Olimar's monologs

When playing Pikmin, the player can discover information about the gameplay by reading Olimar's monologues. The following are quotes from said monologues:

Day 1

Introduction

"My name is Captain Olimar. While traveling through space, my ship was struck by a meteor... I must have blacked out, and I awoke on the surface of a weird planet. With so many parts lost, the skeletal hull of my beloved Dolphin is a painful sight. The engine is gone... I'm stranded.

To make matters worse, my atmospheric sensors indicate this planet's environment contains high levels of poisonous oxygen. My life-support systems can function for only 30 days. If I can't repair the Dolphin by then... No! Better not to think about it. I must find the missing ship parts!"

Ship status

"I have recovered _/30 ship parts. Just _ more parts will increase the Dolphin's capabilities!"

Red Onion

"A strange thing has appeared before me. I had barely begun my search when it reared up as if it were waiting for me. It then dropped a single seed. What is it? Is it alive? Is it a machine? It resembles a vegetable on my home planet that we call an onion. I shall call this an Onion too."

Red sprout

"The seed that the Onion dropped took root in the soil and has now produced an adorable little sprout. This sprout emits a strange light, and it sways back and forth without benefit of the wind. I cannot help but think it is calling to me. I am compelled - I must approach it and press A..."

Red sprout review

When Olimar stood a long time without plucking the Pikmin. "The seed that the Onion dropped has turned into an enchanting sprout that gives a mysterious light. Could there be a reason to the Onion waited for me to arrive before sowing its seed? Perhaps something will happen if I approach the bud and press A. Courage, Olimar!"

Red Pikmin

"Extraordinary! When I plucked the sprout, it turned out to be a living creature, not a plant! Picking it has done no visible damage... It just stands there, staring at me. Its shape is similar to the Pikpik brand carrots I love so much... I believe I shall call it a Pikmin.

Here I am, stranded on a toxic planet, fighting to survive, and yet I'm intrigued... I must research this fascinating creature! I shall try to grab it and throw it with A, and I will call it to my side with B. Hmmm... Perhaps it will react to C and X as well.

The following controls appear to allow me several viewpoints:

L Rotate Camera

(Hold to follow the cursor)

R Zoom In and Out

Z Change Angle

I must survive! I need to familiarize myself with these controls and my surroundings."

Controls review

When Olimar hasn't assigned the Pikmin to the pellets yet. "What does this Pikmin think of me? I must observe it's reactions - the more things I try, the more reactions I can catalogue. I shall attempt to grab and throw it with A and call it to my side with B. Perhaps it will also respond to C and X..."

Pellets

"Astonishing! The Onion has sown more seeds! The small red pellet the Pikmin harvested after cutting down a flower appears to be some type of food that can propagate more Pikmin. The Onion seems to be a sort of incubator... Needless to say, I must study this life-form more."

Cooperation

"The Pikmin are as curious as children! They form groups to perform tasks that would be impossible for an individual. A glimmer of hope as begun to shine in my heart - if I can make use of their skills, perhaps I can fix my ship! I shall sum up all I've learned about the Pikmin conduct.

Approach and press A to pick sprouts. Press A to grab Pikmin, release to throw. Press B to call them, X to dismiss. Use C to command and control the group. L, R and Z control perspective. I shall record all of this in my computer. I can press Y to access the computer."

Quick plucking/idle Pikmin

"'When many Pikmin seeds sprout at once, I find it rather tedious to pluck them from the ground individually. My wife always told me I was no good at routine tasks! I guess I'll try to get it all done at once by repeatedly tapping A until I pick all the Pikmin from the ground.

I've noticed that when I add Pikmin to my group, they become filled with excitement, and flushed with bright color. At other times, they revert to a paler hue and give off a dim glow. Paying close attention to these differences is bound to help me distinguish between Pikmin."

Found the engine

"Amazing! There's no mistaking it! My ship's engine rests before my very eyes! By a stroke of pure luck, I have already stumbled upon the most important piece of my damaged craft! Fate has smiled upon me! But... How will I get it back to the Dolphin?"

Recovered the engine

"Oh, glorious! With the help of these Pikmin, I've taken a huge step back towards home. My ship can once again lift off! The glimmer of hope is beginning to burn more brightly... But what has become of the remaining parts? That search...starts tomorrow."

Other

Call Pikmin from the Onion

"My Dolphin has returned to the surface along with the Pikmin's Onion. Being alone on this strange planet makes me somewhat uneasy, so I shall call the Pikmin out of the Onion. All I need to do is stand in the light beneath the Onion and press A."

Ship status/repair suit

"I have recovered _/30 ship parts. Just _ more parts will increase the Dolphin's capabilities. While confirming the ship's status, I have taken the opportunity to repair my space suit."

Nectar

"Another intriguing discovery! A local variety of grass produces a sort of yellow nectar - when the Pikmin drink this delicacy, they instantly mature into flowers! This apparent Pikmin favorite seems to be full of nutrition. Closer observation is needed to determine the strengths and peculiarities of these flower Pikmin."