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Challenge Stage

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Challenge Stage
File:Sword Challenge.jpg
Screencap from the Sword Challenge, the first of the Challenge Stages.
Details
Type(s) Ability Training - Time Attack
Levels 7 (also 7 EX versions)
Players 1
Appears in Kirby's Return to Dream Land
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This article is about the optional single-player challenge courses in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, and should not be confused with Challenge Mode. For information on the stages featured in Kirby's Dream Collection, see New Challenge Stages.

The Challenge Stages are a series of seven distinct optional stages in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, with all but one requiring Kirby to clear an obstacle course using a specified Copy Ability and with a time limit in place. Each stage features a menagerie of enemies to defeat and Score Coins to collect, with a score calculated and medal awarded at the end based on how well Kirby performed in the stage. These courses can be found in the Main Game and in Extra Mode by visiting the Lor Starcutter at any point after clearing Cookie Country. They can be accessed by entering doors found in a room to the right of the main deck, though each stage also requires a specific number of Energy Spheres be collected before its door will unlock. Completing these stages is not required to finish the game, but they are required for 100% completion in both the Main Game and Extra Mode. Completing a stage will also give Kirby a reward which changes in value depending on what medal was earned.

Basics

Each challenge stage is an obstacle course, taking place in a wooden toy-block environment. The goal is to make it through the course as quickly as possible, while collecting Score Coins and defeating enemies along the way. Each stage has Kirby using a specific Copy Ability (except the last one). Kirby cannot discard or otherwise lose the ability while playing the course, and he can keep his ability after finishing the course. To clear the course with a high score, Kirby is intended to utilize the specific attacks and/or movement options those abilities grant him in various ways to clear the obstacles more efficiently.

The stage is complete once Kirby makes it through the door at the end. It will end early if Kirby loses all his Stamina, gets crushed, or falls into a Void along the way - or if the timer runs out. If Kirby is KO'd in these courses, he will not lose any extra lives. Various bonuses can be awarded based on how well Kirby performs in the stage, and a medal will then be given based on the final score. The medal ranges from bronze, to silver, to gold, and then to platinum, with platinum requiring a nearly flawless performance. Based on what medal was awarded, Kirby may be given additional rewards once he leaves the course, ranging from Point Stars to 1-Ups.

Each stage is also slightly altered in Extra Mode. Score Coins and enemies are placed in different areas, some moving parts go faster, and Kirby may have less time to complete the course. In addition, Kirby's reduced stamina also applies here as well.

Scoring

The score is calculated based on the following factors:

  • Each Score Coin collected adds to the score.
    • Silver coins are worth 100 points.
    • Gold coins are worth 1000 points.
    • Collecting every coin in the course rewards the Coins Complete bonus, worth an additional 1000 points.
  • Each enemy defeated is worth 50 points.
    • Defeating every enemy in the course rewards the All Foes Defeated bonus, worth an additional 1000 points.
    • Naturally, invincible enemies like Gordos are not counted toward this bonus.
  • Clearing the stage is worth 3000 points on its own.
  • Each second left on the clock at the end is worth 50 points. Points are also added for fractions of a second.
    • Completing the course with more than 30 seconds left awards the 30 Seconds Left bonus, worth an additional 1000 points.
  • If Kirby is hit, he loses 500 points.
    • Completing the course without taking a hit awards the No Damage bonus, worth an additional 1000 points.

Once the final score is calculated, a medal is awarded. The minimum points required for each medal are different for each stage, and listed in the Levels table below.

Levels

The levels are as follows:

Challenge Stages
Challenge Energy Sphere Requirement Difficulty Level Stage Time Bronze Score Silver Score Gold Score Platinum Score
Sword Challenge
7
1 / 2 EX
2:30 / 2:00 EX
100
17650 / 21150 EX
25150 / 26650 EX
29650 / 32150 EX
Whip Challenge
25
2 / 3 EX
2:00
100
15100 / 19100 EX
20700 / 24700 EX
26200 / 30200 EX
Hi-Jump Challenge
35
3 / 4 EX
2:00
100
20200 / 23500 EX
27500 / 30800 EX
33000 / 36300 EX
Bomb Challenge
50
4 / 5 EX
2:00
100
16300 / 19700 EX
20700 / 26100 EX
26500 / 31900 EX
Water Challenge
70
5 / 6 EX
2:00
100
15200 / 18500 EX
22200 / 24500 EX
27700 / 30000 EX
Wing Challenge
90
6 / 7 EX
2:00
100
16150 / 17350 EX
23050 / 25150 EX
28550 / 30650 EX
Item Challenge
120
7 / 8 EX
3:30
100
21250 / 25550 EX
38150 / 42650 EX
43600 / 48100 EX

Sword Challenge

File:Sword Challenge.jpg
Kirby Drill Stabs a line of enemies in the Sword Challenge.
Can you reach the goal before time runs out? Go for the high score!
— Sword Challenge Caption

This challenge makes use of the Sword ability, and also serves as an introduction to how these stages are meant to be played. It is relatively straightforward, with few voids or crushing hazards. The course is meant to teach Kirby how to effectively use the moves that Sword comes with, particularly the Drill Stab, Upward Slash and Down Thrust moves. It also features a lot of Ropes that can be cut. In Extra Mode, there are more coins scattered about, including some under a String Platform that Kirby has to cut down, then get after it has reset from him re-entering the area.

The stage consists of two main chambers, and two side-chambers. The window of time for Platinum is more than 60 seconds left (30 in EX Mode).

Video Walkthough

Platinum Rank run of the Sword Challenge.

Whip Challenge

File:Whip Challenge.jpg
Kirby whips upward at a pair of Searches in the Whip Challenge.
Lash the whip with just the right timing to pull distant Score Coins to you!
— Whip Challenge Caption

This challenge makes use of the Whip ability, requiring Kirby to grab several coins from behind walls. Liberal use of angled whip strikes and the Whip Tornado move are encouraged to get through this stage efficiently. A few enemies and scenarios may take Kirby by surprise on his first few attempts, but once the stage is learned, it isn't too dangerous. In Extra Mode, there are more coins scattered about, prompting Kirby to position himself in different places than he might have otherwise.

The stage consists of two main chambers and two side chambers. The window of time for Platinum is more than 30 seconds left.

Video Walkthough

Platinum Rank run of the Whip Challenge.

Hi-Jump Challenge

File:Hi-Jump Challenge.jpg
Kirby jumps past a field of Gordos in the Hi-Jump Challenge.
Your postjump maneuvering is critical. React quickly and shoot for the stars!
— Hi-Jump Challenge Caption

This challenge makes use of the Hi-Jump ability. As Hi-Jump has very few moves, this course relies not so much on fancy tricks, and is more about accuracy and timing. The main point of the course is to teach Kirby how to effectively steer while jumping, and also shows how he can pass through hazards like Gordos without getting hurt while he jumps. In Extra Mode, coins along the path of Kirby's jumps appear in greater number, and often more spread out, requiring Kirby to be even more accurate to collect them all.

The stage consists of two main chambers and two side chambers. The window of time for Platinum is more than 30 seconds left.

Video Walkthough

Platinum Rank run of the Hi-Jump Challenge.

Bomb Challenge

File:Bomb Challenge.jpg
Kirby bowls a bomb to dump a trio of Poppy Bros. Jr. into a spike pit in the Bomb Challenge.
Use your Bomb Throw quickly and accurately. Go for all direct hits!
— Bomb Challenge Caption

This challenge makes use of the Bomb ability. Extensive use of the Bomb Bowl move is necessary to move quickly through this challenge. In addition, the challenge will test Kirby's ability to quickly set and angle his bombs on the go. In Extra Mode, many more coins are on the field, though most of them are still in the path that Kirby would have taken anyway.

The stage consists of two main chambers and one side chamber. The window of time for Platinum is more than 30 seconds left.

Video Walkthough

Platinum Rank run of the Bomb Challenge.

Water Challenge

File:Water Challenge.jpg
Kirby performs the Rainbow Rain technique to hit all three Switches at once in the Water Challenge.
This challenge measures prudence. Keep an eye on your health.
— Water Challenge Caption

This challenge makes use of the Water ability. Among the more difficult challenges to master, Kirby must make good use of his Wave Surf and Fountain Hover techniques. Timing of enemy and environmental hazard movement is crucial. Apart from a few extra coins, there are no significant differences in Extra Mode.

The stage consists of two main chambers and two side chambers. The window of time for Platinum is more than 30 seconds left.

Video Walkthough

Platinum Rank run of the Water Challenge.

Wing Challenge

File:Wing Challenge.jpg
Kirby Condor Dives through a hall choked with Gordos in the Wing Challenge.
Can you master the Hover Flap? This is an airborne challenge with almost no land.
— Wing Challenge Caption

This challenge makes use of the Wing ability. To master this stage, Kirby will have to fly with grace and speed, collecting all the wayward coins that might otherwise elude his grasp. As the caption implies, this stage is full of Voids, not to mention the many Gordos and Gigatzos filling the air with danger. In Extra Mode, the placement of coins is very different in certain areas, and all the Gordos are larger.

The stage consists of two main chambers and two side chambers. The window of time for Platinum is more than 30 seconds left.

Video Walkthough

Platinum Rank run of the Wing Challenge.

Item Challenge

File:Item Challenge.jpg
Kirby rides a Stomper Boot atop a giant rolling spike ball in the last area of the Item Challenge.
The final stage is the Item Challenge! The time limit is 3:30 for this true test!
— Item Challenge Caption

This challenge makes use of all the various items in Return to Dream Land. When Kirby enters the stage, he will drop his Copy Ability if he had one and be given a Key to start. The challenge progresses through many chambers, making use of the remaining items. After the Key, Kirby then has to make use of the Prism Shield, Bomb Nozzle, Stomper Boot, Invisibility Stone, and Balloon Bomb. The length of this challenge alone is enough to make it quite difficult, not to mention the precise movement Kirby will need to make to get through quickly and cleanly. In Extra Mode, there are a great many more coins to collect. In addition, a lot of stage elements move faster, including the Key Dees in the first side-chamber. This actually can have the result of giving more time for Kirby to finish than in the Main Game.

The stage consists of two main chambers and three side chambers. The window of time for Platinum is more than 40 seconds left.

Video Walkthough

Platinum Rank run of the Item Challenge.

Trivia

  • The Sword Challenge in the Main Mode is the only one which requires more than 60 seconds left at the finish to earn Platinum.
    • The Sword Challenge is also the only Challenge Stage that has its clearing time altered between the game modes.
  • These challenge stages served as the basis for the New Challenge Stages Sub-Game in Kirby's Dream Collection.

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