Aqua Star
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Aqua Star is the oceanic third level encountered by Kirby and his sidekick, Ribbon, during their mission to dispel Dark Matter from their realm in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. Physically, the planet is encompassed in water, even the small inner core, an appearance backed up by the five water-logged stages that make up the topography of Aqua Star. With regions ranging from beaches to raging rivers, and from subterranean caves to islands. Kirby must navigate the aqueous landscape in order to make it to the lair of Acro, the killer whale-like boss of the level at the last stage.
Like in all levels of The Crystal Shards, the first four stages within Aqua Star hide three Crystal Shards, while the final stage rewards only one after the defeat of the boss. Nevertheless, all shards within one level need not to be collected before Kirby is granted access to the next; Kirby must simply complete the level.
Stage Synopsis
The following is a brief overview of each stage of Aqua Star and their contents. For a full guide on how to obtain the Crystal Shards, see the Crystal Shard page.
Stage 1
The first stage is overall summer-themed, covered with palm trees and sunny skies. The first portion of the level has Kirby venturing through a waterfront landscape, inhabited by Floppers, Pompeys, Bobos, and Kapar, albeit others. This beach scene merges into a cavernous setting; Zebon, which are used to ascend a tall, vertical chasm within the cave, are abundant. Avoiding the Glom on the cave's upper level, Kirby makes his way deeper into the cavern, encountering foes such as Galbo and Yariko in the next expanse. At the level's halfway point, a large Tick waits to be defeated, and in the event Kirby does so, he is rewarded a Crystal Shard (or a Blue Star if he's bested the mini-boss previously). Adeleine paints Kirby a Maxim Tomato as he exits the cave and passes through one final highland section before the level ends.
Enemies, Mid-Bosses and Abilities
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Stage 2
The second stage is based on a slow-moving river, a system that physically carries though to the level's end. At its opening, Kirby has the opportunity to absorb Bomb and Stone copy abilities from foes, and encounters simple creatures such as Gordo, Bouncy, and Bronto Burts, as well. Like in the previous stage, the first section becomes a cavernous area, however, this time, more obstacles are present such as falling platforms, uneven ground, and enemies such as Propeller and Emp. The cave ends and opens out to a battle with a large Kany, on a Donkey Kong-like wooden arena. The river continues out of the cavern and back into the earlier forest-like setting, but now Kirby is able to ride the water with Waddle Dee all the way to the waterfall's end. Interestingly, to reach the Picnic, Kirby must walk back up the other side of the river, against the current, and against the rolling Splinter logs.
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Stage 3
This stage places Kirby right on the beach, jumping over sandbars, and avoiding Shotzos, Mites, and Sandmen to get a chance to swim in the ocean's waters. The Bomb, Stone, and Cutter abilities are available in the first section, and Kirby will even enlist the aid of King Dedede to progress to a platform further than he can jump. Through unstable bridges, large rock towers, and other simple enemies, Kirby makes it down beneath the water into yet another cavernous area. A large Kapar within the cave holds a Crystal Shard, and provides passage to the rest of the stage when defeated. Further in the cave is a vertically-inclined, Splinter-infested labyrinth, of which Kirby must navigate to reach the Picnic, back on the beach.
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Stage 4
The last non-boss stage of Aqua Star is entirely underwater, and the first section is a lengthy trench. In navigating the deep chasm, Kirby will encounter many Pedo and Squibby foes, not to mention Glunk enemies lined up at the trench's base. The adjacent area opens into an expansive sea, with coral and deep sea floor crevasses; falling boulders and Flopper enemies are abundant. The great sea becomes another deep chasm in which Kirby must ride the current upwards, towards the surface, and away from the many Glunk and Gordo that are positioned on rocks about the trench. Slipping out of the trench and into a thin undersea canal, Kirby simply floats along, passing the many foes that litter the passage to reach a large Blowfish mini-boss. After its defeat, one more waterlogged expanse, filled with falling rocks and Gordo enemies, and the Picnic lies in wait.
Enemies, Mid-Bosses and Abilities
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Stage 5 (Boss: Acro)
The final stage of Aqua Star is the battle with the killer whale-like boss, Acro. This battle takes place in two phases. The first has Kirby facing off against the killer whale in a static underwater chamber. Acro attacks by doing body slams and spitting out projectiles. Kirby can take advantage of both of these by inhaling the Recoil Stars and projectiles that Acro generates to hurt it.
Once Acro loses its first bar of Vitality, the battle changes into an auto-scrolling battle going up. From here, Acro attacks from above and below, by doing charges and spitting Pedos at Kirby. Much like before, Kirby can retaliate by inhaling these and spitting them back. Once Acro is defeated in this phase, it falls down the chute and crashes, leaving Kirby to collect the last crystal shard of the level.
Ending Cut-scene
Kirby and the rest are sitting on a beach overlooking the ocean. Adeleine starts tossing stones out into the water, prompting the rest to do the same. Kirby picks up a stone and starts winding up his toss, with his eyes closed. As this happens the rest of the group spots a huge tidal wave coming and runs off. Kirby casts the stone just as the wave engulfs him. When Kirby comes to, he sees the rest of his party going through the portal to the next world - Neo Star. He rushes to join them and gets in just before the portal closes.
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