Balloon Bomb

Balloon Bomb Icon for a Balloon Bomb (souvenir version) from Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Details Use Clearing obstructions Obtained Various points in stages Game(s) Kirby's Return to Dream Land Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Comparable to Timed Dynamite

This article is about the item in Kirby's Return to Dream Land and its remake, and should not be confused with Balloon Bomber.

The Balloon Bomb is an object which appears only in Kirby's Return to Dream Land and Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe which, when carried, will periodically grow in size until it explodes or is thrown. The bomb itself is perfectly spherical, with a black base adorned with faint yellow stars. Plastered on opposite sides are two skull insignia, marking it as a dangerous object.

Use

The Balloon Bomb can be picked up, carried, and thrown like many other items in the game. Similarly, the character holding the Bomb can only make one jump and cannot use any attack except the slide. As mentioned earlier, the Bomb will periodically increase in size while it is held. It does this in eight stages, with stage 1 being the initial size, and stage 8 being the maximum size it can be before exploding. During the first four stages, throwing or dropping the Balloon Bomb will not cause it to detonate, and instead only deal minor collision damage to enemies. From stage 5 onward, however, it starts to emanate red sparks, which indicates that throwing or dropping it will cause it to explode. Additionally, the character holding it will grow frantic at this point.

The damage output and effective range of the Balloon Bomb's explosion depends on which stage it is in. At maximum, the Bomb is capable of defeating a Mid-Boss in one hit, on par with a Super Ability. Additionally, the Bomb is capable at any volatile stage of destroying large yellow crystalline blocks that often block passageways and items, sharing this trait only with the Stomper Boot and the Fuse Cannon. It should be noted that the explosion can also harm the playable characters, so the bomb should be handled with care.

Effective use of the Balloon Bomb is required to obtain certain collectibles, including several Energy Spheres.

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  This block can be destroyed with the Stomper Boot or a Balloon Bomb.

Locations

The Balloon Bomb is found in only four stages in Kirby's Return to Dream Land:

• Onion Ocean - Stage 4
• White Wafers - Stage 3
• Nutty Noon - Stage 2
• Item Challenge

As a souvenir

In Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Kirby can obtain Balloon Bombs as souvenir items from Merry Magoland, though these do not become available to obtain until after completing 50 missions or more. These Balloon Bombs are distinguished visually by the fact that they have blue stars instead of yellow. Unlike regular Balloon Bombs, they can be used almost anywhere, but they deal less damage than regular Balloon Bombs.

Gallery

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  A fresh Balloon Bomb on the ground

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  The first size of the Balloon Bomb

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  Size two

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  Size three

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  Size four

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  Size five

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  Size six

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  Size seven

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  Maximum size and a Water Galboros

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  Explosion at the maximum size

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  Pre-release screenshot featuring the Balloon Bomb

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  Extra Mode credits picture from Kirby's Return to Dream Land, featuring Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee watching King Dedede carry a Balloon Bomb

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  Kirby carrying a Balloon Bomb in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe

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  Extra Mode credits picture from Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, featuring Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee watching King Dedede carry a Balloon Bomb

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Dutch	Ballonbom	Balloon bomb
German	Ballon-Bombe	Balloon-Bomb