Gate

Gates (also called walls) are obstacles in all Pikmin games that block paths to other sections of an area. There are several different types of gate in each game, which require different methods to overcome. They serve to either make the player wait before being able to access part of an area (encouraging multitasking), to prevent access to part of an area before unlocking a certain Pikmin type, or to force the player to consider strategy and Pikmin management as they explore an area.

Bramble gate


Bramble gates are the most basic type of gate in and. Any Pikmin type can damage a bramble gate. They come in white and black colors, with black gates having more health than white gates. Some bramble gates in Pikmin 2 have poisonous gas pipes inside them and can only be destroyed by White Pikmin as a result.

Dirt wall


Dirt walls are sandcastle-like gates found in, , and. They are the most basic type of gate in these games. These types of gates can be destroyed by any Pikmin type, and as they are damaged, parts of the gate will fall away until they are completely destroyed.

Reinforced wall


Reinforced walls are gates that can only be destroyed with bomb rocks. Pikmin cannot break these walls on their own. The number of bomb rock explosions needed to destroy a reinforced wall varies by game.

Electric gate


Electric gates carry an electrical current. As such, Pikmin that are not Yellow Pikmin cannot touch them, under the risk of death (Pikmin 2), temporary paralysis (Pikmin 3), or a combination of both (Pikmin 4). Other than that, they can be taken down just like any other type of gate.

Crystal wall


Crystal walls are gates in Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4 that require Rock Pikmin to break. They are made of a sheet of glass-like crystal between two metal clamps.

Ice wall


Ice walls are gates in Pikmin 4 that are made of an icy material. Only Ice Pikmin can destroy these gates without getting frozen.

Bamboo gate


Bamboo gates are gates made out of bamboo sticks, and are found only in Pikmin 3. They require Winged Pikmin to open, but unlike other gates, they cannot be opened permanently. They require 10 Winged Pikmin to be holding up the gate to allow passage underneath, and when those Pikmin are whistled off, the bamboo sticks will fall, closing the gate.

Numbered gate


Numbered gates are gates that open once a certain number of nearby objectives have been cleared. These objectives are most often defeating nearby enemies. They are made of metal and have a dot-matrix display on the side for showing a 2-digit number. This number counts down as those objectives are met, and once it reaches 0, the gate opens by lowering into the ground.

Switch gate


Switch gates are gates in Pikmin 4 that can be either raised (blocking a path) or lowered (allowing passage), and are toggled with switches. There are three types: white gates can be lowered with single-button switches and cannot be raised afterwards, and red gates and blue gates can be toggled between their raised and lowered states with 2-button switches.

Brick wall
Brick walls are rare walls in Pikmin 3 that are destroyed by pushing iron balls down a slope. They cannot be locked-on to, as there is no other way to destroy them. There are two in Story Mode, both in the Distant Tundra:
 * One at the exit of the cave where Brittany lands upon first arriving in the Distant Tundra. This wall must be destroyed to exit the cave and start the day properly, without the use of glitches.
 * One in the northern section of the main area with the geysers and Arctic Cannon Larvae. Destroying the wall gives access to the large cave system where the Vehemoth Phosbat is found. Two leaders must be used to access the ledge where the iron ball can be pushed down from, restricting access to the cave until Alph and Brittany are reunited.

Minor glitch


In the first two games, a visual glitch that occurs with certain gates allows them to remain visible underground when parts are submerged. Once the entire gate has been torn down, everything appears normal again. This is best seen underground in Pikmin 2, and in The Forest Navel in Pikmin. In the latter case, it is a simple black gate near a Fiery Blowhog and a Pellet Posy growing in a pool.

Trivia

 * In Pikmin 3, Pikmin that are thrown and touch a destroyed gate will perform a celebratory flip and cheer. It is unknown whether this is an oversight or on purpose.
 * While bramble gates do not appear in Pikmin 3 as dirt walls replace them, one can be seen in concept art for Tropical Forest, suggesting they were originally planned to return.