Game Over

Game Over is the situation in a game that results from the unknown reader losing all of their lives. It usually implies the defeat of the main character who was being played, and often results in a Continue screen, where the unknown reader can choose to continue from the beginning of the level or stage (with point penalties if applicable), or quit to the main menu or title screen. Generally speaking, a Game Over is not a huge impediment to progress in the game, especially in more recent titles, and in many cases can be seen as unnecessary. Despite this, most games in the Kirby series utilize Game Overs, as a natural consequence of using 1Ups.

Game Appearances

Kirby's Dream Land

The first entry in the series established how the Game Over screen generally operates in the series overall. If Kirby loses all of his lives, the game will play the Game Over theme over the words. After that, the Continue screen appears, giving the unknown reader the option to either continue or end. Below, Kirby can be seen sleeping on his front. Selecting 'Continue' will cause the pointer to move down and prod Kirby to wake him up, and direct him back to the game. Kirby will then continue from the beginning of whichever level he was in, with five lives and a 20000 point deduction. If 'End' is selected instead, Kirby continues his rest, and the pointer moves downward, and aggressively pushes Kirby away, thus returning to the title screen.

Kirby's Adventure / Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

The Game Over screen works much the same as it did in Kirby's Dream Land, but features a different look and Game Over theme. Continuing will display the intro cutscene for the level Kirby was in again, but all the stages he unlocked will still be open. The point penalty is 50000 this time, however. Unlike the previous game, if 'End' is selected, Kirby will suck the pointer into his mouth before sleeping again. From there, the unknown reader returns to the title screen.

In Nightmare in Dream Land, Continuing only results in three lives, as opposed to five. Additionally, the point deduction is only 2000.

Kirby's Pinball Land

If Kirby does not go back after falling through the pit to his death, the game over will be settle on a white background with Kirby. You have to restart the game by pressing Restart. If the unknown reader presses Quit, the game will be saved and go to high score.

Kirby's Dream Land 2

This game over featured Kirby and the gang, Continue and Quit was seen. Pressing continue will return to mission, while Quit will cause to return to Title Screen (though Kirby is sleeping in the space).

Kirby's Dream Course

Getting a Game Over in Dream Course is the same as Dream Land, but the hand now hits the star if you press Quit. Pressing Continue will lead to the beginning.

Kirby's Avalanche

The game over is same as Puyo Puyo for the arcade, but the girl, Amitie, is replaced by Kirby and the music looks different.

Kirby's Star Stacker

The game over was in the screen if the panel hit on the ceiling and replaced by a pointer who punch Kirby if you press Quit. Pressing Restart will restart the game but reset the score.

Kirby's Block Ball

The game over screen look like the same as Alleyway, but if you press Continue, Kirby will be break the block to complete the level. Quit will return to title screen.

Kirby Super Star (and Ultra)

Running out of lives takes the unknown reader to the Continue screen, where the choice can be made either to 'Continue' or 'End'. Choosing the former causes the pointer hand to fly down to the sleeping Kirby, remove his hat, and wrap it into a boom cone to wake him up. When Kirby is startled awake, he runs off to the right, as the hand waves his hat like a flag to cheer him on.

If End is selected, the hand drops down, and gently picks Kirby's body up, lifting him up above the selection screen to the Moon, where it gently places the still-sleeping Kirby on the crescent, wrapping a blanket over him and tucking him in.

Based on the game being played, selecting 'Continue' will do the following:

• Spring Breeze/Dyna Blade/Revenge of Meta Knight/Revenge of the King - Place Kirby back at the beginning of whatever stage he was felled in, with his score reset and his default number of lives returned.
• The Great Cave Offensive - Place Kirby back at the point where he last saved his progress, with score and lives reset.
• Milky Way Wishes - Return to the Milky Way selection area, with score and lives reset.
  • Vs. Marx - Place Kirby back in the beginning of the fight with Marx.

Selecting 'End' will return the unknown reader to the cork board menu.

(Naturally, the continue option is not available in The Arena, Helper to Hero, Meta Knightmare Ultra and The True Arena.)

The Super Star Ultra was the same albeit Kirby is on the star because Kirby is sleeping on it. If you press Continue, Kirby will fly off on the star.

Kirby's Dream Land 3

In this game over, Kirby and his Animal Friends in the album. Continue and Quit will appear just as they did in Dream Land 2.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

The game over featured Kirby, Adeleine, Waddle Dee and King Dedede all sleeping with a black background with a spotlight on them. Strangely, Ribbon is nowhere to be seen (she might be in the middle).

Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble

The game over was a slowed down version of Kirby's Dream Land and if you press continue, Kirby winks or if end button is pressed, then they will return to Title Screen.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

In this game over, Kirby has a bandage with try again, encasing in a circle.

Kirby: Canvas Curse

The game over was set in the street with Continue on the left and Quit on the right. Pressing Continue will return to the mission, but if you press the Quit button you will return to title screen.

Kirby: Squeak Squad

In this game over, Kirby is sleeping, with his Sleep hat. Pressing Continue causes Kirby to wake up and run off. Pressing Quit causes Kirby to wake up, but only to continue sleeping.

Kirby Mass Attack

This game does not use a 1-Up system. Instead, the game is over if no Mini-Kirbys remain on the stage. Here, Kirby has wings just like in his angel form from Kirby and the Amazing Mirror, albeit unarmed, with closed eyes, and frowning. If this happens, the unknown reader will be returned to the world map, with however many Kirbys they had before starting the stage, and the stage left incomplete (unless it was completed beforehand). A game over can also happen if any of the Wee Birdees are dropped in Sandy Canyon - Stage 11.

Often if a Game Over occurs, Daroach will approach the Kirbys with his airship and give them some advice.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land

The game over screen here is essentially identical to the one in Nightmare in Dream Land, though it bears somewhat different aesthetics. Just like in that game, the pointer will prompt Kirby to get back up, but if Quit is selected, Kirby may end up eating it and going back to sleep.

Continuing returns Kirby to the level hub, out the door of the stage he got the game over in, with eight lives and no stars. No other penalty is incurred besides having to restart the stage (if it was not already complete).

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

The Game Over featured Kirby sleeping like Return to Dream Land, but the position of the buttons is on the Touch Screen due to KTD being a game for the 3DS. The background the Game Over is set in is also altered in Triple Deluxe.

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

The game over featured Kirby and paintbrush. Pressing Continue will be returned to the mission, but reset the score. Pressing Quit will return to Title Screen.

Kirby: Planet Robobot

Much like previous installments, once all 1Ups are lost, a Game Over screen is displayed where Kirby is sleeping with a pulse meter in the background, and an option to continue or quit. Pressing Continue causes the pointer hand to fly down, pop his bubble and point him back to the adventure, and pressing Quit causes the hand to instead be eaten by Kirby, who returns to sleep.

Team Kirby Clash Deluxe

The game over was very nearly the same as Super Smash Bros. 3DS but the Continue and Quit buttons were placed on the Touch Screen.

Kirby's Blowout Blast

The game over was purple and the music from Dream Land was used.

Kirby Battle Royale

Although no game over was seen, the game says Low on HP and Tough Battle.

Kirby Star Allies

The music from Dream Land is used plus on the purple background in which Game Over in the circle was Kirby sleeping. However, in Guest Star ???? Star Allies Go!, the screen shows the Friend in their Low HP idle animation, once again with the options to continue or quit. If the option to continue is chosen, the Friend will run to the right.

In The Ultimate Choice, Kirby and his friends collapse, using their multiplayer dying animation.

Trivia

• In Kirby's Epic Yarn, the unknown reader can't get a game over, since the game has no health system and falling/dying means Kirby is put back at the last safe place that he was standing on.