Kirby (series)

Kirby is a series of action-platforming video games starring the titular Kirby, a round pink creature who defeats his foes by inhaling them and gaining their powers. The Kirby series was created by Masahiro Sakurai, and most games are developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo, making Kirby a second-party series of Nintendo. Kirby's Dream Land is the first game in the series, released in 1992. Despite the cutesy nature of the series characters and settings, the Kirby series was designed to be enjoyed by all ages, with the difficulty of the main game modes often being very easy, while optional game modes are typically much more difficult.

KatFL Kirby logo.png
The logo for the Kirby series, as of Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

Gameplay

 
Typical gameplay in the main Kirby series involves Kirby battling opponents using his inhale or various Copy Abilities to make it to the end of the stage and/or level. This particular image is from Green Greens in Kirby Super Star Ultra.

The core Kirby series consists of action/adventure/platformer games broken down into largely linear levels and/or stages, 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 doorway) or defeat a 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 items to perform. While traversing stages, the player needs to be mindful of Kirby's health meter, which decreases whenever he 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 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.

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.

Games

Main series

These are the thirteen main platformers in the Kirby series, with each game's Japanese title beginning with 星のカービィ (Hoshi no Kābī, "Kirby of the Stars"). The games feature Kirby's signature inhale, as well as his Copy Ability (with one exception). These games are also considered to be confirmed canon.

Boxart Title Console Original release date Notes
File:KDL Box.jpg Kirby's Dream Land Game Boy   April 27, 1992
  August 1, 1992
  August 3, 1992
  August 3, 1992
  Kirby's Adventure Nintendo Entertainment System   March 23, 1993
  May 1, 1993
  December 1, 1993
  December 1, 1993
File:KDL2 Box.jpg Kirby's Dream Land 2 Game Boy   March 21, 1995
  May 1, 1995
  July 31, 1995
  July 31, 1995
  Kirby Super Star Super Nintendo Entertainment System   March 21, 1996
  September 3, 1996
  January 23, 1997
  January 23, 1997
Known as Kirby's Fun Pak in British English.
  Kirby's Dream Land 3 Super Nintendo Entertainment System   November 27, 1997
  March 27, 1998
Never saw an original release on the SNES in Europe or Australia.
  Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Nintendo 64   March 24, 2000
  June 26, 2000
  June 22, 2001
  June 22, 2001
  Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Game Boy Advance   April 15, 2004
  July 2, 2004
  October 18, 2004
  December 23, 2004
File:USCover KSS.jpg Kirby: Squeak Squad Nintendo DS   November 2, 2006
  December 4, 2006
  March 1, 2007
  June 22, 2007
  September 13, 2007
Known as Kirby Mouse Attack in British English.
  Kirby's Return to Dream Land Wii   October 24, 2011
  October 27, 2011
  November 25, 2011
  December 1, 2011
  September 6, 2012
Known as Kirby's Adventure Wii in British English.
  Kirby: Triple Deluxe Nintendo 3DS   January 11, 2014
  April 17, 2014
  May 2, 2014
  May 16, 2014
  May 16, 2014
  Kirby: Planet Robobot Nintendo 3DS   April 28, 2016
  April 28, 2016
  June 10, 2016
  June 10, 2016
  June 11, 2016
  Kirby Star Allies Nintendo Switch   March 16, 2018
  March 16, 2018
  March 16, 2018
  March 16, 2018
  April 26, 2018
This is the first main series title to be released on the same day in most regions.
  Kirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch   March 25, 2022
  March 25, 2022
  March 25, 2022
  March 25, 2022
  March 25, 2022
This is the first main series title to be a 3D platformer rather than a 2D one.

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.

Boxart Title Console Genre Original release date Notes
  Kirby's Pinball Land Game Boy Pinball   November 27, 1993
  November 30, 1993
  December 1, 1993
  1993
  Kirby's Dream Course Super Nintendo Entertainment System Sports   September 21, 1994
  February 1, 1995
  August 24, 1995
  August 24, 1995
  Kirby's Avalanche Super Nintendo Entertainment System Puzzle   February 1, 1995
  April 25, 1995
Known as Kirby's Ghost Trap in British English. Based on Super Puyo Puyo. Never saw a release in Japan.
  Kirby's Block Ball Game Boy Action   December 14, 1995
  May 13, 1996
  August 29, 1996
  Kirby's Star Stacker Game Boy Puzzle   January 25, 1997
  April 7, 1997
  October 20, 1997
  October 20, 1997
  Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble Game Boy Color Motion-controlled action   August 23, 2000
  April 11, 2001
Never saw a release in Europe or Australia.
  Kirby Air Ride Nintendo GameCube Racing   July 11, 2003
  October 13, 2003
  February 20, 2004
  March 30, 2004
  Kirby: Canvas Curse Nintendo DS Touch-controlled platformer   March 24, 2005
  June 13, 2005
  November 25, 2005
  April 6, 2006
Known as Kirby: Power Paintbrush in British English.
  Kirby's Epic Yarn Wii Platformer   October 14, 2010
  October 17, 2010
  February 24, 2011
  February 25, 2011
  September 1, 2011
  Kirby Mass Attack Nintendo DS Touch-controlled platformer   August 4, 2011
  September 19, 2011
  October 27, 2011
  October 28, 2011
  Kirby Fighters Deluxe Nintendo 3DS (eShop) Fighting   July 23, 2014
  August 29, 2014
  September 24, 2014
  February 13, 2015
  February 13, 2015
Based on Kirby Fighters from Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
  Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe Nintendo 3DS (eShop) Rhythm/platformer   July 23, 2014
  August 29, 2014
  September 24, 2014
  February 13, 2015
  February 13, 2015
Based on Dedede's Drum Dash from Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
  Kirby and the Rainbow Curse Wii U Touch-controlled platformer   January 22, 2015
  February 20, 2015
  May 8, 2015
  May 9, 2015
A spiritual successor to Kirby: Canvas Curse. Known as Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush in British English.
  Team Kirby Clash Deluxe Nintendo 3DS (eShop) Action/role-playing   April 12, 2017
  April 13, 2017
  April 13, 2017
  April 13, 2017
Based on Team Kirby Clash from Kirby: Planet Robobot.
  Kirby's Blowout Blast Nintendo 3DS (eShop) Platformer   July 4, 2017
  July 4, 2017
  July 6, 2017
  July 6, 2017
  July 6, 2017
Based on Kirby 3D Rumble from Kirby: Planet Robobot.
  Kirby Battle Royale Nintendo 3DS Action/fighting   November 3, 2017
  November 4, 2017
  November 30, 2017
  January 19, 2018
  February 1, 2018
This is the first game in the series to feature full online multiplayer.
  Super Kirby Clash Nintendo Switch (eShop) Action/role-playing   September 4, 2019
  September 5, 2019
  September 5, 2019
  September 5, 2019
Successor to Team Kirby Clash Deluxe.
  Kirby Fighters 2 Nintendo Switch (eShop) Fighting   September 23, 2020
  September 24, 2020
  September 24, 2020
  September 24, 2020
  September 2020
Successor to Kirby Fighters Deluxe.
  Kirby's Dream Buffet Nintendo Switch (eShop) Action/racing   August 17, 2022
  August 17, 2022
  August 17, 2022
  August 17, 2022
  August 17, 2022

Remakes and compilations

These games are rereleases of older games for newer systems, often enhancing graphics and adding additional content.

Boxart Title Console Original release date Notes
  Kirby's Star Stacker Super Famicom   June 25, 1999
A remake of the Game Boy title of the same name. Never saw a release outside of Japan.
  Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Game Boy Advance   October 25, 2002
  December 2, 2002
  September 26, 2003
  January 27, 2004
A remake of Kirby's Adventure.
  Kirby Super Star Ultra Nintendo DS   September 22, 2008
  November 6, 2008
  November 13, 2008
  November 27, 2008
  September 18, 2009
A remake of Kirby Super Star.
  3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure Nintendo 3DS   November 17, 2011
  November 17, 2011
  November 17, 2011
  April 25, 2012
A recreation of Kirby's Adventure, featuring the same spritework and gameplay but with enhanced color, shading, and 3D effects.
  Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition Wii   July 19, 2012
  September 16, 2012
A compilation of Kirby's Dream Land, Kirby's Adventure, Kirby's Dream Land 2, Kirby Super Star, Kirby's Dream Land 3, and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards that also includes an original game mode called New Challenge Stages, a soundtrack CD and 45 page book containing artwork and other behind-the-scenes information covering Kirby's history, released to celebrate the Kirby 20th Anniversary. Never saw a release in Europe or Australia.
  Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn Nintendo 3DS   March 7, 2019
  March 8, 2019
  March 8, 2019
  March 9, 2019
  April 12, 2019
An enhanced port of Kirby's Epic Yarn.
File:KRtDLD Boxart NA.png Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Nintendo Switch February 24, 2023 A remake of Kirby's Return to Dream Land.

Other games

The following Kirby games are small spin-off or peripheral titles. They are not considered to be part of the core Kirby series by Nintendo or HAL Laboratory.

Boxart Title Console Genre Original release date Notes
  Kirby's Toy Box Super Famicom
(Satellaview)
Various   February 8, 1996
A collection of mini-games broadcast over the St.GIGA network, exclusive to Japan.
  Kirby Slide Game Boy Advance (e-Reader card) Puzzle   December 2003
A Kirby-themed puzzle slider mini-game.
Kirby: Sparkling Medal Land[1] Arcade machine Various   March 2006[2]
Includes 15 different minigames based on Kirby: Right Back at Ya!. Licensed medal throwing Kirby game by Atlus.
  Kirby: Magical Tower of Medal Land[3] Arcade machine Various   December 2007
Mentioned in the Japanese version of Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition. Licensed Kirby game by Atlus.

Canceled games

There are at least six known Kirby games that were under development at some point but were never released. They are regarded as canceled games.

Title Console Notes
Kid Kirby Super Nintendo A point-and-click platformer starring a young Kirby. Canceled due to poor sales of the Super NES Mouse and inability to be played with traditional joypad controls.
Kirby Ball 64 Nintendo 64 The first known 3D Kirby game. A prototype most likely originally meant to be a sequel to Kirby's Dream Course, shortly later retooled into Kirby's Air Ride.
Kirby's Air Ride Nintendo 64 A 3D racing game. Eventually released as Kirby Air Ride on the Nintendo GameCube.
Kirby Family Game Boy Color A set of sewing patterns based on Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, designed to be printed by an embroidery machine that connected to the Game Boy Color. Planned as the Kirby equivalent of Mario Family, but canceled due to a lack of interest.
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2 Nintendo GameCube A planned follow-up title to Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, which eventually dropped the Kirby name and became Roll-O-Rama before ultimately being scrapped. Had it been released, it would have been the first title to demonstrate the connectivity between the Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance.
Kirby for Nintendo GameCube Nintendo GameCube A 2.5D main-series game for Nintendo GameCube featuring a revamped Helper system based on that of Kirby Super Star, four-player multiplayer, and the camera perspective of Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. It was scrapped due to issues designing levels playable in both single player and multiplayer. Had it released, it would have become the eighth mainline Kirby game. Three more builds followed, with only the last being released as Kirby's Return to Dream Land. The three unreleased builds are collectively referred to by fans as "the three lost Kirby games".

Main characters

Artwork Name Description
Kirby Kirby is the hero of the franchise and the primary playable character in each game (with one exception). His powers, which are vital to the gameplay of most installments, include inhaling objects and creatures in order to either spit them out again or steal their ability, as well as inflating himself, enabling him to fly. In most games, he must use his unique powers to save his homeland Dream Land, the planet Popstar on which it is located or even the entire galaxy from the respective game's main antagonist.
King Dedede King Dedede is the self-proclaimed king of Dream Land and Kirby's archrival, though rarely the main antagonist. Although portrayed as greedy and selfish primarily in Kirby's Dream Land, where he steals all of Dream Land's food for himself, he often means well throughout the series, but ends up antagonizing Kirby due to a misunderstanding or being mind-controlled by the true villain. Once the misunderstanding has been resolved or the mind-control has been broken, however, he often ends up helping Kirby, most notably in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards and Kirby's Return to Dream Land, where he is one of the game's main heroes.
Meta Knight An enigmatic character of ambiguous allegiance, Meta Knight repeatedly confronts Kirby during the latter's journeys, often challenging him to a duel. Although seemingly antagonistic towards Kirby, he serves as a stalwart ally to the pink puffball more often than not, and any misgivings they may have had over the sinking of the Halberd seem to have been mended. When Meta Knight is inclined to battle with Kirby, no matter the circumstance, he provides Kirby with a sword in order to force a fair fight. He is the leader of a group of warriors known as the Meta-Knights, who Kirby often has to battle against.
Bandana Waddle Dee A Waddle Dee who is distinguished only by his blue bandana, Bandana Waddle Dee is one of King Dedede's most loyal subjects, but is also very good friends with Kirby. He can wield both a Spear and a Parasol in combat with good efficacy, but he sometimes avoids fighting and aims to help the main characters by tossing them Assist Stars instead. He got his first major role in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, and he went on to become a recurring major character in the Kirby franchise.

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.

Trivia

Gallery

External links

References