Nruff
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- This article is about Nruff as a common enemy. For its appearance as a boss, see Nruff and Nelly.
Nruff is a recurring enemy throughout the Kirby series, debuting as a regular enemy in Kirby's Dream Land 3 and in 3-D in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. Its appearance is similar to that of a brown boar, usually portrayed in games without tusks and with perpetually closed eyes. Its fur sticks out in spikes behind it, giving it an appearance similar to the spines of a porcupine, and it possesses stripes on its back that are lighter in color than the rest of its body. It does not grant a Copy Ability in any games.
Nruff originally appeared as a boss alongside smaller Nellys in Kirby's Dream Land 2, though this Nruff has a somewhat different appearance. Aside from its major appearances, Nruff is also seen making a cameo as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Game appearances
| Nruff's video game appearances | ||
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| Game | Role | Notes |
| Kirby's Dream Land 3 | Enemy | |
| Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards | Enemy | This is Nruff's first 3D appearance. |
| Kirby's Return to Dream Land | Enemy | |
| Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition | Enemy | Appears in New Challenge Stages. Kirby's Dream Land 3 and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards are also ported here, where Nruff has the exact same role. |
| Kirby's Blowout Blast | Enemy | |
| Kirby Star Allies | Enemy | |
Kirby's Dream Land 3
In Kirby's Dream Land 3, Nruff appears as a common enemy rather than a boss and has assumed its tusk-less, striped appearance. The enemy version of Nruff, which is first encountered in the third stage of Grass Land and last seen in the game's final regular stage, attacks simply by galloping back and forth, only turning around when it slams into wall, causing the screen to shake a little. Nruff & Waddle Dees can sometimes be found, variants that are essentially Nruffs with Waddle Dee riding on top of it, much like how Poppy Bros. Jr.s are able to ride Grizzos in the original Kirby's Dream Land; once such a Nruff collides with an obstacle, however, its rider is thrown off and briefly left unconscious on the floor.
Although Nruffs can be inhaled in this game (besides being vulnerable to all other attacks), swallowing them does not grant Kirby an ability. Nruffs with riders disappear when scrolled off the screen after their rider is defeated and do not respawn unless Kirby leaves the section and enters it again.
Locations
In Kirby's Dream Land 3, Nruff can be found in the following levels and stages:
| Nruff locations in Kirby's Dream Land 3 | |||||||
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| Stage | Grass Land | Ripple Field | Sand Canyon | Cloudy Park | Iceberg | ||
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Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Nruff reappears as a regular enemy in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, acting similarly to its previous appearance, but never being used as a steed by other enemies. Nruff appears on Enemy Info Card #66.
Locations
Nruff can be found in the following levels and stages:
| Nruff locations in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards | |||||||
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| Stage | Pop Star | Rock Star | Aqua Star | Neo Star | Shiver Star | Ripple Star | Dark Star |
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N/A |
| Stage 3 |
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N/A |
| Stage 4 | N/A |
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N/A | N/A |
Kirby's Return to Dream Land / Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Nruffs reappear as a regular enemy in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, where they have undergone major changes in appearance. While otherwise keeping a similar look to their Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards incarnation, Nruffs now possess bulbous, red noses and much longer ears than before, as well as trading in their spiky fur for a short, spike-shaped tail. The direction of the stripes on the creature's back has also changed, now running from top to bottom instead of parallel to its body.
Nruffs are first encountered in Raisin Ruins and are often found stampeding down or up hills, raising dust behind them and making small jumps whenever they reach an edge, which can enable them to cross narrow pits. Just like in Kirby's Dream Land 3, they may occasionally carry a Waddle Dee on their back, which is treated as a separate enemy and catapulted off when its mount collides with a wall or is harmed by Kirby or his allies. Like in previous games featuring them as regular enemies, Nruffs are once more vulnerable to any attack and award no ability when swallowed.
Locations
In Kirby's Return to Dream Land Nruff can be found in the following levels and stages:
| Nruff locations in Kirby's Return to Dream Land | ||||||||
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| Stage | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | Stage 5 | |||
| Cookie Country |
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| Raisin Ruins |
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| Onion Ocean |
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N/A | |||
| White Wafers |
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| Nutty Noon |
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| Egg Engines |
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| Dangerous Dinner |
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N/A | N/A | |||
Kirby's Blowout Blast
Nruff makes an appearance as a common enemy in this game. It acts similarly to Grizzo, charging Kirby slowly at first, but gradually gaining speed until it hits him or he dispatches it. If it makes contact with another Nruff or wall, it will be stunned.
Kirby Star Allies
In Kirby Star Allies, Nruffs act and appear the same as in Kirby's Return to Dream Land.
Locations
In Kirby Star Allies Nruff can be found in the following levels and stages:
Gallery
Kirby's Dream Land 3 artwork
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards artwork
Nruff in Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Nruff being ridden by a Waddle Dee in Kirby Star Allies
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
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| Japanese | ヌラフ Nurafu |
Nruff |
| German | Nruff | - |
| Korean | 느라프 Neurapeu |
Nruff |
| Portuguese | Nruff | - |
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