Yellow Pikmin

Yellow Pikmin
Scientific name	Pikminidae auribus
Family	Pikmin
Resistance	Electricity
Attack strength	Average(?)
Mobility	Average(?)
Throw	High
Digging speed	:  Average(?) :  Fast when digging an object; average otherwise(?) :  Very fast(?)
Carrying capacity	1
Size	Body length: 33mm
Pikmin 4 Piklopedia number	112
Voice actor	Hajime Wakai

Yellow Pikmin (黄ピクミン^?) are a yellow species of Pikmin, with the special abilities of increased throw height, bomb-rock carrying (in Pikmin), and electricity resistance (in every game after Pikmin). They are the second type discovered by Captain Olimar in Pikmin, the fourth type identified in Pikmin 2, and the first type found by Captain Charlie in Pikmin 3. In Pikmin 4, Pikmin can be discovered in any order (with the exception of Red Pikmin). These Pikmin have lamellae, which resemble large ears; these are the means by which they are primarily identifiable aside from their yellow-coloring. Yellow Pikmin can be thrown higher – an ability that is needed to retrieve certain elevated ship parts, treasures and fruits – and are immune to electricity. Additionally, Yellow Pikmin appear to like being in elevated places, such as trees – this can be concluded from the places they are first found in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 3. Their main method of production is through the Yellow Onion (or the Master Onion), and like Red Pikmin, Blue Pikmin, and Bulbmin, their buds and flowers are white. Also like Red Pikmin and Blue Pikmin, they appear in all games of the series, and the only game mode they are missing from in comparison to the other two, is 2-Player Battle.

Traits and abilities

Yellow Pikmin showcasing their ability to conduct electricity.

Unlike other Pikmin types, the abilities and role of Yellow Pikmin have not always been consistent. Despite this, in all four main-series games, they have large ears and can be thrown higher than other Pikmin, which is useful for collecting high-up objects, latching on to enemies like the Beady Long Legs, or other such purposes.

In Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin are uniquely able to carry and toss bomb-rocks (though digging into the game's files has revealed that all Pikmin were originally supposed to be able to wield bomb-rocks). Having this role makes Yellow Pikmin arguably much more situational than Red Pikmin or Blue Pikmin, and as a result, it is not typically necessary to have more than a handful of them in Olimar's squad at any given time.

Pikmin 2 introduces electrical hazards, with Yellow Pikmin now being immune to them (alongside Bulbmin). Additionally, when Olimar discovers the Yellow Pikmin, the Hocotate ship states that static electricity readings are high, suggesting that Yellow Pikmin conduct electricity as well (though this would not be one of their in-game abilities until Pikmin 3). This newfound electrical immunity makes Yellow Pikmin very helpful in dealing with electrical enemies and hazards that can instantly kill other Pikmin types, as well as tearing down electric gates. Their ability to carry bomb-rocks does not factor into this game, since bomb-rocks now only appear as a hazard for the leaders' squads and cannot be carried by any Pikmin.

In Pikmin 3, Yellow Pikmin once again exhibit their immunity to electricity and their ability to be thrown high. They can also carry Bomb Rocks again, but this is no longer a distinct feature of Yellow Pikmin, since all Pikmin types can carry them now. Yellow Pikmin also show two new abilities – they can dig faster than other Pikmin (although Rock Pikmin can dig tunnels even faster). This is because the lamellae act as a shovel.^{[source needed]} This ability is rather helpful, since a number of objects in the game are buried. The second new ability allows the Yellow Pikmin to form a wire and conduct electricity to link a circuit together, which is required to progress through the game in certain points. When completing a circuit, the Yellow Pikmin involved will become flowered if they were not already. Despite electricity now being a non-lethal hazard in Pikmin 3, unlike Pikmin 2's more-lethal version, Yellow Pikmin are still useful for dealing with electrical hazards and gates.

Yellow Pikmin return with the same abilities in Pikmin 4, though they are now unrivaled by other Pikmin types in digging speed, being outmatched only by Oatchi with enough upgrades. Additionally, as attack power does not influence digging speed in this game, Yellow Pikmin are now the only type that can dig faster, making them uniquely suited to that role. Though electricity as a hazard has returned to being lethal, there are overall fewer electric enemies and hazards in Pikmin 4 than previous games, so Yellow Pikmin are likely to mainly see use for their digging and throw height. The latter ability is somewhat nullified by Oatchi's ability to knock many objects off of ledges, but overall, this does not render Yellow Pikmin obsolete, since Oatchi is only ever one unit in the squad.

Interestingly, in New Play Control! Pikmin and New Play Control! Pikmin 2, if Yellow Pikmin are thrown from a piece of chiyogami, a plant, or a fire geyser, they will ascend higher and fall more slowly. This does not work on the GameCube versions.

In Pikmin

Discovery

In Pikmin, a single Yellow Pikmin can be found in The Forest of Hope inside a dormant Yellow Onion. The Onion is located near a few Spotty Bulborbs and yellow pellets. It can be seen from the landing site, and is towards the west of the map, beyond the area with the Eternal Fuel Dynamo. When the Onion awakens, it spits out a seed, which Olimar uses to grow more, eventually discovering their ability to handle bomb-rocks from the explosives nearby, and uses them to clear the path to various other ship parts.

Required uses

There is no task in the game that mandatorily requires Yellow Pikmin. Although only their bomb-rocks can be used to take down reinforced walls, all of the walls in the way of ship parts can be circumvented through the use of glitches. Those, and other ship parts that would normally require Yellow Pikmin, are explained in the near-required uses section below.

Near-required uses

Yellow Pikmin are intended to be used to collect the following ship parts, but through the use of glitches, exploits, or tricks, they can be collected without Yellow Pikmin.

•  Positron Generator: Yellow Pikmin are needed to take down the reinforced wall with bomb-rocks, although by throwing some Pikmin out of bounds on the stump with the three large pellets, and then having Olimar lie down next to the pellet on top of the trunk-like structure at the south, he can squeeze through and go out of bounds, and then use the Pikmin that got thrown to enter the beach area without taking down the reinforced wall.
•  Whimsical Radar: The area it is in is behind reinforced walls. But by using a pellet dropped by a Dwarf Bulborb near the Yellow Onion, it is possible to clip out of bounds and onto the ledge with the ship part. From there, the player can push the part past the reinforced wall and have it recovered from there. Using the nearby Red Bulborb to push the part helps.
•  Extraordinary Bolt: This part is inside a room, blocked by a reinforced wall, but by going out of bounds with the same method as the Whimsical Radar, the player can lie down and push the part to the corner of the room. After doing so, the part will reappear outside the room the next day. From there, it can be pushed through the Yellow Onion gate by the nearby Red Bulborb, like with the Whimsical Radar.
•  Radiation Canopy: Like the Whimsical Radar, the section this part is in is behind reinforced walls. But by throwing Pikmin at the ledge surrounding where the Yellow Onion is found, and by going out of bounds with the same method used to get the Whimsical Radar without Yellow Pikmin, the player can guide the Pikmin to the ship part, and take it to the part of the area north of the landing site. From there, they can follow the same procedure as the Whimsical Radar to get the part on the other side of the Yellow Onion gate.
•  Nova Blaster: Same as the Radiation Canopy.
•  Geiger Counter: The path to the section of the area with this ship part is blocked by a reinforced wall. However, by throwing the Pikmin to the ledge with the Snagrets, and then using a pellet obtained through a Dwarf Red Bulborb near the gate, it is possible to clip through the wall and go to the upper ledge, and bypass the reinforced wall entirely. After the Snagrets are fought and defeated, the Geiger Counter can be pushed over to the lower level and carried to the ship.
•  Guard Satellite: The reinforced wall before the Beady Long Legs needs to be destroyed with bomb-rocks. However, by leaving Red Pikmin on the ledge to the side of the gate, and having a nearby Wollywog push Olimar through the gate, it is possible to defeat the Beady Long Legs without using Yellow Pikmin. After that, the same Wollywog can be used to push the ship part close enough to the gate, such that after the day ends, the Guard Satellite appears on the other side of the gate at the next day.
•  Libra: The part is on two platforms too high up for other Pikmin to reach. However, with high ledge throws, it should possible to bring Reds or Blues to the Libra. Alternatively, one can get a pellet near the railing wall thanks to a Shearwig, get between the two, lie down to pop up on the railing, and from there walk up to the ship part, where it can then be pushed down.
•  UV Lamp^{[source needed]}: The part is on top of a ledge that is too high for Pikmin to be thrown normally.
•  Chronos Reactor: The part is on top of a ledge that is too high for Pikmin to be thrown normally. Normally the player must convert Blue Pikmin into Yellow Pikmin, bring the part down, and then convert Yellow Pikmin back into Blue Pikmin to carry across the water. But by throwing Blue Pikmin to ledge by the Spotty Bulbear, and using said enemy to push Olimar into the wall, he will pop up on top of the ledge, and will be able to escort the Blue Pikmin directly to the ship part.
•  Secret Safe: If a bomb rock spawns below the ledge where they normally spawn, Captain Olimar can lie down between it and the wall to pop up on the platform where the bombs usually spawn. From there, the player can meet up with Pikmin thrown at a high ledge on the other side of the area. To recover the ship part, it has to be pushed into the opening after the second bridge by lying down, then pushed into the water, and then all the way until after the first gate.

In Pikmin 2

Discovery

The Yellow Pikmin resting on a tree in Pikmin 2.

In Pikmin 2, a group of five Yellow Pikmin are found in the Perplexing Pool near the center of the map, at the end of a long and twisted path; White Pikmin are necessary just to reach them, and a Fiery Bulblax guards the entrance to their Onion. They are found relaxing on top of a tree, and exhibit static electricity flowing from their bodies on their discovery cutscene, which is triggered after they are whistled down from their spot. The Hocotate ship states that the static electricity readings are "unusually high".

Required uses

There is no task in Pikmin 2 that requires Yellow Pikmin exclusively. Even if Yellow Pikmin are required to destroy electric gates, none need to be taken down for a full completion. All treasures can be collected with other Pikmin types with the use of exploits, detailed in the near-required uses section below.

Near-required uses

Yellow Pikmin are intended to be used to complete these tasks, but through the use of glitches, exploits, or tricks, the tasks can be completed without Yellow Pikmin.

• Treasures
  •  Healing Cask (US) /  Hypnotic Platter (Europe) /  Seat of Enlightenment (Japan): It is on a high ledge, though with exploits, other Pikmin can reach it as well.
  •  Decorative Goo: To reach the treasure, the electric gate blocking the northern section of the map needs to be cleared. But by using the carrying charge glitch, the treasure can be sped up behind the gate, and carried over the wall next to the gate.
  •  Gherkin Gate (US and Europe) /  Idea Assistant (Japan): The treasure is on top of a high ledge, requiring Yellow Pikmin to reach it. The high ledge trick can also be used to get it with any other Pikmin type.
  •  Impediment Scourge (US and Europe) /  Lightning Bolt (Japan): Same as the Gherkin Gate.
  •  Optical Illustration (US) /  Abstract Masterpiece (Europe) /  Yell Battery (Japan): The treasure is in a room closed by an electric gate. By using the carrying charge glitch, it can be carried past the gate, though.
  •  Conifer Spire: There is an electric gate blocking the path towards this treasure. The player can charge the treasure and make it go past the electric gate. Alternatively, the player can reach the Conifer Spire in the same way they can reach Hole of Heroes (see below). Then, they can move the treasure up the bamboo chute towards Hole of Heroes by exploiting a strange treasure mechanic. At some point, the treasure must clip through the floor, which happens for unknown reasons. Then, once the treasure is located by Hole of Heroes, the Pikmin will carry Conifer Spire in a path that does not go through the electric gate.
• Caves
  • Bulblax Kingdom: The entrance to the cave is blocked off by an electric gate. It is, however, possible to access the cave without destroying it, by exploiting a carrying path oversight.
  • Shower Room: The access to the Shower Room is blocked off by an electric gate. With the seesaw block glitch, it's possible to enter the tile section of the map where the cave is without destroying the gate.
  • Glutton's Kitchen: The cave is blocked by an electric gate, but with a carrying path oversight, it's possible to have a Pikmin carry a leader over the wall, leading to the entrance of the cave.
  • Hole of Heroes: The path towards Hole of Heroes is obstructed by an electric gate, but the player can go around it while out of bounds. To get out of bounds, the player can utilize the knockback from a Fiery Blowhog, a Creeping Chrysanthemum, or a Gatling Groink.
• Others
  • Blue Onion: The electric gate that blocks the path to the Blue Onion can only be destroyed by Yellows. Despite that, one can reach the Onion by using the seesaw block glitch, and this trick is used to save a day in the 5 day run.

Recommended uses

Although not mandatory, Yellow Pikmin are useful in the defeat of the following enemies.

• •  Anode Beetle: Two Anode Beetles can create a line of electricity between themselves, fatally electrocuting any non-Yellow Pikmin that come in contact. However, it is easy to flip them over and kill them, even without Yellow Pikmin.
  •  Anode Dweevil: Anode Dweevils, after being attacked themselves, produce an electric field directly below them, shocking and killing any non-Yellow Pikmin underneath.
  •  Titan Dweevil: One weapon this boss has creates several metal balls that land in the arena and chain together a long electrical current between themselves and the weapon, instantly killing any non-Yellow Pikmin that touch the chain of sparks.

In Pikmin 3

Discovery

In Pikmin 3, Yellow Pikmin are first encountered by Captain Charlie on day 1 in the Distant Tundra, with some of them idling atop some tree branches. However, they are not officially introduced as Yellow Pikmin yet. After helping him for a bit, they flee when he faces the Vehemoth Phosbat. Later on, when going to the Distant Tundra for the first time with Alph and Brittany, Brittany falls out of the S.S. Drake and into a cave (which consequently separates her from Alph). She finds two Yellow Pikmin trying to complete a circuit in the cave. The player must pluck three buried Yellow Pikmin nearby to complete the circuit; upon doing so, a light-bulb is activated, causing the Yellow Onion to fly up out of the ground. Brittany then uses the newly discovered Pikmin type to reunite with Alph.

Required uses

The following article or section is in need of assistance from someone who plays Pikmin 3. Particularly: Verify the strategy used to collect fruit bypassing the electric gate in the Distant Tundra can be used to collect the Anti-Electrifier

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

• Fruits
  •  Pocked Airhead (Garden of Hope): This fruit is in a room closed off by an electric gate.
• Upgrades
  •  Anti-Electrifier: This upgrade is in a section of the area blocked by an electric gate.
• Obstacles
  •  Electric gate: Electric gates can only be destroyed by Yellow Pikmin.
• Enemies
  • None

Near-required uses

Yellow Pikmin are intended to be used to complete these tasks, but through the use of glitches, exploits, or tricks, the tasks can be completed without Yellow Pikmin.

• Access the Distant Tundra: At least 20 Yellow Pikmin must be grown upon first landing in the Distant Tundra with Brittany to be able to exit the cave to access the rest of the area and continue the game, but it is possible to exit the cave by going out of bounds, and it is still possible to rescue Charlie with further glitches. This makes Yellow Pikmin skippable, though many fruits become inaccessible if this is done.
• Get  Winged Pikmin: To rescue the Winged Onion and unlock Winged Pikmin, an electrode must be used to access fragments required to build a bridge to the new Onion. But by clipping through the wall in the river, it is possible to get to the Winged Onion without building the bridge.
• Fruits
  •  Astringent Clump (Distant Tundra): An electric gate blocks the path this fruit takes to get back to the ship, however, it is possible to push it as close as possible to the gate by hitting it with the snowballs from the Artic Cannon Larva, and on the following day, the fruit will respawn on the other side of the gate, allowing other types of Pikmin to collect it without destroying the electric gate.
  •  Astringent Clump (Garden of Hope): This fruit is in an area closed off by an electric gate.
  •  Citrus Lump (Distant Tundra, in the cave): This fruit can only be collected if the Bloominous Stemples are first expanded. However, it is possible to charge Winged Pikmin to drop into the maze of stems below, and carry it out with a different type of Pikmin. Then the electric gate can be bypassed with the same method for the Astringent Clump.
  •  Cupid's Grenade (Distant Tundra, near the iron ball): This fruit is in a section of the area blocked by an electric gate, which can be bypassed with the same method for the Astringent Clump.
  •  Dusk Pustules (Distant Tundra): This fruit is in a cave blocked by an electric gate far away. But by going out of bounds to get to the Vehemoth Phosbat's arena without Yellow Pikmin, it is possible to collect this fruit.
  •  Dusk Pustules (Garden of Hope): This fruit is in a cave blocked by an electric gate. However, there is a glitch that allows the gate to be bypassed.
  •  Heroine's Tear: This fruit is in a cave blocked by an electric gate far away. But by going out of bounds to get to the Vehemoth Phosbat's arena without Yellow Pikmin, it is possible to collect this fruit.
  •  Juicy Gaggle (Tropical Wilds): A Bouncy Mushroom that can only be reached with Yellow Pikmin must be used to access the cave with this fruit by normal means, however, an exploit can also be used.
  •  Stellar Extrusion (Garden of Hope): Same method as the Dusk Pustules in the Garden of Hope.
  •  Velvety Dreamdrop (Distant Tundra): This fruit is in a section of the area blocked by an electric gate, which can be bypassed with the same method for the Astringent Clump.
• Enemies
  •  Vehemoth Phosbat: This boss can only be harmed normally by lighting up the room, which can only be done with Yellow Pikmin. However, with perseverance, it's possible to defeat it with any Pikmin type, given that it becomes temporarily vulnerable when it uses its sucking attack.

Recommended uses

Although not mandatory, Yellow Pikmin are important in the completion of the following tasks.

• Fruits
  •  Citrus Lump (Distant Tundra, buried): This fruit is near a Bearded Amprat, and defeating the enemy first is recommended; plus Yellow Pikmin dig faster.
  •  Disguised Delicacy (Tropical Wilds): This fruit is inside a Shaggy Long Legs, and half of its arena is closed off by an electric gate. While it is possible to defeat it while staying in the second half, it is much faster to use both halves.
  •  Stellar Extrusion (Tropical Wilds): This fruit is so high up that Pikmin must be thrown at it from a ledge that requires a Yellow Pikmin seesaw block puzzle to get to. Alternatively, it can be accessed by manipulating the camera and sending Winged Pikmin to charge at it.
  •  Tremendous Sniffer: This fruit is blocked by a reinforced wall, and the bomb rocks in this area are easiest to get with Yellow Pikmin.
• Enemies
  •  Bearded Amprat: This creature can emit electricity and stun all non-Yellow Pikmin.

In Pikmin 4

Discovery

In Pikmin 4, Yellow Pikmin can be first discovered in the Sun-Speckled Terrace, typically first in the Crackling Cauldron, but they can also be found in the Industrial Maze. Alternatively, collecting the Yellow Onion will cause the Master Onion to produce a Yellow seed. They are typically the third type discovered, after Ice Pikmin. Their introductory cutscene has the Yellow Pikmin leap high in the air with crackles of electricity zapping out of their body, demonstrating their higher throwing range and immunity to electricity.

In Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, there are Yellow Onions in the Sun-Speckled Terrace and the Blossoming Arcadia, which are the only ways to unlock Yellow Pikmin.

Required uses

• Trial of the Sage Leaf
  • 3rd Story: Dig Deep: There's a Wayward Moon that requires 50 Pikmin, Oatchi can't reach it, and the maximum non-Yellow Pikmin in the stage is 30 (31 with Extra Hand).

Recommended uses

Although not mandatory, Yellow Pikmin are important in the completion of the following tasks.

• Treasures
  •  Aspiration-Ritual Ball: The treasure can be reached by Yellow Pikmin. However, it can also be reached by Winged Pikmin or by being knocked down by Oatchi's rush.
  •  Blonde Impostor (Secluded Courtyard): The treasure is on an Arachnode web, unreachable to every other Pikmin type unless the player stands on the edge of the plant pot, as it is possible to reach the web from there. Winged Pikmin can also grab it.
  •  Cookie of Nibbled Circles: The treasure is intended to be reached by Yellow Pikmin, and Oatchi can't rush it. However, the player can stand on the sizzling floor, which raises their height slightly, then repeatedly throw other Pikmin to push them on top of the ledge. Motion controls make this easier, as the Pikmin can be thrown farther. Alternatively, the player can use a Glowmob or use Winged Pikmin.
  •  Daughter Doll Head: Yellow Pikmin can be thrown onto the platform where the treasure is, but Oatchi can also rush twice to get it down.
  •  Disguised Delicacy (Secluded Courtyard): The treasure is guarded by an Anode Dweevil.
  •  Disk of Sorrowful Wisdom (Plunder Palace): The treasure is guarded by 2 Bearded Amprats.
  •  Dusty Bed: The treasure is found hanging off the ceiling. While every Pikmin type can bring it down if thrown by a ledge, Yellow Pikmin allow to bring it down without walking up the pathway to the next sublevel entrance (which is blocked off by an electric gate, making Yellow Pikmin even more useful grabbing this treasure).
  •  Floral Instigator: To ensure the safe transportation of the treasure back, the nearby Bearded Amprat should be defeated.
  •  Lamp of Inspiration: The treasure can be reached by Yellow Pikmin, however it can also be reached with a precision throw (of which motion controls makes easier) or knocked down by Oatchi's rush.
  •  Masterpiece Plank: The treasure can only be reached by Yellow Pikmin. However, it can be knocked down by Oatchi's rush.
  •  Mechanical Harp (Memory Song): The treasure is too high for normal Pikmin to reach and can't be knocked down by Oatchi's rush, however it is possible to reach by rapidly throwing Pikmin causing them to push each other upwards and into the ledge. Running into the dirt terrain next to this ledge and using motion controls to throw the Pikmin make this trick easier, as idle Pikmin on top of this dirt will walk over to the treasure as long as they are level with the ledge.
  •  Memory Fragment (Top...Probably?): The treasure can only be reached by Yellow Pikmin. However, it can be knocked down by Oatchi's rush.
  •  Mooching Vase: The treasure is too high for normal Pikmin to reach and due to it being fully buried, Winged Pikmin can't be charged at it and Oatchi can't knock it down. However, it is able to unearthed with bomb rocks, allowing Oatc