Pikmin 2/Version Differences

This is a sub-page of Pikmin 2.

To do: More differences. Wii port changes Heat haze effect issue in widescreen Control changes/issues Switch port changes Removed real-world branding; get model rips of these genericized versions. Modified dialogue Physics are a bit off? Sound issues https://github.com/XAYRGA/fixp2sound

A good chunk of Pikmin 2‍ '​s treasures are brand-name products, so it makes sense that they would differ with each region of the game. Then there are other treasures that were just too foreign to be recognized, so those had to be changed too. Anyway, prepare to raise your brand awareness of many fine consumables!

Items in blue appear in multiple regions, but were moved to different files.

Main Treasure Differences

Differences Between Japan and US + PAL

Model Name	Japan	US & PAL	Notes
bane_red			The Japanese text was replaced with a reference to Mario Paint.
denchi_1_red			JP Treasure: National Hi-Top R20P (D) Battery NA+EU Treasure: Duracell D Battery
denchi_2_black			JP Treasure: National NEO Hi-Top R20P (D) Battery NA+EU Treasure: Duracell C Battery
denchi_3_black			JP Treasure: National NEO Hi-Top R6P (AA) Battery NA+EU Treasure: Duracell 9V Battery
denchi_3_red			JP Treasure: National Hi-Top R6P (AA) Battery NA+EU Treasure: Duracell AA Battery
g_futa_daisen			JP Treasure: Daisen-brand milk cover NA+EU Treasure: Vlasic pickle jar lid            JP Value: 30 Pokos     US+EU Value: 100 Pokos
g_futa_kyodo			JP Treasure: Kyodo-brand milk cover NA+EU Treasure: Dannon Fruit On the Bottom yogurt lid
g_futa_kyosin			JP Treasure: Kyoshin-brand milk cover NA+EU Treasure: French's mustard bottle lid            JP Value: 30 Pokos     US+EU Value: 100 Pokos
kan			Another Mario Paint reference was added while Japanese text was removed.
kan_b_gold			JP Treasure: Popsicle stick NA+EU Treasure: Tube of lipstick
locket			The Time Capsule image was changed from a cat to a dog for some reason.
tape_blue			The last added Mario reference. The Japanese logo was changed to "Bowser Breath Brand", and the original fake telephone number (090-1234-5678) was changed to 555-TROOPAS.
yoyo_blue			JP Treasure: Milk bottle opener NA+EU Treasure: Bottle opener

Differences Between Japan + PAL and US

Model Name	Japan & PAL	US	Notes
compact			JP+EU Treasure: "Lovely Yuuri" compact mirror       US Treasure: Party hat      JP+EU Value: 150 Pokos            US Value: 100 Pokos
kan_imuraya			JP+EU Treasure: Imuraya-brand can of beans       US Treasure: Can of Underwood deviled ham
kan_iwate			JP+EU Treasure: Iwate-brand ICC can       US Treasure: Tin of Beach Cliff sardines
kan_kyokuyo			JP+EU Treasure: Kyokuyo-brand can of shellfish       US Treasure: Can of TreeTop apple juice
kan_maruha			JP+EU Treasure: Maruha-brand can of oysters       US Treasure: Container of Clabber Girl baking powder
kan_meidiya			JP+EU Treasure: Tin of Meidi-ya's corned beef       US Treasure: Jar of Skippy peanut butter
kan_nichiro			JP+EU Treasure: Maruha Nichiro-brand can of salmon       US Treasure: Can of Sun Luck-brand water chestnuts
otama			JP+EU Treasure: Broken frying pan       US Treasure: Lemon squeezer

Differences Between Japan + US and PAL

Model Name	Japan & US	PAL	Notes
fire_helmet			JP+US Treasure: Kiwi shoe polish       EU Treasure: Jar of Skippy peanut butter     JP+US Value: 80 Pokos           EU Value: 130 Pokos
momiji_normal			The Arboreal Frippery was changed from green to red, probably because people confused it with a pot leaf. It's actually an innocuous Japanese Maple leaf. Note that the red treasure model is actually reused from an earlier set of treasures found on the JP disc!

Differences Between All Versions

Model Name	Japan	US	PAL	Notes
bey_goma				JP Treasure: Beigoma toy US Treasure: Sunrise 8x magnifying lens EU Treasure: Lobster claw     JP Value: 120 Pokos     US Value: 120 Pokos     EU Value: 150 Pokos
denchi_1_black				JP Treasure: National NEO Hi-Top R20P (D) Battery US Treasure: Tree Top apple sauce lid EU Treasure: Tin of Beach Cliff sardines     JP Value: 300 Pokos     US Value: 300 Pokos     EU Value: 130 Pokos
denchi_2_red				JP Treasure: National Hi-Top R20P (D) Battery US Treasure: Ragu pasta sauce lid EU Treasure: Pschitt! soda bottle cap     JP Value: 140 Pokos     US Value: 140 Pokos     EU Value: 100 Pokos
g_futa_hirosima				JP Treasure: Kurimoto-brand milk cover NA Treasure: Can opener EU Treasure: Can of Sun Luck-brand water chestnuts     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 100 Pokos     EU Value: 130 Pokos
g_futa_hiruzen				JP Treasure: Hiruzen-brand milk cover NA Treasure: Carmex lip balm EU Treasure: Vitamalz non-alcoholic beer bottle cap     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 60 Pokos     EU Value: 100 Pokos
g_futa_kajiwara				JP Treasure: Kajihara-brand milk cover NA Treasure: ChapStick lip balm EU Treasure: Hawesta-brand can of herring in tomato sauce     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 90 Pokos     EU Value: 130 Pokos
g_futa_kitaama				JP Treasure: Kitaama-brand milk cover NA Treasure: Yoo-Hoo Chocolate Drink bottle cap EU Treasure: Fristi yogurt drink bottle cap     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 100 Pokos     EU Value: 100 Pokos
g_futa_koiwai				JP Treasure: Koiwai-brand milk cover NA Treasure: Lobster claw EU Treasure: Connéctable sardine tin     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 150 Pokos     EU Value: 130 Pokos
g_futa_kyusyu				JP Treasure: Kyusyu-brand milk cover NA Treasure: Yoo-Hoo Cola bottle cap EU Treasure: Bag of Haribo Tagada candy     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 100 Pokos     EU Value: 100 Pokos
g_futa_nihonraku				JP Treasure: Mainichi-brand milk cover NA Treasure: Wilson tennis ball can lid EU Treasure: Tizer soft drink twist cap     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 100 Pokos     EU Value: 30 Pokos
g_futa_sakotani				JP Treasure: Sagotani-brand milk cover NA Treasure: A&W root beer bottle cap EU Treasure: Kiwi shoe polish     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 100 Pokos     EU Value: 80 Pokos
g_futa_sikoku				JP Treasure: Rakuren-brand milk cover NA Treasure: Squirt soft drink bottle cap EU Treasure: Container of Clabber Girl baking powder     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 100 Pokos     EU Value: 130 Pokos
g_futa_titiyas				JP Treasure: Chichiyasu-brand milk cover NA Treasure: RC Cola bottle cap EU Treasure: Sinalco Cola twist cap     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 100 Pokos     EU Value: 30 Pokos
milkcap				JP Treasure: Ohayo-brand milk cover NA Treasure: Snapple push cap EU Treasure: Breitsamer forest honey jar     JP Value: 30 Pokos     US Value: 30 Pokos     EU Value: 50 Pokos
toy_lady				JP Treasure: Broken metal spoon NA Treasure: Broken frying pan EU Treasure: Lemon squeezer     JP Value: 80 Pokos     US Value: 90 Pokos     EU Value: 90 Pokos

Differences Between GameCube and Switch Versions

Pikmin 2 landed on the Nintendo Switch along with its predecessor in June 2023 to promote the soon-to-be-released Pikmin 4. This version of the game is unique in that it opted to replace the real-world products entirely across all regions with generic brands, much to the dismay of Vlasic Pickles fans everywhere.

This article section was brought to you by ELECTRIC POWER SUPER BATTERY®.

Model Name	GameCube (US)	Switch	Notes
denchi_1_red		56px	GCN Treasure (NA+EU): Duracell D Battery Switch Treasure: "Electric Power Super Battery" D
denchi_2_black		56px	GCN Treasure (NA+EU): Duracell C Battery Switch Treasure: "Electric Power Super Battery" C
denchi_3_black			GCN Treasure (NA+EU): Duracell 9V Battery Switch Treasure: "Electric Power Super Battery" 9V
denchi_3_red		28px	GCN Treasure (NA+EU): Duracell AA Battery Switch Treasure: "Electric Power Super Battery" AA
g_futa_daisen		128px	GCN Treasure (NA+EU): Vlasic pickle jar lid Switch Treasure: Orange Jam jar lid
g_futa_kyodo		128px	GCN Treasure (NA+EU): Dannon Fruit On the Bottom yogurt lid Switch Treasure: "Morning" Blueberry Fruit Yogurt lid
g_futa_kyosin		128px	GCN Treasure (NA+EU): French's mustard bottle lid Switch Treasure: Hot Mustard lid
kan_imuraya		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): Can of Underwood deviled ham Switch Treasure: Tuna Salad Spread
kan_iwate		112px	GCN Treasure (NA): Tin of Beach Cliff sardines Switch Treasure: Tin of... Sardines
kan_kyokuyo		56px	GCN Treasure (NA): Can of TreeTop apple juice Switch Treasure: Can of "Fresh" organic apple juice
kan_maruha		64px	GCN Treasure (NA): Container of Clabber Girl baking powder Switch Treasure: Container of "Queen's Quality" baking powder
kan_meidiya		72px	GCN Treasure (NA): Jar of Skippy peanut butter Switch Treasure: Jar of "Ribbon's" peanut butter
kan_nichiro		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): Can of Sun Luck-brand water chestnuts Switch Treasure: Can of pineapple slices
denchi_1_black		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): TreeTop apple sauce lid Switch Treasure: "Fresh" organic fruit sauce lid
denchi_2_red		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): Ragu pasta sauce lid Switch Treasure: Tomato Basil lid
g_futa_hiruzen		96px	GCN Treasure (NA): Carmex lip balm Switch Treasure: Organic Aloe Vera Cream
g_futa_kajiwara		284x	GCN Treasure (NA): ChapStick lip balm Switch Treasure: "Night" lip balm
g_futa_kitaama		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): Yoo-Hoo Chocolate Drink bottle cap Switch Treasure: "Milk Crown" cream soda bottle cap
g_futa_kyusyu		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): Yoo-Hoo Cola bottle cap Switch Treasure: "Natural Water" bottle cap
g_futa_nihonraku		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): Wilson tennis ball can lid Switch Treasure: "Tarai" can lid
g_futa_sakotani		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): A&W root beer bottle cap Switch Treasure: "Premium Orange Juice: 19th Anniversary" bottle cap
g_futa_sikoku		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): Squirt soft drink bottle cap Switch Treasure: "Ginger Ale Light" bottle cap
g_futa_titiyas		File:Pikmin2gfutatitiyasNSW.png	GCN Treasure (NA): RC Cola bottle cap Switch Treasure: Blackberry Soda bottle cap
milkcap			GCN Treasure (NA): Snapple push cap Switch Treasure: "Sunny Tropical Juice" push cap
Quenching Emblem	128px	128px	GCN Treasure (NA): 7-Up bottle cap Switch Treasure: "Spicy Ginger Ale" bottle cap
Drought Ender	128px		GCN Treasure (NA): Dr. Pepper bottle cap Switch Treasure: Coconut Water bottle cap
Alien Billboard		128px	GCN Treasure (NA): Kiwi shoe polish Switch Treasure: Black shoe polish

Miscellaneous

e-Reader Support

The Japanese game had e-Reader and GBA link support that was removed from all other releases. By this point (Summer 2004) the e-Reader was dead in North America and had never really been introduced in Europe. With e-cards, 3 new minigames could be uploaded to the Game Boy Advance, with additional levels being unlocked with different cards.

In the North American version of the game, the mode can still be accessed using Gecko code 049FBC8C 00000006, then choosing any option in the Bonuses menu. Most of the text was blanked, and the code for communicaton with the e-Reader was likely removed.

Pikmin Plucking

Olimar must pluck every Pikmin from the ground before time runs out.

Pikmin Parts

Lead all Pikmin to the goal and out of harm's way.

Pikmin Path

The object is to move pieces around (a bit like a sliding puzzle) to get all Pikmin to the ship pod.

Yield Sign

Japan	International

Japanese Stop signs are triangular in shape. Rather than changing the shape of the Stop sign in the Wistful Wild, the North American and PAL versions changed it to a Yield sign.

Decorative Goo

On the Treasure Hoard, the Decorative Goo shows up differently depending on the version, and on the area selected. In the Japanese version, everything is fine. In the US version, it floats gently above the ground. In the European version, it visually shows up at floor level, but it doesn't have a shadow – however in the Perplexing Pool in the European version, it looks exactly the same as in the US version. All of these changes are reflected in the equivalent New Play Control! Pikmin 2 versions.

Technically, the models are different between the Japanese version and the US version (and this is likely where the visual offset that makes it appear to float was introduced), on the account of the treasure itself visually changing. The model is the same between the US version and the European version, but since the European developers wanted to fix the problem, they've changed the treasure spawn coordinates for the Valley of Repose, Awakening Wood, and Wistful Wild. The Perplexing Pool might've been overlooked because the treasure is underwater, making it hard to even notice there's a problem in the first place.

Minor Things

• The Silencer's treasure value was changed from 666 Pokos to 670 Pokos in all non-Japanese releases, likely due to its association with superstitions in some Western cultures.
• The Beady Long Legs' feet can be damaged normally in the Japanese version. In the other versions, only a Purple Pikmin's stomp can cause any damage.
• On the Piklopedia, if you petrify a Volatile Dweevil while it is about to explode, the game freezes in the Japanese version, but causes the enemy to explode its petrified self in the overseas releases.
• Like most other Japanese Nintendo games, there is an option to enable or disable katakana and hiragana text atop the normal kanji symbols, which helps younger readers understand the in-game text.
• For the title screen, there is actually a setting that controls what the size of each Pikmin's flower should be (under /user/Ebisawa/title/title.szs/param/param_pikmin.txt). In Japan, this is set to 2.6, but it's 2.4 everywhere else.
• The Japanese area selection screen has some bubbles between the word 地上 ("Above Ground") and the number of treasures. The other versions of the game moved these bubbles off-camera below the scene, since there wouldn't be enough space for them.
• The Spherical Atlas's model was rotated in each version of the game such that the "front" matches the same region. This means that, for instance, in the Japanese version, during the treasure's discovery cutscene, Japan faces the camera. Something similar happened to the Geographic Projection, but it shows Australia in the European version and shows South America in the other versions.
• On the opening cutscene, there's a scene that shows the Hocotate Freight banner. In the Japanese version, the word "Hocotate" is stylized like "Hokotate". It's spelled with a stylized "c" in the US and European releases.
• On the saved game selection menu, there are two labels that explain what X and Y do when pressed. The Japanese version has a normal-text "X" and a "Y" inside bubbles, but the US and European versions use icons that represent the buttons. In the New Play Control! versions, the icons for the 1 and 2 buttons are nearly identical, but a bit simpler in the Japanese release.
• Normally, the sunset mix for the Wistful Wild uses a music box for its main melody, like the other areas. In the US and European versions, on the first loop of the song, it actually plays with flutes and other instruments used in the main Wistful Wild theme. After the first loop (which can be heard by pausing), it reverts to the usual music box. This alternate instrumentation does not exist at all in any New Play Control! release.
• If there are 100 Pikmin on the field, including wild Pikmin, and the game needs to pop out a new seed due to an extinction, it will have to forcefully stow away one Pikmin in order to not go over the 100 Pikmin limit. In the Japanese version, wild Pikmin are eligible to be stowed, but not in the US and European versions.
• The journal entry for the Flare Cannon uses the word "monstrous" in the US version, but has the misspelling "monsterous" in the European version. The exact same thing happens in the Wii release...but with both regions having swapped the term.