Key

Key Kirby carries a key to a gate that will accept it in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Details Use Unlocking gates, doors, and chests Obtained Various points in stages. Game(s) Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble Kirby Mass Attack Kirby's Return to Dream Land Kirby: Triple Deluxe Kirby and the Rainbow Curse Kirby Star Allies Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Comparable to Switch, Battery

This article is about the item in various Kirby titles. For the game whose abbreviation is "KEY", see Kirby's Epic Yarn.

Keys are items, appearing in various Kirby titles, which are needed to unlock certain objects. Keys first appeared in Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble where they would be stored in Kirby's "inventory" to help him open treasure chests or doors, but would take a more generalized purpose as carry items in the main Kirby series, starting with Kirby's Return to Dream Land.

Game appearances

Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble

Keys can be collected at various points in Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble from ? Holes, from behind enemies, or from inside Treasure Chests. They are used to unlock certain barriers that otherwise impede Kirby's progress.

Kirby Mass Attack

In Kirby Mass Attack, keys can be found at various points in certain stages, often tucked away in obscure locations or held by certain enemies. Keys can also occasionally be found out in the open near the beginning of a room or area, with the challenge merely being getting it to its destination. A key can be grabbed and held by one of the Kirbys, but if that Kirby is harmed, he will drop the key and it will shatter. Keys are used to unlock Treasure Chests, which typically contain Medals. There is also a special variety of key called the Skull Key, which warps the Kirbys to a battle with the Skull Gang when collected.

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

A regular key in Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

Exclusive to Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, keys will instead float beside Kirby when he collects one. Grinkeys also turn into keys when defeated. Lastly, the Dethskullk King wears a key around his neck, and will drop it when defeated.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land and subsequent games

In Kirby's Return to Dream Land, the key is large and golden, with a blue star gem inset in the bow and two locks, designed in a lever type fashion. It glows with a consistent aura and emanates rays of light.

The key can be picked up, carried, and thrown like many other items in the game. Similarly, the character holding the key can only make one jump and cannot use any attack but a Slide. When thrown, the key can deal minor damage to enemies. The key can be used on any gate with a lock, and unlocking a gate will remove both key and gate from existence. Additionally, while holding the key, certain enemies, such as Hunter Scarfies and Hunter Degouts will pursue the carrier until that character no longer has the key.

In Kirby's Return to Dream Land and Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, holding on to a key for too long will cause it to grow unstable and eventually shatter, much like the other items in the game. However, in Kirby: Triple Deluxe and onward, that limit has been removed. Kirby: Triple Deluxe also introduces locked doors which can be opened using a key.

Much like other items in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, Kirby cannot inhale a key, but he can use his inhale to grab it from behind thin walls and other barriers.

In Kirby Star Allies, there are special color-coded keys in addition to the usual ones. These keys can only be used on their matching-color door.

Key Dees are Waddle Dee-like enemies that carry Keys. Usually Kirby and his friends will need to catch up with and dispatch this enemy to get its key before that enemy runs off an edge with it or unlocks an undesirable door.

Trivia

• In Kirby: Planet Robobot, keys cannot be found, but another object - the Battery - serves almost the exact same purpose.
  • Additionally, while keys do not appear in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, a key-like item consisting of five diamond-shaped star pieces serves a similar purpose, though these are collected rather than carried.

Gallery

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  Kirby finding a key in Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble

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  The Kirbys encountering a key to a nearby Treasure Chest in Green Grounds - Stage 4 in Kirby Mass Attack.

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  Kirby carrying a key in Kirby's Return to Dream Land

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  A gate that can be unlocked with a key, from Kirby's Return to Dream Land

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  Extra Mode credits picture from Kirby's Return to Dream Land, featuring Kirby with a key running from King Dedede

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  A key in Kirby: Triple Deluxe

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  A locked door in Kirby: Triple Deluxe

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  A locked gate in Kirby: Triple Deluxe

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  Dededetour! credits picture of King Dedede holding a key in a Tilt Gondola (Kirby: Triple Deluxe)

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  A Key Dee holding a key from Kirby Star Allies

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  Kirby carrying a key to a gate in Kirby Star Allies

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  Concept art of the Friend Bridge for Kirby Star Allies, showing that Kirby was originally meant to cross with the key instead of a Key Dee

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  Extra Mode credits picture from Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, featuring Kirby with a key running from King Dedede

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	キャリーキー kyarī kī	Carry Key
French	Clé	Key