaders become invulnerable to electrical attacks, the Titan Dweevil's Shock Therapist will still manage to stun them, despite not causing any damage.

In Pikmin 3, it can be found buried near the place where Charlie crashed onto the planet's surface in the Distant Tundra, guarded by an Arctic Cannon Larva. The capsule has a weight of 10, and can be carried by up to 20 Pikmin. This device is particularly useful when trying to pass by electrical hazards with a group of Yellow Pikmin.

Pup Anti-Electrifier[edit]

Pup Anti-Electrifier Icon.
Icon for the Anti-Electrifier for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Anti-Electrifier's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Gives electricity resistance
How to obtain Have had the player character or Oatchi take electric damage, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 100

The Pup Anti-Electrifier is an upgrade for Oatchi which makes him immune to Electricity such as from an Electric gate P3 icon.png electric gate or from enemies like the shockcake. In Pikmin 4 it can be obtained from the Lab for Raw material icon.png x 100 but only after the player character or Oatchi takes electric damage

Brace Boots[edit]

Brace Boots Icon.
Icon for the Brace Boots in Pikmin 4.
The Brace Boots's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Gives resistance to wind and being sucked up
How to obtain Have the player character hit by wind or be sucked up in a previous day, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 80

Charging Horn[edit]

Charging Horn Icon.
Icon for the Charging Horn in Pikmin 4.
The Charging Horn's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Unlocks the ability to charge
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 450, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 20
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Retrieve 1 ship part
See more: Charge.

The Charging Horn grants the player the ability to charge.

Data Glutton[edit]

Data Glutton Icon.
Artwork of the Data Glutton from Pikmin 3.
The Data Glutton.
Games Pikmin 3
Function Unlocks the Distant Tundra
How to obtain Defeat the Armored Mawdad, retrieve the cellphone

The Data Glutton is an old cellphone, and is found within the belly of the Armored Mawdad in the Garden of Hope. It has a weight of 10, and can be carried by up to 20 Pikmin. It emits a signal that Alph and Brittany first assume to be Charlie. Upon collecting the device, Alph uses its technology to boost the signal strength of the S.S. Drake, allowing them to access the Distant Tundra.

Dodge Whistle[edit]

Dodge Whistle Icon.
Image of the Dodge Whistle capsule.
The Dodge Whistle's capsule.
Games Pikmin 3
Function Allows leaders and Pikmin to dodge
How to obtain Retrieve the capsule
See more: Dodge.

The Dodge Whistle can be found on a small cliff a short distance away from the exit to the Vehemoth Phosbat cave, where the Pikmin will carry the spoils of the battle through. It can be obtained by throwing Pikmin onto the Bouncy Mushroom between it and the path. There are some enemies in the way, however: two Swooping Snitchbugs are guarding the object, and Joustmites, Skeeterskates, and Bearded Amprats can be found on the route the Pikmin will use to take it to the Drake. However, this all can be bypassed by having Winged Pikmin carry it. It has a weight of 10, and can be carried by up to 20 Pikmin.

Collecting it allows the leaders to dodge left or right, guiding the Pikmin. It is done in a straight line normally, or in an arc around a lock-on target (in the original Pikmin 3 only). When rolling, the leaders do not lose height, making certain sequence breaks possible.

Extra Hand[edit]

Extra Hand Icon.
Icon for the Extra Hand in Pikmin 4.
The Extra Hand's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Allows the player character to carry objects, with a carrying weight of 1
How to obtain Complete all of Louie's side missions
See more: Carry.
The leaf texture used in Pikmin 2's Challenge Mode menu. (Used on Pikipedia in the {{stub}} template.)

This article is a stub. You can help Pikipedia by expanding it.
Suggestions: Details on speed, differences when carrying alone/with Pikmin, and other noteworthy traits.

The Extra Hand can be obtained after finishing all of Louie's side missions, which unlock once he's rescued from the Ancient Sirehound.

It grants the player character the ability to carry objects like the Pikmin (with a carrying weight of 1).


Folded Data Glutton[edit]

Folded Data Glutton Icon.
Artwork of the Folded Data Glutton from Pikmin 3.
The Folded Data Glutton.
Games Pikmin 3
Function Unlocks the Twilight River
How to obtain Defeat the Sandbelching Meerslug, retrieve the cellphone

The Folded Data Glutton is a folding cellphone, found within the belly of the Sandbelching Meerslug in the Tropical Wilds. It emits a signal that the leaders first assume to be Olimar. Upon collecting the device, Alph uses its technology to boost the signal strength of the Drake, allowing them to access the Twilight River. It has a weight of 10, and can be carried by up to 20 Pikmin.

This cellphone has an image of two ferrets on its display. Despite its supposed lack of recent use, the interface on the phone claims that its current battery life is quite high, implying that it was either recently charged, or has been only recently turned back on after a long period of dormancy.

One can throw Pikmin at it when it is first found and have them dig it out without triggering the cutscene where the boss awakens. This is possible if the leaders are positioned just far away enough to not trigger the event, but still close enough for the Pikmin throw to reach. However, the Pikmin will never make any progress towards digging it out, forcing the player to face the boss. Alternatively, using a sequence break involving the Dodge Whistle, it is possible to observe this behavior regardless of proximity, by reaching the Meerslug's arena before rescuing Charlie from the Vehemoth Phosbat.

Gunk Busters[edit]

Gunk Busters Icon.
Icon for the Gunk Busters in Pikmin 4.
The Gunk Buster's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Allows normal movement on sticky mold and shallow mud
How to obtain Have gone through sticky mold or shallow mud, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 240

The Gunk Busters affect both the player character and Oatchi. They remove the moving speed debuff when walking on mud or sticky mold.

Headlamp[edit]

Headlamp Icon.
Icon for the Headlamp in Pikmin 4.
The Headlamp's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Gives some light to dark caves
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 2000, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 30

The Headlamp dramatically increases the amount of light given off by leaders in caves. Certain caves are considered "dark" and will warn the player to not enter without a Headlamp, though this warning may be disregarded. Exploring a dark cave without a Headlamp will also result in nothing at all being revealed on the radar map.

Headlamp+[edit]

Headlamp+ Icon.
Icon for the Headlamp+ in Pikmin 4.
The Headlamp+'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Increases the light in dark caves
How to obtain Own Headlamp and have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 5500, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 100

Homesick Signal[edit]

Homesick Signal Icon.
Icon for the Homesick Signal in Pikmin 4.
The Homesick Signal's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Calls all Pikmin not with a leader towards the base
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 4500, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 80
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Retrieve 6 ship parts

The Homesick Signal summons all Pikmin that are not with a leader towards the current location of the base. Unlike the Idler's Alert, Pikmin will abandon their current task to respond to the signal. If the base moves, Pikmin in motion will not redirect to the new location.

Homesick signal in the lab
Homesick Signal being bought in the Lab.

Idle Counter[edit]

Idle Counter Icon.
Icon for the Idle Counter in Pikmin 4.
The Idle Counter's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Shows an indicator of how many Pikmin are idling
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 2500, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 40
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: None

This shows how many Pikmin are idling at the current moment. Helpful when used with the Idler's Alert to know when to use it.

In Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, Olimar has the Idle Counter from the start, and it is listed as such by his tablet.

Idler's Alert[edit]

Idler's Alert Icon.
Icon for the Idler's Alert in Pikmin 4.
The Idler's Alert's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Calls all idle Pikmin to wherever it was used
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 3500, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 80
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Retrieve 10 ship parts

The Idler's Alert is a piece of gear which calls all idle Pikmin to the location it was used. It does not cure status effects from Pikmin, and does not affect Oatchi.

Lineup Trumpet[edit]

Lineup Trumpet Icon.
Icon for the Lineup Trumpet in Pikmin 4.
The Lineup Trumpet's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Unlocks the ability to swarm
How to obtain Complete all of Frisé's side missions
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Retrieve 3 ship parts
See more: Swarm.

The Lineup Trumpet grants the player the ability to swarm.

Mega Tweeter[edit]

Mega Tweeter
Thumb amplifiedamplifier.jpg
The Amplified Amplifier.
Games Pikmin 2
Function Increases the whistle's range
How to obtain Retrieve the Amplified Amplifier

The Mega Tweeter (メガ・スピーカー?, lit.: "Mega Speaker") is obtained by defeating the Ranging Bloyster in the Shower Room, and collecting the Amplified Amplifier. This upgrade increases the range of the whistles of all leaders. The diameter of the visible circle projected on the ground increases to about 144% of its original size, thus more than doubling the area the whistle affects. This makes it easier to call scattered Pikmin to the leader's side.

Metal Suit Z[edit]

Metal Suit Z Icon.
Artwork of the Metal Suit Z.
The Metal Suit Z's capsule in Pikmin 3.
Games Pikmin 2,  Pikmin 3
Function Gives higher defense
How to obtain Pikmin 2 icon.png:  Defeat the Pileated Snagret, retrieve the Justice Alloy
Pikmin 3 icon.png:  Retrieve the capsule

The Metal Suit Z increases the integrity of the leaders' suits, reducing damage taken by half. In Pikmin 2, it is obtained by defeating the Pileated Snagret in the Snagret Hole, and collecting the Justice Alloy. In Pikmin 3, it can be found on a strip of path that connects the shore near the Mock Bottom and the place where Alph crash-landed, and must be reached by throwing leaders up either side. To note is that the Hermit Crawmad near the bridge could interfere with the carrier Pikmin.

This upgrade is useful for attempts in defeating a large Bulborb or Spotty Bulbear with leaders alone without coming to much harm. The Hocotate ship in Pikmin 2 claims that it will make enemy bites and being stepped on produce minimal pain. This is a gross simplification on its part, intended to avoid having to explain the intricacies in detail. In reality, all sources of pain will be reduced dramatically, not just those two, and enemies like Shearwigs and Wollywogs will still produce a significant amount of damage.

Napsack[edit]

Napsack
Artwork of the Five-man Napsack.
The Five-man Napsack.
Games Pikmin 2
Function Allows leaders to lie down
How to obtain Defeat the Burrowing Snagret, retrieve the Five-Man Napsack
See more: Lie down.

The Napsack can be obtained by defeating the Burrowing Snagret in the White Flower Garden, and collecting the Five-Man Napsack. This upgrade provides a quick method of returning to the Pikmin Onions above ground or the Research Pod when underground, which is achieved by holding GCN X.png / Nunchuck C.png once it has been obtained. When used, the leader in control falls asleep, and any nearby Pikmin, up to a maximum of four, carry him to their associated Onion (or Research Pod), a minimum of just one being required.

Pluckaphone[edit]

Pluckaphone
Artwork of the Professional Noisemaker.
The Professional Noisemaker.
Games Pikmin 2
Function Allows whistle to pluck Pikmin
How to obtain Defeat the Waterwraith, retrieve the Professional Noisemaker

The Pluckaphone is obtained by defeating the Waterwraith in the Submerged Castle and collecting the Professional Noisemaker. It is an upgrade that allows the leaders' whistles to call buried Pikmin out from the ground, saving precious time that would otherwise be spent plucking them out. As well as picking newly produced Pikmin at the Onions, this is useful for calling out Pikmin that were planted by a Mamuta or a Swooping Snitchbug, as well as transformed by Candypop Buds.

In the first trailer for Pikmin, Olimar is seen calling Pikmin from the ground, so the Pluckaphone may be an implementation of a prerelease element from the first Pikmin game. The Pluckaphone was originally going to be called "Pluck Megaphone", judging from the early English script left inside the final version of Pikmin 2.[1]

Plucking Whistle[edit]

Plucking Whistle Icon.
Icon for the Plucking Whistle in Pikmin 4.
The Plucking Whistle's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Allows whistle to pluck Pikmin
How to obtain Have completed Russ's "An Ode to Science" side mission, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 240

The Plucking Whistle is Russ's final upgrade, available for purchase once all other gear is bought. It works identical to the Pluckaphone from Pikmin 2, uprooting Pikmin from the ground by using the whistle. This is particularly useful for several Dandori Challenge stages and Trial of the Sage Leaf floors, as some Pikmin can be called from a distance and save precious time.

Power Whistle[edit]

Power Whistle Icon.
Icon for the Power Whistle in Pikmin 4.
The Power Whistle's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Increases the whistle's range
How to obtain Buy for Raw material icon.png × 120, further requirements unknown

Rocket Fist[edit]

Rocket Fist
Artwork of the Brute Knuckles.
The Brute Knuckles.
Games Pikmin 2
Function Gives leaders a punch combo
How to obtain Defeat the Mamuta, retrieve the Brute Knuckles
See more: Punch.

The Rocket Fist can be obtained by defeating one of the Mamuta in the Frontier Cavern, and collecting the Brute Knuckles. It enables a new, stronger punching combo attack for use by the leaders, which makes defeating enemies with leaders alone much easier and more efficient. Without the upgrade, the GCN A.png / Wiimote A.png button will produce a simple right punch. Once this treasure has been collected, pressing GCN A.png / Wiimote A.png a second time will perform a left-hook, and a third time launches a devastating wind-up punch. Due to a glitch, punching while moving makes the attacks come out faster, which greatly boosts the Rocket Fist's effectiveness.

Rush Boots[edit]

Rush Boots Icon.
Icon for the Rush Boots in Pikmin 4.
The Rush Boots' icon in Pikmin 4.
Games Pikmin 2,  Pikmin 4
Function Makes leaders run faster
How to obtain Pikmin 2 icon.png:  Defeat the Empress Bulblax, retrieve the Repugnant Appendage
Game icon for Pikmin 4 articles, from the September 13th, 2022 Nintendo Direct.:  Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 5100, buy for Raw material icon.png × 120
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Retrieve 8 ship parts

The Rush Boots can be obtained by defeating the Empress Bulblax in the Frontier Cavern, and collecting the Repugnant Appendage. It is a modification to the leaders' footwear that allows them to run more quickly, around 1.3 times faster,[2] or at around the same speed as flowered White Pikmin. The Rush Boots also renders the blowing attack of Puffy and Withering Blowhogs ineffective against leaders (in Pikmin 2 only; this effect requires the Brace Boots in Pikmin 4). The ship explains both functions as the result of lowered air resistance. It can provide to be a minor hindrance however, as the Pikmin's speed is not increased alongside the leader's, so they fall behind, are harder to control and often get stuck when going around corners.

Scorch Guard[edit]

Scorch Guard Icon.
Icon for the Scorch Guard in Pikmin 4.
The Scorch Guard's icon in Pikmin 4.
Games Pikmin 2,  Pikmin 3,  Pikmin 4
Function Gives fire resistance
How to obtain Pikmin 2 icon.png:  Defeat the Emperor Bulblax, retrieve the Forged Courage
Pikmin 3 icon.png:  Retrieve the capsule
Game icon for Pikmin 4 articles, from the September 13th, 2022 Nintendo Direct.:  Have had the player character or Oatchi take fire damage, buy for Raw material icon.png × 50

The Scorch Guard is an armor upgrade that makes all leaders' suits impervious to fire. In Pikmin 2, it is obtained by defeating the Emperor Bulblax in the Bulblax Kingdom, and collecting the Forged Courage. In Pikmin 3, it can be found buried on a ledge to the north of the strip of wood Pikmin and leaders hop to when the lily pad ride ends. The Burrowing Snagret and Desiccated Skitter Leaves could stop the Pikmin from carrying this piece back. Should the paper bag outside the Snagret's arena not be pushed down, the Pikmin may take a longer route to the Drake, which involves some Desiccated Skitter Leaves, an Arachnode, and a Flighty Joustmite.

With this upgrade, there is no need to worry about being hurt when destroying fire geysers, or fighting enemies such as the Fiery Blowhog or Fiery Bulblax. However, the Titan Dweevil's Flare Cannon will still be able to stun leaders, even if it does not harm them.

In Pikmin 4, both the Scorch Guard and the Pup Scorch Guard must be equipped in order to enter the Frozen Inferno, making them one of the few pieces of gear required to 100% explore the game.

Pup Scorch Guard[edit]

Pup Scorch Guard Icon.
Icon for the Scorch Guard for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Scorch Guard's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Gives fire resistance
How to obtain Have had the player character or Oatchi take fire damage, buy for Raw material icon.png × 100


The Pup Scorch Guard is an upgrade that makes Oatchi immune to all fire hazards. It's only in Pikmin 4 and can be obtained from the lab for Raw material icon.png x 100 but only after the player character or Oatchi take fire damage. With this upgrade, Oatchi doesn't need to worry about being hurt whilst attacking Fire geysers or fiery enemies such as a Fiery Bulblax. The upgrade is also able to be toggled off and on.

In Pikmin 4, both the Scorch Guard and the Pup Scorch Guard must be equipped in order to enter the Frozen Inferno, making them one of the few pieces of gear required to 100% explore the game.

Pup Sniff Saver[edit]

Pup Sniff Saver Icon.
Icon for the Sniff Saver for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Sniff Saver's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Grants poison immunity
How to obtain Have had Oatchi take poison damage, buy for Raw material icon.png × 100

The Pup Sniff Saver makes Oatchi immune to poison hazards, allowing him to take out poison geysers and toxic mushrooms safely. As the player character is naturally immune to poison, there is no Rescue Gear equivalent.

Solar System[edit]

Solar System
Artwork of the Stellar Orb.
The Stellar Orb.
Games Pikmin 2
Function Increases lighting
How to obtain Defeat the Man-at-Legs, retrieve the Stellar Orb

The Solar System can be collected by defeating the Man-at-Legs in the Subterranean Complex, and collecting the Stellar Orb. It is a device that will illuminate any sort of darkness inside a cave's sublevels. This way, it is possible to see things that are very far away when underground. Although the name refers to a system that produces solar-like light, it is also a play on words on the system that planet Earth is located in.

When it is collected, the game gradually changes the cave's lighting to fit the new, brighter settings. This lasts around 3 seconds, and can be seen on the retrieved treasure analysis cutscene.

Cavern of Chaos 10[edit]

Oddly, the upgrade has an opposite effect on sublevel 10 of the Cavern of Chaos: the sublevel will be darker if the Stellar Orb was retrieved. The reason for this is because this sublevel uses the lighting configuration file light.ini, which is both only used on this sublevel, and the only configuration file that is in the version 0000 format (besides any unused files and settings in the disc). All other sublevels use a file in the 0001 version. Version 0000 has no support for different lighting with and without the Solar System; it only has one set of data for lighting instead of two. When a lighting file on this version is loaded into the final game, the values that are there are used to light up the cave when the Solar System is present, and because there is no data for what lighting to use when the upgrade is missing, it uses some default values. These default values make the tenth sublevel of the Cavern of Chaos look lighter when the upgrade has not been collected yet.

Sphere Chart[edit]

Sphere Chart
Artwork of the Spherical Atlas.
The Spherical Atlas.
Games Pikmin 2
Function Unlocks the Awakening Wood
How to obtain Retrieve the Spherical Atlas

The Sphere Chart is the name given by the ship to the data found within the Spherical Atlas. By collecting the Spherical Atlas from the Emergence Cave, the ship is able to create charts of the Awakening Wood, allowing the player to explore that area.

Survey Chart[edit]

Survey Chart
Artwork of the Geographic Projection.
The Geographic Projection.
Games Pikmin 2
Function Unlocks the Perplexing Pool
How to obtain Retrieve the Geographic Projection

The Survey Chart is the name given by the ship to the data found within the Geographic Projection. By collecting the Geographical Projection from the Awakening Wood, the ship is able to create charts of the Perplexing Pool, allowing the player to explore that area.

Survey Drone[edit]

Survey Drone Icon.
Icon for the Survey Drone in Pikmin 4.
The Survey Drone's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Allows a birds-eye view of the area, and can place beacons over points of interest
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 600, buy for Raw material icon.png × 10
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Retrieve 2 ship parts

The Survey Drone switches the player's perspective to a fully-controllable flying camera, allowing scoping out of the entire map and the placing of beacons. Areas revealed by the Survey Drone do not get revealed on the radar map; they must still be travelled to on foot. By default, time is paused while flying the drone, but it can be unpaused and re-paused freely.

The game does not prevent the Pebble Pitcher from being used while the Survey Drone is in operation when time is unpaused. This can allow the second player to do many things in very unintended ways.

Thermal Defense[edit]

Thermal Defense Icon.
Icon for the Thermal Defense in Pikmin 4.
The Thermal Defense's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Grants ice immunity
How to obtain Have had the player character or Oatchi freeze/take ice damage, buy for Raw material icon.png × 50

Pup Thermal Defense[edit]

Pup Thermal Defense Icon.
Icon for the Thermal Defense for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Thermal Defense's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Grants ice immunity
How to obtain Have had the player character or Oatchi freeze/take ice damage, buy for Raw material icon.png × 100

Treasure Gauge[edit]

Treasure Gauge Icon.
Icon for the Treasure Gauge in Pikmin 4.
The Treasure Gauge's icon in Pikmin 4.
Games Pikmin 2,  Pikmin 4
Function Shows a treasure and castaway proximity indicator
How to obtain Pikmin 2 icon.png:  Defeat the Empress Bulblax, retrieve the Prototype Detector
Game icon for Pikmin 4 articles, from the September 13th, 2022 Nintendo Direct.:  Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 1000, buy for Raw material icon.png × 40
See more: HUD.

The Treasure Gauge is a device found in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4 that helps with tracking down every treasure in the game, no matter if is out in the open, an enemy has it or it is buried. It detects castaways, including conscious or unconscious leaflings, in the same manner in Pikmin 4. In Pikmin 2, it is obtained by collecting the Prototype Detector from the Empress Bulblax in the Hole of Beasts. When it is in the Exploration Kit, a gauge appears on the HUD. In the device's Pikmin 2 iteration, there is a needle that wiggles continuously when a treasure is in the current field or cave, and the closer the current leader is to a treasure, the farther to the right it goes, and the harder it beeps. In Pikmin 4, the needle is replaced by a row of lights that light up, starting from the left, as the leader approaches whatever the device has detected. If there are no treasures or castaways in a given area or sublevel, a chime will sound shortly after collecting the last relevant item. In Pikmin 2, the needle goes to the left edge while the gauge grays out; in Pikmin 4, the entire display goes black. It can be interfered with by the Antenna Beetle, Gildemandwee, and Gildemander, the only Exploration Kit upgrade to be specifically targeted in gameplay.

In Olimar's Shipwreck Tale in Pikmin 4, the reward for recovering 12 ship parts is a device called the Parts Detector. It shares its icon with the Treasure Gauge and works exactly the same, except it detects Olimar's lost ship parts instead of treasure.

Treasure Gauge+[edit]

Treasure Gauge+ Icon.
Icon for the Treasure Gauge+ in Pikmin 4.
The Treasure Gauge+'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Shows the total amount and location of treasures
How to obtain Buy for Raw material icon.png × 100, further requirements unknown


Triple Threat[edit]

Triple Threat Icon.
Icon for the Triple Threat in Pikmin 4.
The Triple Threat's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Gives leaders a punch combo
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 8500, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 40
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Retrieve 20 ship parts

Tuff Stuff[edit]

Tuff Stuff Icon.
Icon for the Tuff Stuff in Pikmin 4.
The Tuff Stuff's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Adds approximately 33% more health to the Leader
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 3200, buy for Raw material icon.png × 40

Pup Tuff Stuff[edit]

Pup Tuff Stuff Icon.
Icon for the Tuff Stuff for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Tuff Stuff's icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Adds approximately 33% more health to Oatchi
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 3200, buy for Raw material icon.png × 80

Tuff Stuff+[edit]

Tuff Stuff+ Icon.
Icon for the Tuff Stuff+ in Pikmin 4.
The Tuff Stuff+'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Adds approximately 66% more health to the Leader
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 6000, then buy for Raw material icon.png × 80
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Retrieve 16 ship parts

Pup Tuff Stuff+[edit]

Pup Tuff Stuff+ Icon.
Icon for the Tuff Stuff+ for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Tuff Stuff+'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Adds approximately 66% more health to Oatchi
How to obtain Have reached Icon that represents Sparklium on the wiki, based on the icon found in Pikmin 4. × 6000 then buy for Raw material icon.png × 120
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale: Have met Moss, retrieve 14 ship parts

Tuff Stuff++[edit]

Tuff Stuff++ Icon.
Icon for the Tuff Stuff++ in Pikmin 4.
The Tuff Stuff++'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Approximately doubles health for the Leader
How to obtain Buy for Raw material icon.png × 120, further requirements unknown

Pup Tuff Stuff++[edit]

Pup Tuff Stuff++ Icon.
Icon for the Tuff Stuff++ for Oatchi in Pikmin 4.
The Pup Tuff Stuff++'s icon.
Games Pikmin 4
Function Approximately doubles health for Oatchi
How to obtain Buy for Raw material icon.png × 240, further requirements unknown

Hey! Pikmin upgrades[edit]

In Hey! Pikmin, upgrades are provided by the S.S. Dolphin II, after the player collects certain amounts of Sparklium. These become unlocked at the specified levels of Sparklium, and don't decrease the Sparklium count when doing so.

Feature Sparklium Description
Radar 2,000 Allows the player to toggle the radar on the top screen with 3DS L.png / 3DS R.png.
4 health bars 6,000 Gives Captain Olimar an extra bar of health.
Enemy logs 10,000 Allows access to the enemy category in the logs.
Extended jetpack duration 14,000 Allows the jetpack to fly for longer.
5 health bars 18,000 Gives Captain Olimar an extra bar of health.
Maximum jetpack duration 22,000 Allows the jetpack to fly for longer.
6 health bars 26,000 Gives Captain Olimar an extra bar of health.

In Pikmin[edit]

While Pikmin does not have an upgrade system, some ship parts change the appearance of the S.S. Dolphin, and one ship part, the Whimsical Radar, does provide a change to gameplay by unlocking the radar.

Badges[edit]

In Pikmin 3 Deluxe, there are two badges the player can gain from collecting upgrades:

  • Evasive Action: Acquire the Dodge Whistle.
  • Strong on the Inside: Acquire the Metal Suit Z, Anti-Electrifier, or Scorch Guard.

Gallery[edit]

Trivia[edit]

  • In the North American version of the New Play Control! game, with the language set to French, the Sphere Chart is called "Carte Sphérique" (Spherical Map) in the Ship's dialogs and "Système Solaire" (Solar System) in the pause menu. Since another upgrade is also called "Système Solaire" (the Solar System), this is likely a mistake.
  • If Oatchi is fed 5 Scrummy Bones, he gets extra health equivalent to a full health bar with Tuff Stuff equipped.

Names in other languages[edit]

Sphere Chart

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese わくせいデータ?
Wakusei Dēta
Planet Data
Flag of Québec French (NoA) Carte Sphérique (Ship's dialogs)
Système solaire (pause menu)
Spherical map
Solar system
Flag of France French (NoE) Pôle Nord North Pole
Flag of Germany German Sphärenkarte Sphere Map
Flag of Italy Italian Mapposfera Sphere Map
Flag of Spain Spanish Carta esférica Spherical map

Survey Chart

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese たんさデータ?
Tansa Dēta
Search Data
Flag of Québec French (NoA) Carte topographique Topographical map
Flag of France French (NoE) Pôle Sud South Pole
Flag of Germany German Übersichtskarte Overlook Map
Flag of Italy Italian Mappa rilievo Overlook Map
Flag of Spain Spanish Mapa de cotas Heightmap

Data Glutton

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese いにしえのパケシス?
Inishie no Pakeshisu
Flag of Italy Italian Archivio trasmittente Transmitter archive
Flag of Mexico Spanish (NoA) Fósil de datos Data fossil

Folded Data Glutton

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese 折れたパケシス?
Oreta Pakeshisu
Flag of Italy Italian Archivio pieghevole Folding archive

Scorch Guard

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese フレア・ガード?
Furea Gādo
Flare Guard
Flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Chinese
(traditional)
防火装 Fire Guard
Flag of China Chinese
(simplified)
防火装 Fire Guard
Flag of France French Para-brûlure Burn counter
Flag of Germany German Flammschutz Fire Protection
Flag of Italy Italian Parafuoco Fire suit
Flag of South Korea Korean 방화복
banghwabog
Fire Suit
Flag of Spain Spanish Antillamas Anti-flames

Anti-Electrifier

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese アンチ・エレキ?
Anchi Ereki
Anti Electric
Flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Chinese
(traditional)
抗電装 Anti-electric equipment
Flag of China Chinese
(simplified)
抗电装 Anti-electric equipment
Flag of France French Anti-choc Anti-shock
Flag of Germany German Elektroschutz Electric Protection
Flag of Italy Italian Anti-shock Anti-Shock
Flag of South Korea Korean 방진복
bangjinbog
Flag of Spain Spanish Anti-eléctric (Pikmin 2)
Antieléctrico (Pikmin 3)
Anti-"electric"
Anti-electric

Metal Suit Z

Language Name Meaning Notes
Flag of Japan Japanese メタルスーツZ?
Metarusūtsu Z
Metal Suit Z
Flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Chinese
(traditional)
金屬装Z Metal Pack Z
Flag of China Chinese
(simplified)
金属装Z Metal Pack Z
Flag of Québec French (NoA) Combinaison Z Z Suit
Flag of France French (NoE) Combifer Ironsuit Portmanteau of "Combinaison" (suit) and "fer" (iron).
Flag of Germany German Metallanzug Z Metal Suit z
Flag of Italy Italian Tuta metallo Z Metal Suit z
Flag of South Korea Korean 강철복 Z
gangcheolbog Z
Stel Suit Z
Flag of Spain Spanish Armadura Z Armor Z

Napsack

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese たんけんねぶくろ?
Tanken Nebukuro
Expedition Sleeping Bag
Flag of Québec French (NoA) Sacdodo Napsack
Flag of France French (NoE) Sac Zzzz Zzzz sack
Flag of Germany German Schlafsack Sleep Bag
Flag of Italy Italian Sacconanna Sleepy Time Bag
Flag of Spain Spanish Saco de dormir Sleeping bag

Rocket Fist

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese ロケットパンチ?
Roketto Panchi
Rocket Punch
Flag of France French Poing Fusée Rocket Fist
Flag of Germany German Raketenfaust Rocket Fist
Flag of Italy Italian Pugno razzo Rocket punch
Flag of Spain Spanish Puño volador Flying fist

Rush Boots

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese ダッシュブーツ?
Dasshu Būtsu
Dash Boots
Flag of Québec French (NoA) Bottes grand V Very fast boots
Flag of France French (NoE) Bottes Grand V Very Fast Boots
Flag of Germany German Flinkstiefel Fast Boots
Flag of Italy Italian Stivali lesti Ready boots
Flag of Spain Spanish Velocibotas Speed-boots

Mega Tweeter

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese メガ・スピーカー?
Mega Supīkā
Mega Speaker
Flag of Québec French (NoA) Haut-parleur d'aigus High-pitched sound (producing) loudspeaker
Flag of France French (NoE) Méga Tweeter Mega Tweeter
Flag of Germany German Mega-Pleife
Flag of Italy Italian Megaspeaker Mega Speaker
Flag of Spain Spanish Megabocina Mega-siren

Pluckaphone

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese ひきぬきメガホン?
Hikinuki Megahon
Flag of France French Déterraphone Pluckaphone
Flag of Germany German Pflückerfon Pluckaphone
Flag of Italy Italian Sradicofono Pluckaphone
Flag of Mexico Spanish (NoA) Cosecháfono Harvestphone

Solar System

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese ソーラーシステム?
Sōrā Shisutemu
Solar System
Flag of Québec French (NoA) Système solaire Solar system
Flag of France French (NoE) Système Solaire Solar System
Flag of Germany German Sonnensystem Solar System
Flag of Italy Italian Sistema solare Solar System
Flag of Spain Spanish Sistema solar Solar system

Treasure Gauge

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese おたからセンサー?
Otakara Sensā
Treasure Sensor
Flag of Québec French (NoA) Jauge à trésors Treasure gauge
Flag of France French (NoE) Senseur Sensor
Flag of Germany German Schatzanzeiger Treasure Seeker
Flag of Italy Italian Tesorometro Treasure meter
Flag of Spain Spanish Tesorímetro Treasure meter

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pikmin 2/Early English Script on The Cutting Room Floor
  2. ^ YouTube video comparing the same trek with and without the Rush Boots, published on April 12th, 2019, retrieved on April 12th, 2019