Cryptic Cavern

Cryptic Cavern is the eleventh level in Challenge Mode. There are 5 sublevels, each with one enemy in the same basic layout.

Sublevel 1

 * Theme: Soil
 * Music: Toy
 * Time: 50 (100 seconds)
 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 5 (flower)
 * &times; 5 (flower)
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 1 (fully buried)
 * &times; 1 (inside Doodlebug)
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * None
 * Vegetation:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None

The Doodlebug is hidden in the middle of the second room; it may be poisonous, but is very easy to beat. As soon as it takes a hit from the top, it'll disappear. Grab The Key and hurry to the next level. If it re-hides before you get The Key, search around the middle of the level, particularly closer to the research pod; you should find it again.


 * For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 2

 * Theme: Soil
 * Music: Soil 1
 * Time: +75 (+150 seconds)
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 1 (fully buried)
 * &times; 1 (inside Watery Blowhog)
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * None
 * Vegetation:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None

A Watery Blowhog. Kill it quickly, grab The Key, and off to the hole.


 * For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 3

 * Theme: Soil
 * Music: Concrete 2
 * Time: +65 (+130 seconds)
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 1 (fully buried)
 * &times; 1 (inside Anode Dweevil)
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * None
 * Vegetation:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None

An Anode Dweevil. This can be defeated relatively easily with leaders, is hard to hit with Pikmin, and kills them instantly if it attacks, so attacking with leaders is often the safer option.


 * For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 4

 * Theme: Soil
 * Music: Soil 2
 * Time: +40 (+80 seconds)
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 1 (inside Fiery Bulblax)
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * None
 * Vegetation:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None

A Fiery Bulblax. Take the 5 Red Pikmin and use both kind of sprays, or else you are almost guaranteed to lose Pikmin. You will make it just before the Bulblax turns normal. After its defeat, advance to the last sublevel. There are no buried treasures to look for.


 * For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 5

 * Theme: Soil
 * Music: Concrete 3
 * Time: +70 (+140 seconds)
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 1 (inside Burrowing Snagret)
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * None
 * Vegetation:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None

A Burrowing Snagret resides here in the last sublevel. Use all the sprays you have left. Always aim for the head, its weak point. When it buries itself in the ground, wait for it to get stuck on emerging, so you have time to aim at the head. When its head is being attacked by a number of Pikmin, the creature will stop attacking to retreat.


 * For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.