Kirby (universe)

Kirby (universe)
Developer(s)	HAL Laboratory
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Designer(s)	Masahiro Sakurai
Genre(s)	Platformer
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy
First installment	Kirby's Dream Land (1992)
Latest installment	Kirby Star Allies (2018)
Article on Wikirby	Kirby (universe)

The Kirby universe (星のカービィ, Kirby of the Stars) refers to the Super Smash Bros. series' collection of characters, stages, and properties that hail from Nintendo's Kirby series of multi-genre video games. It was developed by HAL Laboratory, Inc., the same company that started the Super Smash Bros. series, and it revolves around the titular spherical, pink entity Kirby and his adventures around his home planet, Popstar, among other planets. The series has had many games of several different genres, with side-scrolling platformers being the most prominent.

Franchise description

Masahiro Sakurai, working at HAL Laboratory as a game developer, developed an original side-scrolling platformer for the Game Boy, the working title of which was Twinkle Popopo, that he intended to be a comparatively simple game that could be played by beginning gamers. During development, the staff had not settled on a final design for the player-character "Popopo", and used a dummy placeholder sprite resembling a round blob with a simple face so that a more sophisticated image could be put in later. But the designers grew endeared to the round placeholder sprite and ended up using that as their design for "Popopo", who was renamed Kirby. Sakurai and Nintendo, meanwhile, agreed on a pinkscale color scheme for Kirby (though Shigeru Miyamoto had felt that Kirby should be yellow). The game was retitled Hoshi no Kirby (literally Kirby of the Stars) for its Japanese release, and Kirby's Dream Land for its Western release. The game was released in the West in August 1992 to modestly positive reviews which primarily focused some criticism on the particularly basic gameplay structure and short game-length, but the game was also a very large sales success and gave Nintendo the impetus to allow and encourage HAL Laboratory to develop sequels.

Kirby's Dream Land introduced several trademark elements present for the rest of the Kirby series, including Kirby's ability to inflate his spherical body to fly the full height of a stage, inhale enemies into his mouth, and effectively erase enemies out of existence within his own tiny body by swallowing. But the first Kirby sequel Sakurai developed, Kirby's Adventure for the NES, added a much more expansive variety and depth to the basic formula and design - in addition to giving Kirby more fluid movements such as dashing and sliding, it added a new dimension to the swallowing mechanic where Kirby would gain one of many available new powers and attack sets depending on the enemy swallowed, and Kirby could discard this "Copy Power" to adopt something else. It was released to widespread critical acclaim in early 1993 - nearly two years after the next-generation Super Nintendo launched - and is regarded as one of the best late-generation NES games. With a 6-megabit cartridge data capacity fueling highly advanced graphics and presentation, it is one of the largest games ever released for the NES - to put this into perspective, the original Mega Man for the NES famously occupies one megabit, or one eighth of a megabyte.

Kirby was established as one of Nintendo's long-running, recurring franchises, and became more-or-less one of HAL Laboratory's signature properties, with new releases coming out at a relatively regular rate and covering every one of Nintendo's consoles and handhelds at least once. Kirby games have made occasional forays into certain other genres besides platforming on two-dimensional planes, and while almost none of the Kirby follow-ups were as noteworthy-for-their-time as the first two games, most games in the series receive positive reception and achieve high sales. Like with other Nintendo franchises that had found mainstream success at the time, Kirby and his setting were among the initial wave of franchises featured from the beginning of Sakurai's other popular series, the Super Smash Bros. series of Nintendo-centered crossover fighting games. Sakurai expressed that for the original game and Melee, he aimed for a humble approach to representing his own franchise in relation to the other series in his fighting game, and cut out Kirby side-characters in favor of more-famous secondary characters representing other franchises. But starting with Brawl, Sakurai allowed more liberal representation of the Kirby series in the collective Smash Bros. roster.

In a given Kirby game that adheres to a traditional side-scrolling structure, Kirby is controlled by the player through levels that are less about reflex-demanding obstacles and linear point-A-to-point-B stage layout and more about using a variety of copied powers to defeat enemies without incurring damage. But following Kirby's Adventure, every "main" game features some kind of twist that governs the overall gameplay. Early examples include Kirby riding one of multiple animal companions in Kirby's Dream Land 2 and getting his current copy power modified by the animal being ridden; Kirby Super Star being presented as a "compilation package" where several level sets are presented as their own short "games" with their own rules and mechanics; and Kirby being able to combine any two basic enemy copy-abilities into one of several dozen advanced powers in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. The most recent original Kirby game is Kirby Star Allies, released for the Nintendo Switch in 2018. The series places a general emphasis on being comparatively easy and accessible to less experienced gamers, while also allowing content that appeals to advanced gamers.

The Kirby universe is set in a galaxy populated by highly abstract, colorful planets and lifeforms with a very simple and basic design aesthetic, and Kirby himself, an 8-inch-(20.3 cm)tall lifeform with almost no demonstrable speaking capacity, lives on Pop Star, a planet structured like a glowing yellow five-sided star. (The "Dream Land" mentioned in some titles and narratives is a kingdom on Pop Star.) Each game is typically a self-contained adventure with little carry-over between installments, not unlike the Super Mario series, though in comparison each Kirby game's narrative tends to be a little more involved. The recurring setup initially appears to be a parallel to the Mario/Bowser relationship, where Kirby has to go out on a quest to put a mischievous, troublemaking, self-styled "king" of Dream Land, Dedede, back in his place. (An alternate-universe Kirby anime series that ran for 100 episodes adheres to this pattern fairly strictly.) But many of the games pit Kirby against some kind of greater menace and threat to Pop Star or the galaxy, revealed either from the outset or over the course of the game, and in addition to Dedede is another recurring character Kirby encounters that shifts between antagonist and ally, Meta Knight. Kirby's adventures regularly take him through not just Dream Land and Popstar itself, but other planets.

In Super Smash Bros.

With ten games in the Kirby franchise being released before Smash 64, this game chooses to focus on the three games directed by the creator Masahiro Sakurai, being Kirby's Dream Land, Kirby's Adventure, and Kirby Super Star. The Kirby franchise is represented as one of several "standard universes" found in Smash 64, with one character, one stage, and two items.

Character

• 
  Kirby: Kirby is a small, pink, spherical creature with a positive disposition and several abilities and powers that are almost magical in nature. In the games and anime, he is the main protagonist and is characterized as a baby (as mentioned in the anime) and being roughly eight inches in height; his dimensions are obviously increased in size for his appearance in Smash 64. Kirby has the ability to jump multiple times in the air, just like in his games. Kirby's special move is Inhale, his trademark ability since Kirby's Dream Land. Kirby swallows an opponent, and can either copy and use their special move, or spit them out as a star. His up special is the Final Cutter, a copy ability from Kirby Super Star where Kirby swoops up and down while attacking with a blade. His down special is the Stone ability from Kirby's Adventure. Kirby transforms into heavy objects and become invulnerable for a brief period.

Stage

• 
  Dream Land: This stage is a small area of colorful grassland based on the generic look for many grass levels in the Kirby franchise. The stage has a very basic layout; three static, floating soft platforms above the main solid platform. In the background of the stage resides Whispy Woods, a recurring boss who first appeared in Kirby's Dream Land. Whispy Woods slowly blows fighters off to one side of the stage from time to time. Bronto Burts and King Dedede can also be seen flying in the far background as cameo appearances.

Items

• Maxim Tomato: A red tomato with a capital M on it is an item Kirby often collects to replenish all depleted health in the Kirby franchise since Kirby's Dream Land. In Smash Bros., the Maxim Tomato, perhaps contrary to its name, restores the health of the character who picks it up by 100 % rather than restoring all accumulated damage. It is still a powerful healing item, however.
• Star Rod: A powerful artifact that acts as the central plot element in Kirby's Adventure. When inserted into the Fountain of Dreams, it ensures peace and good dreams for Dream Land, and Kirby must use it in combat during the final battle. In Smash Bros., the Star Rod can be used as a bludgeoning weapon, and can also launch a star as a projectile when swung with force.

Music

• 10: A fast-paced remix of the music featured in Gourmet Race from Kirby Super Star. It is heard on the stage Dream Land.

• 20: The victory fanfare of Dream Land in an orchestration of the shortened "Stage Complete" theme heard in Kirby games when a level is completed.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

While Super Smash Bros. Melee features much more content than the original game, Kirby remains the sole representative of the franchise. New content includes two new stages with a third returning from Super Smash Bros., two new items, two returning items, and a set of Trophies.

Character

• 
  Kirby: Kirby is still the only playable Kirby series character. Kirby returns swinging a hammer (a power he can absorb in Kirby games from a simian enemy named Bonkers) as his new side special move.

Stages

Super Smash Bros. Melee features three Kirby-themed stages:

• 
  Dream Land: Green Greens: This stage is thematically similar to the Dream Land stage, with Wispy Woods blowing toward either end of the stage, but the layout is rather different, consisting of the ground being divided up in three by two sets of building blocks that fall from the sky to build up walls that can be broken. Some of these boxes are explosive in nature.
• 
  Dream Land: Fountain of Dreams: A stage with a layout similar to Battlefield, this is the Fountain of Dreams that safeguards the Dream Land galaxy so long as the Star Rod is inserted into the fountain's shaft. The dreamy music heard here was reused in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, when Kirby battles King Dedede at this location.
• 
  Past Stages: Dream Land 64: This is the original Dream Land stage from Super Smash Bros., returning in Melee totally unaltered.

Kirby is the only universe in Melee to have three stages and yet not be related to the Mario series (which itself has four stages from the main series, while the Donkey Kong and Yoshi universes, while each having three stages, are considered sub-universes of Mario).

The All-Star Teleporter also borrows many elements from the Kirby series, such as the music, but is still a part of the Smash Bros. universe.

Items

The Kirby universe features four separate items that can be used in battle in Melee:

• Maxim Tomato: Returns from Super Smash Bros. unchanged in function, but its healing power has been nerfed down to only 50% damage.
• Parasol: A new item which often manifests as a copyable power for Kirby in his games, allowing him to attack enemies and also float down to earth slowly. In Melee, this can be used as a bludgeoning weapon, but this item's peculiar nature is revealed when the character holding it jumps up and falls down; the parasol opens up and the character floats down to earth slowly, like Peach's up special move move, though the Parasol doesn't damage while opened.
• Star Rod: Returns from Super Smash Bros. essentially unaltered.
• Warp Star: A new item which is essentially Kirby's mode of long-distance transportation in his games. This is one of the most destructive items in Melee; when picked up, the character will ride and hover on it for a moment, launch straight up, and crash back down with lightning speed and explosive force, dealing major damage and knockback to opponents in the area of the landing zone. Warp Stars in flight can be steered either left or right to a limited degree before crashing down.

Music

• 11: Fountain of Dreams: An orchestrated, atmospheric version of the music heard in the Gourmet Race sub-game from Kirby Super Star. This music was later reused during the boss fight against King Dedede at the Fountain of Dreams in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land.
• 12: Green Greens: An orchestration of Green Greens's music from Kirby's Dream Land, heard on Green Greens.
• 29: Dream Land N64: The music for the Dream Land stage in Super Smash Bros., which is also a re-recording of the music heard in the Gourmet Race sub-game from Kirby Super Star, is brought back unaltered along with the stage itself as Past Stages: Dream Land.
• 43: Kirby's Victory: The victory fanfare of Kirby is an orchestration of the shortened "Stage Complete" theme heard in Kirby games.
• 60: All-Star Intro: A remix of the music that plays in the Save Cottages of The Great Cave Offensive from Kirby Super Star. It is heard at the All-Star Teleporter.

Full Trophy List

• Kirby's three game trophies
• Maxim Tomato
• Warp Star
• Star Rod
• Parasol
• Whispy Woods
• Fountain of Dreams
• Fire Kirby
• Fighter Kirby
• Ball Kirby
• Waddle Dee
• King Dedede
• Rick
• Gooey
• Meta-Knight

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, even more Kirby content was added, including the addition of two more characters from the series.

Characters

On the final character select screen (after all characters are unlocked), the Kirby characters, joined by Olimar, occupy the fifth column. These characters have Gourmet Race playing when their dark forms are fought in The Great Maze.

• 
  Kirby: The pink puff reappears and reprise his role and traits from Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee as a small character who can float in the air with a long series of multiple jumps, with his Final Cutter and Hammer intact. Kirby has a new dash attack; it is based on his Yo-Yo Copy Ablity from Kirby Super Star. Like other returning characters, Kirby is given a Final Smash attack called Cook Kirby, which consists of dunking his opponent into a boiling pot, and then spitting them out. When they come out of the pot, random items appear.
• 
  Meta Knight: A sensational new character addition, Meta Knight is a masked-swordsman character ostensibly of the same species as Kirby, but with a dark blue body, thumbs, and white facial features that can be seen whenever he takes his mask off. Meta Knight's roles in his various appearances in the Kirby games and the anime have ranged from ally to villain. In his appearance in Brawl, his cape transforms into wings which he uses to float in midair, much like Kirby and Jigglypuff, and he demonstrates a new gliding ability.
• 
  King Dedede: The first main foe Kirby ever faced, King Dedede has appeared in all but one game since Kirby's Dream Land for the Game Boy (that being Kirby & The Amazing Mirror). In his Brawl debut he is considered a heavy character like Bowser and Donkey Kong. He brings several qualities he had in the Kirby platforming games with him, such as his Super Dedede Jump, and some of his various servants in the form of the Waddle Dee Toss. He also brings his hammer with him and uses it in regular combat, but it has also been upgraded to have machine-like qualities, as evidenced by the Jet Hammer move. He can Inhale just like Kirby, but can't copy enemies' abilities. His grab game in particular is fast and powerful, and his recovery is decent.

Assist Trophy

• Knuckle Joe: Hailing from Kirby Super Star, and also a minor character in the Kirby anime, Knuckle Joe makes an appearance as an Assist Trophy in Brawl. When summoned, he hits the nearest opponent with a barrage of attacks, then randomly ends the attack with one of two finishing moves. These two moves are either Smash Punch which sends the opponent flying to the side or Rising Break which sends the opponent upward.

Stages

• 
  Halberd: The Halberd has been seen in several incarnations throughout the Kirby franchise; it is where the portion of Kirby Super Star concerning Meta Knight's villainous role takes place. The stage starts off in a hangar located on the high seas, and as the match goes on the warehouse opens up, the Halberd takes off into the air along with the platform the players fight upon, and the Halberd flies around the backdrop of the now-floating stage. During the fight, the platform will land on the ship itself, which draws heavy fire from nearby cannons.
• 
  Melee Stages: Green Greens: A returning stage from Melee. The bombs now have more knockback.

Items

• Maxim Tomato: A returning item which still recovers 50% of damage.
• Star Rod: A returning item which function is relatively unchanged.
• Warp Star: A returning item which does the same thing it did in Melee.
• Superspicy Curry: An item that made its first (and until Brawl, only) appearance in Kirby's Dream Land for the Game Boy, which temporarily gave Kirby the ability to spew fire. It has a similar - though not really the same - function in Brawl, igniting the user in flames and allowing them to cause fire damage to anyone they touch.
• Dragoon: The legendary air machine from Kirby Air Ride that makes its first appearance in Brawl, Dragoon is actually three separate items that one must obtain in order to use its power. When all three pieces are obtained, the user that obtains them can ride the machine and attack opponents by locking on - the knockback from the Dragoon is so great that it is almost always a One-hit KO.

Music

See List of SSBB Music (Kirby series).

• Meta Knight's Revenge: A jazz remix/medley of the different music tracks from the "Revenge of Meta Knight" sub-game of Kirby Super Star. It is the theme of the Halberd stage. This song is also played during Meta Knight's Classic Mode credits.
• Legendary Air Ride Machine: A redone version of the theme played in Kirby Air Ride when one has successfully completed either the Dragoon or Hydra. It is used on the Halberd stage.
• Gourmet Race: This is a heavy metal remix of the song played in the first and third rounds of the Gourmet Race sub-game from Kirby Super Star, with a few parts of the theme being the second round theme. The theme has been featured in most Kirby games since Kirby Super Star, as well as in both previous Super Smash Bros. games. It is used on the Halberd stage.
• Butter Building: A techno-styled medley of various Kirby themes, including the Butter Building level theme from Kirby's Adventure and the Kirby's Dream Land theme. It is used on the Halberd stage. This song is also played during Kirby's Classic Mode credits.
• King Dedede's Theme: A song featured in most Kirby games when Kirby battles King Dedede, including the series' first game, Kirby's Dream Land. This song is completely redone. It is used on the Halberd stage. This song is also played during King Dedede's Classic Mode credits.
• Squeak Squad Theme: A remix from the Nintendo DS title Kirby: Squeak Squad, this was the song used when battling the members of the Squeak Squad. It is used on the Halberd stage.
• Vs. Marx: An epic-sounding remix of both the Vs. Marx theme from the Milky Way Wishes sub-game of Kirby Super Star as well as the song played during the scene right after defeating Marx. It is used on the Halberd stage.
• 0² Battle: A complete remix of the final boss theme from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. It is used on the Halberd stage.
• Boss Theme Medley: Featuring many songs from the entire series, this is a medley of many different boss battle themes from across the Kirby series. It is used on the Halberd stage.
• Checker Knights: Taken directly from Kirby Air Ride, this was the song played on the Checker Knights racetrack, as well during various minigames. It is used on the Halberd stage.
• Forest/Nature Area: Taken directly from the Game Boy Advance game Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, this was the song for the forest areas of Rainbow Route. It is used on the Halberd stage.
• Frozen Hillside: Another song taken directly from Kirby Air Ride, this was the music track played on the Frozen Hillside racetrack. It is used on the Halberd stage.
• Green Greens (Melee): Taken directly from Melee. It is used on the Green Greens stage.
• Fountain of Dreams: Taken directly from Melee. It is used on the Green Greens stage.
• Kirby and King Dedede's victory theme: A whimsical orchestration of the shortened "Stage Complete" theme heard in general Kirby games.
• Meta Knight's victory theme: A "rock remix" of Kirby's victory theme.

Trophies

• Kirby
• Cook Kirby
• Meta Knight
• Galaxia Darkness
• King Dedede
• Waddle Dee Army
• Maxim Tomato
• Dragoon
• Warpstar
• Superspicy Curry
• Star Rod
• Knuckle Joe
• Beam Kirby
• Needle Kirby
• Sword Kirby
• Sleep Kirby
• Wing Kirby
• Fighter Kirby
• Fire Kirby
• Ice Kirby
• Plasma Kirby
• Tornado Kirby
• Waddle Dee
• Waddle Doo
• Gordo
• Dyna Blade
• Blade Knight
• Bonkers
• Bronto Burt
• Cappy
• Golem
• Kracko
• Scarfies
• Sir Kibble
• Walky
• Wheelie
• Hydra
• Bomber
• Bugzzy
• Combo Cannon
• Halberd
• Apples

Stickers

• Kirby (Kirby & The Amazing Mirror)
• Kirby (Kirby 64)
• Kirby (Kirby Air Ride)
• Cook Kirby
• Cupid Kirby
• Needle Kirby
• Acro
• Big Switch
• Blipper
• Bonkers
• Box Boxer
• Boxy
• Bronto Burt
• Candy
• Cell Phone
• Chef Kawasaki
• Daroach
• Dyna Blade
• Gordo
• Hot Head
• King Dedede & Kirby
• King Dedede (Kirby: Squeak Squad)
• Kind Dedede (Kirby Super Star)
• Maxim Tomato
• Meta Knight
• Meta Knight Ball
• Nruff
• Perara
• Squeaker
• Starman (Kirby: Squeak Squad)
• Treasure Chest
• Waddle Dee
• Waddle Dee Ball
• Whispy Woods

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Characters

All veterans of the Kirby series have returned for Super Smash Bros. 4.

• 
  Kirby: Kirby returns as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4. He now appears to be a bit brighter than the previous games. In addition, he returns with a new Final Smash, Ultra Sword.

• 
  King Dedede: King Dedede returns in Super Smash Bros. 4 as a playable character. He now has a more cartoonish look and his side special has been modified to consistently throw out Gordos. As with Kirby, he has obtained a new Final Smash, Dedede Burst.

• 
  Meta Knight: Meta Knight returns as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4. The universal removal of gliding has nerfed his recovery, but to compensate, his Shuttle Loop is now a more powerful attack. He now has armored gauntlets over his gloves for a more intimidating look.

Mii Fighter hats

• Meta Knight Mask

Items

• Dragoon: a returning item. It has a new target screen.
• Maxim Tomato: a returning item which once again recovers 50% damage.
• Warp Star: a returning item which functions the same as it did in Melee and Brawl.
• Superspicy Curry: a returning item that ignites the user in flames, allowing them to cause fire damage to anyone they touch.
• Star Rod: a returning item which function is relatively unchanged.

Assist Trophies

Bold italics denotes an Assist Trophy new to the Smash Bros. series.

• Nightmare: Nightmare, the final boss of Kirby's Adventure and its remake, Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, appears as a brand-new Assist Trophy. Nightmare engulfs the stage in darkness, forcing all combatants to fight blindly.
• Knuckle Joe: Knuckle Joe returns from Brawl as an Assist Trophy, still attacking with a barrage of punches.

Enemies

Enemies that appear in both Smash Run in the 3DS version and Smash Tour in the Wii U version.

• Tac: a cat-like burglar that steals stats from players.

Smash Run enemies

Enemies exclusive to the 3DS version. They appear in Smash Run.

• Knuckle Joe:
• Bronto Burt:
• Shotzo: an invincible yet stationary mini-cannon that fires spherical bullets to attack players in Smash Run.
• Gordo: appears as an enemy in Smash Run, as well as apart of King Dedede's moveset.
• Waddle Doo:
• Parasol Waddle Dee: another enemy in Smash Run.
• Bonkers:
• Plasma Whip: another enemy in Smash Run. Also appears in the Master Fortress as a shadow version.

Stages

• 
  Dream Land (64): A returning stage from SSB, The first returning stage to ever be Downloadable content, Dream Land is available on both versions of SSB4.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

• 
  Dream Land: New to the 3DS version, this stage is based off of Kirby's debut game of the same subtitle on the Game Boy. It takes players from Green Greens to the inside of Castle Dedede and the boxing ring of the final battle.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

• 
  The Great Cave Offensive: New to the Wii U version, this stage is based off of The Great Cave Offensive sub-game in Kirby Super Star.
• 
  Halberd: A returning stage from Brawl, appearing exclusively in the Wii U version.

Music

Original tracks

Arrangements and remixes unique to SSB4.

• Green Greens Ver. 2: an arrangement of "Green Greens" from Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on Dream Land (3DS) and The Great Cave Offensive.
• King Dedede's Theme Ver. 2: an arrangement of "King Dedede" from Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• Ice Cream Island (DLC): A medley of pieces from Kirby's Adventure. While it most prominently contains "Ice Cream Island", it also transitions into "Boss" and "Stage Complete". It plays on Dream Land (64).
• Butter Building Ver. 2: a remix of "Butter Building" from Kirby's Adventure. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• The Great Cave Offensive: a medley of pieces associated with "The Great Cave Offensive", one of the sub-games in Kirby Super Star. It includes "Crystal Field", "Mystery Paradise", and "Trees in the Depths of Earth". It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• Forest/Nature Area: An orchestral remix of "Forest / Nature Area" from Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.

Returning tracks

Arrangements and remixes from previous Smash titles.

• Dream Land (DLC): a remix of "Gourmet Race" from Kirby Super Star. It plays on Dream Land (64).
• Green Greens (Melee): an arrangement of "King Dedede" from Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• Fountain of Dreams (DLC): An orchestral arrangement of "Gourmet Race" from Kirby Super Star. It plays on Dream Land (64).
• King Dedede's Theme: an arrangement of "King Dedede" from Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on Halberd.
• Meta Knight's Revenge: a medley of pieces associated with "Meta Knight's Revenge", one of the sub-games in Kirby Super Star. It includes arrangements of "The Battleship Halberd: On Deck" and "The Battleship Halberd: Interior". It plays on Halberd.
• Gourmet Race: a guitar-heavy remix of "Gourmet Race" from Kirby Super Star. It plays on Halberd.
• Butter Building: Taken directly from Brawl, this is a medley of Butter Building's music from Kirby's Adventure and the title theme from 'Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on the Halberd stage.
• Vs. Marx: an arrangement of "Vs. Marx" from Kirby Super Star. It plays on Halberd.
• 0² Battle: an arrangement of "0² Battle" from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. It plays on Halberd.
• The Legendary Air Ride Machine: a remix of "The Legendary Air Ride Machine" from Kirby Air Ride. It is a playable option in Smash Run and plays on Halberd.
• Squeak Squad Theme: an arrangement of "Here Come the Squeaks!" from Kirby Squeak Squad. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• Boss Theme Medley: a medley of boss themes from multiple Kirby titles. It includes "Boss" from Kirby's Adventure, "Boss" from Kirby's Dream Land 2, "Boss Battle" from Kirby Super Star, "Boss" from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, "The Arena" from Kirby's Adventure, and "Boss Battle" from Kirby Squeak Squad.

Source tracks

Compositions and arrangements directly sourced from the Kirby series with no alterations.

• Green Greens: from Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on Dream Land (3DS).
• Float Islands: from Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on Dream Land (3DS).
• Bubbly Clouds: from Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on Dream Land (3DS).
• Castle Lololo: from Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on Dream Land (3DS).
• Mt. Dedede: from Kirby's Dream Land. It plays on Dream Land (3DS).
• Planet Popstar (DLC): from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. It plays on Dream Land (64).
• Forest Stage (DLC): though sourced from Kirby Air Ride, the piece itself is a remix of "Forest Area" from Kirby's Adventure. It plays on Dream Land (64).
• Celestial Valley: from Kirby Air Ride. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• Frozen Hillside: from Kirby Air Ride. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• The Adventure Begins: from Kirby's Return to Dream Land. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• Through the Forest: from Kirby's Return to Dream Land. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• Floral Fields: from Kirby: Triple Deluxe, which is taken directly from that game. It plays on The Great Cave Offensive.
• The World to Win (DLC): from Kirby: Triple Deluxe. It plays on Dream Land (64).

Victory fanfares

• Victory! Kirby Series: A whimsical orchestration of the shortened "Stage Complete" theme heard in general Kirby games.
• Victory! Meta Knight: A "rock remix" of Kirby's victory theme.

Other

"Opening" from Kirby Air Ride was used in "Comet Observatory", the reveal trailer for Rosalina & Luma. It does not appear in the final games.

Trophies

Kirby Kirby (Alt.) Meta Knight Meta Knight (Alt.) King Dedede King Dedede (Alt.) Dragoon

Maxim Tomato Warp Star Superspicy Curry Star Rod Nightmare Knuckle Joe Tac

for Nintendo 3DS

Bronto Burt Shotzo Gordo Waddle Doo Parasol Waddle Dee Bonkers Plasma Whip

Bomber Wheelie Bugzzy Plasma Kirby Combo Cannon Halberd

for Wii U

Ultra Sword Galaxia Darkness Dedede Burst Cappy Poppy Bros. Jr. Whispy Woods Apples

Broom Hatter Scarfy Sir Kibble Sword Kirby Beam Kirby Fire Kirby Ice Kirby

Needle Kirby Tornado Kirby Mike Kirby Sleep Kirby Blade Knight Starman Walky

Bomb Kirby Fighter Kirby Wing Kirby Ninja Kirby Galacta Knight Magolor Lor Starcutter

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Characters

All veterans from the Kirby series have returned for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

• Kirby: Kirby is set to reappear in the game as a playable fighter.
• Meta Knight: Meta Knight is set to reappear in the game as a playable fighter.
• King Dedede: King Dedede is set to reappear in the game. He has a new Final Smash, where he becomes Masked Dedede and traps his opponents in a cage, attacking them with a barrage of missiles before sending them flying with his hammer.

Assist Trophies

• Knuckle Joe

Items

• Warp Star
• Star Rod
• Bomber

Stages

All the past stages aside from Fountain of Dreams and Dream Land have thus far been confirmed to return.

• Dream Land: After returning as a DLC stage in Smash 4, this classic stage reappears as a retro stage.
• Green Greens: After being absent in Smash 4, this beloved stage from Melee returns as a retro stage.
• Halberd: Meta Knight's iconic airship returns as a retro stage.
• The Great Cave Offensive: Due to 8-player battles returning, this level reappears as a retro stage.

Music

• A new arrangement of "City Trial" from Kirby Air Ride.
• "Green Greens": Heard in Kirby's character trailer.
• "Meta Knight's Revenge": The iconic theme of Meta Knight himself, this was heard in his character trailer.
• "King Dedede's Theme": the fan-favorite Brawl remix of this song was in King Dedede's character trailer.

Games with elements from or in the Super Smash Bros. series

The Super Smash Bros. games generally adopt many aspects from other Kirby games, notably games released before Melee, due to the fact that both series are made and supervised under the same team.

Kirby's Dream Land

Kirby and King Dedede, both of whom made their debut in this game, are playable characters in the Super Smash Bros. games, Kirby having appeared in all four of the games. In addition, the character Whispy Woods, as well as the area known as Green Greens, also appear in the series. Whispy Woods, along with Kirby, was also featured in all three games, though he was in the background of the Dream Land and Green Greens stages. Other characters like Waddle Dee and King Dedede are trophies in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Many of the enemies from this game appear as trophies, stickers, or in Smash Run from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Waddle Doo appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. the Maxim Tomato appears as an item in all of the Super Smash Bros. games.

Kirby's neutral special move, Inhale, originates from this game. Several of King Dedede's attacks originated from this game, such as his dash attack, side smash attack, Inhale, and Super Dedede Jump. Kirby's white costume and King Dedede's black costume are also based on how they appeared in this game. King Dedede's theme music is featured in Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Other kinds of music from this game are also featured.

The Warp Star appears as an item in all of the Super Smash Bros. games. The Superspicy Curry appears as an item in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U.

Kirby's up taunt is the Kirby Dance, which Kirby first performed in this game. His victory poses are also variations of the Kirby Dance. Kirby and King Dedede's victory themes are an orchestration of the tune that plays when Kirby completes a level in this game. Meta Knight's victory theme is also the same as Kirby and King Dedede's, but is a heavy metal remix of the tune.

The Dream Land stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is based on elements of this game.

Kirby's Dream Land appears as a Masterpiece in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Kirby's Adventure

The Fountain of Dreams is a stage in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and the Star Rod weapon from the end of the game appears as an item in all five games. Meta Knight, a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, first appeared in this game (although his trophy in Melee erroneously states that he debuted in Kirby Super Star). Bugzzy and Bonkers, mid-bosses in this game, appears as trophies, while the latter enemy appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Bonkers also appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. 4. Additionally, he appears as an enemy in Smash Run in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. The Invincibility Candy appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Many of the enemies from this game appear as trophies and stickers in the game. They also appear as trophies in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Buggzy and Bomber also appear as trophies in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, while Starman and Walky appear as trophies in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Parasol Waddle Dee appears as an enemy in Smash Run in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Bomber appears as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Kirby's Adventure appears as a masterpiece in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, lasting two minutes, and in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Kirby's blue costume comes from Ice and Freeze Kirby. Meta Knight's dark gray and black palette is based on his artwork for Kirby's Adventure. In Melee and Ultimate, Kirby's dash attack comes from the Burning ability (then called "Fireball") in this game. Kirby's side special move and down special move, Hammer and Stone, respectively, also originate from this game. One of Kirby's custom moves, Ice Breath, is based on the attack of the same name from the Ice ability. Kirby's back throw is based on the Backdrop ability from this game.

A remix of Butter Building's music from the game is featured in Brawl and Super Smash Bros. 4. In Super Smash Bros. 4, another version of Butter Building's music is featured. A medley of Ice Cream Island's theme, the boss theme, "stage complete" theme, and the Kirby Dance music is featured in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U. The opening theme of Super Smash Bros. Melee contains a portion of Butter Building's music.

Nightmare, who appears as an Assist Trophy, originates from this game, being the game's final boss.

Kirby's Dream Course

Kirby's yellow palette swap is based on Keeby.

Kirby's Dream Land 2

Nruff, who debuted in this game, appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Rick and Gooey appear as trophies in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Acro, a boss in this game, appears in the form of a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Kirby Super Star

There are many aspects in the Smash Bros. series that come from this game, as it is the most famous game in the Kirby series.

• The Halberd is a stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, with the Combo Cannon boss from the game an aspect of the Brawl stage.

• The music that plays in the Save Cottages of The Great Cave Offensive was remixed for Super Smash Bros. Melee's All-Star Mode, which is similar to The Arena. Also, three of the Gourmet Race songs are used for Kirby's levels in the Smash Bros. series; one of them is a heavy metal remix, while one of the others is orchestrated.

• Also, the final boss of the The Great Cave Offensive, Wham Bam Rock, uses a stone hand to attack Kirby. The hand's patterns may be the inspiration for Master Hand and Crazy Hand.

• Most of Kirby's special moves in the Super Smash Bros. series originated here, such as his Final Cutter, Stone/Heavy Object transformation, and the Hammer moves. A few of Kirby's attacks also are based on the Fighter ability, such as his neutral attack, side smash attack, and the Smash Punch. His dash attack in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U is based on the Yo-yo ability. Kirby's forward and down throws are based on the Suplex ability. His up throw is based on the Ninja ability. Kirby's Final Smash in Brawl is derived from the Cook ability, which originated in this game.

• Chef Kawasaki appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

• Meta Knight's neutral special, Mach Tornado, originates from this game. His neutral aerial also resembles Sword Kirby's Sword Spin move.

• Many have compared the Subspace Emissary of Super Smash Bros. Brawl to being similar to Kirby Super Star. One of the most obvious similarities is the camera's focus on the first player and the ability for the second player to teleport to the first either at will or if they end up too far off-screen. Also, the slide launchers function very similar to that from Kirby Super Star.

• It is believed that the combat mechanics of Super Smash Bros. are based off that of Kirby Super Star.

• Knuckle Joe, who debuted in this game, appears as an Assist Trophy. In addition, he appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

• Tac and Plasma Wisp appear as enemies in Smash Run of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Tac appears as a trophy in both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, while Plasma Wisp appears as a trophy in the former.

• Several music tracks originated from this game, such as "Meta Knight's Revenge" and "Vs. Marx."

• This game was directed by Masahiro Sakurai, which explains many of the design and gameplay similarities to the Super Smash Bros. series. In many ways, Kirby Super Star may be considered a prototypical Smash.

• Ridley, in Brawl's Subspace Emissary mode, has very similar moves to Dyna Blade from this game. Additionally, Dyna Blade appears as a sticker in the game.

• Galleom, in Brawl's Subspace Emissary mode, has a few similar moves to Heavy Lobster from this game.

• Tabuu, the final boss of Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Subspace Emissary mode, has a similar fighting style to Marx, having a few similar moves and both having generally very predictable, but very powerful attacks.

• The Boss Battles mode is similar to Kirby Super Star's "The Arena" in many ways.

• Kirby Super Star appears as a masterpiece in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

• The Great Cave Offensive appears as a stage in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

A remix of 02's theme is present in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U; it is played on the stage Halberd. The music that plays in the first stage of Planet Popstar is also present in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U; it is played on the stage Dream Land (64). Artwork of various characters and enemies for this game appear as stickers in Brawl.

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

The music for the Fountain of Dreams stage in Super Smash Bros. Melee was reused in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land during the battle with King Dedede at the same area.

Kirby Air Ride

Kirby Air Ride was a racing game for the Nintendo GameCube released in 2003. Produced by HAL Laboratory, the game is notable for including a multitude of mechanics from Melee, as well as mechanics that were later introduced in Brawl.

A lot of mechanics for the game are similar to Melee's as well, such as a star count to let the player know how many times he's destroyed another player's machine, similar to how there is a star counter to tell a player how many KOs he or she has gotten.

One of Kirby's artworks for this game appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

The sound effect heard when one selects something from the menu is a deeper version of Melee's sound effect for the same thing.

Players can unlock and choose colors for Kirby, Meta Knight, and King Dedede, which is similar to the palette swaps from the Super Smash Bros. games.

The tracks that play in Melee's Green Greens and Fountain of Dreams play in Kirby Air Ride, with slight modifications.

In Brawl, Dragoon, one of the legendary machines in the game, appears as an item. Much like it was in this game, the player has to collect all three of Dragoon's parts before they are able to use it. The songs for the racetracks "Frozen Hillside" and "Checker Knights" are in Brawl, as well as the track "The Legendary Air Ride Machine", which plays after Kirby completes a Dragoon or a Hydra. All three songs play on the Halberd stage. Also, the Celestial Valley's theme and the track "Forest Stage" are featured in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and is played on Dream Land (64).

The Smash Run mode in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is inspired by the City Trial mode from this game. Masahiro Sakurai, who directed both games, wanted to recreate the mode for Smash Bros. The main theme from this mode is also remixed in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Additionally, the introduction music from Kirby Air Ride is heard in Rosalina's trailer during which Kirby is cruising on his Warp Star on Rainbow Road.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

Master Hand and Crazy Hand appear as the final bosses of Candy Constellation. A solo Master Hand also appears occasionally as a mini-boss. When Kirby inhales a defeated Master Hand, he gains the Smash ability - a scaled-down version of Kirby's moveset from Super Smash Bros. Melee. Fighter Kirby's Aerial Spin Kick is similar to his forward aerial in the Super Smash Bros. series. Meta Knight's side special, Drill Rush, is based on one of Master Kirby's attacks.

In Brawl, the music "Forest / Nature Area" plays on Halberd and is the only GBA music to be unchanged. A remix of the music is featured in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, played on The Great Cave Offensive. The Golem enemy appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Box Boxer, Boxy, Cupid Kirby and the Cell Phone all appear as stickers in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Artwork of Kirby and The Big Switch appear as stickers in SSBB.

Kirby's orange palette swap in SSB4 comes from the Orange Spray Paint in this game. Additionally, his yellow, green, and red palette swaps later appeared as alternative palettes for the different colored Kirbys. Also, these colors and the blue color are the basis for the Spray Paints. Meta Knight's gray palette swap is based on Dark Meta Knight from this game.

Kirby: Canvas Curse

Artwork of Meta Knight and Waddle Dee appear as stickers in SSBB.

Kirby: Squeak Squad

The track "Squeak Squad Theme" is featured in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U; it is played on the stages Halberd and The Great Cave Offensive. Daroach, Perara, Squeaker, and a Treasure Chest from this game appear as stickers in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Artwork of various other characters and enemies appear as stickers in SSBB.

Kirby Super Star Ultra

Cook Kirby's pot has utensils added to the front, similar to his Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The Fountain of Dreams and Halberd take their new designs from the Melee and Brawl stages, respectively. A crystalline version of Wham Bam Rock called Wham Bam Jewel appears, with some new additional moves, likely inspired by Master Hand's moves. Meta Knight's purple palette swap is based on Galacta Knight from this game. Additionally, Galacta Knight appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, King Dedede has a new Final Smash where he traps his opponents in a cage and takes on his Masked Dedede persona and attacks opponents with a barrage of missiles and sends them flying with his Jet Hammer.

Kirby Mass Attack

The Superspicy Curry appears with the Brawl design.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land

The Super Ability Ultra Sword originates from this game. It is Kirby's Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. 4. Meta Knight's up special, Shuttle Loop, returns. In addition, King Dedede's down aerial move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl returns in this game. The music that plays in the first stage of Cookie Country and another, which plays in the second stage are present in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U as tracks that can be heard on The Great Cave Offensive. Magolor and the Lor Starcutter appear as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition

The Smash ability returns in one of the bonus challenge courses, and the Super Smash Bros. emblem can be seen in the background in a repeated pattern. It has also gained a new attack called Smash Kick, based off of Kirby's forward smash.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

The appearance of Kirby's Screen KO matches that of his in Super Smash Bros. 4. The music for Stage 1 of Fine Fields is featured in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. It is played on The Great Cave Offensive. The theme "The World to Win" is also featured when Kirby is battling Queen Sectonia and is played on Dream Land (64).

Kirby Fighters is a mode in this game, which entails 2-4 Kirbys fighting each other with a selected Copy Ability. Kirbys are able to shield, roll, sidestep, and air dodge in this game. The shield also has a life gauge and once depleted will break, leaving Kirby stunned and vulnerable, which is similar to shields in the Super Smash Bros. games. Kirbys can also "perfect shield," which means the oncoming attack will be blocked while the shield won't take any damage.

A remix of the music that plays on the Fountain of Dreams stage is featured, which plays during the Hypernova section of the second bonus stage of Royal Road.

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

The figurines in the game behave very similar to the trophies.

Kirby: Planet Robobot

The Smash ability returns in Kirby: Planet Robobot as one of the Copy abilities now under the name "Smash Bros.", using the moveset from Super Smash Bros. 4. Meta Knight's Shuttle Loop move returns in this game, along with his Final Smash Galaxia Darkness.

Kirby Battle Royale

One of Meta Knight's moves is very similar to his down special, Dimensional Cape.

Trivia

• In Brawl, the Kirby series has the highest average tier ranking of any series with more than one character.
• A large amount of mechanics present in the Super Smash Bros. series come from Kirby, such as the system of dash attacks, grabs, aerials, and even glancing blows.
• All the playable characters from the Kirby universe have multiple mid-air jumps.
• Every Kirby stage that has appeared in the series so far has been based off of Kirby games that were directed by Masahiro Sakurai before he left HAL Laboratory.
  • Every Kirby item seems to follow this trend as well, unless one counts those that appear frequently in the series, such as the Maxim Tomato.
  • Furthermore, the only Kirby universe elements in Smash Bros. so far (during gameplay) that aren't from a Sakurai-directed Kirby game are the Ultra Sword, Kirby's Final Smash in SSB4 and Ultimate, and Masked King Dedede, King Dedede's Final Smash from Ultimate.
• F-Zero, Kirby, The Legend of Zelda and Super Smash Bros. itself are the only four series to have the same series symbol throughout the entire series.
• When sorting trophies by series in Brawl, the Kirby series is mistakenly referred to as "Kirby Super Star".