In the game, Olimar returns to the Pikmin planet to collect valuable treasure after learning that the company he works for—Hocotate Freight—is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Many critics praised the various additions and changes, such as the new Pikmin types, longer length and the removal of the 30-day time limit imposed in the original game.

The gameplay focuses on leading and directing a horde of plant-like creatures called Pikmin to accomplish this mission.

The player can only explore during the daylight and begins each day at sunrise, and must finish all tasks and collect all stray Pikmin before sunset.

[4] The stalk on a Pikmin's head, topped with either a leaf, bud, or flower, indicates their swiftness and strength, growing upon consumption of nectar harvested from various sources.

More Pikmin can be born by bringing pellets or enemy carcasses to the "Onion" motherships, where they can be safely stored and extracted.

In addition to exploring the surface of each locale, there are caves scattered throughout the landscape, which the player, the Pikmin horde, and the ship's AI can enter.

Caves are also home to larger, stronger enemies that serve as the game's bosses, which upon defeat award treasures that bestow new abilities to the player characters.

Caves are also the only place to find the "Violet" or "Ivory" "Candypop Buds" that make Purple or White Pikmin.

Each selectable level takes place in caves of varying depth, and the objective is to locate a Key treasure, used to open access to the next sub-level, within the specified time limit.

When Olimar drops a bottle cap he brought home as a souvenir, an intelligent company ship appraises it as considerably valuable.

Eventually the pair encounters Louie in the Dream Den atop of a giant elemental creature called the Titan Dweevil that can harness the ability to switch between using fire, water, poison and electricity through treasures.

After defeating the creature, Olimar and the president retrieve Louie and the final treasures, and depart the planet, leaving the Pikmin behind.

In a special epilogue, it is revealed that Louie ate the entire shipment of Pikpik brand carrots he was delivering and falsified his report to the president to avoid trouble, causing the events of the game.

In December 2002 a year following the release of Pikmin, game designer Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed a sequel to be in development.

[6] Development took about two and a half years; the original plan was to release it in Autumn 2003, but the team chose to delay it by six months to make further changes and revisions.

The removal of the 30-day time limit originally used was applauded by many critics for increasing the game's longevity,[15][17][20][23] though Nintendo World Report had mixed opinions, feeling that the lack of urgency might encourage players to be "lazy.

[23] The graphics and presentation in Pikmin 2 were highly praised; many critics felt that they were greatly improved over the original game.

[23] GameSpot agreed, expressing that "from a performance viewpoint, Pikmin 2 stands as an impressive achievement on the GameCube, especially since the improved visuals still move at a solid frame rate despite the increased detail.

[25] In addition, many reviews voiced minor complaints regarding the game's camera system, which was often obstructed by large objects in the playing field when positioned at certain angles.

[4][15][17][23] The staff of X-Play nominated Pikmin 2 for their 2004 "Best Strategy Game" award,[30] which ultimately went to Rome: Total War.

He particularly lamented the replacement of the licensed brands with fictional ones, claiming that this makes it more difficult for players to notice a connection between Earth and the Pikmin planet.