50 Pikmin challenge

A 50 Pikmin challenge is a playthrough of Pikmin with only 50 Pikmin, the minimum possible number. Like the 6 day run or the zero death challenge, it is recommended that players have completed the game at least once before attempting, due to its challenging nature.

The Gluon Drive requires the most Pikmin to carry – a minimum of 50 Pikmin. This means that the main game is entirely beatable with only 50 Pikmin ever being sprouted. The minimum amount of time this has ever been completed is in 8 days. This was done by using a combination of tricks to collect the Positron Generator on day 2. That enabled the growth of Red Pikmin in preparation for day 3, in which The Forest of Hope was fully completed in 1 day. The 9 day challenge is far more common due to its relative ease compared to the 8 day run. If the player wishes to only collect the 25 required ship parts, 50 Pikmin are still required but the player must wait out all 30 days for the game to end. Due to the Secret Safe weighing 85 on the Japanese version, this challenge does not apply for that game version.

Day 1 - The Impact Site

 * Discover Red Pikmin and sprout 25 of them, allowing them to blossom before they are plucked.
 * Collect the Main Engine.

Pikmin count: 25
 * 25 Reds
 * 0 Yellows
 * 0 Blues

Day 2 - The Forest of Hope

 * Discover Yellow Pikmin and sprout 10 of them.
 * Collect the Shock Absorber.
 * Collect the Nova Blaster.
 * Collect the Extraordinary Bolt.
 * Collect the Whimsical Radar.

Pikmin count: 35
 * 25 Reds
 * 10 Yellows
 * 0 Blues

Day 3 - The Forest Navel

 * Collect the Gravity Jumper.
 * Kill the Puffstool and Beady Long Legs.
 * Kill the Breadbug and collect the Space Float.
 * Discover Blue Pikmin and sprout 15 of them.
 * Collect the Automatic Gear.
 * Collect the #1 Ionium Jet.

Pikmin count: 50
 * 25 Reds
 * 10 Yellows
 * 15 Blues

Day 4 - The Forest of Hope

 * Collect the Geiger Counter.
 * Collect the Eternal Fuel Dynamo.
 * Collect the Radiation Canopy.
 * Collect the Sagittarius.

Pikmin count: 50
 * 25 Reds
 * 10 Yellows
 * 15 Blues

Day 5 - The Distant Spring

 * Kill the two Swooping Snitchbugs and the Armored Cannon Beetle.
 * Collect the UV Lamp.
 * Using the Lapis Lazuli Candypop Buds, convert 24 Red and 1 Yellow Pikmin into Blue Pikmin.
 * Collect the Chronos Reactor.
 * Collect the #2 Ionium Jet.
 * Collect the Repair-type Bolt.

Pikmin count: 50
 * 1 Reds
 * 9 Yellows
 * 40 Blues

Day 6 - The Impact Site

 * Collect the Positron Generator.
 * Blossom any leaf or bud Pikmin using nectar.

Pikmin count: 50
 * 1 Reds
 * 9 Yellows
 * 40 Blues

Day 7 - The Distant Spring

 * Collect the Interstellar Radio.
 * Collect the Pilot's Seat.
 * Collect the Bowsprit.
 * Collect the Zirconium Rotor.
 * Collect the Gluon Drive.
 * Collect the Massage Machine.

Pikmin count: 50
 * 1 Reds
 * 9 Yellows
 * 40 Blues

Day 8 - The Forest Navel

 * Using the 40 Blue Pikmin, bring the Anti-Dioxin Filter out of the water.
 * Using the Golden Candypop Buds, convert 6 Blue Pikmin into Yellow Pikmin.
 * Using Blue Pikmin, break the geyser near the Libra and bring the Analog Computer out of the water.
 * Using the Crimson Candypop Buds, convert 14 Yellow and 33 Blue Pikmin into Red Pikmin.
 * Collect the Analog Computer.
 * Collect the Libra.
 * Collect the Omega Stabilizer.
 * Collect the Guard Satellite.
 * Collect the Anti-Dioxin Filter.

Pikmin count: 50
 * 48 Reds
 * 1 Yellows
 * 1 Blues

Day 9 - The Final Trial

 * Using the Golden Candypop Buds, convert 2 Red Pikmin into Yellow Pikmin (for faster bomb-rock collection).
 * Defeat the Emperor Bulblax.
 * Collect the Secret Safe.

Pikmin count: 50
 * 46 Reds
 * 3 Yellows
 * 1 Blues