Area Hints (Exploration Notes)

Area Hints is a category from the Exploration Notes menu in. It holds ten Data Files with special tips for each area of PNF-404. The files are written from Captain Olimar's point of view, and are scattered around the map and sometimes hidden. For each area in the game, there are two Area Hint Data Files to go with it.

All of these have the text "– Captain Olimar" on a stripe at the bottom.

In this article, unless otherwise specified, the text provided is the same in both the US and European versions.

With one more person...

 * US text: "We're picking up a strong signal, but we can't seem to actually reach it. If we had a third party, we might be able to, but I just got an out-of-office message from the boss. He probably doesn't get much reception at the beach. We're kind of on a beach, too... but it's not quite the same."
 * Europe text: "We're picking up a strong signal, but we can't seem to actually reach it. If we had a third party, we might be able to but I just got an out of office message from the boss. He probably doesn't get much reception at the beach. We're kind of on a beach, too... But it's not quite the same."
 * Area: Tropical Wilds
 * Location: In the area with the Swooping Snitchbug and the Dapper Blob, on a little cliff.

The cliff-top mystery
"The clifftop mystery" in the European version.
 * US text: "What a superb view! Hm...what is that over there? I need to get a closer look. Those Yellow Pikmin seem to be good at accessing those hard-to-reach places..."
 * Europe text: "What a superb view! Hmm... What is that over there? Maybe I could find a way to get a closer look. Yellow Pikmin seem to be good at reaching high places..."
 * Area: Tropical Wilds
 * Location: On top of the tree stump with an Armored Cannon Larva nearby. It is on the path that three leaders need to be thrown to.

With three of us...

 * US text: "Quite the discovery! If only I had a little more help other than Louie to get this mechanism going! I really wish the boss would answer us. Just because he's the president of Hocotate Freight doesn't mean he can just be on vacation all the time! Or is that exactly what it means?"
 * Europe text: "Quite the discovery! If only I had a little more help other than Louie to get this mechanism going! I really wish the boss would answer us. Just because he's the president of Hocotate Freight doesn't mean he can just be on holiday all the time! Or is that exactly what it means?"
 * Area: Garden of Hope
 * Location: In the area with the Astringent Clump and the Zest Bomb, involving some elevator platforms. The file is past the electric gate.

A legacy of the past

 * US text: "We discovered the remains of what appears to be an underwater structure. Perhaps we can restore it so that we may cross to the opposite shore. Louie is here, but we would still need someone else's help to do this..."
 * Europe text: "We discovered the remains of what appears to be an underwater structure. Perhaps we can restore it so that we may cross to the opposite shore. Although Louie is here, we would still need someone else to help us..."
 * Area: Garden of Hope
 * Pikmin 3 location: After Louie escapes, it can be found in the opposite direction to the Blue Onion. It is on a buried pot next to a Flukeweed.
 * Pikmin 3 Deluxe location: After Louie escapes, it can be found in the opposite direction to the Blue Onion. It is next to the bridge fragments.

To the survivors

 * US text: "Looks like someone took a tumble here in the fresh snow... Perhaps someone else is stranded here! If anyone is reading this, there are several electrical contraptions in this area. I've buried something here in the snow. Hopefully it's useful!"
 * Europe text: "I found someone's shape in the snow. Perhaps someone else is stranded here as well. This area can be difficult to navigate with all of these electrical contraptions around. I'll bury this nearby just in case they swing back this way."
 * Area: Distant Tundra
 * Location: Near Charlie's crash site, which is the opposite direction of the Vehemoth Phosbat's arena.

Parting gift

 * US text: "We've found a snow sculpture in this frozen tundra. It looks like the face of a middle-aged man&mdash;one that I know all too well. The more I look at it, the more I think it looks like the president of Hocotate Freight. Especially that nose..."
 * Europe text: "We've found a snow sculpture in this frozen tundra. It looks like the face of a middle-aged man, one that I know all too well. The more I look at it, the more I think it looks like the president of Hocotate Freight. Especially that nose..."
 * Area: Distant Tundra
 * Location: Near the Arctic Cannon Larva on the highest portion of the hill.

To future visitors

 * Pikmin 3 US text: "I consider myself to be a hardened veteran of planetary exploration now. With so many battles under my spacebelt, I no longer have need for this little item. I've since buried it nearby. Hopefully someone will be able to get use out of it."
 * Pikmin 3 Europe text: "I consider myself to be a hardened veteran of planetary exploration now. With so many battles under my spacebelt, I no longer have need for this little item. Hopefully someone will be able to get use out of it."
 * Pikmin 3 Deluxe text: "I consider myself to be a hardened veteran of planetary exploration now. With so many battles under my spacebelt, I no longer have need for this little item. I've since buried it nearby. Hopefully someone will be able to get use out of it."
 * Area: Twilight River
 * Pikmin 3 location: Right outside of the Burrowing Snagret's arena, and below the ledge on which the Blonde Impostor is located. It is in the very end of the left side of the river in the second area.
 * Pikmin 3 Deluxe location: On the floor under the location of the Scorch Guard.

Great partner

 * US text: "It seems like two people working together could use this mushroom to reach the other side. But for some reason, Louie and I just can't get our acts together. I wish I had a more reliable partner. Sigh... I wonder how my wife is doing back on Hocotate."
 * Europe text: "It seems like two people working together could use this mushroom to reach the other side. But for some reason Louie and I just can't get our acts together. I wish I had a more reliable partner... Sigh... I wonder how my wife is doing back on Hocotate?"
 * Area: Twilight River
 * Location: Right outside the Burrowing Snagret's arena, near a Lilly Pad and an electric gate.

Shortcut

 * Text: "If I can break down this wall, I'll be able to cut through this labyrinth and save myself some time. I wonder if there are any Bomb Rocks around..."
 * Area: Formidable Oak
 * Location: Behind the Reinforced Wall at the beginning of the cave. It can be accessed by turning north after building the red bridge.

Closed Path
"A not unknown path" in the European version.
 * Text: "In a dark place where I could barely see my own feet, I discovered a familiar plant. If I recall correctly, they're called Bloominous Stemples, and they bloom under a strong light. Is there anything nearby capable of generating such a light?"
 * Area: Formidable Oak
 * Location: Right near the Bloominous Stemples in the cave after the first Arachnode.