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Warp Star

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Artwork of Kirby riding a Warp Star from Kirby: Triple Deluxe & Kirby: Planet Robobot
Hey, what's that up there? In the sky, falling fast! Oh! It looks like... Yes, it is!
— Bandana Waddle Dee about the Warp Star in Kirby Battle Royale

Warp Stars, sometimes spelled Warpstars, are five-pointed star-shaped objects which serve as one of the primary modes of transportation in the Kirby series. They have appeared in nearly every Kirby game since their first appearance in Kirby's Dream Land. During gameplay, they are used to carry Kirby and/or other characters from one section of a stage to another, or provide transport in-between stages or levels. Warp Stars can also appear in cut-scenes, and are often paired with Kirby in promotional material and merchandise.

Warp Stars can vary greatly in their depiction, including details regarding their shape, size, colTemplate:Or, and the sound they emit when being ridden. How Kirby mounts a Warp Star can also vary. Typically he will grab onto the top or side of it as it is kept upright, but Kirby can also often be seen sitting or standing atop the star as it lays flat. Despite being ubiquitous to the series, it is still not entirely clear what a Warp Star is, where it comes from, and why it typically appears for Kirby to utilize.

As in-game objects

Kirby and his friends riding atop the Warp Star in Template:KRtDL KAW

When encountered inside a stage in a typical main-series game, a Warp Star is typically seen floating off the ground, or occasionally high up in the air. It will either spin in place or wobble back and forth while glowing and occasionally shedding energy particles which resemble smaller stars. It waits until Kirby or another playable character hops onto the star, upon which it will fly off in a pre-determined direction in a cut-scene, often haphazardly, and almost always with the iconic warbling twinkling sound. When a Warp Star reaches its destination, it will crash down to the ground and shatter, usually sending its rider flying a short distance.

While functionally no different from a Door in how it transports a playable character from one area to another, the Warp Star is meant to be a more flashy way of doing so, often involving entirely separate areas that only serve as a back-drop for the Warp Star transportation scenes. Warp Stars are also often used in World Hubs and Level Hubs as a visual indicator of how Kirby is being transported from one area to the next.

In stages, Warp Stars can be made to appear in the same manner as other objects, often triggered by defeating enemies, pressing switches, or simply waiting. Most of the time, however, they do not need to be triggered to appear.

Game appearances

Kirby's Dream Land

The Warp Stars made their first appearance in Kirby's first game Kirby's Dream Land. They are mainly used to take Kirby from one section to another.

Kirby's Adventure / Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

In Kirby's Adventure and its remake, Warp Stars are used to transport Kirby to distant levels, such as from Vegetable Valley to Orange Ocean. They are also found inside stages, where they transport Kirby to another part of the stage.

Kirby's Pinball Land

In this spin-off title, Warp Stars are used to transport Kirby from one board to another. Whenever Kirby finds himself in the main warp room, he can use Warp Stars to travel to any of the main Pinball Lands. Once within those lands, Warp Stars can be found which behave in a consistent way based on which floor they are found on, as follows:

  • Lower floor - takes Kirby back to the Warp hub
  • Middle floor - takes Kirby to the bonus game of that land
  • Upper floor - takes Kirby to the boss area

In addition, a Warp Star will appear in the gutter of the main boss encounters (with the exception of King Dedede's fight) which will take Kirby back to the top floor of the main board, or back to the hub once the boss is defeated.

Kirby's Dream Course

File:KDCrs Warp Star Rocket.jpg
The Warp Star-shaped rocket ship

Whenever Kirby goes into a hole, he comes out riding a Warp Star to go to the next hole. If the hole is the end of the course, the Warp Star is replaced by a Warp Star-shaped rocket ship. In addition, a Warp Star is used on the course select screen to travel between courses.

Kirby's Dream Land 2

In Kirby's Dream Land 2, Kirby and his Animal Friends use the Warp Star to travel between the Rainbow Islands. In effect, it acts as a level select for the player.

Kirby's Block Ball

In Kirby's Block Ball, the Warp Star can be found by breaking blocks on certain stage rounds. In any of the rounds prior to round 4, if Kirby collides with a Warp Star, he will be taken to the central circuit of the world map where one of the four Sub-Games can be chosen to play. In Round 4 of each stage (Round 6 in Stage 11), Kirby can proceed to the boss round when he collides with the Warp Star. Colliding with the Warp Star incurs 400 points.

Template:KSS KFP / Kirby Super Star Ultra

In [[Kirby Super Star|Template:KSS KFP]] and the remake Template:KSSU, the Warp Star serves a number of different purposes. In regular gameplay, Kirby can find a Warp Star in some stages in order to travel to new areas in a more flashy manner than entering a door. In The Great Cave Offensive, a Warp Star is used by Kirby to escape the underground after defeating Wham Bam Rock; after then, it appears at the start of the Sub-Tree area. In Revenge of Meta Knight, Kirby uses a Warp Star to approach and then attempt to board the Halberd, but is repulsed, needing to ride Dyna Blade instead. In Milky Way Wishes, Kirby uses the Warp Star to travel between worlds, and combines it with the other wishing stars to summon Galactic Nova and form the Starship. In the remake exclusive Revenge of the King, Kirby's Warp Star is shot down by Kabula as he approaches Mt. Dedede, forcing him to mount the Starship instead.

Perhaps most notably, Kirby's Warp Star appears in the opening cut-scene for the game prior to the title screen. This particular scene features the first instance of Kirby riding his Warp Star by sitting atop it as it is tilted laterally, rather than clinging onto it in upright position as he normally does.

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Much like in Kirby's Dream Land 2, Kirby and his allies use the Warp Star in Kirby's Dream Land 3 to travel between the areas of Pop Star.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

While Warp Stars do not appear within the main levels of Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, if Miracle Matter is defeated while Kirby is in possession of all Crystal Shards, Kirby can be seen using a special phone to call a giant Warp Star. Kirby, King Dedede, Waddle Dee, Adeleine, and Ribbon all use this Warp Star to reach Dark Star.

Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble

In Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, Kirby rides a Warp Star to get to and from each stage. Warp Stars can also be found in other parts of the stage, taking Kirby to secret areas. If a Blue Star is collected and Kirby completes the stage with it, he will ride on a blue Warp Star instead, taking him to a menu known as the Bonus Star[1] where he can play any of the five Sub-Games.

Kirby Air Ride

File:WarpstarKAR.jpg
Artwork of a Warp Star from Kirby Air Ride
Main article: Warp Star (Kirby Air Ride)

The Warp Star appears as one of the standard Air Ride Machines in this title. It is the first machine encountered in the Air Ride mode, and serves as an introductory machine to new riders, as it boasts mainly average stats in all areas. Unlike Warp Stars in the main series, the machine is not able to fly indefinitely, and is ridden by laying it flat and sitting on one side, rather than holding onto it while upright.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

In addition to appearing in regular fashion, Warp Stars can be called by Kirby using the Cell Phone in order to take him back to the Central Circle in Rainbow Route or to one of the other Kirbys (if that Kirby is being controlled by a human player). Rooms that contain Warp Stars are marked on the level maps with stars. When Kirby hops on one of these stars, it will wait several moments before taking him away, in order to give time for any other Kirbys present to hop on as well if they so choose. The destination of these stars is almost always in another level entirely.

Warp Stars are also used in the Goal Game, where Kirby can steer it towards items like 1-Ups and Food while dodging obstacles along the way. They are also used in the final phase against Dark Mind, to shoot star projectiles back at the evil eye.

Template:KSqS KMoA

In [[Kirby: Squeak Squad|Template:KSqS KMoA]], the Warp Star can occasionally be found in stages, and acts much the same as in previous main series titles. The Warp Star also makes an appearance in a few of the game's cut-scenes.

Kirby Mass Attack

In Kirby Mass Attack, the Warp Star is used to transport the Mini-Kirbys between the Popopo Islands, and also features in a few cut-scenes.

Template:KRtDL KAW

Warp Stars serve as the primary means of transportation between levels in the level select screens of [[Kirby's Return to Dream Land|Template:KRtDL KAW]]. Additionally, they occasionally appear in the stages themselves to take Kirby and his friends to a new location, much like they did in the older games.

Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition

In the introductory title movie, Kirby inhales a Warp Star to update him and his friends to their then modern appearances. Additionally, in the New Challenge Stages, Warp Stars with numbers painted on them take Kirby to the various levels of the game. Warp Stars also feature in the classic games, as outlined above, and in the episodes Kirby Comes to Cappy Town and Waddle While You Work from Kirby: Right Back at Ya! as contained within the game's extra features.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

In Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Warp Stars occasionally appear to take Kirby, or King Dedede to new locations, like previous games. A variant known as 3D Warp Stars appears as well.

Template:KatRC KatRP

In [[Kirby and the Rainbow Curse|Template:KatRC KatRP]]'s epilogue, Elline and Claycia create a Warp Star to help take Kirby back home, which also appears in the credits.

Kirby: Planet Robobot

In Kirby: Planet Robobot, Warp Stars and 3D Warp Stars occasionally appear to take Kirby, or Meta Knight to new locations in stages much like in Kirby: Triple Deluxe. They also are used to travel between levels in the level select screen.

Kirby's Blowout Blast

In Kirby's Blowout Blast, Warp Stars are used to take Kirby to the various stages of the game. The Warp Stars which take Kirby to extra stages are blue, and the one that takes him to the Secret Path is purple.

Kirby Battle Royale

In the intro to The Cake Royale, a Warp Star appears after Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee defeat a Blue Kirby in the woods. The Warp Star takes both to the Cake Royale stadium.

Kirby Star Allies

In Kirby Star Allies, while Warp Stars do not appear in any capacity in the stages themselves, they do appear in the level select screen, and in the level maps for World of Miracles - Planet Popstar and Far-Flung Starlight Heroes as the means of selection of stages. A Warp Star also appears in the ending cut-scene to take Kirby and his friends home after defeating the final boss.

The Friend Star is similar in some respects to a Warp Star, but is fully controllable and allows Kirby and his allies to fire projectiles.

Super Smash Bros. series

In the Super Smash Bros. series, the Warp Star is a usable item with which a character uses to glide up in the sky, land on the ground, and create a large impact. It can be moved while in the sky by executing the common buttons used to move.

Warp Stars also feature heavily in many cinematic sequences that involve Kirby, and, in every game aside from Melee, Kirby enters the battlefield by riding in on a Warp Star.

The Warp Star appears as an Advanced-level support spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. When equipped, it allows the player's fighter to start the battle with a Super Launch Star in hand.

In Kirby: Right Back at Ya!

Image of the Warp Star in Tiff's hand from the anime

The Warp Star serves a special purpose in the anime series. It specifically belongs to Kirby, and was originally kept inside a small case similar to a piece of jewelry; able to increase drastically in size when needed. However, due to Kirby's general negligence and the ease of such an item being stolen, it was placed inside Kabu's sanctuary for safekeeping until called upon by Tiff during times of need. When called, it will fly off toward Kirby, allowing him to mount it and gain an advantage from the air, returning to Kabu when it is no longer needed.

Meta Knight explains to Tiff that the Warp Star is the source of Kirby's power, and can rejuvenate him when he sees it. An early example of this happening is in the episode Kirby Comes to Cappy Town, where, upon seeing the Warp Star, Kirby regains his healthy pink hue after being injured by Octacon. The Warp Star will come whenever someone who truly cares for Kirby calls for it; with that specific person in the show being Tiff.

In Air-Ride-in-Style - Part I, it is shown that the Warp Star can take damage if hit hard enough. In this event, Kirby can take the Warp Star back to Kabu's sanctuary, where it can be slowly repaired if placed inside its pedestal. While it is damaged, it will flash green on a regular basis.

In Fright to the Finish, Kirby swallows his Warp Star in order to gain the Star Rod Copy Ability and defeat eNeMeE.

Profiles

Kirby's Dream Land 2

  • Instruction manual bio (page 21): "Transports Kirby and his friends between levels."
  • 3DS Virtual Console manual bio (Progressing): "A warp star will appear in the stage-selection screen of an island you've already cleared. Touch the warp star to proceed to the island-selection screen."
  • 3DS Virtual Console manual bio (Items): "Your transportation from island to island."

Kirby Super Star

  • Wii U Virtual Console manual bio: "Ride the star to move to another area."

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

  • Instruction manual bio (page 26): "Just touch the Warpstar to ride it. It will take Kirby away to specific destinations."

Template:KSqS KMoA

  • Instruction manual bio (page 22): "All you have to do with a Warp Star is grab it and hang on. Warp Stars will automatically zip Kirby away to the next section of the current stage."

Kirby Super Star Ultra

  • Instruction manual bio (page 21): "Get on this star to ride it to another location."

Kirby: Planet Robobot

  • Instruction manual bio (page 15): "Ride these to travel to new areas."

Super Smash Bros. Melee trophy

Name Image Appears In Description
Warp Star Warp Star Melee Trophy.png Kirby's Dream Land (08/92) The Warp Star originated as Kirby's ride: it helped the ponderous puffball get around at high speed. Hop on the Warp Star in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and your character will rapidly launch up and off the screen. You'll return in a flash, causing an explosion as you hit the ground. Try holding a direction to alter your landing.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl trophy

Name Image Appears In Description
Warpstar WarpStarBrawlTrophy.jpg GB Kirby's Dream Land
GB Kirby's Dream Land 2
A warp-speed item. In the Kirby series, Warpstars are used to move between stages. In Smash Bros., they're ultra-fast attack items that zoom up and down to devastate anyone they hit. You can shift your landing spot by moving the Control Stick left or right during your descent. Choose your target and hang on! Don't overshoot the mark and plummet off the stage, though.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U trophy

Name 3DS Image Wii U Image Appears In American English description British English description
Warp Star
WarpStar3DSTrophy.png
WarpStarWiiUTrophy.png
GB Kirby's Dream Land (8/1992)
SNES Template:KSS KFP (8/1996)
A magical transportation device that Kirby has used in the past to get around. Jumping on the Warp Star will send the character high into the sky and then crashing back down to the battlefield. Anyone caught in the path or landing spot will be sent flying, and the rider can aim a bit to the left or right in the air. In the Kirby games, Warp Stars carry Kirby from one spot in a stage to another. In this game, pick it up to shoot high into the air and then slam back down to bowl over your opponents. You can control where you land by shifting left or right while in the air, but it takes some practice!

Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.

Trivia

  • Prior to [[Kirby's Return to Dream Land|Template:KRtDL KAW]], Meta Knight is never seen riding a Warp Star. In the Meta Knightmare and Meta Knightmare Ultra Sub-Games in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land and Kirby Super Star Ultra respectively, when Meta Knight touches a Warp Star, rather than riding it, he spreads his wings and flies off in a similar trajectory. Similarly, in Kirby Air Ride, Meta Knight does not ride an Air Ride Machine, opting to fly instead.
  • The Warp Star would have served as the main plot device and focus of the canceTemplate:Led Kirby for Nintendo GameCube game, where it would have been stolen by King Dedede and Kirby would have had to go after him to get it back.

Gallery

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ワープスター
Wāpu Sutā
Warp Star
Traditional Chinese 傳送之星[2]
chuán sòng zhī xīng
Warp Star
Simplified Chinese 传送之星[2]
chuán sòng zhī xīng
French Étoile Warp Warp Star
German Warp Stern Warp Star
Brazilian Portuguese Estrela[3] Star
European Portuguese Estrela Warp[4] Warp Star

References

  1. "Blue Stars are hidden only in certain courses. They allow you to go to the Bonus Star."Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble instruction manual (page 21)
  2. 2.0 2.1 From Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Not mentioned in Kirby Star Allies.
  3. Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
  4. Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

Template:Navbox-KRtDL