The Libra is a recurring ship part of the S.S. Dolphin in the Pikmin series. It first appears in Pikmin, as one of 25 mandatory ship parts to retrieve, and returns in Olimar's Shipwreck Tale of Pikmin 4. The Libra bears a resemblance to the Sagittarius, except it is smaller.
Mainline appearances
Pikmin
In Pikmin, the Libra is located in The Forest Navel. The main method of obtaining the Libra is very complicated, since it requires the involvement of Red, Blue, and Yellow Pikmin. The first step for Olimar and his Pikmin is to go to the large lake area. They must continue along a short pathway to the right, guarded by a black wooden gate. Go through a narrow strip of land filled with Fire Geysers. All Pikmin must be kept to one side of the passage to prevent the Blue Pikmin and Yellow Pikmin from touching the fire. A bridge has to be built to reach the land, then throw at least fifteen Yellow Pikmin to retrieve it, and at least five Blue Pikmin to open up a geyser for Olimar to reach the area where they can be thrown. Olimar then has to command at least fifteen Red Pikmin to carry the Libra through the Fire Geysers. With precise timing, it is possible for Blue and Yellow Pikmin to also help out on this part. Pikmin usually get deflowered when carrying the Libra off of a ledge, which can be avoided by either calling them before they fall or by positioning the camera to face away from them.
The alternate method for obtaining the Libra involves only Red Pikmin, by having them swarm the submerged geyser in a certain way and then flinging them up to the ledge to retrieve the Libra.
In both the Discovery Notes and Ship Log, it is revealed that the Libra was given to Olimar by his daughter, and the Discovery Log also mentions that the Libra is named after the astrological sign. The Libra, like the Sagittarius, could be some kind of star chart or navigational device, though the function is never clearly addressed.
Pikmin 4
In Pikmin 4's Olimar's Shipwreck Tale campaign, the Libra is located in the Sun-Speckled Terrace. The Libra is near the Meandering Slope, go around to find a few jars blocking the entrance to the Libra. Break them open and carry the Libra back.
Glitches
Exclusively in the Nintendo GameCube version is a rather notorious glitch involving the Libra. The part may bounce and fall into the abyss when pulled from the ledge it is positioned on. The part may not reappear in any way on the file (though sometimes it will reappear in a random location). If this happens to the player, they should reset the game immediately, as the game cannot be completed without this part.
Notes
Discovery Notes
"I've found my Libra!
My daughter gave this to me. It's named after her astrological sign. My sweet little girl... I wonder what she's doing right at this moment..."
Ship Log
"My daughter gave this to me. My late return must have her very worried..."
Trivia
- Like the Sagittarius, the Libra is named after the constellation of the same name.
- Also like the Sagittarius, the Libra resembles the Essence of Despair from Pikmin 2.
- In Greek mythology, Libra is the goddess of truth and balance.
- Even though the Libra and the Sagittarius are the same size when showed on the S.S. Dolphin, the Libra takes only 15 pikmin to carry and the Sagittarius takes 20. Though the size of the pieces when they have yet to be retrieved is different.
- The Libra is one of the parts that can be seen on the outside of the S.S. Dolphin. After being collected, the Libra is installed on the ship's hull, port at cockpit level, left of Olimar while he is seated.
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