Wheel
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Wheel is an ability that allows Kirby to transform into a wheel, and travel at very high speeds. The ability first appeared in Kirby's Adventure, which places it as one of Kirby's oldest Copy Abilities. Since Kirby Super Star, Wheel Kirby has donned a red baseball cap, worn backwards over his head. When using this ability, he transforms into a simple, pink tire, and begins racing around at high speeds. The general way to obtain the Wheel ability is by inhaling the Wheelie enemy, or its bigger mid-boss variant, Grand Wheelie. When racing around, Kirby can run over enemies, and even travel on the surface of water. He also becomes invulnerable to many enemies and hazards, including spike pits. However, the ability can be difficult to control, particularly when needing to make quick jumps or turns. The momentum when riding off of slopes can also be tricky to get used to, especially since it can differ wildly between games.
A very similar, but not identical ability is Wheelie Rider, which is accessed in an entirely different way, and only appears in Kirby Super Star and Kirby Super Star Ultra.
Game Appearances
Kirby's Adventure / Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby's ability to transform into a wheel appears in Kirby's Adventure for the first time, and is also contained in the game's remake Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land. While using the Wheel ability, Kirby transforms into a wheel by pressing the B button. The wheel then travels at high speed, until it hits a wall or when the transformation is manually canceled. In some places, Wheel is needed to reach certain bonus areas that require speed. It is provided by Wheelie, and a Museum for it exists in Orange Ocean.
Kirby's Dream Course
The Wheel ability appears in Kirby's Dream Course. It is featured in the opening for the 2 player Kracko Course. It is obtained from Wheelies and can sometimes be obtained from Transformers. When used, Kirby transforms into a wheel and moves at very high speed until he falls off the map, hits a wall, or hits a bumper, then he launches a little vertically before coming to a complete halt. This ability can also be used to cross Ponds more efficiently. When rolling into the other player in 2 player mode using this ability, the opponent gets flattened.
Kirby Super Star & Kirby Super Star Ultra
The Wheel ability returns in Kirby Super Star and its remake, Kirby Super Star Ultra. Like most of the other Copy Abilities, Wheel's moveset is expanded and improved in this game. Kirby is also given the choice to create a Wheelie as a Helper from the ability. Aside from the regular Wheel ability, Kirby Super Star introduces a new concept, known as the Wheelie Rider. When Kirby has a Wheelie Helper with him, he can jump onto his Helper and ride him, which accesses more moves for the Wheel ability.
| Wheel's moveset in Kirby Super Star and Kirby Super Star Ultra | |||
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| Skill | Button Execution | Skill | Button Execution |
| Dash/Stop Dash | B *Works on water
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Brake | Dash + A/Y |
| Go Slow | Dash + Hold A/Y | Turn | Dash + (different direction) *Speed goes up after turn |
| Turn Jump | Dash + Repeatedly turn | ||
Kirby Air Ride
The Wheel ability appears in Kirby Air Ride, and can be obtained from Wheelies on the race courses, as well as red boxes from City Trial. When Kirby obtains this ability, he transforms into a wheel, temporarily eschewing his Air Ride Machine. Wheel Kirby controls similarly to the Wheelie Bike, though he is considerably faster and more nimble. After a short period of time, this ability is lost, and Kirby returns to normal.
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Wheel appears in this title, and can be obtained from Wheelie or yellow-colored rolling Golems. It looks and functions almost identically to the way it did in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land.
Kirby: Canvas Curse
In Kirby: Canvas Curse, the Wheel ability functions much like in mainline titles, causing Kirby to speed up and plow through enemies and obstacles, as well as jumping off of Rainbow Lines. It is one of four copy abilities that have their own Course A and Course B Rainbow Run courses.
Kirby: Squeak Squad
The Wheel ability returns in Kirby: Squeak Squad, and it can alternate to a Fire wheel, an Ice wheel, or a Thunder wheel if Kirby rides through a fire pit, an icy terrain, or spark, respectively, though this requires the Ability Scroll to work.
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Wheel returns after a fairly long absence in Kirby: Triple Deluxe. It is once again obtained from Wheelie and allows Kirby to quickly dash through enemies, and even skid across the top of water. In addition, Kirby gains the ability to charge up a boost while in Wheel form, going very quickly for a short time. Since this game, Wheel's ability hat has been modified to become more stylized, now having an elaborate star-shaped racing emblem on the front of the hat.
| Wheel's moveset in Kirby: Triple Deluxe and Kirby: Planet Robobot (while facing right) | ||
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| Skill | Image | Button Execution |
| Dash |  |
B
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| Stop Dash |  |
Press B during Dash
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| Jump |  |
Press A during Dash
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| Downshift |  |
↓↓ during Dash in midair
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| Rocket Start |  |
Hold and release ↓ during Dash
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| Sky Wheel |  |
A during Rocket Start
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| Turn |  |
← during Dash
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| Turn Jump |  |
Press ←→ repeatedly during Dash
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Kirby: Planet Robobot
- Main article: Wheel Mode
Wheel returns again as an ability in Kirby: Planet Robobot. It is also compatible with the Robobot Armor, with this mode being required for certain stages of the game.
Kirby's Dream Buffet
Wheel returns as an ability in Kirby's Dream Buffet, but this time with a food motif. When Kirby picks up a Wheel Donut from a Food Box, he takes on the shape of the donut and can roll quickly along race courses, as well as knock aside any opponents in the way. This ability is only available for a limited duration, and can be used in all game modes.
In Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
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The Wheel ability makes two appearances in the anime series Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, in The Kirby Derby - Part II and Born to Be Mild - Part II. Here, it operates largely the same as it does in the games, though Kirby's Wheel form is much larger here. Wheel Kirby is depicted as being extremely fast and agile, able to make circuits around the entirety of Dream Land in a matter of seconds. The draft created behind Wheel Kirby is also such that other vehicles can follow behind and gain the same level of speed.
Notably, when in Wheel form, Kirby resembles a red tire with a green and yellow interior. This contrasts with most of the games, which still depict his tire as pink.
Wheel Kirby in wheel form
Wheel Kirby passes King Dedede's Royal Racecar in The Kirby Derby - Part II.
Wheel Kirby reaching the finish line just after Mayor Len Blustergas and Hana.
Wheel Kirby and Wheelie racing in Born to Be Mild - Part II
Profiles
Flavor text
| Image | Game | Flavor text |
|---|---|---|
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Kirby's Adventure | Kirby turns into a wheel and can move at super speed! But watch for obstacles and excess speed! |
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Kirby's Dream Course | You can run anywhere until you bump into something. Even on hills! Kirby can walk on water! |
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Kirby Super Star | Roll over your enemies! Call a helper and ride the Wheel. Watch out for thorns and don't speed! |
 
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Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land & Kirby & The Amazing Mirror | I ride like the wind! Fast! Too fast! |
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Kirby: Canvas Curse | Use lines to turn sharply! |
| File:USCover KSS.jpg | Kirby: Squeak Squad | I ride like the Wind
FAST! TOO FAST! |
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Kirby Super Star Ultra | Roll to be nearly invincible or ride a Wheel Helper! Beware thorns and holes. |
 
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Kirby: Triple Deluxe & Kirby: Planet Robobot | Put pedal to the metal, and surge ahead with a Dash! As long as you've got speed, you're invincible, baby! Just watch out for potholes! |
Kirby's Dream Course manual
- "This lets Kirby turn into a wheel and pick up instantaneous speed to whiz over bunkers and areas covered with water. If Kirby rams into a bumper, he flies straight up and comes to a full stop."
Trivia
- Although the Wheel ability itself doesn't appear in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, one of Needle's moves consists of Kirby curving into a spiky ball to perform a rolling attack while dashing forward in a similar fashion to the Wheel ability; but unlike Wheel, Kirby can only dash for a few seconds.
Gallery
Artwork
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby Super Star
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby Air Ride
Kirby: Canvas Curse
Kirby: Canvas Curse
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Sprites
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Dream Course
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, Kirby & The Amazing Mirror and Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Canvas Curse
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Ability Item from Kirby Super Star Ultra
Keychain from Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Icons
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Dream Course
Kirby Super Star
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land and Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby Air Ride
Kirby: Canvas Curse
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra (Copy Essence Deluxe)
Kirby Super Star Ultra (pause screen)
Kirby Super Star Ultra (Milky Way Wishes)
Kirby: Triple Deluxe and Kirby: Planet Robobot
Other
Banner from Kirby Personality Quiz
Videos
Official Kirby Portal video showcasing Wheel
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Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ホイール Hoīru |
Wheel |
| Dutch | Wiel | Wheel |
| French | Roue | Wheel |
| German | Rad | Wheel |
| Italian | Ruota | Wheel |
| Brazilian Portuguese | Roda[1] | Wheel |
| Russian | Колесо Koleso |
Wheel |
| Spanish | Rueda | Wheel |
References
- ↑ Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
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- Good pages
- Copy Abilities in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
- Copy Abilities in Kirby's Adventure and Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
- Copy Abilities in Kirby's Dream Course
- Copy Abilities in Kirby Super Star and Kirby Super Star Ultra
- Copy Abilities in Kirby Air Ride
- Copy Abilities in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
- Copy Abilities in Kirby: Canvas Curse
- Copy Abilities in Kirby: Squeak Squad
- Copy Abilities in Kirby: Triple Deluxe
- Copy Abilities in Kirby: Planet Robobot
- Copy Abilities in Kirby's Dream Buffet
- Copy Abilities in the Kirby novel series
