Editing Knuckle Joe

{{Infobox-Enemy
|image=[[File:KSSU Knuckle Joe artwork.png|250px]]
|caption=Artwork of '''Knuckle Joe''' from ''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]''.
|game1=''[[Kirby Super Star]]'' (1996)
|lastgame=''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]'' (2023)
|game=<small>''[[Kirby's Star Stacker (Super Famicom)]]''<br>''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''<br>''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]''<br>''[[Kirby Mass Attack]]''<br>''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]''<br>''[[Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition]]'' ([[New Challenge Stages]])<br>''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]''<br>''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''<br>''[[Kirby: Planet Robobot]]''<br>''[[Kirby Battle Royale]]''<br>''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''<br>''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''<br>''[[Kirby Fighters 2]]'' (reference)<br>''[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]]'' (reference)</small>
|copy ability=[[Fighter]]
|voice=[[wikipedia:Minami Takayama|Minami Takayama]] <small>(''Super Smash Bros.'' series; Japanese)</small><br>[[wikipedia:Alésia Glidewell|Alésia Glidewell]] <small>(''Super Smash Bros.'' series; English)
|other wikis=[[smashwiki:Knuckle Joe|SmashWiki]]<br>[[mariowiki:Knuckle Joe|Super Mario Wiki]]
}}
{{about|the reoccurring fighting-oriented enemy|the shark enemy from [[Kirby's Dream Land 3]]|[[Joe]]}}
{{quote|Heya, [[fighter]]! Go give 'em a knuckle sandwich for me!|'''Knuckle Joe''' about the [[Fighter]] [[Copy Ability]] in ''[[Kirby Battle Royale]]''}}
'''Knuckle Joe''' is an [[enemy]] in the [[Kirby (series)|''Kirby'' series]]. Knuckle Joe appears as a humanoid figure with spiky blonde hair, a face closely resembling [[Kirby]]'s, a bandana around his head, and a pair of pointy ears. Knuckle Joe is a fairly notable character in the ''Kirby'' series, receiving a reoccurring character role in ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'' and appearing as an assist trophy in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and subsequent ''Super Smash Bros.'' titles.

==Game appearances==
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" cellpadding="2"
!colspan=3|Knuckle Joe's video game appearances &nbsp;
|-
!Game
!Role
!Notes
|-
!colspan=3|''Kirby'' series
|-
|''[[Kirby Super Star]]''
|Enemy and playable character
|Knuckle Joe can be played when recruited as [[Helper]].
|-
|''[[Kirby's Star Stacker (Super Famicom)]]''
|Opponent
|
|-
|''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]''
|Enemy and playable character
|As this is the remake of ''Kirby Super Star'', his role doesn't change.
|-
|''[[Kirby Mass Attack]]''
|Cameo
|Appears in the sub-game [[Kirby Brawlball]] as one of the many enemies spit out from [[Marx]]'s [[Black Hole]] attack. Uses his enemy palette from ''Kirby Super Star'' and its remake.
|-
|''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]''
|Enemy
|
|-
|''[[Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition]]''
|Enemy
|Appears in [[New Challenge Stages]]. ''Kirby Super Star'' is also ported here, where Knuckle Joe has the exact same role.
|-
|''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]''
|Enemy
|
|-
|''[[Kirby Fighters Deluxe]]''
|Reference
|One of the [[Costumes|Rare Outfits]] is based off him.
|-
|''[[Kirby: Planet Robobot]]''
|Enemy
|
|-
|''[[Kirby Battle Royale]]''
|NPC
|
|-
|''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''
|Enemy and playable character
|Knuckle Joe can be recruited as a [[Helper|friend]].
|-
|''[[Kirby Fighters 2]]''
|Reference
|One of the Rare Hats is based off him.
|-
|''[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]]''
|Reference
|Knuckle Joe appears on a [[Character Treat]].
|-
|''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]''
|Enemy
|Same as ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]''.
|-
!colspan=3|''Super Smash Bros.'' series
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''
|Supporting character
|Appears as an Assist Trophy.
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''
|Supporting character
|Appears as an Assist Trophy.
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
|Supporting character
|Appears as an Assist Trophy.
|}

===''Kirby Super Star'' / ''Kirby Super Star Ultra''===
{{ImCap
|image=File:KSSU Knuckle Joe Helper sprite.png
|size=32px
|align=right
|caption=Sprite from ''Kirby Super Star Ultra''.
|captionalign=center
|captionwidth=100px
}}
Knuckle Joe makes his debut as an enemy in ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'' as well as its remake ''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]''. Here, he attempts to harm Kirby by throwing punches and kicks at him. When inhaled, he grants Kirby the [[Fighter]] [[Copy Ability|ability]], and also acts as the [[Helper]] of said ability.

Knuckle Joe is also one of the participants of the Megaton Punch contest. He appears as Kirby's second opponent, after Kirby defeats [[Bandana Waddle Dee]].

In the ''Kirby Super Star Ultra''-exclusive main game [[Helper to Hero]], Joe, apart from being playable, appears in the opening sequence and in the [[boss]] picture for [[Wham Bam Jewel]]. Since [[Waddle Dee]] appears on the file select screen and life counter, these two could be considered to be the "mascots" of helpers. Knuckle Joe also appears on a card in [[Kirby Card Swipe]] and as a target in [[Kirby on the Draw]], with the target using his design from the anime.

Knuckle Joe can be found in the following places in ''Kirby Super Star'' and ''Kirby Super Star Ultra'':
{{Appearances-KSS|FI=y|CoC=y|ST=y|RoMK3=y|RoMK5=y|RoMK6=y|A=y|CrC=y}}

===''Kirby's Star Stacker'' (Super Famicom)===
In the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] version of ''[[Kirby's Star Stacker (Super Famicom)|Kirby's Star Stacker]]'', Knuckle Joe appears as the fourth opponent in the story mode. When Kirby and his [[Animal Friend]]s run into him, he punches them all away and challenges them to a fight over the piece of [[Mr. Star]] that fell into his possession.

In Knuckle Joe's round, the boards start with the first four rows solidly filled in and a small 3x2 stack placed on the left-hand side, with one pair of each Friend Block nestled in the formation. Knuckle Joe appears to prefer placing his blocks on the left or right sides of his board, only placing them in the middle columns whenever he can cause some stars to be stacked. He is capable of getting rather large combos this way, so Kirby will need to keep on his toes to stay ahead.

After being defeated, Knuckle Joe is bruised and beaten, being carried away by a [[Waddle Dee]] in a wheelbarrow while insisting that he needed to train harder.

=== ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' / ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe'' ===
{{ImCap|image=File:KRtDLD Knuckle Joe screenshot.png|size=105px|align=right|caption=A Knuckle Joe from ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe''.|captionwidth=140px}}
Knuckle Joe reappears as an enemy that can be swallowed for the [[Fighter]] ability, not appearing until [[White Wafers - Stage 1]] and making sporadic appearances throughout. In ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe'', he also reprises his role as a target in [[Kirby on the Draw]].

In ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'', Knuckle Joe can be found in the following levels and stages:
{{Appearances-KRtDL|WW1=y|WW5=y|NN4=y|NN5=y|EE5=y|DD3=y}}

===''Kirby: Triple Deluxe''===
Knuckle Joe appears as he did in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''.

In ''Kirby: Triple Deluxe'', Knuckle Joe can be found in the following levels and stages:
{{Appearances-KTD|LL6=y|OO2=y|WW4=y|EE3=y|EE5=y|RR2=y|RR7=y}}

===''Kirby: Planet Robobot''===
Knuckle Joe appears largely unchanged from his previous appearance.

In ''Kirby: Planet Robobot'', Knuckle Joe can be found in the following levels and stages:
{{Appearances-KPR|PP4=y|OO1=y|GG1=y|GG7=y|RhR5=y|AA2=y|AA7=y}}

===''Kirby Battle Royale''===
Knuckle Joe can be seen in the audience in many of the battle modes. He also appears in [[Dedede's Cake Royale]], standing in front of the Training Room tent. If Kirby talks to him, Knuckle Joe will comment on the ability Kirby has equipped. An alternate [[Costumes#Kirby Battle Royale|headgear]] for [[Fighter]] Kirby is also based on Knuckle Joe.

===''Kirby Star Allies''===
[[File:KSA Knuckle Joe Pause Screen Artwork.png|thumb|right|150px|Menu artwork of Knuckle Joe in ''Kirby Star Allies''.]]
{{Quote|<big>“Gonna be the top fighter anywhere!”</big><br>He’s eager to prove himself in a legendary tournament and sets off at full speed to find it…wherever it is! He’s up for any battle, no matter how tough!|[[Guest Star ???? Star Allies Go!|Guest Star Knuckle Joe The Contender]] Pause Screen description in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''}}
Knuckle Joe appears in this title, and can be recruited as a [[Helper|Friend]]. As a Friend, he has all of [[Fighter]] Kirby's moves, and can also use the [[Friend Throw]]. His agility is also arguably greater than that of Fighter Kirby's, since he uses an [[Infinity Jump]] which he can act out of immediately with further attacks.

In ''Kirby Star Allies'' Knuckle Joe can be found in the following levels and stages:
{{Appearances-KSA|DDD=y|NN=y|EW=y|SB=y|PE=y|PC=y|PF=y|SM=y|JB=y|DT=y|AP=y|D4=y}}

===''Kirby Fighters 2''===
A [[Alternate costumes|Rare Hat]] for [[Fighter]] Kirby based on Knuckle Joe appears in ''[[Kirby Fighters 2]]''.

===''Kirby's Dream Buffet''===
In ''[[Kirby's Dream Buffet]]'', Knuckle Joe appears on a [[Character Treat]], depicting his sprite from ''Kirby Super Star''.

===''Super Smash Bros. series''===
====''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''====
[[File:Brawl Knuckle Joe.png|thumb|right|100px|Artwork of Knuckle Joe from ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.]]
Knuckle Joe appears as an [[smashwiki:Assist Trophy|Assist Trophy]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', as well as an Assist Trophy character, who uses the Vulcan Jab attack, as well as other attacks on opponents.

====''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U''====
Knuckle Joe reprises his role from the previous game as an Assist Trophy and as a collectible trophy in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''. In the 3DS version, the trophy can be obtained by playing ten hours of the Smash mode. In the Wii U version, the trophy can be obtained by clearing Classic Mode on 9.0 without customizations. His attacks remain the same, however he can now be defeated.

====''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''====
Knuckle Joe once more reprises his role as an Assist Trophy in this title. He also appears as a spirit in World of Light. He cannot appear on the following stages: [[smashwiki:Midgar|Midgar]], [[smashwiki:Mute City SNES|Mute City SNES]], [[smashwiki:Norfair|Norfair]] and [[smashwiki:Suzaku Castle|Suzaku Castle]].

{{clear}}

==In ''Kirby: Right Back at Ya!''==
{{Infobox-AnimeCharacter
|image=[[File:KRBaY Knuckle Joe artwork 2.png|200px]]
|caption=Artwork of '''Knuckle Joe''' from ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]''.
|debut=[[Here Comes the Son]]
|last=[[Fright to the Finish]]
|role=Supporting character
|relatives=[[Star_Warrior#List of notable Star Warriors|Unnamed father]]
|similar=[[Sirica]]
|voice=Kevin Kolack (English)<br>Minami Takayama (Japanese)
}}
Knuckle Joe makes an appearance as a reoccurring character in the anime series ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'', first appearing in the episode [[Here Comes the Son]]. He is a young rogue fighter whose father was a [[Star Warrior]] slain during the great war against [[Night Mare Enterprises]] and its [[monster]] armies. Not knowing the true circumstances of his father's death beforehand, he believes a Star Warrior to be responsible for his death, and travels to [[Dream Land (anime)|Dream Land]] with the help of N.M.E. to hunt down [[Kirby (anime character)|Kirby]] and [[Meta Knight (anime character)|Meta Knight]]. Meta Knight then reveals to Knuckle Joe the true story, but it takes a duel with Kirby for Knuckle Joe to truly come to understand this. After this point, Knuckle Joe becomes an ally to Kirby and Meta Knight, aiding them against some of the stronger monsters sent by N.M.E., most notably the titan [[Masher]].

Knuckle Joe has a very similar physique and appearance to his video game incarnation, but he is portrayed with a different color palette in his first appearance. This color palette is similar to one of his enemy color palettes in ''Kirby Super Star''. After this point, he is portrayed in his more familiar colors. His powers include using many of the attacks associated with the [[Fighter]] ability, but he also has the ability to fly and cast electric attacks. In Here Comes the Son, he momentarily transforms into a monstrous version of himself which uses needles to attack, thus granting Kirby the [[Needle]] ability to retaliate against him. This needle version of Knuckle Joe is unique to the anime.

In the English dub of ''Kirby: Right Back at Ya!'', Knuckle Joe is portrayed with a stereotypical "Brooklyn" accent. In particular, he [[wikipedia:Rhoticity_in_English#Coil–curl_merger|pronounces "er" sounds as "oi"]], and this is most notable when he says Kirby's name.

===Filmography===
The following is a complete list of all of Knuckle Joe's appearances in ''Kirby: Right Back at Ya!'', along with other information regarding his role in each episode:

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" cellpadding="2"
!colspan=6|Knuckle Joe's appearances in ''Kirby: Right Back at Ya!'' &nbsp;
|-
!Episode
!Image
!Role
!Role details
!Selected quote
!Notes
|-
|[[Here Comes the Son]]
|{{center|[[File:E19 Knuckle Joe.png|100px]]}}
|Primary character
|In this episode, Knuckle Joe arrives in Dream Land by hacking N.M.E.'s Monster Delivery System and teleporting in at Castle Dedede, hoping to find and defeat a certain Star Warrior. He causes a commotion at the castle in the process, but he eventually settles for a more methodical approach when King Dedede tells him that Kirby is the one he is looking for. Knuckle Joe antagonizes the various residents of [[Cappy Town]] demanding to know where Kirby is, while [[Tiff]] and company try to hide Kirby in the countryside to protect him. However, Knuckle Joe does eventually find Kirby with the help of King Dedede and [[Escargoon]], and Knuckle Joe proceeds to pound Kirby into the dirt repeatedly, growing frustrated over Kirby's unwillingness to fight back. Eventually, Meta Knight steps in and reveals that he is the Star Warrior Knuckle Joe is looking for, and tells him about how the death of Knuckle Joe's father (the reason Joe is out for revenge in the first place) took place, and how it was ultimately [[eNeMeE]]'s doing.

Knuckle Joe is unable to accept Meta Knight's story, and soon grows enraged at the group's insistence that he is acting like a monster towards Kirby. After trying to best Kirby with his martial arts at first, his anger causes him to transform into a contorted version of himself who shoots needle projectiles at Kirby, and Kirby responds by inhaling these needles and gaining the [[Needle]] ability. Kirby then quickly defeats this monster version of Knuckle Joe by headbutting him with his needle cap, causing Joe to revert to his original self and then fall unconscious. When Joe awakes, he realizes what has been happening to him, and makes amends with Kirby and his friends, finally willing to accept Meta Knight's story. He leaves Dream Land the same way he entered, vowing to become a traveling monster hunter.
|''"I told ya...I'm not a monster."''
|Knuckle Joe sports an unusual purple color palette this episode. Subsequent episodes would show him in his familiar in-game colors.
|-
|[[Monster Management]]
|{{center|[[File:E40 Knuckle Joe.png|100px]]}}
|Primary character
|In this episode, Knuckle Joe returns as a new employee of Night Mare Enterprises, having appeared to have betrayed the promise he made to Kirby and co. in his previous appearance. He is shown to have been responsible for unleashing a wave of small monsters on Dream Land, and soon announces that he will step into Dream Land himself to coordinate the monsters and weaken Kirby further. Once this step of the plan is underway, Knuckle Joe then requests that N.M.E. send in their most powerful monster [[Masher]] to finish the job, insisting that Kirby will be easy pickings. After a bit of persuasion, the Sales Guy agrees and sends Masher in. 

Knuckle Joe and Masher then proceed to corner Kirby out in the wilds and pummel him nearly to death. However, right as Knuckle Joe goes in to seemingly deal the finishing blow, he instead prompts Kirby to swallow his Smash Punch, giving Kirby the Fighter ability and rejuvenating him. Knuckle Joe then reveals his true intentions and teams up with Kirby to destroy Masher, dealing a heavy blow to N.M.E. in the process. Once the dust is settled, Knuckle Joe once again thanks Kirby and co. for their help and departs from Dream Land.
|''"It took a long time to plan, but it was worth it! I'm a monster hunter now...and I wanted to bag one of the big ones! That meant goin' after Masher!"''
|
|-
|[[Masher 2.0 (episode)|Masher 2.0]]
|{{center|[[File:E65 Knuckle Joe.png|100px]]}}
|Primary character
|In this episode, Knuckle Joe is forced to escape to Dream Land from an unknown planet after being overwhelmed by N.M.E.'s monsters who had been sent to hunt him down. He arrived badly wounded in the night, and Tiff tries her best to help him recover. However, in the process, Knuckle Joe's locket (given to him by his father) is lost and then stolen by King Dedede and Escargoon, who find a data chip inside containing instructions on how to build a power-amplifying gauntlet. While Knuckle Joe is recuperating and telling Tiff about the [[Masher 2.0 (monster)|upgraded version of Masher]] N.M.E. has built, King Dedede and Escargoon get to work building the gauntlet, hoping to use its power for themselves. Soon Masher 2.0 arrives in Dream Land and starts tearing the countryside to shreds. Despite knowing that this upgraded version of Masher is nigh-unstoppable, and despite still being injured, Knuckle Joe is honor-bound to try and stop it, and Kirby goes to help.

Kirby and Knuckle Joe do their best against the monster, but they are making little progress. While this is happening, Kirby's friends manage to steal the power gauntlet and the locket back from King Dedede and Escargoon and deliver it to the battlefield, hoping it will help. After a few failed attempts with other power sources, Knuckle Joe realizes that the locket itself is the key to activating the gauntlet, so he and Kirby use it to launch a powerful laser pulse which overpowers Masher 2.0 and destroys it for good. While surveying the aftermath, Knuckle Joe notices the locket in the gauntlet dissipating, and realizes that it has served its purpose. He presumably leaves Dream Land again after the episode ends.
|''"You may be a good warrior...but you're a lousy driver."'' <small>(to [[Kirby (anime character)|Kirby]] after he crashes the [[Warp Star]])</small>
|
|-
|[[Combat Kirby]]
|{{center|[[File:E99 Knuckle Joe.png|100px]]}}
|Tertiary character
|In this episode, Knuckle Joe appears during the [[Halberd]]'s assault on [[eNeMeE's Fortress]], and uses a commandeered [[Destroya]] to swoop in and save the Halberd from being overwhelmed by the fortress's defenses. He is joined in this endeavor by [[Sirica]] and some senior Star Warriors in this effort. They continue to fend off eNeMeE's defenses while the Halberd penetrates the fortress' interior.
|''"I took over a Destroya and was hopin' you'd let me join your party!"''
|
|-
|[[Fright to the Finish]]
|{{center|[[File:E100 Knuckle Joe.png|100px]]}}
|Tertiary character
|Knuckle Joe continues his role from the previous episode. He warns the Halberd's strike force that some Destroyas slipped their blockade, and these eventually get in and destroy the Halberd, forcing the crew to find another way out. When it is eventually settled to plant explosives inside the fortress and set them to detonate, Knuckle Joe and his companions fly away from the fortress in their Destroyas while the Halberd crew escape via the Monster Delivery System. Knuckle Joe is last seen watching the fortress explode from afar.
|''"I hate to tell ya this, Meta Knight, but I got some bad news for ya! Three Destroyas got through. They're headed your way!"''
|
|}

===Gallery===
<gallery>
Knux.png|Initial artwork of Knuckle Joe with his color palette from "Here Comes the Son"
E19 Scene 19.png|Locket containing an image of baby Knuckle Joe
Needle Knuckle Joe.png|Needle Knuckle Joe
E40 Scene 27.png|Fighter Kirby and Knuckle Joe performing a Rising Break together
E40 Scene 29.png|Kirby and Knuckle Joe shaking hands after defeating [[Masher]]
E65 Scene 21.png|Fighter Kirby and Knuckle Joe work together to defeat [[Masher 2.0 (monster)|Masher 2.0]]
</gallery>

==In the ''Kirby'' novel series==
{{Incomplete|Missing coverage for most appearances, and general description.}}
{{Infobox-NovelCharacter
|title=Knuckle Joe
|image= [[File:V9 Knuckle Joe Illustration.png|150px]]
|caption= '''Knuckle Joe''', as he appears in ''[[Kirby Clash Team Unite!]]''
|first= ''[[Kirby Clash Team Unite!]]''
|last= ''[[Kirby: The Mysterious Incident on the Pupupu Train?!]]''
|role=Supporting character
|other=his video game counterpart
}}
In the [[Kirby (novel series)|''Kirby'' novel series]], Knuckle Joe is a resident of Dream Land.

===Volume appearances===
The following is a complete list of every appearance Knuckle Joe has made in the ''Kirby'' novel series, along with the role he plays and its details in the plot of each volume:

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" cellpadding="2"
!colspan=5|Knuckle Joe's appearances in the ''Kirby'' novel series &nbsp;
|-
!Volume
!Image
!Role
!Role details
!Notes
|-
|''[[Kirby Clash Team Unite!]]''
|[[File:V9 Knuckle Joe Illustration.png|100px]]
|Tertiary character
|
|
|-
|''[[Kirby's Decisive Battle! Battle Royale!!]]''
|[[File:V10 Illustration 11.png|100px]]
|Tertiary character
|In this volume, Knuckle Joe is one of the participants in [[Dedede's Cake Royale]], and he is beaten by the Kirby copies. Not realizing that they are copies, he thinks that [[Kirby (novel character)|Kirby]] learned to duplicate himself. When he meets Kirby, he wants to start a fight with him. [[Waddle Dee (novel character)|Waddle Dee]] explains to him the situation and Knuckle Joe drops his guard. At the fight between Kirby and [[King Dedede (novel character)|King Dedede]], Knuckle Joe wants to help and lets Kirby inhale him after he lost his Copy Ability. After being hit by Dedede, Kirby loses the Copy Ability and Knuckle Joe rolls out. Before Kirby can inhale him again, Dedede knocks Knuckle Joe out of the arena into the stands.
|
|-
|''[[Kirby Star Allies: The Universe is in Trouble?!]]''
|[[File:V12 Illustration 28.png|100px]]
|Tertiary character
|
|
|-
|''[[Kirby: Super Team Kirby's Big Battle!]]''
|[[File:V15 Knuckle Joe Illustration.png|100px]]
|Tertiary character
|
|
|-
|''[[Kirby: Meta Knight and the Knight of Yomi]]''
|[[File:V17 Knuckle Joe Illustration.png|100px]]
|Tertiary character
|In this volume, Knuckle Joe sees [[Beryl]] rampaging in Dream Land disguised as [[Meta Knight (novel character)|Meta Knight]], and is attacked when he confronts him. Knuckle Joe seeks out Kirby, asking the latter to protect them. He then offers himself to be inhaled so [[Fighter]] Kirby can fight back against the fake Meta Knight.
|
|-
|''[[Kirby: The Mysterious Incident on the Pupupu Train?!]]''
|[[File:V21 Knuckle Joe Illustration.png|100px]]
|Tertiary character
|
|
|}

==Profiles==
===Flavor text===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=1|Image
!rowspan=1|Game
!rowspan=1|Flavor text
|-
|[[File:KSA Boxart NA.jpg|100px]]
|''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''
|'''Guest Star Knuckle Joe:'''<br>
''<big>"Gonna be the top fighter anywhere!"</big>''<br>
''He’s eager to prove himself in a legendary tournament and sets off at full speed to find it…wherever it is! He’s up for any battle, no matter how tough!''<br>
|}

===''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' trophy description===
{|class=sortable align=left width=80% cellspacing=0 border=1 cellpadding=3 style="text-align: center; border-collapse:collapse; font-family Arial;"
|-
!width="12%"|Name
!width="12%"|Image
!width=''25%''|Appears in
!width="50%"|Description
|-
|align=center|Knuckle Joe
|[[File:Knuckle_Joe_Trophy.png|frameless|150px]]
|'''SNES''' Kirby Super Star
|''A martial artist known for amazing attacks like the Vulcan Jab. With his bandana, he looks and fights the part of a Muay Thai boxer. When Kirby copies Knuckle Joe, he gains the fighting techniques of a hand-to-hand-combat expert. Knuckle Joe also engages in friendly block-breaking competitions with Kirby. His other famous techniques are the Smash Punch and Rising Break.''
|-
|}
{{clear}}
===''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U'' trophy information===
{|class=sortable align=center width=100% cellspacing=0 border=1 cellpadding=3 style="text-align: center; border-collapse:collapse; font-family Arial;"
|-
!width="12%"|Name
!width="12%"|3DS image
!width=''12%''|Wii U image
!width=''25%''|Appears In
!width="50%"|American English description
!width="50%"|British English description
|-
|align=center|Knuckle Joe
|[[File:KnuckleJoe3DS.png|frameless|130px|center]]
|[[File:KnuckleJoeWiiU.png|frameless|130px|center]]
|align=center bgcolor=lightblue|'''SNES''' Kirby Super Star 09/1996) <br> '''Wii''' Kirby's Return to Dream Land 10/2011
|''A martial-arts master, Knuckle Joe can be inhaled by Kirby and his Fighter ability copied. If you summon him, he'll leap toward the enemy nearest you and unleash his powerful Vulcan Jab attack. He'll then finish off his target with a devastating Smash Punch or Rising Break.
|''When Kirby copies this expert in all martial arts, he becomes a pro at hand-to-hand combat. Release Knuckle Joe in this game, and he'll jump towards the enemy nearest to you and unleash his mighty Vulcan Jab, then finish them off with a devastating Smash Punch or Rising Break!''
|-
!colspan=6|<small>Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.</small>
|-
|}

==Trivia==
*In ''Kirby Star Allies'', Knuckle Joe can provide the [[Sizzle]] attribute with Giga Force Blast. However, a CPU will not acknowledge this if it needs to light a fuse or provide a [[Power Effect]].

==Gallery==
{{main|Knuckle Joe/gallery}}
<gallery>
KSS Knuckle Joe Artwork.png|Artwork from ''[[Kirby Super Star]]''
KSS Knuckle Joe Sprite 2.png|Sprite from ''Kirby Super Star'' (as a helper)
KSSS Waddle Dee and Knuckle Joe artwork.png|Artwork of an injured Knuckle Joe being carried on a wheelbarrow by a [[Waddle Dee]], from the Super Famicom version of ''[[Kirby's Star Stacker (Super Famicom)|Kirby's Star Stacker]]''
Kirby & Knuckle Joe.jpg|Artwork of Knuckle Joe and [[Kirby]] posing from ''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]''
KRtDL Knuckle Joe.jpg|Knuckle Joe in ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]''
KSA Knuckle Joe model.png|Model from ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''
SSBU Knuckle Joe.png|Artwork from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
Kirby no Copy-toru Knuckle Joe artwork 1.jpg|Artwork from ''[[Kirby no Copy-toru!]]''
</gallery>

{{clear}}

==Quotes==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" cellpadding="2" 
|'''Quotes from Knuckle Joe in ''Kirby Battle Royale''' &nbsp;
|-
|<tabs>
<tab name="Kirby Battle Royale">
*"''Cool sword you've got there. Hope you're putting it to good use. Spin Slash is fairly unbeatable. Be sure to train every day!''"
*"''That pointed hat gives you the Bomb ability! You should use Bomb Dunk if you want to shock your foe!''"
*"''Look at that horn on you! The Beetle ability sure looks impressive. Use Rocket Horn to grab foes and Dive to drive them into the ground.''"
*"''That spear... Did you join the Waddle Dee army or something?! Spears are great for both thrusting and throwing? Get the point?!''"
*"''Ah, the Cutter ability! Those slashes sure are satisfying. There's nothing like a good charge session...and a Hyper Cutter!''"
*"''Heya, fighter! Go give 'em a knuckle sandwich for me! When you see an opening, use your Giga Force Blast to knock 'em out!''"
*"''When you use your Ninja ability, you'll have lots of fierce moves! With those, you can unleash quick attacks for a decisive win."''
*"''That whip is cool and all... but the hat is where it's really at. Whip your enemies into shape! Wrap 'em up while you're at it!''"
*"''Huh? Carrying a parasol on a nice day like this? I wanna see you pick up your opponents and swing them around!''"
*"''A big hammer and a headband. That look really suits you! If you've got a hammer, take a swing! Not at me, though!''"
*"''Ha! Are you wearing those glasses to look smart? If I were a doctor, I'd say to get rest and call me in the morning!''"
*"''Try the Tornado ability if you want to play cool tricks on your rivals. All that wind will feel mighty nice to you, but not your opponents.''"
*"''Ice-skating is pretty cool, isn't it?! I just love those spinny jumps! It's fun seeing frozen foes slide to their doom when you throw them!''"
</tab>
</tabs>
|}

==Names in other languages==
{{Names
|ja=ナックルジョー
|jaR=Nakkuru Jō
|jaM=Knuckle Joe<br><small>His name likely derives from the eponymous character of ''[[wikipedia:Ashita no Joe|Tomorrow's Joe]]'', a very famous and influential boxing manga.</small>
|zhSimp=格斗家乔
|zhSimpR=gé dòu jiā qiáo
|zhTrad=格鬥家喬
|zhTradR=gé dòu jiā qiáo
|zhM=Wrestler Joe
|ko=넉클 죠
|koR=Neokkeul Jyo
|koM=Knuckle Joe
|fr=Knuckle Joe
|frM=-
|it=Knuckle Joe
|itM=-
|nl=Knuckle Joe
|nlM=-
|de=Knuckle Joe
|deM=-
|ptE=Knuckle Joe<ref>''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''</ref>
|ptEM=-
|ptA=Knuckle Joe<br>Joe Mãos à Obra<ref>[https://twitter.com/NFan_Official/status/1495920235068727298 ''Kirby: Right Back at Ya!'']</ref>
|ptAM=-<br>Joe Hands at Work <small>("Mãos à Obra" is an expression in Portuguese that means "Let's get to work!")</small>
|es=Knuckle Joe
|esM=-
}}

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{{Navbox-SSB}}
[[Category:Enemies in Kirby Super Star]]
[[Category:Enemies in Kirby Super Star Ultra]]
[[Category:Enemies in Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]
[[Category:Enemies in New Challenge Stages]]
[[Category:Enemies in Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]
[[Category:Enemies in Kirby: Planet Robobot]]
[[Category:Enemies in Kirby Star Allies]]
[[Category:Enemies in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]
[[Category:Opponents in Kirby's Star Stacker (Super Famicom)]]
[[Category:Creatures that yield Fighter when swallowed]]
[[Category:Creatures that yield Needle from projectiles]]
[[Category:Helpers]]
[[Category:Monsters]]
[[Category:Novel characters]]