Kirby

"Hiii!!"

- Kirby

Kirby is an inhabitant of Planet Popstar and the protagonist of the Kirby series. He lives in the kingdom of Dream Land, which is ruled by the corrupt King Dedede. The self-proclaimed king frequently causes trouble, leaving it to Kirby to protect his homeland. On his adventures, he runs into many other characters, such as the shady Meta Knight, or the helpful and friendly Bandana Waddle Dee. Kirby defeats Dedede and his many minions by using his signature ability, inhaling items and enemies and spitting them out or copying their abilities.

Aside from some cameos, Kirby has rarely appeared alongside Mario in either of their series aside from a few issues of the Club Nintendo magazine and, most notably, in the Super Smash Bros. titles–all of which are directed by Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of Kirby's own series. He is voiced by Makiko Omoto, who also voices Ness in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Club Nintendo
Kirby made his first Mario-relevant appearances in the German Club Nintendo comics. He is one of the few non-Mario characters to be a recurring character.

"Super Mario: Mario im Wunderland"
Kirby debuted in the comic "Super Mario: Mario im Wunderland". In this comic, Mario gets to Wunderland by accident, which is a strange land where a wizard, whose name is Crab is said to be able to fulfill desires. Among others, Mario meets Kirby in Wunderland, and mistakes him for a pillow. This annoys Kirby, and since he says he wants to look like Mega Man, he joins Mario on his way to the wizard. When arriving there, however, Kirby just says that he would like to not be a pillow any longer. The wizard then turns him into a toaster.

"Warios Weihnachtsmärchen"
In the story "Warios Weihnachtsmärchen," he is caged for unknown reasons in Wario's Bomb Shop and expresses his anger by commanding Wario to free him. The shopkeeper, however, paints him black and sells him as a "surprise bomb." When the buyer, Kid Klown, finds out about Kirby being the "surprise", both are angry at Wario. At the end of the story, they forgive him, as he gives some cookies to them.

"Super Mario in Die Nacht des Grauens"
Kirby makes one more appearance in the comic "Super Mario in Die Nacht des Grauens," featuring him as Mario's ally in the fight against Abigor. In this story, Kirby lives in a skyscraper together with several other Nintendo characters. In order to fight Abigor, who plans to take over the building, Kirby together with Mario and Link puts on some magic clothes and serums which turn them into aggressive ghostbusters. In this form, Kirby uses his Inhale and temporary fire breath abilities to fight Abigor's allies.

"Die Jagd nach dem Nintendo 64: Krawall im All"
Kirby's latest relevant, yet very minor Club Nintendo appearance was in the comic "Die Jagd nach dem Nintendo 64: Krawall im All." Kirby was one of the many characters to celebrate the Mario Brothers when they managed to find the then new Nintendo 64 first, before Bowser and Wario.

Mario Kirby Meisaku Video
Kirby appeared alongside Mario in the obscure educational video Mario Kirby Meisaku Video; however, this video was merely a compilation of their non-intertwining adventures. In Kirby's Mario Kirby Meisaku Video segment, he helps a little lost dog find its mother, who was allegedly kidnapped by King Dedede.

Super Mario-kun
Kirby appears as a cameo in Super Mario-kun in volume 5. When Mario and his friends are being chased by Boos, Mario notices a circular character. This character, Kirby, helps Mario and his allies by swallowing the enemies. Kirby, however, shortly after gets scared by a Boo with worms on its face and runs away.

Super Smash Bros.


Kirby appears in Super Smash Bros., where he is eight inches (20 centimeters) high, though his dimensions were heightened for this game in order to make him viable to fight. Kirby is the second lightest fighter behind Jigglypuff, and like it, though unlike most fighters, has five jumps, referencing his flight abilities in the Kirby series.

Several of Kirby's attacks are based on the various abilities throughout the Kirby series: his standard special move is Inhale, which allows him to suck up any opponents into his mouth and either spit them out as a star or copy them, allowing him to use their standard special move; his down special is Stone, which allows him to slam the ground as a stone; his up special is the Final Cutter, one of the Cutter ability's attacks, which allows him to leap into the air and slice the ground; his standard attack is based on the Vulcan Jab, one of the Fighter ability's attacks; and his side smash is based on the Smash Kick, another of the Fighter's moves. Most of Kirby's grab attacks are all based on moves used by the Backdrop and Suplex abilities, though his up throw is the Air Drop attack used by Ninja. Kirby's up aerial is an original move known as "Twinkle Star", which would later be used in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror as an attack for Kirby's Smash ability.

Super Smash Bros. Melee


Kirby returns in the game's sequel Super Smash Bros. Melee. He is still a default character, but unlike the previous game, he is lighter and slower. He is also given a side special move, the Hammer, which allows him to swing the hammer once on the ground and spinning vertically in the air. In addition, his dash attack has been changed to the Burning ability. "Twinkle Star" is now Kirby's standard aerial; his up aerial is completely new, being the Moon Somersault Kick from the Fighter ability; his forward aerial is now the Aerial Spin Kick, also from the Fighter ability. His appearance was also altered, becoming smoother due to the GameCube's heightened graphical abilities. His pink hue is also slightly brighter. Otherwise, not much else has changed between his original and Melee appearances.

In Adventure Mode, Kirby appears in Stage 5: Green Greens. The player must battle 18 Kirbys, each with a different copy ability from another character, though sometimes there will be a Kirby with no copied ability. In addition, by defeating every Kirby in under 30 seconds, the player can fight Giant Kirby as an additional opponent.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl


Kirby returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, along with his rival Meta Knight and archenemy King Dedede. His moveset has been somewhat changed; his Burning ability dash attack in Super Smash Bros. Melee has been replaced with a spinning kick similar to the Break Spin attack used by the Yo-Yo ability in Kirby Super Star, and the aerial Hammer swings horizontally rather than vertically. Kirby's Final Smash attack is called Cook Kirby, based on the Cook ability, debuting in Kirby Super Star, which draws in everything nearby for Kirby to cook it in a pot and release items while damaging enemies.

Stage 5 of Classic Mode always uses characters from the Kirby series, thus Kirby has a chance of appearing in it, either as an enemy or as a partner. Stage 15 of All-Star Mode is also Kirby-based.

The Subspace Emissary
In the beginning, a trophy of Mario and Kirby are thrown into an arena. The two come to life and fight. The player chooses either Mario or Kirby to play as. After the battle between the two, the winner resurrects the loser with a touch. The Subspace Army attacks the stadium, but Mario, Kirby, Peach, and Zelda oppose them. Mario is blown away by a cannon ball, and Kirby is ambushed by Petey Piranha, who has captured the princesses. Kirby then goes off against Petey. After either Peach or Zelda is freed, Kirby takes her for a ride off into the Sea of Clouds on his Warp Star before taking a hit and landing on the Halberd. Soon, an Arwing is shot down, blowing both the princess and Kirby off the Halberd on the ground below.

After the princess and Kirby land in a grassy area, Kirby runs away, leaving the princess behind. The princess turns around and sees Bowser with a Dark Cannon who immediately shoots her to transform her into a trophy. Kirby hops on King Dedede's Cargo and waits there.

After King Dedede collects the Link and Yoshi (or Mario and Pit) trophies, Kirby hops out. King Dedede then gasps and with his Final Cutter, Kirby destroys the large object that is holding the two trophies. Kirby quickly revives the two, and they all jump off the cargo. King Dedede turns around and leaves, but his cargo ends up blowing an engine from an arrow that's either fired by Link or Pit. Kirby, Mario, Pit, Link, and Yoshi become a team and go to save the other trophies (the other princess, Ness, and Luigi). They reach King Dedede's castle, but they are still unable to rescue the trophies as Bowser escapes with the princess trophy in his Koopa Clown Car while the other trophies are buried under a large pile of stones. While Bowser steals the princess, the badge that Dedede had put on the princess falls. Kirby goes to inspect it and swallows it. The team then leaves because Dedede's Castle is destroyed by another Subspace Bomb. After leaving, they reach a desert below the castle where they follow the Ancient Minister. However the Ancient Minister sends R.O.B.s out to stop them, and he sets another bomb. It explodes, however Mario hops on Yoshi and rides off. Meanwhile, Pit and Link hop on Kirby's Warp Star and fly off. They escape before the explosion can reach them.

Later, Kirby and the others find the Ice Climbers, Marth, Lucas, the Pokémon Trainer, and Ike fighting the Subspace Army and subsequently join the fight. All of the other heroes join up with them afterward. Near the end, when the heroes are all fighting Ganondorf and Bowser in Ganondorf and Bowser's large Subspace Gunship, Kirby ends up destroying the gunship. He comes riding a Dragoon and flies right in the villain's large cannon, destroying not only the cannon but the whole ship itself. Ganondorf and Bowser escape going in the large black hole in the sky. All the heroes follow them inside.

The heroes are all in Subspace itself. Kirby and all the others attempt to fight Tabuu; however, they are all defeated with his Off Waves. The badge that Kirby swallowed turns out to have the power to turn a trophy back to life. Kirby is brought back and goes off to revive Link, Yoshi, Peach, Zelda, the Ice Climbers, Meta Knight, Lucario, R.O.B., Solid Snake, and even Wario, who also had been working with the Subspace Army and ended up in Subspace earlier on. Soon Kirby comes across Ganondorf in his trophy form, but before he could do anything, Bowser suddenly appears and starts attacking Ganondorf, having been betrayed by him earlier. Dedede (who revived Luigi and Ness with the badges) then reunites with Kirby. Kirby, as well as everyone else, fights Tabuu a second time and are able to defeat him (with some extra help).

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U


Kirby returns as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. His Hammer is replaced with Hammer Flip, making it more similar to the move in Kirby Super Star. His Final Smash was changed to Ultra Sword, a Super Ability from Kirby's Return to Dream Land. Kirby's standard attack also gains a finisher in Smash Punch, an attack from the Fighter ability. Kirby's mobility is improved, but his attacks' damage output and knockback are decreased, while some of his moves are slower.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Kirby returns as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. While many of his moves remain the same, Kirby's dash attack has reverted to his Burning ability tackle from Super Smash Bros. Melee. Kirby's down tilt is called Squish Kick. Kirby has received a significant amount of improvements over the previous installment, receiving higher mobility, higher ability to knock opponents back and damage in some of his attacks, reduced short hop timing and landing lag in his aerial attacks, and reduced startup or ending lag in some of his attacks.

In the World of Light adventure mode, he is the initial playable character and protagonist and the only character to survive an attack from Galeem, who turns everyone in the world into spirits and transports them to the World of Light, leaving Kirby to rescue them. According to Masahiro Sakurai, the presence of puppet fighters from Kirby in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Spirits modes is due to Galeem managing to analyze Kirby throughout the story.

Classic Mode route
At the start of rounds 1-6, multiple foods appear on the stage. By completing Kirby's Classic Mode route, it is possible to unlock Ness, Jigglypuff, Pac-Man, Zelda, Robin, Corrin, Lucas, or Palutena. Kirby's Classic Mode route pits him against characters known for eating.

Inhale


Inhale (named Swallow in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee) is Kirby's standard special move. The move is based on his natural inhaling ability in the Kirby series. When used, Kirby creates a vacuum effect that draws in items and opponents (with the exception of Poké Balls, Master Balls, Cuccos, Mr. Saturns, and Dragoon and Daybreak parts which are collected instead). If an item is inhaled, some of Kirby's damage is healed, although certain items such as the Metal Box and Timer also give the player their standard effects in addition to healing damage, and explosive items take effect when inhaled, damaging Kirby. Larger items such as Crates and Party Balls also take longer for Kirby to inhale, leaving him unable to do anything until he does so. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the inhaling sound effect from the original Kirby's Dream Land is used for his move, whereas in previous games, a generic sound effect is used instead. Additionally, Inhale can now vacuum stronger projectiles such as a fully charged Charge Shot, which he can spit back out as a star; Kirby can also swallow projectiles to heal himself.

When inhaling a character, the player holds them in their mouth for a time before releasing them; in the original Super Smash Bros. Kirby cannot move after inhaling an opponent, while in later games, he can slowly move. While an opponent is inhaled, the player is able to spit them out as a star to both send them away and attack other opponents. In addition, Kirby is able to swallow his opponents and copy their standard special move, similar to the Copy Ability system of the Kirby games. After copying an opponent, the player can lose the ability by taunting or by being attacked enough.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Kirby's first custom variant for this move is Ice Breath, one of the Ice ability's attacks in the Kirby series; Kirby exhales cold air which deals multiple hits of ice damage, pushing opponents back, and freezes at the end. The second variant is Jumping Inhale, which has Kirby leap forward as he inhales; the star that he spits out, however, does not deal damage.


 * Names in other languages

Hammer


Hammer is Kirby's side special move introduced in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, based on the Hammer Copy Ability in the Kirby series. The move itself is similar to the Hammer Flip move, with Kirby pulling out the hammer and quickly swinging it. When used in the air in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Kirby swings the hammer around vertically, similar to the Giant Swing move used by the Hammer ability; in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Kirby instead swings the hammer twice horizontally.


 * Names in other languages

Hammer Flip
Hammer Flip (with the non-charged version called Hammer in the British English version) is Kirby's side special move in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, based on the Hammer Flip move used by the Hammer ability in the Kirby series and replacing his Hammer side special from the previous Super Smash Bros. games. When used, Kirby pulls out a hammer and holds it before swinging it; the move can be charged by holding down the special move button, and Kirby can move while charging. After some time, the hammer catches fire, and by charging it too much, Kirby starts to be damaged one point at a time, though it does not if Kirby's damage is above 100%. If used in the air uncharged, Kirby swings twice horizontally, like the Hammer in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the Hammer Flip's first custom variant is Hammer Bash, which operates in the same way as Kirby's Hammer special move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl; it cannot be charged, but deals a good amount of damage when it connects with opponents and launches them vertically. The second variant, Giant Hammer, has Kirby using a hammer that is bigger than normal. The attack is slower, but it can deal more damage, and has a longer reach as well. Kirby is given super armor while charging the move.


 * Names in other languages

Final Cutter


Final Cutter is Kirby's up special move and one of the attacks used by the Cutter ability in the Kirby series. Like in its series of origin, Kirby pulls out a blade and slashes up into the air before flying back toward the ground. When Kirby lands the attack sends out a shockwave in front of him that also damages opponents. The move also has a meteor smash on the descent. The player can also influence Kirby's horizontal movement a little during the attack.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the Final Cutter's first custom variant is Wave Cutter, which creates a rock wave upon landing and has more power and range than normal, though the blade itself does not deal any damage. The second variant, Upper Cutter, executes more quickly, dealing damage to those who are caught in the attack's path. However, upon finishing the jump, Kirby does not plummet straight down, but instead, enters a helpless state without affecting his horizontal mobility; this also removes the shockwave and meteor smash properties that Final Cutter has.


 * Names in other languages

Stone


Stone is Kirby's down special move, derived from the Copy Ability of the same name. The move is specifically based on the Stone Change move, in that Kirby turns into one of several heavy objects upon use. When used in the air, Kirby slams the ground, damaging any opponents beneath him; in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee this move does not affect opponents when used on the ground, though starting with Super Smash Bros. Brawl, any nearby opponents are damaged during the transformation. While in the stone form, Kirby is invulnerable to any attacks, though unlike in the Kirby games, the transformation is temporary.

In Super Smash Bros., Kirby only transforms into the standard stone that appears throughout the Kirby series. Since Super Smash Bros. Melee, Kirby can take a number of forms when using this move. Among these transformations are the standard stone block, a "100t" weight representing the 8-ton weight that also appears as a Stone transformation in the Kirby series, a Thwomp (using the Super Mario 64 design up until Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, in which it is updated to its modern, spiked design), a spiked ball, a garbage block from Panel de Pon, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a shrine treasure chest from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the first custom variant for this move is Grounding Stone, which has a longer transformation time but buries opponents when landing on them from the air. The second variant, Meteor Stone, meteor smashes opponents that Kirby hits, but the time it takes for Kirby to turn back is increased.


 * Names in other languages

Cook Kirby


Cook Kirby is Kirby's Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is based on the one-time-use Copy Ability introduced in Kirby Super Star. Kirby dons a chef's hat as a large pot appears, followed by him clanking a spatula and frying pan. The pot will draw in any nearby fighters and items, dealing repeated damage to the fighters. After stirring everything, the trapped fighters will be launched and the items gathered will be spat out as new items, usually healing ones. The pot will then disappear and Kirby will return to normal.


 * Names in other languages

Ultra Sword


Ultra Sword is a Super Ability from Kirby's Return to Dream Land that appears as Kirby's Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, replacing Cook Kirby from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. When activated, Kirby pulls out a giant sword and slashes to trap opponents, then slashes them multiple times before the sword grows larger for the final attack, dealing massive damage and knockback. If the first swing doesn't connect with any opponents, the Final Smash fails.


 * Names in other languages

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Kirby makes a cameo appearance in the original version of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga on a poster advertising a movie known as Kirby Story, whose artwork featured Kirby riding a Warp Star through the air in the Yoshi Theater.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Since the 3.0 update of Mario Kart 8 and available from the start in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Kirby's amiibo is compatible. Placing it on the NFC sensor unlocks a custom Kirby-themed outfit for players to equip upon Miis. In fact, Kirby himself appears - merely as a picture - in the Mii Racing Suits menu; this picture stays right near the Mii suit design mentioned before.

Super Mario Maker
Kirby is one of the obtainable Costume Mario costumes in Super Mario Maker, unlocked by tapping the Kirby amiibo onto the Wii U GamePad. The sprite Kirby uses is the one from Kirby's Adventure. This costume also replaces the jumping, landing, and end-of-level sounds, all of which are also taken from Kirby's Adventure. The sound that plays when Mario obtains the costume is also the one that plays when Kirby gets a copy ability in Kirby's Adventure.

Copy Abilities
Below is a list of the Copy Abilities Kirby can gain in the Super Smash Bros. series. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Kirby will only copy the character's default standard special move.

Super Smash Bros. bios

 * Instruction manual: An 8-inch high creature from a distant star. He may look harmless, but using his Copy ability, Kirby becomes a formidable opponent.
 * Website: Kirby, the little pink puffball of fun, has come all the way from Dreamland to put his opponents to sleep with some nightmarish moves. He has the ability to swallow his opponents and take on their attributes. You can tell which persona Kirby has assumed by seeing which enemy's hat he has stolen.
 * In-game description: The 8-inch high Kirby hails from a distant, peaceful star.
 * Like his simplistic appearance, he is an easily-understood character.
 * True to his instincts, Kirby eats when he gets hungry and sleeps as soon as he grows tired. Nevertheless, Kirby remains a formidable opponent. In addition to his distinct flying and swallowing skills, he also has the ability to copy enemy attacks for ever-changing action.


 * Works
 * Kirby's Dream Land (GB)
 * Kirby's Pinball Land (GB)
 * Kirby Super Star (SNES)

Instruction manual bio
A puffball that floats through the sky and boasts a variety of moves.

Bios

 * Instruction manual: A flying resident of Dreamland who can copy the moves and appearances of foes.
 * Website: This is Kirby, Warp Star-riding citizen of Dream Land who can suck up anything. His copy abilities allow him to steal the powers of other characters!


 * Yeah... He’s the only character who really hasn’t changed much from his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee. He’s round, pink, and soft.

Solid Snake codec conversation

 * Otacon: Snake! Watch out!
 * Snake: For what? That pink marshmallow?
 * Otacon: That's Kirby, also known as "Kirby from Dream Land." He's from another planet--in other words, an extraterrestrial. He's got a powerful stomach that lets him swallow and digest anything. And he also has a "Copy Ability" that allows him to mimic opponents, steal their moves, and use those moves against them. On top of that, he has the power to fly around the stage, so once he's got you in his sights, there's no place to run.
 * Snake: ...Huh? Yeah, got it. I'll... keep an eye out.

Trophies
Red indicates exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version. Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.

Palutena's Guidance

 * Pit: It's always easy to pick Kirby out of a crowd.
 * Viridi: Aww! He's so squishy and adorable!
 * Palutena: True, but he's still a formidable foe.
 * Pit: He's got all kinds of moves, and he's top notch at recovering! Does this guy have ANY weaknesses?
 * Viridi: Just what you'd expect: his weight. Or rather, his lack of weight.
 * Pit: So, it shouldn't be hard to send him flying, huh?
 * Palutena: Right. The question is how to do that.
 * Viridi: Oh, that part's easy. Just keep wailing on him. Then we'll see who's stronger: that little puffball... or Kirby!

amiibo

 * Round, pink and surprisingly powerful, Kirby is one of the most iconic heroes in video game history. A denizen of the peaceful planet Pop Star, Kirby became a citizen of Dream Land after defeating King Dedede. He can inhale things with his big mouth, either copying their abilities or spitting them out again.

Super Smash Blog bio

 * Kirby's ability to copy other fighters is totally unique! While he is light and can be launched easily, he can also jump up to five times in the air, so he has great recovery. Look for his new Stone transformation, too.

Trivia

 * In Kirby's home series games Kirby Super Star Ultra, Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Kirby: Planet Robobot and Kirby Star Allies, Kirby sometimes transforms into a Brick Block while in his Stone form.
 * Additionally, in Kirby Super Star, Super Star Ultra, and Planet Robobot, Kirby can transform into a golden Mario trophy for one of his Stone appearances.
 * The golden Mario trophy shows up again in the ending credits of the Revenge of the King sub-game in Kirby Super Star Ultra when Satoru Iwata's name appears.
 * Kirby has more trophies of himself than any other playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
 * In Nintendo Monopoly, Kirby took the role of Virginia Avenue. He is worth $160.
 * In Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, and Kirby: Planet Robobot, Kirby can obtain an ability called Smash Bros., which allows him to perform multiple moves from his Super Smash Bros. moveset, including all his special moves (with the exception of Inhale).
 * Kirby has consistently ranked as one of the most popular fighters in the Super Smash Bros. series, ranking first place in an international poll run by The Game Theorists (500,000 votes) and fourth place in a Japanese poll run by the Netorabo Survey Team (20,000 votes).