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m
rainbow curse is the first, but i don't think it's very notable here either way
m (rainbow curse is the first, but i don't think it's very notable here either way)
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The core ''Kirby'' series consists of action/adventure/platformer games broken down into largely linear [[level]]s and/or [[stage]]s, where the main goal in each stage is to either get [[Kirby]] or another player character to the end of the stage (typically taking the form of a star-studded [[door|doorway]]) or defeat a [[boss|large opponent]] in the way, with some stages requiring both. Kirby's unique abilities - his [[inhale]], [[hover]], and [[Copy Ability]] - are what define how the stages and enemies therein are approached and dealt with. In particular, due to Kirby's typically unlimited flight capability, platforming is a lesser focus compared to battling enemies, exploring complex terrain, and solving stage puzzles. There are often many ways to approach any given obstacle, though specific optional tasks often require certain abilities and/or [[item]]s to perform. While traversing stages, the player needs to be mindful of Kirby's [[health]] meter, which decreases whenever he touches or is attacked by an enemy or touches a harmful [[hazard]]. Letting the health meter run out causes Kirby to be defeated, and have to restart the area (or stage if no [[1-Up|extra lives]] remain). Health can typically be restored by picking up a [[food]] item in the stage.
The core ''Kirby'' series consists of action/adventure/platformer games broken down into largely linear [[level]]s and/or [[stage]]s, where the main goal in each stage is to either get [[Kirby]] or another player character to the end of the stage (typically taking the form of a star-studded [[door|doorway]]) or defeat a [[boss|large opponent]] in the way, with some stages requiring both. Kirby's unique abilities - his [[inhale]], [[hover]], and [[Copy Ability]] - are what define how the stages and enemies therein are approached and dealt with. In particular, due to Kirby's typically unlimited flight capability, platforming is a lesser focus compared to battling enemies, exploring complex terrain, and solving stage puzzles. There are often many ways to approach any given obstacle, though specific optional tasks often require certain abilities and/or [[item]]s to perform. While traversing stages, the player needs to be mindful of Kirby's [[health]] meter, which decreases whenever he touches or is attacked by an enemy or touches a harmful [[hazard]]. Letting the health meter run out causes Kirby to be defeated, and have to restart the area (or stage if no [[1-Up|extra lives]] remain). Health can typically be restored by picking up a [[food]] item in the stage.


Most main-series titles feature at least one [[Sub-Game]], which can be played within the main game, or outside it in a menu. Unlike the main game, these can vary wildly in playstyle, from quick-time games to racing games. Many of these are competitive, and can be played with more than one player. These also tend to vary wildly in size, with some being minor diversions, and others being practically full-fledged games on their own. In some games, after Kirby finishes a stage, he plays a [[Goal Game]] which can earn him extra lives. Up until ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]'', every main series game was a side-scroller played in two dimensions (even if 3-D graphics were used to draw them), though limited 3-D interactions were often present in these games starting with ''[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]]''.
Most main-series titles feature at least one [[Sub-Game]], which can be played within the main game, or outside it in a menu. Unlike the main game, these can vary wildly in playstyle, from quick-time games to racing games. Many of these are competitive, and can be played with more than one player. These also tend to vary wildly in size, with some being minor diversions, and others being practically full-fledged games on their own. In some games, after Kirby finishes a stage, he plays a [[Goal Game]] which can earn him extra lives. Up until ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]'', every main series game was a side-scroller played in two dimensions (even if 3D graphics were used to draw them), though limited 3D interactions were often present in these games starting with ''[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]]''.


Spin-off titles divert from the main series in a similar manner to Sub-Games, but are much larger in scope and entirely separate titles. These titles often experiment with other genres, and are generally not considered to be [[canon]] with the main series. The most prominent spin-off titles include ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'' - a full-fledged racing game, ''[[Kirby: Canvas Curse]]'' - a 'touch platformer' where Kirby has to be guided using the [[Nintendo DS]] stylus, and ''[[Kirby's Epic Yarn]]'' - a more traditional platformer, but with fundamentally different mechanics to that of the main series.
Spin-off titles divert from the main series in a similar manner to Sub-Games, but are much larger in scope and entirely separate titles. These titles often experiment with other genres. The most prominent spin-off titles include ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'' - a full-fledged racing game, ''[[Kirby: Canvas Curse]]'' - a 'touch platformer' where Kirby has to be guided using the [[Nintendo DS]] stylus, and ''[[Kirby's Epic Yarn]]'' - a more traditional platformer, but with fundamentally different mechanics to that of the main series.


==Games==
==Games==
===Main series===
===Main series===
These are the thirteen main platformers in the ''Kirby'' series, with each game's Japanese, Chinese and Korean title beginning with 星のカービィ / 星之卡比 / 별의 커비 (''Hoshi no Kābyi'' / ''xīng zhī kǎ bǐ'' / ''byeol-ui keobi'', "Kirby of the Stars"). The games feature Kirby's signature [[inhale]], as well as his [[Copy Ability]] (with [[Kirby's Dream Land|one exception]]).<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Kirby-s-Adventure-Wii/Iwata-Asks-Kirby-s-Adventure-Wii/1-The-Three-Lost-Kirby-Games/1-The-Three-Lost-Kirby-Games-230159.html Iwata Asks about ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'', UK translation: "(Editor's note: the main Kirby series refers to the set of games that, in Japanese, have "Star Kirby" in their title. In these games, Kirby uses his signature Copy Ability of inhaling enemies to absorb their powers.)"]</ref><ref>[https://kotaku.com/kirby-star-allies-developers-explain-how-they-improved-1833813511 Kotaku interview with Shinya Kumazaki about ''Kirby Star Allies''; when asked about Dream Friends, he mentioned that "The rule was to select one character from each title in the main action games over the years, the so-called core Kirby games, the equivalent to numbered sequels."]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160110174846/https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAAADVHj2Znm1dQ Miiverse post mentioning that ''Kirby: Triple Deluxe'' is the "tenth traditional Kirby platformer"]</ref> These games are also all assumed to be [[canon]].
These are the thirteen main platformers in the ''Kirby'' series. They are most easily distinguished through the use of the full series name, "Kirby of the Stars", in their Japanese, Korean, and Chinese titles. These games are traditional platformers that feature Kirby's signature [[inhale|inhaling]] action and (starting with ''[[Kirby's Adventure]]'') [[Copy Ability]].<ref name="DreamFriends">[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Kirby-s-Adventure-Wii/Iwata-Asks-Kirby-s-Adventure-Wii/1-The-Three-Lost-Kirby-Games/1-The-Three-Lost-Kirby-Games-230159.html Iwata Asks about ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'', UK translation: "(Editor's note: the main Kirby series refers to the set of games that, in Japanese, have "Star Kirby" in their title. In these games, Kirby uses his signature Copy Ability of inhaling enemies to absorb their powers.)"]</ref><ref>[https://kotaku.com/kirby-star-allies-developers-explain-how-they-improved-1833813511 Kotaku interview with Shinya Kumazaki about ''Kirby Star Allies''; when asked about Dream Friends, he mentioned that "The rule was to select one character from each title in the main action games over the years, the so-called core Kirby games, the equivalent to numbered sequels."]</ref><ref name="Tenth">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160110174846/https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAAADVHj2Znm1dQ Miiverse post mentioning that ''Kirby: Triple Deluxe'' is the "tenth traditional Kirby platformer"]</ref>
 
Whether [[#Remakes, compilations, and ports|remakes]] count as individual entries in the main series seems to vary. The developers stated in a [[Miiverse]] post that they consider ''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]'' the tenth mainline ''Kirby'' game, which would exclude the two previous remakes.<ref name="Tenth"/> Furthermore, when it was decided that ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' would include one [[Dream Friend]] from each mainline game, remakes were excluded.<ref name="DreamFriends"/> However, the internal codename of ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]'' is "Kirby15", which counts the two prior remakes of main series games (as it would be the thirteenth mainline game otherwise).
{| class="wikitable sortable" border=1 cellpadding=2
{| class="wikitable sortable" border=1 cellpadding=2
!class=unsortable rowspan=2|Boxart
!class=unsortable rowspan=2|Boxart
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!class=unsortable rowspan=2|Notes
!class=unsortable rowspan=2|Notes
|-
|-
|[[File:KDL Box.jpg|100px]]
|[[File:KDL NA Box.jpg|100px]]
|''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]''
|''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]''
|[[Game Boy]]
|[[Game Boy]]
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| –
| –
|-
|-
|[[File:USCover KSS.jpg|100px]]
|[[File:USCover KSqS.jpg|100px]]
|''[[Kirby: Squeak Squad]]''
|''[[Kirby: Squeak Squad]]''
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|[[Nintendo DS]]
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===Spin-off games===
===Spin-off games===
These are games that do not follow the traditional formula of the main series, and take on a wide variety of genres. Many of these have unclear status in [[canon]].
These are games that do not follow the traditional formula of the main series, and take on a wide variety of genres.
{| class="wikitable sortable" border=1 cellpadding=2
{| class="wikitable sortable" border=1 cellpadding=2
!class=unsortable rowspan=2|Boxart
!class=unsortable rowspan=2|Boxart
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|{{Released|Japan|December 2007}}
|{{Released|Japan|December 2007}}
|Mentioned in the Japanese version of ''[[Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition]]''. Licensed Kirby game by Atlus.
|Mentioned in the Japanese version of ''[[Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition]]''. Licensed Kirby game by Atlus.
|-
|[[File:KPN_Namco_Arcade.jpg|100px]]
|''[[Kirby: PakuPaku Gourmet Race]]''
|Arcade machine
|Action
|{{Released|Japan|December 2021 <small>(location test)</small>}}{{Released|Japan|October 2022 <small>(general)</small>}}
|Licensed Kirby game distributed by Bandai Namco. The machine underwent a location test at namco Lazona Kawasaki between December 24, 2021 and January 10, 2022.<ref>{{twitterlink|bnam_jp|1474213240351588352|wbsnap=true}} for the announcement; {{twitterlink|bnam_jp|1474214497531281410|wbsnap=true}} showing the test machine in action</ref> Later in 2022, Bandai Namco announced the game would roll out first to namco locations starting on October 24, 2022<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoZUxtx4bzE 【BNAM公式】10月24日より順次稼働「星のカービィ ぱくぱくグルメレース」 PV - YouTube]</ref><ref>{{twitterlink|bnam_jp|1584389215776870400|wbsnap=true|wbtime=20231008190847}} of the namco rollout announcement; {{twitterlink|bnam_jp|1584417429710458881|wbsnap=true|wbtime=20231008190755}} calling back to the location test</ref>, followed by a more general rollout across game centers nationwide starting on November 16, 2022.<ref>{{twitterlink|bnam_jp|1592714072285319169|wbsnap=true|wbtime=20231008191131}}</ref><br>The overall object of the game is to lob as many balls and (less abundant) Maxim Tomatoes as possible into Kirby's mouth, in two rounds (with points doubled for the second round) and a bonus "[[Goal Game]]".<ref>[https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/am/vg/kirby/ Official website for ''Kirby: PakuPaku Gourmet Race''] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20221024034317/https://bandainamco-am.co.jp/am/vg/kirby/ Wayback Machine snapshot])</ref> The machine features a voiceover and clips of Kirby's voice, as well as music from ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'' including the [[Gourmet Race (theme)|Gourmet Race theme]] and the [[Invincible Candy (theme from Kirby's Dream Land)|Invincible Candy music]].<ref>The Gourmet Race theme features prominently in promotional material for the game; other audio elements like the Invincible Candy theme are evident in unofficial videos of gameplay ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrsvsvFm074 from the Kawasaki location test] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxKfQUGqb5k after official rollout]).</ref>
|}
|}


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The series has many other characters, some of which have rather significant presences in many games. More information can be found on the [[Character]] page.
The series has many other characters, some of which have rather significant presences in many games. More information can be found on the [[Character]] page.
==Sales==
As of September 2023, the entire ''Kirby'' series has sold over 49.98 million copies worldwide.
For 30 years, the original ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]'' had been the bestselling ''Kirby'' game of all time. Its sales numbers were surpassed by ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]'' by the end of September 2022.<ref>https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2022/221108_8e.pdf</ref>
{| class="sortable wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="2"
!Game
!Sales numbers
!As of
!Reference(s)
|-
|''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]''
|5.13 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation">https://www.installbaseforum.com/forums/threads/nintendo-software-and-hardware-sales-data-from-1983-to-present.170/</ref>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Adventure]]''
|1.75 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Pinball Land]]''
|2.19 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Dream Course]]''
|0.369 million*
|March 12th, 1995
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary">https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search</ref>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Dream Land 2]]''
|2.36 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Block Ball]]''
|0.063 million*
|January 7th, 1996
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby Super Star]]''
|1.44 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Star Stacker (Game Boy)|Kirby's Star Stacker]]''
|0.069 million*
|June 29th, 1997
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Dream Land 3]]''
|0.076 million*
|June 28th, 1998
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]]''
|1.77 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble]]''
|1.23 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land]]''
|2.10 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby Air Ride]]''
|1.35 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby & The Amazing Mirror]]''
|1.47 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby: Canvas Curse]]''
|0.315 million*
|December 31st, 2006
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby: Squeak Squad]]''
|2.27 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]''
|2.99 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Epic Yarn]]''
|1.85 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby Mass Attack]]''
|1.22 million
|December 31st, 2014
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]''
|1.93 million
|September 30th, 2023
|<ref name="Nintendo2023Q2">https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2023/231108e.pdf</ref>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition]]''
|0.246 million*
|December 29th, 2013
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]''
|2.66 million
|December 31st, 2022
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby Fighters Deluxe]]''
|0.005 million*
|August 3rd, 2014
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby and the Rainbow Curse]]''
|0.092 million*
|December 27th, 2015
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby: Planet Robobot]]''
|1.64 million
|December 31st, 2022
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby Battle Royale]]''
|0.193 million*
|December 30th, 2018
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''
|4.38 million
|December 31st, 2022
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn]]''
|0.025 million*
|June 30th, 2019
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]''
|6.96 million
|September 30th, 2023
|<ref name="Nintendo2023Q2"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]]''
|0.019 million*
|September 25th, 2022
|<ref name="GameDataLibrary"/>
|-
|''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]''
|1.82 million
|June 30th, 2023
|<ref name="CesaCompilation"/>
|}
Games marked with an * only have sales numbers in Japan available.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Originally, the English ''Kirby'' logo used a proprietary font, which was seen from ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]'' to ''[[Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble]]''. ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'' introduced a new English logo based on the Helvetica Rounded Bold typeface, which was adopted with ''[[Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land]]'' and used for most games up to ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''. ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]'' introduced a new English logo, which uses the Seurat Pro EB typeface; it can also be seen in [[:File:Kirby 30th Anniversary logo.png|the 30th anniversary logo]].
*Originally, the English ''Kirby'' logo used a proprietary font, which was seen from ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]'' to ''[[Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble]]''. ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'' introduced a new English logo based on the Helvetica Rounded Bold typeface, which was adopted with ''[[Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land]]'' and used for most games up to ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary, another new English logo debuted with ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]'', using the Seurat Pro EB typeface.
*So far, the platform to feature the most original ''Kirby'' games is the [[Nintendo 3DS]], with seven entries.
*So far, the platform with the most original ''Kirby'' games is the [[Nintendo 3DS]], with seven entries (nine if counting remakes).
*Since its debut, at least one ''Kirby'' game has appeared on every major Nintendo console and handheld device (except for the Virtual Boy).
*At least one ''Kirby'' game has been released on every non-[[wikipedia:Dedicated console|dedicated]] Nintendo console, with the exception of the Virtual Boy.
*HAL Laboratory keeps a [https://www.hallab.co.jp/works/series/kirby/ list] of every ''Kirby'' game they have worked on at their website. Despite being officially part of the ''Kirby'' series, ''[[Kirby's Avalanche]]'', ''[[Kirby's Block Ball]]'',  ''[[Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble]]'', ''[[Kirby's Epic Yarn]]'', and ''[[Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn]]'' are not present on HAL's list, as they were developed primarily by other companies ([[wikipedia:Compile (company)|Compile]], [[wikipedia:Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]], [[wikipedia:Nintendo Research & Development 2|Nintendo R&D2]], and [[wikipedia:Good-Feel|Good-Feel]]).
*On their official website, HAL Laboratory keeps a [https://www.hallab.co.jp/works/series/kirby/ list] of every ''Kirby'' game they have developed. ''[[Kirby's Avalanche]]'', ''[[Kirby's Block Ball]]'',  ''[[Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble]]'', ''[[Kirby's Epic Yarn]]'', and ''[[Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn]]'' are not present on HAL's list, despite being officially counted as part of the ''Kirby'' series, because they were developed primarily by other companies ([[wikipedia:Compile (company)|Compile]], [[wikipedia:Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]], [[wikipedia:Nintendo Research & Development 2|Nintendo R&D2]], and [[wikipedia:Good-Feel|Good-Feel]] respectively).


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Retrieved from "https://wikirby.com/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/442559...467262"

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