Pikmin was Nintendo’s idea of how to introduce its player base to RTS gameplay. With interesting mechanics varying from game to game players will have a blast trying out what each game has to offer, especially since Pikmin 3 had already been ported to the Switch.
But what is a game when you are not sure how to control your characters? In this guide, I will go over how to switch between Pikmin, in Pikmin 1 + 2.
Pikmin 1 finds Olimar stranded on a planet after a crash landing, and you are tasked with helping him gather back his scattered ship parts, and find a way home. With the help of the Pikmin, and a time limit looming over keep your eyes out, and your wits about you.
Pikmin 2 finds Olimar back home, and his company has way too much debt. Another employee Louie lost a shipment, and you find yourself back on the planet looking for more treasures with the help of the Pikmin.
When we are talking about the Nintendo Switch there are many games you can try, so check out our list of the best 2-player games, on the Nintendo Switch.
Pikmin 1 + 2: List of Pikmin in Pikmin 1
In Pikmin 1 players will travel along three different types of Pikmin.
As the bast of the Pikmin series, players were given three powerful, yet distinct options.
- Red Pikmin: Red Pikmin have pointy noses and white flowers, and are present in all Pikmin games. They are resistant to fire and have a strong attack strength, making them good at combat. They are the first type discovered in Pikmin 1.
- Yellow Pikmin: Yellow Pikmin have large ears and white flowers, and are present in all Pikmin games. They can be thrown higher than other types. In Pikmin 1, they are the only type that can carry bomb rocks.
- Blue Pikmin: Blue Pikmin have mouths and white flowers, and are present in all Pikmin games. They are resistant to water, making them the only type able to access submerged portions of areas where other Pikmin would drown. They are the last type discovered in Pikmin 1.
Pikmin 1 + 2: List of Pikmin in Pikmin 2
In Pikmin 2, players will be accompanied by the same three Pikmin types, and when they traverse the caves they will be able to find two new types of Pikmin.
With the new cave exploration introduced in Pikmin 2, you will be able to transform regular Pikmin into new types of Pikmin.
- Red Pikmin: Red Pikmin have pointy noses and white flowers, and are present in all Pikmin games. They are resistant to fire and have a strong attack strength, making them good at combat. They are the first type discovered in Pikmin 2.
- ellow Pikmin: Yellow Pikmin have large ears and white flowers, and are present in all Pikmin games. They can be thrown higher than other types. In Pikmin 2 they are resistant to electricity.
- Blue Pikmin: Blue Pikmin have mouths and white flowers, and are present in all Pikmin games. They are resistant to water, making them the only type able to access submerged portions of areas where other Pikmin would drown.
- Purple Pikmin: Purple Pikmin have short hair and pink flowers, and they are bulkier than other Pikmin types. They weigh 10 times as much as other Pikmin types, are slower than other types, can carry 10 times the weight of other types, and can attack with a strong pound capable of stunning enemies. They are native to caves and do not have an Onion, meaning that they can only be grown by throwing other Pikmin into Candypop Buds.
- White Pikmin: White Pikmin have red eyes and pink flowers. They are resistant to poison, are faster than other Pikmin types, can poison enemies upon being eaten, and can dig hidden underground treasures other types cannot see. They are native to caves and do not have an Onion, meaning that they can only be grown by throwing other Pikmin into Candypop Buds.
- Bulbmin: 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 caves, which are the only places they are found in. They are actually a parasite that takes over a juvenile Bulborb.
Pikmin 1 + 2: Learning to Switch Pikmin
Each new day you are allowed to have a total of 100 Pikmin follow you.
Most players will want to have at least a few sets of different Pikmin with them but when they are all following you bundled up, and you want to use a specific Pikmin how are you supposed to swap them?
Well, the game makes it simple for players. There are three different ways you will be able to swap your Pikmin depending on what you are looking for.
- While holding a Pikmin, swaps it for one of a different type by pressing the “L” or “R” button. This is the way for swapping to a different type of Pikmin.
- When holding a Pikmin, swap it for one Pikmin of different maturity in the same type by pressing the “X” button. Also causes the swarm effect on the control stick, but the group does not move.
- By pressing the “X” button, your Pikmin will be separated into different groups. This can be useful to abandon all Pikmin in order to take on a solo exploration, to pick only specific types of Pikmin to add to the party, or to quickly issue all Pikmin to work on a task.
Note: There are three stages of maturity: leaf, bud, or flower. A Pikmin’s stage can be identified by what’s on top of its stem, and there are several ways for Pikmin to both increase and decrease in maturity.
Final Thoughts
With Pikmin 4 on the horizon, having the whole series in your arms on the Nintendo Switch can be a blessing.
The Pikmin series may not look it at first glance, but it is a gem of what Nintendo has to offer to gamers.
If you want to try out games to play with friends or family on the Switch, check out our list of the best 4-player games on Nintendo Switch.
As an RTS should, you will find many situations where you will need to keep track of multiple squads. Knowing how to switch Pikmin, in Pikmin 1 + 2 will greatly increase your chances, and lowers the stress of the daily time limit.
Whether this is your first run on Pikmin 1 + 2 or you have previously tried the series back on either the Gamecube or the Wii there are techniques that always help. Let us know in the comments down below if you have any tips or tricks to share with newer players.
With thousands of hours played on Nintendo systems since the original Gameboy, Nikiforos is happy to share his endless passion for Nintendo franchises and everything he can get his hands on.
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