Meta Knightmare
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| “ | Meta Knight has set out to practice his sword play. Use his blade to clear the way! | ” | — Title screen for Meta Knightmare |
Meta Knightmare is a Sub-Game that appears exclusively in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land. As the name implies, it stars the masked swordsman - Meta Knight, and has him race through all seven levels from the main game in one long time attack to defeat King Dedede at the end. To unlock this game, the player must complete both the Main Game and the Extra Mode 100%.
Meta Knightmare can be considered an Extra Mode due to being a more difficult version of the main game, though it is not officially counted as one. This is the first title of the "Meta Knightmare" time attack series, the later two being Meta Knightmare Ultra from Kirby Super Star Ultra and Meta Knightmare Returns from Kirby: Planet Robobot.
Gameplay differences
Meta Knightmare is the series' first "time attack" mode, where the player is challenged to complete the main game as quickly as possible. However, it bears some notable differences from later time attack modes: instead of being automatically taken from stage to stage, Meta Knight goes through the level hubs like normal, and there are no formal checkpoints where Meta Knight can rest (though the level hubs can be considered such).
Like in the Extra Game, Meta Knight only has three bars of health. His move-set is a modified version of the Sword move-set, with some unique attacks, and the ability to fly quickly using his wings, like the Wing ability in Kirby Super Star. In addition, Meta Knight's sword is capable of breaking Metal Blocks, pounding Stakes and lighting Fuses, allowing him to get past puzzles that Kirby would require Copy Abilities for. While the Big Switches along the way are still accessible, it is not necessary (and, in fact, detrimental) to press any of them, as all Sub-Games are locked, along with Arenas and Museums. This, in turn, means that it is much more difficult to find Maxim Tomatoes and 1-Ups.
Unlike later time attack modes, the player is not able to save any progress made in Meta Knightmare, so to complete the game, it will need to be done in a single power session. Likewise, if Meta Knight runs out of lives, the game will be permanently over, with no chance to continue. Meta Knight does not battle Nightmare, so the game will be complete after beating King Dedede. After doing so, the completion time will be displayed to the player, and placed on the leaderboard if it qualifies.
Trivia
- Amusingly, Meta Knight fights himself at the end of Orange Ocean.
- Future Meta Knightmare titles would not have Meta Knight battling himself, instead fighting a similar opponent (Galacta Knight in Meta Knightmare Ultra and Stock Mecha Knight in Meta Knightmare Returns). Meta Knight can fight himself as a Dream Friend in Kirby Star Allies, however.
Gallery
Meta Knight spots a 1-Up styled after himself.
- KNiDL Meta Knight vs Himself screenshot.jpg
Meta Knight swings his sword at himself
Completion screen
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | メタナイトでゴー！ Meta Naito de Gō! |
Go with Meta Knight! |
| French | Meta Knightmare | - |
| German | Alptraumeta-Knight | Play on words on both "Meta-Knight" and Alptraum (the German word for "nightmare"). |
| Italian | Cavaliere Nero | Black Knight |
| Spanish | Meta Knight | - |
