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Controls

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This article is about controls of the Pikmin games. For the data file category, see Controls (Exploration Notes).

The Pikmin games have a variety of controls used to control the game's menus, leaders, camera and gameplay mechanics. These controls come in the form of button presses and releases, analog stick tilts, Wii Remote pointer movements and touchscreen touches.

In-game controls

The following is a list of controls for when the player is controlling a leader on an area or cave, for each game.

Pikmin

The first title in the franchise is played on the GameCube, and hence, with the GameCube controller. The New Play Control! Pikmin version is played using the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk, and most button inputs are edited accordingly. In the Nintendo Switch port, the controls are more faithful to the GameCube version than New Play Control! Pikmin, though the inputs themselves are very similar to Pikmin 3 Deluxe.

Action GameCube Wii Switch Notes
Move GCN Stick.png
fully held
Nunchuck Annalogstick.png Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
fully held
Move cursor – main GCN Stick.png
lightly or fully held
Wiimote Icon.png Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
lightly or fully held
Move cursor – alternate N/A N/A Move the right Joy-Con / Move the Pro Controller
Reset cursor N/A N/A Icon for the Left Stick click on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Hold and throw Pikmin GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Pressing holds a Pikmin, releasing throws it.
Release held Pikmin N/A N/A Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. + Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Whistle GCN B.png Wiimote B.png Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Holding it down longer increases the range.
Swarm GCN C.png Wiimote Dpad down.png Icon for the L button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. + Icon for the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. On the GameCube and Nintendo Switch, the stick determines swarm direction and distance. On the Wii, Pikmin go in the direction and distance of the cursor when the button is held.
Dismiss GCN X.png Nunchuck C.png Icon for the X Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Swap Pikmin type N/A Wiimote B.png Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. While holding a Pikmin, swaps it for one of a different type.
Swap Pikmin maturity N/A Wiimote Dpad down.png Icon for the X Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. When holding a Pikmin, swap it for one of a different maturity in the same type. Also causes the swarm effect on the cursor, but the group does not move.
Pluck sprout GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Punch GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only when not commanding Pikmin.
Lie down GCN Dpaddown.png Wiimote 2.png Icon for the Right Stick click on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only after day 1.
Face camera forward GCN L.png
tapped
Nunchuk Z.png
tapped
Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Tapping the button makes the camera face towards the cursor on the GameCube, but towards where the leader is facing on the Wii and Nintendo Switch.
Rotate camera GCN L.png
lightly or fully held
Nunchuk Z.png
held
Icon for left and right on the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. On the GameCube and Wii, the player can press the button and use GCN Stick.png / Nunchuck Annalogstick.png to rotate the camera sideways.
Change camera's distance GCN R.png Wiimote Dpad leftright.png Icon for the ZR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Change camera's vertical angle GCN Z.png Wiimote Dpad up.png Icon for up and down on the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Open Onion menu GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. When below an Onion's beam.
Olimar's monitor GCN Y.png Wiimote Plus.png Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch.
Pause/resume GCN Start.png Wiimote Minus.png Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch.

Pikmin 2

The sequel retains many of the controls from the first game, but with some additions and changes. Like the first game, the original GameCube version is played using a GameCube controller, the New Play Control! Pikmin 2 version is played with the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk, and the Nintendo Switch version uses a control scheme similar to Pikmin 3 Deluxe.

Action GameCube Wii Switch Notes
Move GCN Stick.png
fully held
Nunchuck Annalogstick.png Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
fully held
Move cursor – main GCN Stick.png
lightly or fully held
Wiimote Icon.png Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
lightly or fully held
Move cursor – alternate N/A N/A Move the right Joy-Con / Move the Pro Controller
Reset cursor N/A N/A Icon for the Right Stick click on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Hold and throw Pikmin GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Pressing holds a Pikmin, releasing throws it.
Release held Pikmin N/A N/A Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. + Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Whistle GCN B.png Wiimote B.png Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Holding it down longer increases the range.
Swarm GCN C.png Wiimote Dpad down.png Icon for the L button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. + Icon for the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. On the GameCube and Nintendo Switch, the stick determines swarm direction and distance. On the Wii, Pikmin go in the direction and distance of the cursor when the button is held.
Dismiss GCN X.png
tapped
Nunchuck C.png
tapped
Icon for the X Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Swap Pikmin type GCN Dpadleftright.png Wiimote B.png Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. While holding a Pikmin, swaps it for one of a different type.
Swap Pikmin maturity GCN Dpadupdown.png Wiimote Dpad down.png Icon for the X Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. When holding a Pikmin, swap it for one of a different maturity in the same type.
Switch leaders GCN Y.png Wiimote Minus.png Icon for the Y Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only if the other leader is not in the active one's group.
Pluck sprout GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Punch GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only when not commanding Pikmin.
Lie down GCN X.png
held
Nunchuck C.png
held
Icon for the Right Stick click on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only if the Napsack has been obtained.
Use ultra-bitter spray GCN Dpadup.png Wiimote 1.png Icon for the up Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Not possible when holding a Pikmin.
Use ultra-spicy spray GCN Dpaddown.png Wiimote 2.png Icon for the down Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Not possible when holding a Pikmin.
Face camera forward GCN L.png
tapped
Nunchuk Z.png
tapped
Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Tapping the button makes the camera face towards the cursor on the GameCube, but towards where the leader is facing on the Wii.
Rotate camera GCN L.png
lightly or fully held
Nunchuk Z.png
held
Icon for left and right on the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. On the GameCube and Wii, the player can press the button and use GCN Stick.png / Nunchuck Annalogstick.png to rotate the camera sideways.
Change camera's distance GCN R.png
tapped
Wiimote Dpad leftright.png
tapped
Icon for the ZR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Camera ground-level angle GCN R.png
held
Wiimote Dpad leftright.png
held
Icon for the ZR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
held
Change camera's vertical angle GCN Z.png Wiimote Dpad up.png Icon for up and down on the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Open Onion menu GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. When below an Onion's beam or the Hocotate ship's beam.
Pause/resume GCN Start.png Wiimote Minus.png Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch.
Check controls N/A N/A Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch.

Pikmin 3

Pikmin 3 allows for four ways to control the game. The player can use the the GamePad's buttons, the Wii Remote + Nunchuk, the Wii U Pro Controller, or, as of version 2.0.0, the GamePad's touchscreen; the latter is known as "Stylus Mode". The Wii Classic Controller is not supported. When the player uses a control from a controller different from the one they're currently using, a message will appear on-screen saying the main controller has changed, and the player is then allowed to use that controller from there on out. The exception to this is WiiU Minus.png.

In addition, the player can toggle Off-TV Play with WiiU Minus.png. While Off-TV Play mode is on, the TV screen will display some Pikmin moving from right to left on a black screen, with the message "Look at the GamePad." on the bottom. Given that with Off-TV Play off, the player uses the TV screen as the main gameplay view-port and the GamePad as the radar, the player will need to use WiiU Paddown.png to toggle between gameplay view and radar view, if Off-TV Play is on.

If the player wishes to play with the Wii Remote and Off-TV Play, they must point the Wii Remote at the GamePad, as opposed to the Sensor Bar.

Controllers

Action GamePad Wii Remote Pro Controller Notes
Move WiiU LStick.png
fully held
Nunchuck Annalogstick.png WiiU LStick.png
fully held
When playing with the Wii Remote, the camera will automatically rotate to make it easier to navigate.
Move cursor WiiU LStick.png
lightly or fully held
Wiimote Icon.png WiiU LStick.png
lightly or fully held
Hold and throw Pikmin/leader WiiU A.png / WiiU X.png Wiimote A.png WiiU A.png / WiiU X.png Pressing holds a Pikmin, releasing throws it.
Whistle WiiU ZR.png Wiimote B.png WiiUPC ZR.png Holding it down longer increases the range.
Lock-on WiiU ZL.png
held for a bit
Nunchuk Z.png
held for a bit
WiiUPC ZL.png
held for a bit
Only if the cursor is on a target. The player only needs to hold on for the time it takes the lock-on to activate.
Charge/dismiss WiiU B.png / GamePad shake.png Nunchuk shake.png WiiU B.png While locked-on, charges, otherwise dismisses.
Change next Pikmin type WiiU L.png Nunchuck C.png WiiUPC L.png
Switch leader WiiU Y.png Wiimote Minus.png WiiU Y.png Only if the other leader is not in the active one's group.
Pluck sprout WiiU A.png / WiiU X.png Wiimote A.png WiiU A.png / WiiU X.png
Punch WiiU A.png / WiiU X.png Wiimote A.png WiiU A.png / WiiU X.png Only when not commanding Pikmin and near a punchable target.
Use ultra-spicy spray WiiU Padup.png Wiimote Dpad up.png WiiU Padup.png
Dodge WiiU Padleftright.png Wiimote Dpad leftright.png WiiU Padleftright.png Only if the Dodge Whistle has been obtained.
Face camera towards cursor WiiU ZL.png
tapped
Nunchuk Z.png
tapped
WiiUPC ZL.png
tapped
Only if the cursor is not on a target.
Rotate camera WiiU RStick.png N/A WiiU RStick.png
Hold cursor WiiU ZL.png
held
N/A WiiUPC ZL.png
held
Allows moving the leader without moving the cursor. If locked-on, places the cursor on the object and keeps it there, otherwise fixes the cursor on the spot.
Reset cursor on top of leader WiiU LStickclick.png N/A WiiU LStickclick.png
Open Onion menu WiiU A.png / WiiU X.png Wiimote A.png WiiU A.png / WiiU X.png When below an Onion's beam.
Cancel pluck/Go Here! WiiU ZR.png Wiimote B.png WiiUPC ZR.png
Toggle radar WiiU Paddown.png Wiimote Dpad down.png WiiU Paddown.png Only if Off-TV Play is on. The gameplay is instantly paused when switching to the radar.
Pause/resume WiiU Plus.png Wiimote Plus.png WiiU Plus.png
Skip cutscene WiiU Plus.png Wiimote Plus.png WiiU Plus.png Certain cutscenes cannot be skipped.
Use Bingo Battle item WiiU Paddown.png Wiimote Dpad down.png WiiU Paddown.png
Toggle Off-TV Play WiiU Minus.png N/A N/A

Stylus Mode

With Stylus Mode, the player does the majority of the important actions by pressing on the touchscreen. In this mode, the controls are exactly the same whether Off-TV Play is on or off, and the same touchscreen spot maps to exactly the same game world location in both cases. To use an ultra-spicy spray, dismiss/charge, open the KopPad's apps, or switch leaders, the corresponding buttons on the left side of the touchscreen must be tapped.

Action GamePad Notes
Move WiiU LStick.png The camera will automatically rotate to make it easier to navigate.
Move cursor WiiU Stylus.png
tapped or held
Hold and throw Pikmin/leader WiiU Stylus.png Pressing holds a Pikmin, releasing throws it.
Whistle WiiU L.png + WiiU Stylus.png
both held
Holding it down longer increases the range.
Lock-on WiiU ZL.png
held
Only if the cursor is on a target. The player only needs to hold on for the time it takes the lock-on to activate.
Charge/dismiss WiiU Stylus.png
tapped on icon
While locked-on, charges, otherwise dismisses.
Change next Pikmin type WiiU L.png / WiiU Padup.png
tapped
Won't take effect if the player whistled after pressing.
Switch leader WiiU Stylus.png tapped on icon / WiiU Paddown.png
Pluck sprout WiiU L.png
released
Won't take effect if the player whistled after pressing.
Punch WiiU L.png
released
Only when not commanding Pikmin and near a punchable target. Won't take effect if the player whistled after pressing.
Use ultra-spicy spray WiiU Stylus.png
tapped on icon
Dodge WiiU Padleftright.png Only if the Dodge Whistle has been obtained.
Face camera towards leader's direction WiiU ZL.png
tapped
Rotate camera WiiU Stylus.png held on border / WiiU RStick.png
Open Onion menu WiiU L.png
released
Won't take effect if the player whistled after pressing.
Cancel pluck/Go Here! WiiU ZL.png
Pause/resume WiiU Plus.png
Skip cutscene WiiU Plus.png Certain cutscenes cannot be skipped.
Toggle Off-TV Play WiiU Minus.png

Pikmin 3 Deluxe

Pikmin 3 Deluxe changes many of the controls from Pikmin 3 due to factors like the differences between the Wii U and Nintendo Switch (such as the lack of a second screen), changes to mechanics such as charging, and utilization of the Switch's gyroscope.

The available control schemes depend on the amount of players.

  • In single-player, the player can use one of the following: 2 combined Joy-Con attached to the console, 2 combined Joy-Con detached from the console, or a Pro Controller.
  • In 2-player, each player can use one of the following: 2 combined Joy-Con detached from the console, a Pro Controller, or a single Joy-Con sideways.

The game features three cursor control styles: stick-only, gyro-stick, and gyro-pointer. These control modes are set in the pause menu.

  • With stick-only controls, moving Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. lightly controls the cursor, and moving fully controls both the leader and cursor. By tilting the stick lightly, the cursor can go past its standard range; when it does, it turns cyan. Pikmin can be thrown farther than normal this way, but only roughly until the midway point between the maximum standard range and the maximum "light tilt" range. The whistle always comes from where the cursor is. Moving the stick fully if the cursor was past the standard range will return it to standard range. In this mode, rotating the camera will keep the cursor in place. Unlike Pikmin 3, the cursor is based on the area's geometry. For instance, if the player is overlooking a cliff and has the cursor on the edge, holding up will make the cursor move forward in the area and dip down the edge, despite the fact that doing this moved the cursor down on the screen.
  • With gyro-stick controls, Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. controls the leader when fully held, but also controls the cursor regardless of how much it is tilted. Tilting the controller will also move the cursor. In reality, there is an imaginary "anchor" that is controlled by Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0., and tilting the controller allows the cursor to offset around this point, up to a fixed radius around the point. For unknown reasons, in certain scenarios the cursor will behave erratically – if the gyro offset is at a given angle, and the anchor moves to that same side compared to the leader, the offset will cause the cursor to very quickly jump to the leader.[1] Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. and Icon for the ZR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. both reset the cursor's position and gyro offset. With this mode, locking-on will place the cursor on the target, but it can then be offset by tilting the controller. In this mode, rotating the camera will keep the cursor in place, but any gyro offset will change to match the camera's orientation, albeit with erratic results as the camera rotates.[2] Moving the cursor, regardless of input, will make it move around the screen, like with gyro-pointer controls, and not around the area, like the stick-only controls.
  • With gyro-pointer controls, Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. only controls the leader, and only when fully held. Instead, tilting the controller moves the cursor around the screen. It can move to any position on-screen, and cannot go past it. Pressing Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. in this mode changes it to centering the cursor instead of changing the standby Pikmin to the next one; Icon for the L button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. now changes to the next standby Pikmin. In this mode, rotating the camera will keep the cursor in the same screen location.

There is only one cursor control style option in the options menu, so in 2-player mode, it influences both players. Gyro-pointer cursor mode cannot be used with a sideways Joy-Con – the game will act as if gyro-cursor is on instead for any player that tries, despite the option still being recorded as gyro-pointer behind the scenes until players purposely change that.

This means that if the option is set to gyro-pointer, one player is using combined Joy-Cons or a Pro Controller, and the other player is using a single sideways Joy-Con, one can play with gyro-pointer while the other plays with gyro-cursor, which is not something that is otherwise possible. Any player with a sideways Joy-Con will only have the stick-only and gyro-stick options available in the pause menu, but oddly this means that if player 1 is using two combined Joy-Cons or a Pro Controller, and player 2 is using a sideways Joy-Con, player 1 will be able to set the global cursor style option to any mode, while player 2 will be limited to stick-only or gyro-stick, despite the option affecting both players as stated previously.

Action Combined Joy-Cons or Pro Controller Sideways Joy-Con Notes
Move Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
fully held
Icon for the Analog Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
fully held
Move cursor – stick Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
lightly or fully held
Icon for the Analog Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
lightly or fully held
  • With stick-only cursor controls: Moves the cursor.
  • With gyro-stick cursor controls: Moves the cursor's main location.
  • With gyro-pointer cursor controls: No effect.
Move cursor – gyro Move the right Joy-Con / Move the Pro Controller Move the Joy-Con
  • With stick-only cursor controls: No effect.
  • With gyro-stick cursor controls: Moves the cursor around its main location.
  • With gyro-pointer cursor controls: Moves the cursor.
Hold and throw Pikmin/leader Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the right face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Pressing holds a Pikmin, releasing throws it.
Whistle Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the bottom face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Holding it down longer increases the range.
Lock-on only Icon for the ZR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the SR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only in stick-only cursor controls or gyro-only cursor controls, and only if a lock-on target is available.
Lock-on + reset gyro Icon for the ZR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the SR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only in gyro-stick cursor controls, and only if a lock-on target is available.
Cancel lock-on – no more available Icon for the ZR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the SR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only if locked-on with no more targets available.
Cancel lock-on – always Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the bottom face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper,
Charge Icon for the X Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the top face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper,
Change next Pikmin type – right Icon for the L button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the SL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Change next Pikmin type – left Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A Only in stick-only cursor controls, or gyro-stick cursor controls.
Use action menu Icon for the Y Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. held + Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the left face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, held + Icon for the Analog Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Allows the player to use an ultra-spicy spray, change leader, bring the other player's leader to the group, dismiss, or use the current Bingo Battle item.
Throw Pikmin automatically Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
held
Icon for the right face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper,
held
Only while locked-on.
Pluck sprout Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the right face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper,
Punch Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the right face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Only when not commanding Pikmin and near a punchable target.
Dodge Icon for the left Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. / Icon for the right Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A Only if the Dodge Whistle has been obtained.
Rotate camera Icon for left and right on the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A
Face camera towards leader's direction only Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A Only in gyro-only cursor controls.
Face camera towards leader's direction + extend cursor Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for clicking the Analog Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only in stick-only cursor controls.
Face camera towards leader's direction + reset gyro + reset cursor Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for clicking the Analog Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only in gyro-stick cursor controls.
Reset gyro – gyro-stick Icon for the Left Stick click on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A Only in gyro-stick cursor controls.
Reset gyro – gyro-pointer Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A Only in gyro-pointer cursor controls.
Face camera North + point to Onion Icon for the Right Stick click on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the L button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. / Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only in Bingo Battle. If the player is rotating the camera manually as they do this, then the camera will not face North.
Open Onion menu/Assemble All Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the right face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, When below an Onion's beam/when next to the S.S. Drake.
Cancel pluck/Go Here! Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the bottom face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper,
Zoom mini radar in/out Icon for up and down on the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A
Show hint Icon for the up Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A
Radar Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. / Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch.
(Player 1 only)
If player 2 uses a solo Joy-Con, they cannot open the radar.
Pause/resume Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch. Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. / Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch.
(Player 2 only)
If player 1 uses a solo Joy-Con, they cannot pause the game.
Skip cutscene Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch. Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. / Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch.
(Player 1 only)
If player 2 uses a solo Joy-Con, they cannot skip cutscenes. Certain cutscenes cannot be skipped.

Pikmin 4

Pikmin 4 has a similar control scheme to Pikmin 3 Deluxe, with some notable changes. Shigeru Miyamoto said in the game's announcement presentation that Nintendo Switch has made controlling the game simpler, meaning you can further concentrate on the core essence of Pikmin gameplay.

The available control schemes depend on the amount of players.

  • In single-player, the player can use one of the following: 2 combined Joy-Cons attached to the console, 2 combined Joy-Cons detached from the console, or a Pro Controller.
  • In 2-player, either player can use 2 combined Joy-Cons detached from the console, a Pro Controller, or a single Joy-Con horizontally and vertically for P1 and P2 respectively.
Action Combined Joy-Cons or Pro Controller Single Joy-Con Notes
Move Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
fully held
Icon for the Analog Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
fully held
Move cursor – main Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
lightly or fully held
Icon for the Analog Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
lightly or fully held
Move cursor – alternate Move the right Joy-Con / Move the Pro Controller Move the Joy-Con Only while whistling or throwing.
Hold and throw Pikmin/Send Oatchi Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the right face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Pressing holds a Pikmin, releasing throws it.
Whistle Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the bottom face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Holding it down longer increases the range.
Manual lock-on Icon for the ZR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A Only if a lock-on target is available.
Cancel manual lock-on Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A
Charge Icon for the X Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the top face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Only after buying the Charging Horn, and when not riding Oatchi.
Ride/Dismount Icon for the Y Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the left face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper,
Jump Icon for the X Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the top face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Only when riding or playing as Oatchi.
Change next Pikmin type – right Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the SR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Pressing Icon for the L button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. and Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. at the same time sets the next Pikmin type to Oatchi.
Change next Pikmin type – left Icon for the L button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A
Swarm Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. + Icon for the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the SR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. + Icon for the Analog Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only after obtaining the Lineup Trumpet, and when not riding Oatchi.
Use action menu Icon for the Y Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. held Icon for the left face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, held Allows the player to disband, give a command to Oatchi, open the Pack, or either dismount Oatchi or switch between the player character and Oatchi.
Pluck sprout Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the right face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Only when near a Pikmin sprout.
Punch Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the right face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Only when not commanding Pikmin or Oatchi.
Rush Icon for the X Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. held Icon for the top face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, held Only when Oatchi is the selected type, or when riding or playing as Oatchi.
Rotate camera Icon for left and right on the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A
Rotate camera (alternate) Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. + Icon for left and right on the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A
Adjust camera angle vertically Icon for up and down on the Right Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A
Face camera towards leader's direction Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the SL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Reset the camera's vertical position Icon for the Right Stick click on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A
Cancel pluck/Go Here!/Rush Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the bottom face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper,
Pause/resume Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. / Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch. Single Joy-Con controls only when the Tablet is open and dependent on whether P1 is using the left or right Joy-Con.
Open Tablet Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch. Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. / Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch. Single Joy-Con controls dependent on whether P1 is using the left or right Joy-Con.
Skip cutscene Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. / Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch. Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. / Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch.

Hey! Pikmin

Hey! Pikmin is primarily played with the 3DS's control stick and the touch screen, as almost all actions can be done with them. While most buttons are not required to play the game, they still have functions to provide an alternative to using the control stick. The buttons exclusive to the New Nintendo 3DS do not do anything.

Action Button Notes
Move left 3DS Stick.png left / 3DS Pad.png left / 3DS Y.png
Move right 3DS Stick.png right / 3DS Pad.png right / 3DS A.png
Move up 3DS Stick.png up / 3DS Pad.png up / 3DS X.png Only when swimming or climbing a vine.
Move down 3DS Stick.png down / 3DS Pad.png down / 3DS B.png Only when swimming or climbing a vine.
Hold and throw Pikmin Stylus icon for the Nintendo 3DS. Custom-made in Inkscape, based on a photo of the stylus. Pressing holds a Pikmin, releasing throws it.
Whistle Stylus icon for the Nintendo 3DS. Custom-made in Inkscape, based on a photo of the stylus. tapped on icon
Change next Pikmin type Stylus icon for the Nintendo 3DS. Custom-made in Inkscape, based on a photo of the stylus. tapped on icon
Enter doorway 3DS Stick.png up / 3DS Pad.png up / 3DS X.png
Open jetpack Stylus icon for the Nintendo 3DS. Custom-made in Inkscape, based on a photo of the stylus. tapped on icon
Close jetpack 3DS Stick.png down / 3DS Pad.png down / 3DS B.png
Bounce up 3DS Stick.png up / 3DS Pad.png up / 3DS X.png Only when carried by Winged Pikmin.
Fall faster 3DS Stick.png down / 3DS Pad.png down / 3DS B.png Only when carried by Winged Pikmin.
Radar 3DS L.png / 3DS R.png
Pause/resume 3DS Start.png / 3DS Select.png

Specific controls

The following article or section is in need of assistance from someone who plays Pikmin 3.

This section details controls for specific scenarios that can be encountered while playing.

General menus

The controls for the menus are simple, allowing the player to highlight an option, change its values, or activate it. In general, the controls are as follows:

  • To highlight a different option, the D-Pad or main Analog Stick of the controller is used, normally up and down.
  • To change the value of a highlighted option, the D-Pad or main Analog Stick of the controller is used, normally left and right.
  • To confirm the option, if applicable, the punch button is used.
  • To cancel, if applicable, the whistle button is used.

Onions

In the first two games and the New Play Control! remakes, the Onion menu allows the player to withdraw or save Pikmin using a simple control interface.

  • Pressing up or down on the D-Pad or main Analog Stick of the controller allows the player to change the amount of Pikmin of that type in the party. Missing or excessive Pikmin will be automatically withdrawn or stored accordingly. Up increases the amount of Pikmin in the Onion, while down increases the amount in the group.
  • Pressing the punch button confirms the choice.
  • Pressing the whistle button cancels.

Area selection

The area selection menu in the first two games has some specific options and controls.

Action GameCube Wii Switch Notes
Change selected area GCN Stick.png Nunchuck Annalogstick.png Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Also changes the selected voyage log entry. In Pikmin 2 for the GameCube, GCN Dpad.png can also be used.
Pick area/log GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Opens a menu asking if the player wishes to enter the area. On Olimar's voyage log, it opens the selected journal.
Close log GCN B.png Wiimote B.png Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Closes Olimar's voyage log in Pikmin. This button also allows canceling the area choice, if the ship's animation hasn't been completed yet.
Toggle Olimar's voyage log GCN Y.png Wiimote Minus.png Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch.
Open Piklopedia GCN L.png Wiimote Dpad left.png Icon for the left Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Open Treasure Hoard GCN R.png Wiimote Dpad right.png Icon for the right Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Quit GCN Start.png Wiimote Plus.png Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch. Opens a menu that allows the player to continue or return to the title screen.
Play "boing" N/A Wiimote Minus.png N/A In New Play Control! Pikmin 2, it makes the Wii Remote's speaker sound a "boing" sound effect, the same that can be heard when an invalid Pikmin number is attempted on the Onion menu.

Piklopedia and Treasure Hoard

On the Piklopedia and Treasure Hoard menu, there are a few specific actions that can be performed.

Action GameCube Wii Switch Notes
Change entry GCN Stick.png Nunchuck Annalogstick.png Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only when no entry is opened.
Open selected entry GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only when no entry is opened.
Close entry GCN B.png / GCN L.png / GCN R.png Wiimote B.png / Wiimote Dpad left.png / Wiimote Dpad right.png Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. / Icon for the left Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. / Icon for the right Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only when an entry is opened.
Move camera GCN Stick.png Nunchuck Annalogstick.png Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only when an entry is opened.
Zoom in/out GCN Dpadupdown.png Wiimote Dpad updown.png Icon for the up Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. / Icon for the down Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Rotate camera GCN C.png Nunchuk Z.png + Nunchuck Annalogstick.png Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. + Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Throw pikpik carrot GCN A.png Wiimote A.png Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only on the Piklopedia, and only if an entry is opened.
Use ultra-bitter spray GCN Z.png Wiimote 1.png Icon for the Right Stick click on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only on the Piklopedia.
Open Olimar's journal/Olimar's notes GCN X.png Wiimote Plus.png Custom-made icon for the + Button on the Nintendo Switch.
Open sales pitch or Louie's notes GCN Y.png Wiimote Minus.png Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch.
Switch between Piklopedia and Treasure Hoard GCN L.png / GCN R.png Wiimote Dpad leftright.png Icon for the left Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. / Icon for the right Directional Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Only when no entry is opened.
Quit GCN B.png Wiimote B.png Icon for the B button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Opens a menu asking if the player wishes to remain on the mode or if they went to return to the area selection screen, if no entry is opened.

Pebble Pitcher

In Pikmin 4, a second player can control the Pebble Pitcher. As a supportive cursor, it has unique controls.

Action Combined Joy-Cons or Pro Controller Single Joy-Con Notes
Activate Pebble Pitcher/reset cursor Icon for the X Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the top face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper,
Move cursor — L Stick Icon for the Left Stick on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. N/A Option only available when using Two-Hand Hold.
Move cursor — Motion Controls Move the Joy-Cons or Pro Controller Move the Joy-Con
Launch pebble Icon for the A button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the right face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper,
Change item selection — right Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the ZL Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. / Icon for the ZR Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Single Joy-Con controls dependent on whether P2 is using the left or right Joy-Con.
Change item selection — left Icon for the L button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the L button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. / Icon for the R button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Launch item Icon for the Y Button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, released under CC-BY-SA 4.0. Icon for the left face button on the Nintendo Switch. Edited version of the icon by ARMS Institute user PleasePleasePepper, Only when an item is available.

Bomb rocks

Main article: Bomb rock.

Due to the actions that can be performed by Pikmin carrying bomb rocks, some special notes need to be taken into consideration in order to not have a bomb rock explode accidentally.

Radar

Main article: Radar.

A few buttons control the radar. These allow the player to pan it and zoom it.

Pikmin 2 title screen

Main article: Title screen secrets.

Some Easter eggs exist on the title screen for Pikmin 2 and the New Play Control! remake. These allow the player to change the words the Pikmin spell out, and allows the spawn and control of an enemy.

Button-mashing

The term button-mashing is used when a player rapidly presses buttons or tilts sticks on the controller, without any discernible pattern. The point of doing this varies between games and scenarios, but in the Pikmin games, one may have to button-mash in certain situations in order to achieve a goal. The following situations require the player to button-mash:

  • When the current leader is being attacked by an opposing Pikmin, twirling the main analog stick allows the leader to shake them off; they'll remained latched until the stick is twirled for long enough. In Pikmin and New Play Control! Pikmin, actual buttons can also be pressed rapidly to shake off Mushroom Pikmin.
  • When the leader is being held by a Greater Spotted Jellyfloat, Swooping Snitchbug or Bumbling Snitchbug, the player can rotate the main stick to break free. If they do not do it in time, they subject the leader to damage. In Pikmin 3 Deluxe, the player may also shake the controller itself.
  • In Pikmin 3, when a leader is thrown to the ground, the player can mash directions on WiiU LStick.png / Nunchuck Annalogstick.png – such as twirling – to make them get up. The player can also shake the Nunchuk to make them get up (usually easier and faster). The leader will get up by themselves eventually, however. In Pikmin 3 Deluxe, they get up by themselves right away.
  • When playing as Oatchi in Pikmin 4, the player can mash the B button to make him recover from a hazard such as fire, poison or panic sooner.

In a sense, it could be said that the games prior to Pikmin 3 require the player to mash GCN A.png / Wiimote A.png to continuously pluck Pikmin, but this is only partially true: the player needs only to press the button during a pluck animation, in order to assure that the next Pikmin will also be automatically plucked. In addition, mashing the throw button is required in order to throw Pikmin in quick succession.

If the player is not interested in a cutscene's dialog, the fastest way to advance it is by mashing the GCN A.png / Wiimote A.png / WiiU A.png and GCN B.png / Wiimote B.png / WiiU B.png buttons. If the game in question allows using the "B" button to both advance the text and auto-fill the letters, then that button may be mashed alone.

In Pikmin 2, the mashing logic only reads from the control stick, not any other button or the C-stick. The game keeps track of how hard the player's been mashing lately as a numeric value. As the player mashes, this number increases every frame, but it also decreases every frame the player doesn't mash, meaning the player has to keep mashing to keep that number up. Due to the way the system works, this number can never go beyond 14. Every frame where that number is higher than 5, the game rolls a random number between 1 and 22, and if that number is below it, it can proceed to the next check: a roll between 1 and 10, where if the number is 1, the leader is freed. In practice, this means the harder the player has mashed in the past 22 frames, the higher their chance of escaping, and even with the fastest possible mashing, there's a 14/22 × a 1/10 chance every frame to be freed.

Console and controller resetting

For the GameCube games, there are two button combinations that replace the need to interact with the physical console itself: one resets the game without pressing the button on the console, and the other resets the controller's neutral position, without needing to unplug and replug it. The former can be achieved by holding GCN X.png + GCN B.png + GCN Start.png for a few seconds. For the latter, the player must hold GCN X.png + GCN Y.png + GCN Start.png, for three seconds, without touching GCN Stick.png, GCN C.png, GCN L.png or GCN R.png. This is because when the console is booted, or the controller's neutral position is reset, the position of the sticks and the analog shoulder buttons is considered to be the default. If, for instance, the Control Stick is held to the right when the default position is being registered, then the game will assume that the Stick is being held left, if the player releases the Control Stick.

Controller diagram

Pikmin, New Play Control! Pikmin, Pikmin 1 (Nintendo Switch), Pikmin 2 (Nintendo Switch), and Pikmin 3 Deluxe contain diagrams of the controller with labels on what each button does during gameplay. In Pikmin and its rereleases, a diagram is found in Olimar's monitor, in the Nintendo Switch version of Pikmin 2 a diagram (that is directly copied from the Nintendo Switch version of Pikmin) can be viewed at any time by pressing Custom-made icon for the - Button on the Nintendo Switch., and in Pikmin 3 Deluxe, diagrams of the different control styles are found in the Control Guide in the pause menu. These can be used should the player forget the controls.

Movement and analog stick drift

After the release of Pikmin 3 Deluxe, there have been reports[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] of players being unable to move the leader, sometimes in specific angles only. This is because in order to move a leader, one must tilt the analog stick fully, since tilting it partially will only move the cursor (or do nothing, if the player is using gyro cursor controls exclusively), and given that some Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers suffer from analog stick drifting and incorrect range detection[12], players suffering from this hardware problem will find themselves unable to move leaders effectively until the affected controllers are repaired.

Trivia

  • Interestingly, after switching leaders in Pikmin 3, there is a small delay until the player can switch again. This delay can be bypassed with Stylus mode and the touchscreen buttons.

See also

References

  1. ^ Twitter video on Twitter, published on October 17th, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  2. ^ Twitter video on Twitter, published on October 17th, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  3. ^ For Pikmin 3 deluxe on the switch, Movement gets stuck when going straight forward. Makes game near unplayable at times and i hate freezing and losing pikmin because I can’t move. Anyone else having this problem? on Reddit, published on October 31st, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  4. ^ Pikmin 3 Deluxe issue on Reddit, published on November 1st, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  5. ^ Pikmin 3: Deluxe unplayable with joycon controller? Can't walk down on Reddit, published on November 3rd, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  6. ^ Walking broken in Deluxe? (Pro controller) on Reddit, published on October 30th, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  7. ^ Issue with Control Sticks- Massive Dead Zones on Reddit, published on November 3rd, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  8. ^ Weird movement issues on Reddit, published on October 31st, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  9. ^ Are you guys getting the bug where the captain randomly stops moving? on Reddit, published on November 5th, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  10. ^ Controls on Reddit, published on November 3rd, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  11. ^ Pikmin 3 Deluxe Stop Moving Bug on Reddit, published on November 5th, 2020, retrieved on December 1st, 2020
  12. ^ Nintendo Responds To Sufferers Of Joy-Con Drift on Kotaku, published on July 22nd, 2019, retrieved on December 1st, 2020