Pikmin family: Difference between revisions

Pikmin are created by [[Onion]]s, which produce them as seeds which fall to the ground and become sprouts. The player can then get a [[leader]] to [[pluck]] one of these sprouts. Once plucked, Pikmin follow a leader around the [[area]] in a group, and the leader can [[throw]] them at objects, as well as [[dismiss]], [[swarm]], and [[charge]] them. When out of a leader's group, they can be [[whistle]]d back into it. Through these basic actions, Pikmin can be ordered to [[carry]] items or [[Combat|fight]] enemies, among other abilities.

Pikmin come in several different types, each with unique physical attributes and abilities. The differences between Pikmin types is often utilized in puzzles. As the player progresses through the [[Story Mode|story]], more types will be unlocked, which over time allow the player to access more sections of [[area]]s. While the Pikmin types available in each game are different, every game features the original trio of Red Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin, and Blue Pikmin.

'''Bulbmin''' are a special species of Pikmin shaped like a [[Dwarf Bulborb]] with a stem, and are present in ''Pikmin 2'' only. They are resistant to [[fire]], [[water]], [[electricity]], and [[poison]], but cannot be taken out of [[cave]]s, which are the only places they are found. They are actually a parasite that takes over a juvenile [[Bulborb]]; the appearance of the parasite on its own is not known.

The internal structures of Pikmin are a mystery, but certain things about them can be speculated. Since Pikmin never seem to eat anything, save [[nectar]], they probably have a very simple digestive system, if any. As such, it is likely that Pikmin get a majority of their nutrients from food the [[Onion]]s break down. Since the Onions are the center of Pikmin reproduction as well, it seems likely that Pikmin are incapable of sexual reproduction. However, in ''Pikmin'' flowering Pikmin will sometimes drop seeds when slain in battle, suggesting that they may be able to reproduce asexually, but also that they do not have defined sexes and are hermaphrodites like many plants. Pikmin also have a skeletal system, as seen when [[electricity|electrocuted]]. Pikmin probably don't have any sort of lungs (however, the [[Blue Pikmin]] are observed to have gill structures), but their leaves, buds, and flowers appear to serve as their main means of respiration, since poison gas or water droplets collecting around them suffocates the Pikmin; inversely, walking in shallow water in which their leaf/bud/flower does not touch (as seen in the [[Shower Room]]) is fine. When killed, Pikmin disappear and a [[soul]] flies into the air, sometimes after releasing a liquid of the same color as the Pikmin, possibly the Pikmin equivalent to hemolymph or blood – this is best seen when the [[Cloaking Burrow-nit]] attacks.

In ''Pikmin'', if Pikmin are told to go in an [[Onion]], they will follow a path to go there if they cannot make it in a straight line.{{cite youtube|ZCpTrUeE9SU|showing the Pikmin following a path in order to enter the Onion}} This behavior is rarely seen, given that the [[area]] layouts seldom allow Pikmin to be unable to enter the Onion from a straight walk while also being under the control of a leader that is close enough to the Onion's beam. This does not happen in ''Pikmin 3'', as Pikmin will always run in a straight line towards the Onion. It is currently unknown if Pikmin exhibit this behavior in ''Pikmin 2''.

The word Pikmin is presumably derived from the word "pick", since Pikmin are plucked from the ground. The in-universe reason for the name is that [[Captain Olimar]] named the Pikmin after a type of vegetable from [[Hocotate]], the [[pikpik carrot]]. The word "Pikmin" is never written with a lowercase "P", and the plural is also "Pikmin".

*Despite their flowers being indigo in-game, the flowers of Winged and Rock Pikmin are blue in some [[Pikmin 3 prerelease information|early]] concept art.