Basics and Controls - Pikmin 2 Guide - IGN (2024)

There is a lot to learn during your first days of Pikmin 2, and you would be forgiven for not remembering everything at once. On this page, you will find an overview of all of the game basics and controls for Pikmin 2, so you can focus on clearing out those caves rather than worrying about how to control your Pikmin Army.

Game Basics

In-Game Timer
Since Pikmin are hunted by nocturnal creatures, they are only able to assist Olimar in his treasure hunting during the day. Each day will begin at dawn, and time will slowly but surely march onward toward sunset. Any Pikmin not under your control at the end of the day will be stranded and lost to the ravenous creatures of the night.

A day lasts 13 minutes in the Nintendo Switch version of Pikmin 2.

Cave Timer
Whenever you have bravely led a team Pikmin into the depths of a cave, you are no longer affected by the in-game timer. This means that the time limit mentioned above does not apply to caves, so you have as much time as you need to complete them.

Enemy Damage
You can damage and defeat enemies by throwing Pikmin at them. When Pikmin land on top of an enemy, they will start relentlessly beating it into submission with their flower buds. If an enemy eats a White Pikmin, it will become poisoned, causing even more damage.

Elemental Defense
Although each Pikmin type is vulnerable to most (or all) elemental types, they can be saved by your whistle. For example, if a Pikmin catches fire, blowing your whistle will extinguish it. This doesn’t work with electricity, however, so only Yellow Pikmin should ever get involved in operations where electricity is the primary force in the area.

Controls

You are also able to toggle multiplayer on or off in the controls menu.

How to Pluck Pikmin
When Pikmin have been planted by an Onion or Flower, they will sit under the earth, waiting for Olimar or Louie to come along and press the A Button to pull them out. If there is a larger group of Pikmin, keep holding the A Button to continuously pluck all Pikmin in the immediate area.

How to Use the Whistle
Press the B button to blow your whistle, calling all Pikmin within range to you. Blowing your whistle will also extinguish any Pikmin that are on fire, covered in water, or choking on noxious fumes. On the Wii, you can target the whistle with the Wii Remote cursor.

How to Throw Pikmin
Press the A button to throw a Pikmin into the air. Your Pikmin will land wherever your target is pointing. You can throw Pikmin onto higher platforms, onto enemies to attack them, or over small ponds so they don’t drown in the water. Hold A to have a Pikmin ready to launch.

How to Switch Pikmin Types While Throwing
If you need to throw a specific type of Pikmin, you can rotate through all the varieties in your group until you find the exact Pikmin you want. This saves you from having to put your Pikmin down and pick another one up. Here are the controls according to each platform:
Nintendo Switch: Press R while holding A.
GameCube: Press left and right on the D-Pad while holding A.
Wii: Press the B button while holding A.

How to Split Your Group
By pressing the X Button on the Switch and GameCube or C on Wii, all Pikmin and the two captains will separate from one another. This is an excellent way to get two teams going, to remove Pikmin ill-suited for an upcoming maneuver, or to protect a Pikmin that has a low number for their color type.

Switch Between Team Leaders
If the two space captains have split up and taken their own team of Pikmin, the Y Button will toggle control of each team back and forth. On the Wii, use the Minus Button.

For more Pikmin basics, check out our guide on each Pikmin type and what their abilities are.