Royal Highlands

Royal Highlands is one of the midgame caves in the Awakening Arctic in Pikmin 2: New Year. Is an ancient castle occupied by an elite society of grub-dogs, among other enemies. The cave is extremely difficult due to the range of different enemies residing within it. Despite this, there is a lot of valuable treasures in the cave, mainly gem- and ring-themed. The total price of treasures in the cave is, with the being the main treasure.

How to reach
"I'm detecting countless numbers of creatures ahead, as if they're having a meeting of some sort. The interior within appears to have aged for a very long time. Ancient history, this is."

- The Ship, upon discovering Royal Highlands

There are a few obstacles blocking access to the Royal Highlands. After killing the Violet Dirigibug and Toady Bloyster, tear down the poison bramble gate. Use the seesaw block to get to the top and have Yellow Pikmin tear down the electric gate to progress. With Blue Pikmin, tear down the flooded bramble gate and clog near the ship to get to the area faster. There is a group of Snow Bulborbs and a Hairy Bulborb next to the area, so be wary.

Sublevel 1

 * Theme: Snow
 * Music: Ancient Ruins
 * Treasures:
 * Enemies:
 * Vegetation:
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * None
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None
 * None

The first sublevel is a small one. The gem treasure is buried, so use White Pikmin to dig it up. Make sure the family of bulborbs does not get in the way of collecting the treasure.

Sublevel 2

 * Theme: Grub-dog Castle
 * Music: Ancient Ruins
 * Treasures:
 * Enemies:
 * (group of 20)
 * Vegetation:
 * None
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * (falls from above)
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * (falls from above)
 * (falls from above)

A group of Velvet Crawmads guards the treasure that is in the sublevel. Make sure to kill all of them, and let the Breadbug take their bodies away instead of the treasure.

Sublevel 3

 * Theme: Grub-dog Castle
 * Music: Ancient Ruins
 * Treasures:
 * Enemies:
 * Vegetation:
 * Bamboo
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * None
 * Vegetation:
 * Bamboo
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None
 * None

All dweevil types are in this sublevel. Kill all of them with each respective Pikmin type. Use a captain to kill the Volatile Dweevil due to its explosive nature.

Sublevel 4

 * Theme: Grub-dog Castle
 * Music: Ancient Ruins
 * Treasures:
 * Enemies:
 * Vegetation:
 * Obstacles:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None
 * Vegetation:
 * Obstacles:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None

This sublevel can be dangerous. The corridors are very tight and contain two vicious bulborbs. Kill the Hairy Bulborb, and take out the Fiery Bulblax with Red Pikmin. To not lose any Pikmin, either use ultra-spicy spray or Purple Pikmin.

Sublevel 5

 * Theme: Grub-dog Castle
 * Music: Tranquility
 * Treasures:
 * Enemies:
 * (one contains Frosty Bauble)
 * Vegetation:
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * (from sky)
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * (from sky)
 * Others:
 * (from sky)

Watch out for the numerous Toady Bloysters, as they can shake Pikmin off the edge. Try and find the flint beetle with the treasure as soon as possible before fighting the other enemies to avoid Pikmin deaths.

Sublevel 6

 * Theme: Grub-dog Castle
 * Music: Ancient Ruins
 * Treasures:
 * Enemies:
 * Vegetation:
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * Vegetation:
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * Vegetation:
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * Others:
 * Others:
 * Others:

This sublevel is filled to the brim with violent grub-dogs. Take on one bulborb at a time with Purple Pikmin. Kill the bulbear first, then the Forest Bulborb. If necessary, kill the Lapis Bulborb or Hairy Bulborb. The bomb rocks can be used to kill the enemies.

Sublevel 7

 * Theme: Grub-dog Castle
 * Music: None
 * Treasures:
 * Enemies:
 * Vegetation:
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * None
 * Vegetation:
 * Obstacles:
 * Others:
 * None
 * Others:
 * None

The Emperor Bulblax subspecies present here is much more powerful than its counterpart, and there are only two bomb rocks to stun it. After that, when the bulblax is going to thrust out its tongue, throw Pikmin on its face. Move away as it attacks. Once it's done and jumps up, whistle all attacking Pikmin away. Repeat this until the bulblax is defeated and collect the spoils. Make sure to collect the other treasure in the dirt.