Pikmin 251/Upgrades

There are thirteen upgrades that can be obtained in ‘’Pikmin 251’’, if one includes challenge mode. All return from Pikmin 2, with new names and some new sources. Only the Positioning System and The Map are required to obtain both story endings and complete the game. Every other upgrade exists as a permanent reward for clearing a cave.

Geographical Upgrades

Upgrades pertaining to the player’s map and which above-ground areas they can access.

Positioning System

Allows access to the second area in Pikmin 251, Flooded Fields. To have it, the player must first find the Whimsical Radar in the Abandoned Toybox.

The Map

Allows access to the third area in Pikmin 251, Mystical Beach. To have it, the player must first find the Compacted Encyclopedia in the Flooded Fields.

Spacesuit Upgrades

These upgrades give the captains boosts, abilities, and immunities to certain hazards.

Metal Suit ZX

Improves the durability of each captains’ suits and reduces incoming damage by a certain amount. To obtain it, one must take the Strengthened Comradel from a Ranging Bloyster in the Aquatic Depths.

Burn Heal

Provides the captains with fire immunity. It is unlocked by collecting the Unstable Pool, which is dropped by a Burrowing Snarrow in the 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, captains will be given electricity immunity. They will no longer take damage from Anode Beetles, Anode Dweevils, and so forth. The only exception to this protection are attacks from the Scrambled Titan Dweevil, which will continue to stun leaders. The Super Shocker can be found after defeating a Giant Frosted Breadbug in the Cryptic Kitchen. Doing so will reveal the Rubberized Cinder Block , which can be processed into this upgrade. 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, captains run faster and will no longer be blown around by the attacks of Bubbling Blowhogs and Grounding Blowhogs. This upgrade is awarded to the player after they salvage the Repulsive Footwear from an Emperor Bulblax from the Grub-dog Domain. Note that the Hyper Boots will not increase the speed of Pikmin, which can make them slightly harder 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 {{c|Rocket Fist} in Pikmin 2.

Citizen Napper

Obtained from the Five Legged Pajamas, taken from a Silver Empress Bulblax in the Arachnid Asylum. It is equivalent to the Napsack in Pikmin 2, this upgrade allows the player’s current captain to lay down. Nearby Pikmin will carry them to the Onion or Research Pod, as if they were an object. Captains are light enough to where only one Pikmin is enough to successfully lift them up. A maximum of four Pikmin can be used with the Citizen Napper.

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 now can be larger, allowing for more efficient Pikmin control. It is unlocked from the Blaring Amplifier, held by a Giant Frosted Breadbug in the Cryptic Kitchen.

Pluck Megaphone

A direct equivalent to the Pluckaphone, this ability allows whistles to uproot Pikmin with sound alone. Captains will no longer need to pluck Pikmin by hand, as they can instead whistle their buried soldiers and increase their own productivity significantly. The Segmented Crawbster living in the Subterranean Sands will grant this upgrade through the Summoning Noisemaker, which it guards with its life.

Misc. Upgrades

Upgrades which do not affect captains or their equipment 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 will reward the player with the Crystal Illuminator needed to have this power.

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. If the player is in an area or cave sublevel where treasure exists, the meter will activate and describe how close the player is to an object of interest. It is also active in the presence of an Antenna Beetle, regardless if there is treasure. It is sourced from the Director of Riches in the Ivory Metalworks, which is the second or third cave visited on a normal playthrough. If the player can overcome the Beady Long Legs in the cave, the Item Finder will be theirs.

Challenge Mode

Unlocks Challenge Mode, which is a collection of usually short, non-story caves. In them, each enemy drops treasure and each sublevel has a time limit. To play these, 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.