Hover
Flying (also referred to as Floating, Hovering or Puffing Up) refers to the act of Inhaling air and moving about above the ground. This term could also be used to describe more potent forms of flight, granted by Copy Abilities such as Wing and Jet.
The ability to puff up and fly debuted in Kirby's Dream Land, and has recurred in every main series Kirby title. In most of these titles, Kirby can remain in the air indefinitely, until he releases an Air Pellet and falls to the ground again. While puffed up, Kirby (or King Dedede) cannot use most of his other moves, including any that involve Copy Abilities. Certain abilities that provide their own method of flight will replace this move, causing Kirby to become unable to use it while he has that ability.
Most of the time, flying is a voluntary action that can be ended at any time. However, if a Mint Leaf is consumed, Kirby will remain in the flying state, continuously releasing air pellets until the item wears off. Kirby is not able to fly in all circumstances, however. Examples include having something in Kirby's mouth, holding an item, taking certain types of damage, or being under the effect of a certain Copy Ability (see below).
Copy Abilities that provide Flight
The following is a list of every Copy Ability (or partner) that replaces Kirby's standard method of flight:
- Beetle
- Coo
- Cupid
- Fairy Wings-Crystal Gun
- Ghost
- Jet
- Landia
- Love-Love Stick
- Pitch
- Rainbow Sword
- Robobot Armor (Jet Mode)
- Robobot Armor (Halberd Mode)
- Star Rod (during first phase with Nightmare)
- Starship
- Wing
- U.F.O.
Copy Abilities that inhibit or remove Flight
The following abilities either inhibit or completely remove Kirby's default flying ability without providing an equal replacement:
- ChuChu (with some exceptions)
- Hammer Lord
- Kine
- Metal
- Mini
- Nago
- Rick
- Robobot Armor (all modes besides Jet & Halberd)
- Sleep
- Wheelie Rider
Trivia
- Kirby's ability to fly was devised as a way to make it easier for newcomers to the platforming genre to get into the game, as it allowed them to save Kirby should he fall into a pit, an option that was generally unavailable in most other platformers of the time.
- Kirby is not able to fly in all his adventures. In Kirby Mass Attack the Mini-Kirbys are unable to take in air and fly, much like Kirby under the Mini Copy Ability. In Kirby's Epic Yarn, Kirby having been transformed into a yarn outline makes him unable to take in air, and as such, cannot fly.
- Kirby can fly as usual in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. However, unlike other games in the series, he will get tired and have to come back down eventually. This is also the case for Kirbys in Kirby Air Ride, Kirby Fighters Deluxe, and Team Kirby Clash Deluxe.
|