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Hover

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Official art of Kirby hovering by puffing up from Kirby's Return to Dream Land.

Hover (also referred to as Floating, Flying 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 hover 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 Bullet 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, hovering is a voluntary action that can be ended at any time. However, if a Mint Leaf is consumed, Kirby will remain in the hover state, continuously releasing air bullets until the item wears off. Kirby is not able to hover 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 hover:

Copy Abilities that inhibit or remove Hovering

The following abilities either inhibit or completely remove Kirby's default hovering ability without providing an equal replacement:

Other forms of Hovering

In Kirby Star Allies, the Friends which Kirby can recruit each have their own way of moving through the air. Most rely on an Infinity Jump, but some have their own special means of flight. This also applies to Dream Friends.

Friends that can Hover

Trivia

  • Kirby's ability to hover 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 hover in all his adventures. In Kirby Mass Attack the Mini-Kirbys are unable to take in air and hover, 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 hover.