Editing Multiplayer

[[File:KSA Tip Image Co-op.png|thumb|250px|[[Kirby]] and [[Burning Leo]] holding up a pair of [[Nintendo Switch|Joy-Con controllers]] to represent '''multiplayer''' in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'']]
'''Multiplayer''' (or '''n-player''' or '''nP''', with n being any number greater than 1) refers to any game or [[Sub-Game]] which can be played by more than one player at a time. While most games in the ''[[Kirby (series)|Kirby]]'' series are primarily or solely single-player (and specifically designed as such), several allow for multiple players to varying degrees. Generally, games in the series designed primarily for multiplayer gameplay are spin-off titles, such as ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'' and ''[[Kirby's Dream Course]]'' — the only main-series ''Kirby'' game designed primarily around multiplayer is ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''.

==Multiplayer by Title==
The following lists multiplayer features in each game in the ''Kirby'' series in chronological order. Titles which bear no multiplayer at all are omitted from this list.

===''Kirby's Dream Course''===
[[File:KDC Shine and Bright Course Hole 7 screenshot 02.png|thumb|150px|''Kirby's Dream Course'' was the first ''Kirby'' game to feature multiplayer.]]
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In ''[[Kirby's Dream Course]]'', a second player can take control of an opposing yellow Kirby (known as [[Keeby]]) to play in turns with the first, who controls Kirby. Gameplay revolves around collecting as many [[Point Star]]s as possible on each hole in an 8-hole course.

===''Kirby's Avalanche''===
This adaptation of ''Puyo Puyo'' allows for a 2P mode, which is like the main game, but pits two players against each-other.

===''Kirby Super Star'' / ''Kirby Super Star Ultra''===
[[File:KSS Multiplayer Screenshot.png|thumb|left|150px|A Helper Sir Kibble controlled by a second player summons himself in ''[[Kirby Super Star]]''.]]
This game introduced the [[Helper]] system, which allows Kirby to transform his currently equipped [[Copy Ability]] into a creature who would grant that ability when swallowed, who will then help Kirby fight. The Helper is controlled by the CPU by default, but if 2 Player mode is selected after the title screen, a second player can join in and control this Helper whenever it appears. The Helper has access to the full array of moves specific to its ability, and can also use an [[Infinity Jump]] to keep up with Kirby. It can engage in a [[Face-to-Face]] with Kirby to restore [[health]], as well as picking up [[Food]] on its own. It cannot, however, cause the screen to scroll, and will be [[Space Jump]]ed back to Kirby whenever it gets left behind, leaving de-facto focus on the first player still.

Additionally, the two [[Sub-Game]]s, [[Samurai Kirby]] and [[Megaton Punch]] can be played with a second player.

In ''Kirby Super Star Ultra'', the three new Sub-Games, [[Kirby Card Swipe]], [[Kirby on the Draw]] and [[Snack Tracks]] can be played with up to 4 players. Additionally, [[Gourmet Race]] can now be played with a second player, who controls a yellow Kirby.
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===''Kirby's Star Stacker'' (Game Boy & SNES)===
[[File:KSSS VS Mode gameplay.png|thumb|150px|Gameplay of the '''VS. Mode''' in the Super Famicom version of ''Kirby's Star Stacker''.]]
In both versions of Kirby's Star Stacker, there is a mode called "VS.", allowing 2 players to face each other. While the Game Boy version allows this by connecting 2 Game Boys together with a cable, the Super Famicom version requires 2 controllers.

Overall, the mode plays the same in both games, but the Super Famicom version allows for more choices, such as choosing how many rounds will be played (1, 3 or 5), the difficulty that suits each player best, and which character the players wants to play as ([[Gryll]] can only be chosen if the player has beaten them in Story mode, thus making it impossible for a guest player to choose them).

===''Kirby's Dream Land 3''===
At any point during gameplay, Kirby can call upon a partner named [[Gooey]], who is controllable by a second player. Gooey, like Kirby, is able to fly, and copy abilities, though he does the latter by wrapping his tongue around enemies, rather than [[Inhaling]] them. While Gooey is out, Kirby has one less bar of [[health]] than he would otherwise.
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KDL3 Grass Land Screenshot.png|Kirby and his pal Gooey take a stroll through the [[Grass Land - Stage 1 (Kirby's Dream Land 3)|first stage]] of [[Grass Land (Kirby's Dream Land 3)|Grass Land]] in ''[[Kirby's Dream Land 3]]''.
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===''Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards''===
[[File:K64 Multiplayer results screen.png|thumb|150px|The results screen used in the multiplayer Mini-Games in ''[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]]''.]]
There is no multiplayer in the Main Game, but the [[Sub-Game|Mini-Games]] can be played with up to 4 players. These are [[100-Yard Hop]], [[Bumper Crop Bump]], and [[Checkerboard Chase]].

===''Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land''===
The main game and [[Extra Game]] can be played with up to 4 players, essentially treated as a cooperative multiplayer mode with the following differences:
*All players will start at the latest [[level]] of the selected file. This applies when continuing a game after ending a multiplayer session, especially after all players get a [[Game Over]].
*Each player has a separate [[1-Up|lives]] counter. If a player is defeated in a stage, they are temporarily taken out of the game until the players enter a new room. If all players are defeated in the same room, they will all respawn at the beginning of the room they were defeated in.
**On the defeated player's side, their current ability will display as "Wait" (depicting a tired-looking Kirby on its icon), complete with its own unique pause screen.
*If a player loses all lives, they have the option to borrow lives from other players in order to continue, or simply give up by choosing "Don't Borrow", which will completely take said player out of the game session while displaying the words "Game Over" on their screen.
**If all players lose their lives, the Game Over screen that displays is unique, featuring multiple knocked-out Kirbys depending on the ones present. There is no option to continue at that point, forcing the players to go back to the title screen.
*All players are required to stand near [[Door]]s to enter them in stages, though only one player has to enter. On a [[level hub]], all players will automatically be transported to the destination stage (or [[Sub-Game]]) when one of the players enters that corresponding door.
*When playing Sub-Games from the level hubs, the [[1-Up]] rewards remain the same, and are all distributed separately to each player depending on their placement.
*Multiple players can board the [[Warp Star]], with some of them adapting new poses as they do so. This even applies to the Warp Star ride during the intro to the battle against [[Nightmare Wizard]].
*More enemies get added to stages when playing with three or four players.
*Before fighting [[Meta Knight]], one sword for each player appears, and the fight does not start until every player picks up a sword. Similarly, every player gets a Star Rod for the fight with [[Nightmare]].

All Sub-Games have a competitive multiplayer mode where players can compete to see who gets the highest placement. Placeholder [[CPU]]s are present for [[Bomb Rally]] and [[Kirby's Air Grind]] if there are less than 4 players at a time. Competitive multiplayer for these Sub-Games is automatically enabled when playing them from the main game or Extra Game during a multiplayer session.

[[Meta Knightmare]] is the only game mode that cannot be played in multiplayer.
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KNiDL Multiplayer screenshot.png|Four Kirbys venture through the first Stage of [[Vegetable Valley]] in ''[[Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land]]''.
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===''Kirby Air Ride''===
[[File:KAR Multiplayer Screenshot.png|thumb|150px|''Kirby Air Ride'' allows for more competitive play with player vs. player combat.]]
One of the few games in the series specifically designed for multiplayer, up to 4 players can take part in any of the main game modes. In all cases, Kirbys of varying hues compete against each-other to win races, or compete in the [[City Trial]] mode. Kirbys can attack each-other by doing Quick-Spins or by using Copy Abilities and other items which, depending on the settings, can destroy the vehicles of their opponents, or just slow them down.
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===''Kirby & The Amazing Mirror''===
[[File:KaTAM Cabbage Cavern Room 7.png|thumb|200px|''Kirby & The Amazing Mirror'' is built around the concept of simultaneous four-player exploration and cooperation.]]
In this title, Kirby is split into 4 copies of himself, which all can be controlled autonomously by different players. Unlike in ''Kirby Super Star'', Kirbys have free reign to wander wherever they like, as far away from each-other as they want to, and can regroup by using their [[Cell Phone]]s to call each-other. Cell Phones can also be used to share lives if one of the players hits a [[Game Over]], without having to go back to the [[Rainbow Route - Central Circle]].

All [[Sub-Games]] can also be played from the main menu with up to 4 players. If one loses during [[Boss Endurance]], they can only continue watching the progress of remaining players.

===''Kirby's Epic Yarn''===
Much like in ''Kirby's Dream Land 3'', a second player can jump in as [[Prince Fluff]] to join Kirby in the Main Game. However, this can only be done outside of stages, each of which has a selection for the number of players, much like the file select. Fluff has exactly the same moves as Kirby, and both can pick one and throw another up with their [[Yarn Whip]]. The throw angle is curved, similarly to [[Carrie]]'s, and cannot damage bosses. If a character separates from another or chooses to rejoin them, [[Angie]] will carry said character to the other. When certain [[Metamortex]] transformations occur, whichever character touched the item will become the primary controller, while the other takes a secondary role which cannot be used in single-player. While the players share a [[Bead]] count, whichever character collects the most beads during a stage dances at the results screen.

''[[Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn]]'' does not feature multiplayer, relegating Prince Fluff to a secondary role.

===''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' / ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe''===
[[File:KRtDL Kirby Team Attack - Level 2.png|thumb|250px|In ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]'', multiple players can team up and perform special [[Team Attack]]s when using [[Piggyback]].]]
Up to 4 players can join in at any point during the Story and Extra Modes, and can choose between [[Meta Knight]], [[King Dedede]], [[Bandana Waddle Dee]] or a [[Kirby]] of a different color to play as. Joining in this way costs a [[1-Up]], but can still be done even if none are remaining, though players joining with the lives counter at 0 has them spawn with half of their health. Each character has their own unique set of abilities, with Meta Knight being like a combination of [[Wing]] and [[Sword]] Kirby, King Dedede using the [[Hammer]] moveset, and Bandana Waddle Dee using the [[Spear]] moveset (in ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]'', Kirby's friends have additional moves to further distinguish them, which originated from their appearance as [[Dream Friend]]s in ''Kirby Star Allies''). Only a Kirby, however, can use the [[Super Ability|Super Abilities]]. Players 2-4 can be KO'd as many times as they want without interrupting the adventure, but if the first player controlling Kirby gets taken out, the adventure ends like it would in single-player mode. To help prevent this, the party can engage in [[Face-to-Face]] with each-other to share the [[Food]] they collect.

Additionally, the two Sub-Games on offer in the Wii version - [[Ninja Dojo]] and [[Scope Shot]] - can be played with up to 4 players. [[The Arena]] and [[The True Arena]] can also be played cooperatively. In ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe'', all of the added Sub-Games (excepting [[Samurai Kirby 100]]) can be played with up to 4 players. Additionally, the [[Extra Mode]] [[Magolor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveler]] can also be played with up to 4 players, though in that mode, Magolor is the only selectable character.

=== ''Kirby: Triple Deluxe'' ===
''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]'' features a Sub-Game called [[Kirby Fighters]], which can be played with up to three other people using local wireless play. Extra copies of the game are not required, as Download Play allows anyone to join (albeit also limiting gameplay options when used). Spots not filled by human players can be filled by CPU players, whose abilities and difficulty levels can be set. Furthermore, each player can set the color of their Kirby and their handicap, which changes their damage dealt and taken, among other effects.

===''Kirby Fighters Deluxe''===
This expanded version of the original Sub-Game from ''Kirby: Triple Deluxe'' contains the same attribute settings that can be altered in multiplayer. This time, players can fight in a free-for-all manner, or play in teams. To further distinguish each-other, [[Costumes|unlockable Rare Hats]] can be used for the various Copy Abilities.
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KFD Multiplayer Screenshot.png|Two Kirbys facing off in [[Flower Land]], in ''Kirby Fighters Deluxe''
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===''Kirby and the Rainbow Curse''===
[[File:KatRC Multiplayer Screenshot TV.png|thumb|250px|Kirby and his three pals venture through [[Green Valley]] in [[The Adventure Begins]]]]
Up to three Bandana Waddle Dees of different hues can assist Kirby throughout ''[[Kirby and the Rainbow Curse]]'' by carrying him and dealing with enemies. The Bandana Waddle Dees are the only ones who can defeat the [[Grab Hand]]s that appear in the stages exclusively in multiplayer. Similarly to ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'', Kirby is the only one who ends the adventure if he is taken out. However, if a Bandana Waddle Dee is taken out, it no longer costs an extra life to respawn. Instead, they are given a small meter that fills slightly when the player presses a button, respawning the Bandana Waddle Dee when it is entirely filled. These Waddle Dee assistants can also integrate into Kirby's various transformations in various ways.

Waddle Dees can also help Kirby out in the [[Challenge Mode]] stages, as they can use their spears to clear out obstacles and pick up the [[Treasure Chest]]s in Kirby's stead.

===''Kirby: Planet Robobot''===
The [[Team Kirby Clash]] sub-game supports multiplayer mode with up to 4 players. Other players don't necessarily need to own a copy of ''[[Kirby: Planet Robobot]]'' to play. Players playing via Download Play can only play as the [[Sword Hero]] and [[Doctor Healmore]] roles, with the [[Hammer Lord]] and [[Beam Mage]] roles not being selectable.
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KPR TKC Multiplayer.png|Team Kirby engages in battle against [[Gigant Edge]].
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===''Team Kirby Clash Deluxe''===
Like the original Sub-Game, this title supports local multiplayer with up to 4 players. Using the local 'Wireless Quest' mode, a team of four can be established to take on a quest. All participants will be rewarded for a victory, but only the host player can satisfy [[Heroic Mission (Team Kirby Clash Deluxe)|Heroic Missions]] specific to the encounter.

===''Kirby Battle Royale''===
This action-multiplayer title is the first in the series to have full [[Online features|online matchmaking]] and a global ranking system. Up to four players can take part in battles, choosing between a handful of Kirby Copy Abilities, or as other characters to play as. Like with ''Kirby Fighters Deluxe'', headgear can be unlocked for the copy abilities and other characters, some using [[amiibo]].
<gallery>
KBR Multiplayer Menu.png|The find a match screen.
KBR Multiplayer Menu2.png|The create a match screen.
KBR Multiplayer.png|Four Kirbys duke it out in ''[[Apple Scramble]]''.
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===''Kirby Star Allies''===
[[File:KSA Multiplayer Screenshot.jpg|thumb|250px|Friends do not necessarily need to be created by throwing a Friend Heart - if an extra player connects a controller and presses a button while Kirby has an ability copied, the Friend will summon themselves using Kirby's ability.]]
In ''Kirby Star Allies'', multiplayer is a primary focus of the game design, with every mode allowing up to four players at once. This title marks the return of the [[Helper]] system, but instead of creating a Helper from a Copy Ability, Kirby befriends enemies directly from the field by tossing a heart at them. Up to three friends can be on the field at any one time and, like Kirby, can make use of the Power Combo system to enhance their attacks. Because friends are often required to solve puzzles or traverse the stages, they can also be controlled by [[CPU]]s. [[Color|Different colored Kirbys]] do not feature in the Story Mode or extra games, but are playable in [[Chop Champs]] and [[Star Slam Heroes]]. In this title, Kirby’s friends will speed up slightly when [[dashing]] towards Kirby, allowing them to catch up to him more easily if they’re lagging behind Kirby.

===''Super Kirby Clash''===
In addition to local multiplayer, the sequel of ''Team Kirby Clash Deluxe'' features full online multiplayer, and offers a large array of extra quests (called Party Quests) to play with others in. These quests are entirely separate from Story Quests, and have their own unique [[Heroic Mission (Super Kirby Clash)|Heroic Missions]] to satisfy.

===''Kirby Fighters 2''===
This sequel to ''Kirby Fighters Deluxe'' has the same multiplayer features as its predecessor. It also allows for full online multiplayer in standard matches with up to four participants. In addition, [[Story Mode: The Destined Rivals]] allows a second player to join in.

===''Kirby and the Forgotten Land''===
[[File:KatFL coop screenshot 2.jpg|thumb|250px|In ''Kirby and the Forgotten Land'', Player 2 takes control of [[Bandana Waddle Dee]], and can accompany Kirby in regular stages and in Waddle Dee Town.]]
Unlike previous ''Kirby'' titles on the Nintendo Switch, ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]'' only features co-op with two players. Player 2 takes on the role of [[Bandana Waddle Dee]], who joins after [[Point of Arrival]] and can accompany Kirby through regular stages, as well as [[Waddle Dee Town]] (albeit with limited interactions) and most [[Sub-Game]]s. He cannot participate in any [[Treasure Road]] areas or in [[Tilt-and-Roll Kirby]] and has limited assistance in regards to Kirby's [[Mouthful Mode]]s, with the larger forms confining him to simply throwing his spear from Kirby's back. Bandana Waddle Dee [[Space Jump]]s over to Kirby if he leaves the field of sight or after a short while if Kirby is on a Warp Star, and also dashes at a slightly faster pace when running towards Kirby, allowing him to catch up to Kirby if he’s falling behind. Much like in ''Kirby and the Rainbow Curse'', there is no consequence for Bandana Waddle Dee being KO'd, and Player 2 simply needs to bring him back into action by pressing buttons; this is also true for the [[Colosseum]]. Many restricting [[Mission (Kirby and the Forgotten Land)|missions]], such as ability requirements, avoiding hazards, or defeating a boss without taking damage, do not take Bandana Waddle Dee into account. Finally, many cutscenes and individual interactions have different versions that account for Bandana Waddle Dee's presence. Said cutscenes can be seen in their alternate versions in the [[Waddle Dee Cinema]] if Bandana Waddle Dee is present.

===''Kirby's Dream Buffet''===
''[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]]'' is a game primarily focused on multiplayer, as it lacks any sort of dedicated single-player mode, much like ''Kirby Air Ride'' before it. Two local players can play the main Battle Mode, while up to four can play either with local wireless or online.

<gallery>
KDB Online multiplayer screenshot.png|Screenshot of online gameplay in ''Kirby's Dream Buffet''
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[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]