User:CyonOfGaia/Sandbox/Exploration Tool

Several Exploration Tools placed on the screen

Exploration tools are customizable user interface elements in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which can be placed on the sides of the screen in a 15x8 grid. Once placed, they provide information about the current state of Yoshi, the environment, and any nearby special items or creatures. The ability to obtain and utilize exploration tools is granted after completing the Bewilder Bird Habitat and viewing the game's credits for the first time.

Overview

The menu for setting up Exploration Tools

Once unlocked, accessing exploration tools can be done any time by pausing the game and selecting "Exploration Tools", bringing the player to an interface where they can set up and use the tools they have obtained so far.

The player can press to exchange 5 Smiley Flowers for Mr. E to invent a new exploration tool. Exploration tools are obtained in a random order. Pressing opens up a list of tools that the player has obtained so far. When a tool is selected, the player can move the tool around the sides of the screen, and place it there, provided that any part of the grid isn't occupied by other tools. Exploration Tools can also be removed from the screen by pressing while highlighting one.

Pressing allows the player to see a colored version of the gameplay screenshot to see how it looks in-game. By default, it shows a green Yoshi in the middle of the Crazee Dayzee Habitat, but it can change to a still image of the current gameplay if the game has been paused while in a habitat.

In the List menu, any exploration tool can be marked as a "favorite" by pressing , which places a heart on the bottom-left of the tool's icon. The tools can be sorted by pressing , and they can be sorted by type, by newest order they're obtained in, size (largest to smallest), or set to show only favorited tools.

List

The game features a total of 56 exploration tools. Four of these are badges, which are unlocked by reaching various completion milestones.

Tool	Image	Size	In-game description	Notes
Life Gauge (20 ❤️)		5x1	See Yoshi's health as expanded hearts.	Yoshi starts with 10 hearts by default. Taking damage from any source removes a heart, but they can be restored by eating food such as Apples (which restore 5 hearts), and Bunchabee hives (which restore up to 18 hearts). The gauge is purely visual, as Yoshi is not defeated if he loses all hearts, and will instead be back to 1 heart.
Life Gauge (10 ❤️)		3x1	See Yoshi's health as condensed hearts.	Yoshi's "health" meter is condensed in such a way that two health points is equal to one full heart, composed of an outer and inner heart. Otherwise, it acts the same as its 20 ❤️ counterpart.
Smiley Flower Radar (Omni)		2x2	Track the location of the nearest Smiley Flower.	When a Smiley Flower is nearby, this tool will activate and point its needle in the direction of it. Hidden Smiley Flowers, including those attributed to Blue Tokens, cannot be detected by the radar.
Smiley Flower Radar (Cardinal)		2x2	Track the direction of the nearest Smiley Flower.	Same as above, but the radar will appear to tilt towards the direction of the nearby Smiley Flower.
Smiley Flower Radar (Small)		1x1	Track the nearest Smiley Flower.	A condensed version of the Omni variant of the Smiley Flower Radar, using a small protrusion on the circular outline to point in the direction of said item.
Winged Cloud Radar (Omni)		2x2	Track the location of the nearest Winged Cloud.	When a Winged Cloud is nearby, this tool will activate and point its needle in the direction of it. Hidden Winged Clouds cannot be detected by the radar and must be revealed first for it to properly detect it.
Winged Cloud Radar (Cardinal)		2x2	Track the direction of the nearest Winged Cloud.	Same as above, but the radar will appear to tilt towards the direction of the nearby Winged Cloud.
Winged Cloud Radar (Small)		1x1	Track the nearest Winged Cloud.	A condensed version of the Omni variant of the Winged Cloud Radar, using a small protrusion on the circular outline to point in the direction of said item.
Fruit Radar		2x2	Track the type and position of the nearest fruit-like food.	A triangular needle rotates around the circular outline of the radar to detect the nearest fruit-like food, with its icon changing to represent the closest item detected. It can detect the following: Apples Hot peppers Watermelons Note fruits Heart turnips Hard seeds Nuts
Apple Radar		1x1	Track the location of the nearest apple.	A small circular radar that uses a small triangular needle to point in the direction of the nearest apple. This tool and other fruit-related radars can be said to be the condensed versions of the Fruit Radar, splitting up the detection of various fruit-like food items into different radars that are not overridden by each other.
Hot-Pepper Radar		1x1	Track the location of the nearest hot pepper.	A small circular radar that uses a small triangular needle to point in the direction of the nearest hot pepper.
Watermelon Radar		1x1	Track the location of the nearest watermelon.	A small circular radar that uses a small triangular needle to point in the direction of the nearest watermelon.
Note-Fruit Radar		1x1	Track the location of the nearest note fruit.	A small circular radar that uses a small triangular needle to point in the direction of the nearest note fruit.
Heart-Turnip Radar		1x1	Track the location of the nearest heart turnip.	A small circular radar that uses a small triangular needle to point in the direction of the nearest heart turnip.
Hard-Seed Radar		1x1	Track the location of the nearest hard seed.	A small circular radar that uses a small triangular needle to point in the direction of the nearest hard seed.
Nut Radar		1x1	Track the location of the nearest nut.	A small circular radar that uses a small triangular needle to point in the direction of the nearest nut.
Bioscanner (Square)		3x3	Track the location of nearby creatures.	Creatures displayed on the bioscanner appear as big dots, and may also include creatures with no unique entries in the Index, such as bugs and fish. Yoshi's position is also tracked with an outlined mugshot of his head.
Bioscanner (Circle)		3x3	Track the location of nearby creatures.	A circular variant of the Bioscanner, resembling a common variant of digital radar display.
Bioscanner (Distant)		5x3	Track the location of distant creatures.	Same as the above two, but detects at a greater distance.
Name Plate (Simple)		4x1	Display the names of nearby creatures in a simple style.	The name of the creature is displayed next to a magnifying glass icon, and features a horizontal line running across the bottom. This tool can also detect creatures not listed in the Index, displaying their names whenever possible.
Name Plate (Fancy)		3x1	Display the names of nearby creatures in the book's style.	Same as the above, but more compact and features fancier decoration.
Speedometer (Horizontal)		2x2	Track the speed of Yoshi's horizontal movement.	Takes the appearance of a quarter-circle speedometer, with a needle that tracks Yoshi's horizontal speed. Horizontal speed is measured using unitless numbers, maxing out at 40. For reference, Yoshi's normal running speed measures at 11 units.
Speedometer (Vertical)		2x3	Track the speed of Yoshi's vertical movement.	A vertical bar that curves upward, that measures Yoshi's upwards speed. Downwards speed is not measured. Upwards speed is measured using unitless numbers, maxing out at 40. For reference, Yoshi's maximum jump speed (unassisted) measures at 14 units.
Speedometer (Omni)		2x2	Track the speed of Yoshi's movement in all directions.	A circular speedometer featuring an arrow that moves across incrementing unitless numbers. The speedometer tilts to match Yoshi's current horizontal and vertical speed, allowing the arrow to determine Yoshi's current moving direction.
Scale (Measure)		2x2	Measure weight by needle movement.	Weight can be measured for objects and creatures that can be carried on Yoshi's back with the Tail Flick move. Weight is measured in unitless numbers, which is displayed on top of the weighing scale. For example, a Crazee Dayzee may weigh 20 units, a Milde may weigh as small as 5 units, or a Snurfboard can weigh as heavy as 80 units.
Scale (Balance)		3x2	Measure weight by plates and fulcrum.	Similar to the above, but takes the appearance of a balance scale, with three Yoshi Eggs on the left plate and the weight unit display on the right.
Scale (Spring)		1x5	Measure weight by spring length.	Similar to the above two, but takes the appearance of a spring scale, which stretches downward the heavier the carried creature/object is.
Heart Rate (Waveform)		4x2	Measure Yoshi's heart rate via waveform.	This exploration tool will also cause the Joy-Con 2 to react to every heart pulse via the HD Rumble 2 feature. Several spiking pulses occur if Yoshi eats anything spicy or takes any damage.
Heart Rate (Beats)		2x2	Measure Yoshi's heart rate via heartbeat.	Similar to the above, but takes the appearance of a beating heart icon that beats with every pulse. It becomes spiky if Yoshi eats anything spicy or takes any damage.
Taste Sensor (Triangle)		3x3 (7 square units)	Use a triangle chart to judge flavors of things Yoshi eats.	The triangle chart features three tastes across three vertices - "sweet" on top, "spicy" on bottom-left, and "bitter" on bottom-right. Eating a creature/object will cause parts of the triangle to spike towards a certain taste, and may include multiple tastes as well. This is the only Exploration Tool to have an irregularly shaped grid. For the sake of referencing, each taste is measured in percentages, with each point taking a 25% interval. For example, an Apple is considered 100% sweet, a Pepper is considered 100% spicy, and any inedible object eaten is 100% bitter. Some creatures can have compound tastes. For example, a Shy Guy is 50% sweet and roughly less than 25% bitter. Creatures that are too big for Yoshi to eat are also detected by the Taste Sensor. For example, a regular-sized Croakaoke is roughly less than half of 25% sweet.
Taste Sensor (Bar Graph)		3x3	Use a bar graph to judge flavors of things Yoshi eats.	Behaves the same as above, but three bars are used to determine each taste: spicy, then sweet, then bitter.
Step Counter		2x1	Track the number of steps Yoshi takes.	This tool does not start recording the number of steps until it is placed onto the screen.
Water Quality (Bowl)		2x2	Display the quality of any water Yoshi enters.	Water quality displays determine the quality of a liquid through a visualization, even those that instantly defeat Yoshi like lava: Regular (clean) water - appears clean with no additional details besides a set of three sparkles on the bottom right corner. Purple water (affected by Billeau) - appears foggy with small bubbles. Honey water (diluted by Goopsie) - appears with broken-line bubbles above the liquid, which has a wavy line pattern. Pink pool (Mildes) - appears bubbly. Mud - appears dirty, with lots of dark splotches of mud. Honey - appears with a wavy line pattern. Stomach acid (Magnified Lunge Fish) - Fizzles on the surface of the liquid, with wavy layers and light particles within the liquid. Lava - Dark with smoke particles and light particles in the liquid
Water Quality (Beaker)		2x2	Display the quality of any water Yoshi enters.	Behaves similar to the above, but taking the appearance of a Griffin form beaker.
Tilt Meter (Needle)		2x2	Measure degree of tilt via rotating needle.	The degree of tilt is based on where Yoshi stands or is tilted by other means in the level, and tilts to match. This includes sloped ground, logs, and planetoids. A complete rotation is best demonstrated in the Raven Habitat, as Yoshi can do a full-circle tilt by walking around planetoids with the Raven's help.
Tilt Meter (Number)		2x2	Measure degree of tilt via markers and numbers.	The counter in the middle measures Yoshi's tilt in degrees, with a marker outline filling up a full circle as it reaches 360 degrees. Depending on Yoshi's direction, the meter may display itself in reverse.
Altitude Meter (Large)		1x5	Track Yoshi's vertical position.	A moving marker on the meter determines Yoshi's vertical position in the level. As he gets closer to the top or bottom boundaries of the level, the marker may move to the highest or lowest point on the meter.
Altitude Meter (Small)		1x3	Track Yoshi's vertical position.
Azimuth Meter (Large)		5x1	Track Yoshi's horizontal position.	A moving marker on the meter determines Yoshi's horizontal position in the level. As he gets closer to either side boundaries of the level, the marker may move to either the beginning or end of the meter.
Azimuth Meter (Small)		3x1	Track Yoshi's horizontal position.
Thermometer (Liquid)		1x4	Measure temperature via liquid gauge.	The temperature changes depending on the environment Yoshi is in. It may display a low temperature in space-themed areas such as the Raven Habitat, a normal (lukewarm) temperature in grass areas such as the Crazee Dayzee Habitat, a slightly higher temperature inside creatures like Thudd, or reach very hot temperatures in liquids such as lava and pink pools.
Thermometer (Meter)		2x2	Measure temperature using a needle.	A thermometer resembling a clock-like dial with snowflake and fire icons to show its coldest or hottest points. The needle moves clockwise as the temperature gets hotter.
Discovery Counter (Radial)		2x2	Track creature discoveries via radial progress bar.	Discovery counters can be used as aid for full completion of discoveries for a certain creature. A radial progress bar encompasses the icon of the creature that is targeted to be completed, and increases for each discovery. Checking a discovery that requires going to another habitat to observe will force the discovery counter to focus on the creature associated with the discovery, not the creature that is associated with said habitat.
Discovery Counter (Percent)		2x1	Track creature discoveries through percentages.	Percentage increase may depend on how many discoveries are there for a certain creature. For fully completed creature discoveries, hitting 100% will cause the percentage to become larger for a short time, emphasizing completion.
Discovery Counter (⭐️)		3x2	Track creature discoveries by their star rankings.	Discoveries are tracked via star ranks, ordering from three-star rank to one-star rank. Each creature has only one three-star discovery, which is displayed as a checkbox instead. The other discovery types (two-star rank and one-star rank) are displayed as progress bars. Once a bar is fully filled, a checkbox next to it will be ticked. For fully completed creature discoveries, all checkboxes are ticked, as well as the progress bars associated with two-star and one-star discoveries.
Egg Counter (Type)		5x1	Show a list of the types of eggs Yoshi is carrying.	Six slots are displayed on the egg counter, which show icons of eggs or egg-type creatures that are following Yoshi. Egg-type creatures include Huffin Puffins and Floofly Wisps.
Egg Counter (Log)		2x1	Show what Yoshi ate to make each egg.	The icon of the last eaten creature that results in an egg is displayed.
Egg Counter (Total)		2x1	Show how many eggs Yoshi is carrying.	The counter can display up to the number 6, and even counts any egg-type creatures that are following Yoshi, including Huffin Puffins and Floofly Wisps.
Clock (Digital)		2x1	Track elapsed time via digital clock.	Displays time in a MM:SS format. It does not start recording time until it is first placed onto the screen, even during gameplay.
Clock (Analog)		2x2	Track elapsed time via analog clock.	Displays time in the form of a traditional analog clock, complete with clock hands to determine minutes and seconds.
Message Log (Large)		5x7	Keep a log of Mr. E's running commentary.	Any commentary by Mr. E is logged here, this includes asking Mr. E for hints by pressing , commentating on new discoveries, and other story-related dialogue. Commentary begins to log after this exploration tool is placed onto the screen.
Message Log (Small)		5x2	Keep a log of Mr. E's running commentary.	Same as the above, but only the last three messages are recorded, in comparison to the large variant.
All-Creatures Badge		2x2	Proof that every creature in the book has been named.	Obtained after completing Crazee Dayzee and viewing the true ending.
Completed-Entries Badge		2x2	Proof that all creatures, special studies, and challenges have been explored.	Obtained after completing all habitats, special studies and challenges across every chapter.
All-Smiley Flowers Badge		2x2	Proof that all Smiley Flowers have been obtained.	Obtained after collecting all 260 Smiley Flowers in the game.
Completed-Book Badge		2x2	Proof that the book has been fully completed.	Obtained after documenting every single discovery in the game, including those found in special studies and challenges.