S.S. Drake

Lore & Background

The S.S. Drake was sent from the planet Koppai to scout PNF-404 for cultivable food sources to save Koppai from famine. The three captains—engineer Alph, botanist Brittany, and captain Charlie—piloted the ship. However, upon landing, the S.S. Drake malfunctioned and crash-landed, separating the three. Alph later recovers the ship with help from the Red Pikmin. The ship crashes once more in the Distant Tundra after the trio rescues Charlie. The cosmic-drive key, required to return to Koppai, is missing following the initial crash. The key is later recovered from Captain Olimar, who had mistakenly thought it was a treasure. With the key, the S.S. Drake is used to return the three captains, Olimar, and Louie to their respective home planets.

In Their Own Story

The S.S. Drake descended toward PNF-404, carrying the hopes of Koppai's starving population. But the landing went wrong. The ship malfunctioned and crash-landed, scattering the three captains across the planet. Alph awoke in the Tropical Wilds, alone, and discovered the Red Pikmin, who helped him recover the damaged ship. Later, Alph found Brittany in the Garden of Hope and rescued her with the Rock Pikmin. Together, they rescued Charlie from the Distant Tundra after the S.S. Drake crashed a second time. The trio learned that the cosmic-drive key was missing, taken by Captain Olimar, who thought it was treasure. After defeating the Plasm Wraith in the Formidable Oak, Olimar returned the key. The S.S. Drake then carried everyone home: the three captains to Koppai, and Olimar and Louie to Hocotate.

Reader's Guide

The S.S. Drake is the central vehicle in Pikmin 3's story. It is the ship that transports the three Koppaite captains to PNF-404. Its malfunction upon landing is the inciting incident that separates the captains and drives the plot. The ship is recovered by Alph with the help of Red Pikmin. It crashes a second time in the Distant Tundra. The cosmic-drive key, which is essential for the ship to return to Koppai, is missing and must be retrieved from Captain Olimar. Once the key is recovered, the S.S. Drake is used to return all characters to their home planets. The ship's crash-landing may not have been an accident, as hinted if the player collects all fruits.

Did You Know?

• The S.S. Drake crash-lands twice during the story of Pikmin 3: first upon initial arrival, and again in the Distant Tundra.
• The cosmic-drive key, essential for the S.S. Drake to return to Koppai, was taken by Captain Olimar, who mistook it for a treasure.
• If the player collects all fruits in the game, the narrator states that the S.S. Drake's crash-landing may not have been an accident.
• The S.S. Drake is used to give Captain Olimar and Louie a ride back to Hocotate after they are rescued.
• The ship's name, S.S. Drake, is never explicitly stated in the source material provided, but it is the vessel used by the three Koppaite captains.