The gameplay is mostly the same as "Pikmin"<nowiki>'</nowiki>s. Olimar and Louie control the Pikmin, and they can use them to pick up objects, reach other areas, and fight enemies. Pikmin are plucked out of the ground, and they live in a space ship called an onion when they are not being used. There can be up to 100 different Pikmin out of the onion, and there are five kinds of Pikmin - the first three from Pikmin are the Red Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin, and Blue Pikmin. The Red Pikmin are stronger and can not be burnt, the Yellow Pikmin are lighter, can pick up bombs, and can not be electrocuted, and the Blue Pikmin can swim. "Pikmin 2" adds two new Pikmin - Purple Pikmin and White Pikmin. The Purple Pikmin are the strongest and the heaviest, and the White Pikmin are poison and kill enemies if eaten. These Pikmin can be thrown into the air to reach a higher place, and can be guided to get them all in one spot. One new feature "Pikmin 2" adds is the ability to switch between two leaders - Olimar and Louie.