Rev up that Onion! On Wednesday, Nintendo announced that its 2023 strategy game Pikmin 4 will get a new content update next month. Though the Nintendo Switch title won’t get a Switch 2 upgrade, strategic Pikmin shepherds will be able to enjoy the new in-game Field Camera, difficulty-altering Creature Activity levels, and even some new critters that hadn’t made their way out of Nintendo’s Pikmin-thtmed smart-device app, Pikmin Bloom. Hot off the news of Nintendo’s Pikmin 4 refresh, we’re ranking all the series’ subspecies — yes, every subtype found on PNF-404 — in order from least-useful Pikmin to most-useful. Whether they’re aiding on-the-go adventurers in the Pikmin Bloom mobile app or hitching a ride on Oatchi in console title Pikmin 4, our list has a spot for ’em (it just might be at the bottom).
Let us know what you think of our ranking, and tell us your favorite Pikmin type in the comments. Let’s get to it:
Mushroom Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin (2001)
These Pikmin, only seen in the franchise’s first entry, are under an infectious spell, too. Thanks to puffstool spores, these unsuspecting Pikmin are transformed into disobedient zombies before Olimar’s eyes. Sizeable mushroom caps grow atop their heads and their faces change, morphing from the pleasant Pikmin features we know into weird, blank stares. Their once-agreeable temperament turns quickly, and before you know it, you’re running in the opposite direction. 0 out of 10, do not recommend.
Bulbmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin 2 (2004)
“The confused bulborb has fallen with the Pikmin. They appear to coexist peacefully.“
These cave-dwelling Bulborbs have been infected by a parasitic Pikmin, but unlike the Mushroom variety, Olimar and Louie can use these to their advantage. Young Bulbmin are ultra-resilient and capable of hauling oversized loads, but they’re unable to return to the surface with you crew once you’ve tackled a dungeon. Don’t get on the full-grown Bulbmins’ bad side — figuratively and literally — or they’ll turn and take a bite.
White Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin 2 (2004) | Pikmin 3 (2013) | Pikmin Bloom (2021) | Pikmin 4 (2023)
The petite White Pikmin, first found in Pikmin 2, are immune to infectious poisons. With these tiny teammates, you and your crew can power through toxic fumes untouched. Come across a poison-emitting enemy and get gobbled? Your White Pikmin will infect their new host, often allowing players to quickly take them down with their remaining Pikmin. White Pikmin can quickly sniff out hidden treasures, too. If your Whimsical Radar sounds and you can’t see any forgotten tchochkes nearby, trust that the White Pikmin have your back. Summon them, and they’ll quickly pull hidden objects from obscurity and lug ’em back to base.
Sounds great on paper, but unless you’re a completionist on a mission to collect items, you’re not missing much.
Purple Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin 2 (2004) | Pikmin 3 (2013) | Pikmin Bloom (2021) | Pikmin 4 (2023)
These brutes are the heaviest and most powerful Pikmin variety, but their slow speed and rarity keep these guys from the top spot. Incredibly useful, as they can haul heavier loads and effortlessly bop baddies, but they can only be useful when you have them. Purple Pikmin are already frustratingly hard to find and farm, but having them in your squad means you expend more energy protecting them than actually playing through dungeons.
Red Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin (2001) | Pikmin 2 (2004) | Pikmin 3 (2013) | Pikmin Bloom (2021) | Pikmin 4 (2023)
The ultra-common Red Pikmin, one of the franchise’s core subtypes, are among the series’ top performers. These critters can withstand high temperatures and better endure intense combat, making them an easy choice for frustrating fights. Stay clear of water, though, or you’re in trouble. Even one quick dip into a nearby stream is enough to snuff flames. These guys are impressive when used well, but pick a water-logged path and it’s all over.
Blue Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin (2001) | Pikmin 2 (2004) | Pikmin 3 (2013) | Pikmin Bloom (2021) | Pikmin 4 (2023)
Blue Pikmin, one of the series’ more common varieties, are excellent swimmers. Crossing a creek? Give ’em a whistle! They’ll help you lug logs across bodies of water, and they even save floundering Pikmin from drowning in the early games.
While their contributions aren’t lost on me — especially their work in the second game — but their skills are utilized comparatively less than those of their primary-color counterparts. Excellent teammates, but they spend more time on the bench than anywhere else.
Ice Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin 4 (2023)
If you can’t go through water with Blue Pikmin or perform a flyover with Pink Pikmin, the water-freezing Ice Pikmin certainly make a worthwhile Plan C. When thrown, Ice Pikmin progressively freeze their target, exposing them to your team’s repeated attacks. Enemies thaw after a few seconds, though, so stay on your toes. Needless to say, these guys aren’t fire-resistant, so steer clear of any heat sources.
Rock Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin 3 (2013) | Pikmin Bloom (2021) | Pikmin 4 (2023)
Rock Pikmin boast enhanced durability, making them crush-proof in most circumstances (“most” being the operative word here). When bonked on the noggin, these guys (usually) go right back underground. Despite looking heavy, the tough-as-nails Rock Pikmin can be thrown, often shattering crystal barriers and downing some standard enemies in a single toss. Careful where you aim — Rock Pikmin can’t latch onto opponents and will sometimes bounce right off baddies’ backs without inflicting any damage.
Pink/Winged Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin 3 (2013) | Pikmin Bloom (2021) | Pikmin 4 (2023)
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No — it’s Pikmin!
Hot-pink Winged Pikmin, first introduced in Pikmin 3, quickly become a core part of players’ repertoire. These bee-like critters are not the strongest of the bunch (Winged Pikmin are among the weakest subtypes) but their speed and versatility make all the difference. Lug hard-to-reach objects, hone in on enemies with their sniper-like aim, clear bodies of water and tough terrain, and strategically tackle big enemies’ vulnerable points. These cuties are also impossible to crush since they’re always in flight, giving them one more advantage over their land-reliant friends.
Yellow Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin (2001) | Pikmin 2 (2004) | Pikmin 3 (2013) | Pikmin Bloom (2021) | Pikmin 4 (2023)
Move over, Pikachu. The electric-type Yellow Pikmin are among the planet’s most valuable. In addition to strong digging skills and bomb rock-hurling capabilities, this subtype can help Olimar and his crewmates reach new heights. The near-weightless, aerodynamic Yellow variety can clear high ledges that other types can’t, so make sure to bring ’em when you’ve got a tough-to-reach platform nearby. This’ll come in handy for completionists hoping to collect as many ship parts as possible.
Glow Pikmin
SEEN IN: Pikmin 4 (2023)
Glow Pikmin, seen only in Pikmin 4, are available to help you and Oatchi take on nighttime expeditions. These hovering Pikmin are surprisingly self-sufficient, capable of planting more of themselves with Glow Pellets. These guys can also morph into a single powerful entity, called a Glowmob, and endure all elemental attacks while charging their own powerful light ray. Like most games’ charge attacks, players will see a cooldown period after.
As you and Oatchi split up to protect the Lumiknolls (the anthill-like structure seen above), Glow Pikmin can quickly warp from one location to another. No waiting, no repeated whistling. When they finish a task, they’ll head back to the player’s active character all on their own. After a busy night, Glow Pikmin become summonable Glow Seeds. These allow players to recall the subspecies whenever they’re exploring underground caves or embarking on another adventure after dusk.
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