Pikmin 251/Upgrades

Pikmin 251 features thirteen upgrades that either grant access to new areas or game modes or improve the survival abilities of leaders. All of them return from Pikmin 2, with new names, and some are gained from different treasures. Only the Positioning System and The Map are required to obtain the first story ending, and every other upgrade exists as a permanent reward at the end of a cave.

Geographical upgrades

These upgrades expand the overworld map and grant access to new areas.

Positioning System

Grants access to the second area, Flooded Fields. Obtaining it requires collecting the Whimsical Radar in the Abandoned Toybox.

The Map

Grants access to Mystical Beach, the third area. Obtaining it requires collecting the Compacted Encyclopedia in Flooded Fields.

Spacesuit upgrades

These upgrades give the leaders boosts, abilities, and hazard immunities.

Metal Suit ZX

Improves the durability of each leader’s suit, reducing the damage they receive from physical attacks. Obtaining it requires collecting the Strengthened Comradel from a Ranging Bloyster in Aquatic Depths.

Burn Heal

Provides leaders with fire immunity. Obtaining it requires collecting the Unstable Pool, which is dropped by a Burrowing Snarrow in Flaming Trench. With it, leaders are no longer affected by fire from any source except for the Scrambled Titan Dweevil, whose attacks will always stun leaders.

Super Shocker

When unlocked, leaders will be given immunity to electricity. The only exception to this protection are attacks from the Scrambled Titan Dweevil, which will always stun leaders. The Super Shocker is acquired after collecting the Rubberized Cinder Block, which is found after defeating a Giant Frosted Breadbug in Cryptic Kitchen. Strangely, the ship will name this boost the Anode Gear, but after collection it will always be titled as the Super Shocker in the Exploration Kit.

Hyper Boots

Once applied, leaders run faster and will no longer be blown around by the attacks of Bubbling Blowhogs and Grounding Blowhogs. This upgrade is given after collecting the Repulsive Footwear from an Emperor Bulblax in Grub-dog Domain. As the Hyper Boots will not increase the speed of Pikmin, they will be slightly more difficult to lead.

Fist of Pain

An upgrade increasing the combat ability of all captains. Discovered after the player defeats a Man-at-Legs in the Gambler's Den, and collects the Ultimate Gripper. With it, Olimar, Louie, and the ship will be able to combo their punches and deal more damage in a shorter period of time. It performs exactly like the Rocket Fist in Pikmin 2.

Citizen Napper

Obtained from the Five Legged Pajamas, taken from a Silver Empress Bulblax in Arachnid Asylum. The equivalent to the Napsack in Pikmin 2, this upgrade allows the leaders to lay down. Nearby Pikmin will carry them to the Onion or Research Pod as if they were an object. Leaders are light enough that only one Pikmin is enough to carry them, and a maximum of four can carry them at once.

Whistle upgrades

These upgrades improve the performance of whistles.

Ping Alarm

Increases the maximum calling range of whistles. The diameter of the circle created while using a whistle has a larger maximum range, allowing for more efficient Pikmin control. It is acquired by collecting the Blaring Amplifier, held by a Giant Frosted Breadbug in Cryptic Kitchen.

Pluck Megaphone

A direct equivalent to the Pluckaphone, this ability allows whistles to uproot Pikmin with sound alone. Leaders will no longer need to pluck Pikmin by hand, as they can instead whistle buried Pikmin and increase their own productivity significantly. Defeating the Segmented Crawbster inhabiting Subterranean Sands reveals this upgrade through the Summoning Noisemaker.

Miscellaneous upgrades

These upgrades do not affect leaders directly.

Solar System

A piece of equipment which passively brightens all underground areas. It shares many features with the Solar System from Pikmin 2, down to the treasure model, name, and functionality. In Pikmin 251, this upgrade is slightly less effective and is instead found in the Palace of the Wraith as opposed to the Subterranean Complex. The Waterwraith rewards the Crystal Illuminator needed to have this upgrade.

Item Finder

This upgrade is essentially the Treasure Gauge with no significant changes. It is presented as a half-circle meter with a needle that moves from right to left. When in an area or cave sublevel where treasure exists, the meter will activate and indicate the proximity to an object of interest. It is also active in the presence of an Antenna Beetle, regardless if there is a treasure in the same location as it. It is sourced from the Director of Riches, dropped by a Beady Long Legs in the Ivory Metalworks, which is usually the second or third cave visited.

Challenge Mode

Unlocks Challenge Mode, which is an assortment of usually short caves. In them, each enemy drops treasure and each sublevel has a time limit. To access this game mode, the player must first defeat a Pileated Snagret in the Steel Catacombs, as doing so will reveal That Key, a treasure akin to The Key from Pikmin 2.