The Gluon Drive is a ship part of the S.S. Dolphin in Pikmin. It is one of twenty-five ship parts that are mandatory to collect. The Gluon Drive makes up the top part of the ship's hull.
Mainline Appearance
Pikmin
The Gluon Drive is one of ten ship parts appearing in The Distant Spring. It is located near two bridges, both of which must be constructed. The second bridge must be constructed by Blue Pikmin, since reaching the Gluon Drive requires crossing water, and they can defeat the Yellow Wollyhop in the water.
At least fifty Pikmin are required to lift the Gluon Drive, for a maximum of seventy. The Gluon Drive is the heaviest of the ship parts, although in the Japanese version, the Gluon Drive is surpassed by the Secret Safe, which requires at least 85 Pikmin to carry. Defeating the Spotty Bulbears and the Puffy Blowhog ensures that the Pikmin are safe while returning to the S.S. Dolphin with the Gluon Drive.
In his Discovery Notes, Olimar describes the Gluon Drive as very scientific and mentions that it uses quark-binding metaphysical gluons. In the Ship Log, Olimar admits to not knowing how the Gluon Drive works, but says that it causes the S.S. Dolphin to lift off with a roar.
Notes
Discovery Notes
"I've found the Gluon Drive!
Using the quark-binding metaphysical properties of gluons, this device... Well, it's...very scientific, and I don't fully understand it myself, but it was very expensive..."
Ship Log
"I have no idea how this works, but it means the Dolphin will again lift off with its characteristic roar!"
Gallery
Trivia
- In real life, gluons are the theoretical particles responsible for the strong nuclear force. They hold quarks, elementary particles, together like glue, hence the name.
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