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Beetle

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Beetle
KTD Beetle.png
Artwork of Beetle Kirby from Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
Details
First game Kirby: Triple Deluxe (2014)
Latest game Kirby's Dream Buffet (2022, reference)
Other game(s) Kirby Fighters Deluxe
Kirby Battle Royale
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby Fighters 2
Usage type Unlimited use
Obtained from Beetley, Hornhead
Power(s) Gains beetle wings for flight; cuts enemies, ropes and grass with the horn; grabs and throws enemies; pounds stakes with Hardhead Slam.
Helper Beetley
Similar to Sword, Ninja, Suplex, Fighter (similar moves);
Wing (flight);
Jet (flight and Rocket Dive)
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A flash of light reflects off its horn as the king of bugs soars through the sky! After charging your enemies to grab them with your horn, you can slam them into the ground!
— Kirby: Triple Deluxe pause caption

Beetle is a Copy Ability that gives Kirby the horn and wings of a Japanese rhinoceros beetle. Unlike many abilities with enemy-grabbing moves, Kirby can still walk and jump after grabbing, albeit more slowly and less high, respectively. Kirby also only faces one direction when carrying enemies, forcing him to walk backwards when moving in the opposite direction, although this has no effect on anything except the direction enemies are thrown. Another notable thing about Beetle is that it has the ability to both pound down stakes with Hardhead Slam and cut ropes with the various piercing attacks and the simple act of using the built-in wings. Combined with its grappling function and burst capabilities, Beetle is an extremely versatile ability, on par with the likes of Master in its ability to solve many puzzles and deal with enemies. The ability's only natural providers are the enemy Beetley and the mid-boss Hornhead. It was introduced in Kirby: Triple Deluxe along with Bell, Circus, Archer, and Hypernova. It later returned in Kirby Battle Royale and Kirby Star Allies after being absent from Kirby: Planet Robobot, and made its latest appearance in Kirby Fighters 2.

Game appearances[edit]

Beetle Kirby's video game appearances  
Game Role Notes
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Copy Ability Obtainable from Beetley and Hornhead.
Kirby Fighters Deluxe Playable character Selectable in all game modes if the player has StreetPass data for Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
Comes with an unlockable alternate costume.
Kirby Battle Royale Playable character Selectable in all game modes, though it needs to be unlocked in Dedede's Cake Royale to be used there.
Comes with three unlockable alternate costumes.
Kirby Star Allies Copy Ability Obtainable from Beetley.
Can be used to create a Beetley ally.
Can be used for Friend Throw.
Kirby Fighters 2 Playable character Selectable in all game modes after unlocking at Fighters Rank 11.
Comes with two unlockable alternate costumes.
Kirby's Dream Buffet Reference A collectible Character Treat featuring Beetle Kirby appears.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]

Kirby gets a cool horn with the new Beetle copy ability. Try using Horn Upper to scoop up enemies or unleash a quick attack with Rocket Horn. The horn can also catch multiple enemies at once and hammer stakes. Inhale enemies like Beetley and Hornhead to try it out!
— Satoshi Ishida, Miiverse post on 05/20/2014 9:20 AM

Beetle debuts in this game, and can be obtained from Beetley or the Mid-Boss Hornhead. It is a versatile ability, granting Kirby the ability to fly with wings, cut Ropes, pound Stakes, and grab enemies with the beetle horn. This makes it handy for solving many puzzles in the game.

Beetle's moveset in Kirby: Triple Deluxe 
Skill Image Button Execution Description
Horn Upper
KTD Horn Upper clip.png
B
Kirby swipes upward in front of him with his horn.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
Horn Flurry
KTD Horn Flurry clip.png
B repeatedly
Kirby swipes repeatedly upward in front of him with his horn and then finishes with a strong horizontal swipe.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
  • The final slash is called 'Backslash' in the Japanese version.
Rocket Horn
KTD Rocket Horn clip.png
Dash + B
Kirby lunges forward and aims his horn horizontally as it grows very long, grabbing enemies or Dropped Stars in his way.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
  • If this is not followed by 'Rocket Horn Dive', Kirby will end with throwing forward what he has grabbed.
Rocket Horn Dive
KTD Rocket Horn Dive clip.png
↑ during Rocket Horn
During a Rocket Horn attack, Kirby can rise into the air and perform a backward somersault, then piledrive any enemy or Dropped Star caught on his horn into the ground.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
  • This is similar to Jet's 'Rocket Dive'.
Spiral Horn
KTD Spiral Horn clip.png
↑ + B
Kirby jumps up and drills upwards with his horn while ascending.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
  • This is similar to Yo-Yo's 'Gazer Spiral' and Whip's 'Whip Tornado'.
Hover Wing
KTD Hover Wing clip.png
A in midair
Kirby flies with his beetle wings.
  • His wings can do damage and cut ropes and grass.
Hardhead Slam
KTD Hardhead Slam clip.png
↓ + B in midair
Kirby turns upside-down and crashes to the ground horn-first.
  • This can pound stakes.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
Catching Horn
KTD Catching Horn clip.png
Either of ↑→ + B when near an enemy
Kirby hoists a foe or Dropped Star atop his horn and holds them there.
Carry Around
KTD Carry Around clip.png
Catching Horn + either of ↔
Kirby can walk and jump while carrying what he has grabbed.
Quick Throw
KTD Quick Throw clip.png
Catching Horn + B
Kirby throws forward what he has grabbed.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
Throw Drop
KTD Throw Drop clip.png
Catching Horn + ↑ + B
Kirby rises into the air with what he has grabbed, then drops to the ground, slamming what he has grabbed.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
  • This is similar to Ninja's 'Air Drop'.
Crown Drop
KTD Crown Drop clip.png
Catching Horn + ← + B
Kirby performs a backward somersault with what he has grabbed, then slams into the ground, launching what he has grabbed away.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
Slamming Drill
KTD Slamming Drill clip.png
Catching Horn + ↓ + B
Kirby throws what he has grabbed to the ground and drills them with his horn before launching them away.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.

Kirby Fighters Deluxe[edit]

Beetle appears as one of the selectable Copy Abilities in this title, though access to it requires that the player has StreetPass data for Kirby: Triple Deluxe on the same Nintendo 3DS system. It functions identically to the way it did in the previous game.

Beetle Kirby's Rare Outfit is based on Hydra, the legendary machine from Kirby Air Ride.

Kirby Battle Royale[edit]

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.
— Knuckle Joe's comment from Kirby Battle Royale

Beetle appears as one of the selectable copy abilities in this spin-off title. It is a starter ability which does not need to be unlocked. The main power of Beetle is its ability to grab other fighters using the Rocket Horn technique, then slamming them into the ground to deal massive damage. This is a good way to intercept other players, and force them to drop any items they may be carrying, as well as moving them forcefully toward or away from certain spots.

Three alternate pieces of Headgear are available for the Beetle ability. These include the "Hornhead Helmet", the "Woodpecker Hat", and the "Hydra Helmet".

Moveset[edit]

Beetle's moveset in Kirby Battle Royale  
Skill Button Execution Skill Button Execution
Horn Upper
B
Rocket Horn
Hold/release B
Horn Flurry
BB
Dive
After Rocket Horn
Back Slash
BBB
Forward Lunge
Y
Spiral Horn
B during jump
Slamming Drill
Y or B after Forward Lunge

Kirby Star Allies[edit]

Beetle returns in this title, once again provided by (and represented by) Beetley. It retains all of its essential moves from Kirby: Triple Deluxe, and gains access to the Friend Throw ability, which it shares with Fighter and Suplex.

Beetle's moveset in Kirby Star Allies 
Skill Button Execution Description Damage
(Star Bullet=52)
Horn Upper
B
Kirby swipes upward in front of him with his horn.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
16
Horn Flurry
B repeatedly
Kirby swipes repeatedly upward in front of him with his horn and then finishes with a strong horizontal swipe.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
  • The final slash is called 'Backslash' in the Japanese version.
8
Rocket Horn
Dash + B
Kirby lunges forward and aims his horn horizontally as it grows very long, grabbing enemies or Dropped Stars in his way.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
  • If this is not followed by 'Rocket Horn Dive', Kirby will end with throwing forward what he has grabbed.
24
Rocket Horn Dive
↑ during Rocket Horn
During a Rocket Horn attack, Kirby can rise into the air and perform a backward somersault, then piledrive any enemy or Dropped Star caught on his horn into the ground.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
  • This is similar to Jet's 'Rocket Dive'.
24
Spiral Horn
↑ + B
Kirby jumps up and performs spirial slashes with his horn when he's ascending.
  • This can cut ropes and grass.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
  • This is similar to Yo-Yo's 'Gazer Spiral' and Whip's 'Whip Tornado'.
12+12+18
Hover Wing
A in midair
Kirby flies with his beetle wings.
  • His wings can do damage and cut ropes and grass.
8
Hardhead Slam
↓ + B in midair
Kirby turns upside-down and crashes to the ground horn-first.
  • This can pound stakes.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
24
Catching Horn
Either of ↑→ + B when near an enemy
Kirby hoists his foe atop his horn and holds them there. 48
Carry Around
Catching Horn + either of ↔
Kirby can walk and jump while carrying what he has grabbed. N/A
Quick Throw
Catching Horn + B
Kirby throws forward what he has grabbed.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
60
Throw Drop
Catching Horn + ↑ + B
Kirby rises into the air with what he has grabbed, then drops to the ground, slamming what he has grabbed.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
  • This is similar to Ninja's 'Air Drop'.
52
Crown Drop
Catching Horn + ← + B
Kirby performs a backward somersault with what he has grabbed, then slams into the ground, launching what he has grabbed away.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
52
Slamming Drill
Catching Horn + ↓ + B
Kirby throws what he has grabbed to the ground and drills them with his horn before launching them away.
  • Kirby is invincible during this attack.
52

Kirby Fighters 2[edit]

Beetle returns in Kirby Fighters 2, with the same moveset as before. It is unlocked after attaining a Fighters Rank of 11.

For more precise competitive-oriented information on the Beetle ability in Kirby Fighters 2, see Mizuumi Wiki's page.

Moveset[edit]

Beetle moveset in Kirby Fighters 2  
Skill Button Execution Description Damage (unmodified)
Horn Upper
B
Kirby swipes upward in front of him with his horn. 7
Horn Flurry
B repeatedly
Kirby swipes repeatedly upward in front of him with his horn and then finishes with a strong horizontal swipe. 26 (if all hits connect, not including initial Horn Upper)
Rocket Horn
Dash + B

Kirby lunges forward and aims his horn horizontally as it grows very long. If it hits an enemy, they will be caught on the horn. This move can catch up to three foes.

15
Rocket Horn Dive
Dash + B + ↑
During a Rocket Horn attack, Kirby can rise into the air and perform a backward somersault, then piledrive any foe caught on his horn into the ground. 20
16 (taken by different foe if hit by launched foe)
Spiral Horn
↑ + B

Kirby spins his horn around himself horizontally and then rises into the air. Foes caught in the attack will be dragged along with it.

23 (if all hits connect)
Hover Wing
A in midair

Kirby uses his Beetle wings to fly through the air with more efficiency than a standard Hover. Unlike in other games, this move does no damage to opponents.

N/A
Hardhead Slam
↓ + B in midair

Kirby turns upside-down and crashes to the ground horn-first. Enemies caught in his descent will be knocked away.

24
Catching Horn
Either ↑/→ + B near an enemy

Kirby hoists his foe atop his horn and holds them there. If he does not throw the foe with one of the moves below, the foe will escape after 5 seconds with no damage.

N/A
Carry Around
Catching Horn + either ←/→

While holding an enemy, Kirby can walk either left or right to re-position before throwing. He can also jump, but not very high, and cannot fly either.

N/A
Quick Throw
Catching Horn + B
Kirby tosses his opponent away in a low arc. 20
Throw Drop
Catching Horn + ↑ + B
Kirby rises into the air with his opponent, then drops to the ground, launching the opponent away. 20
Crown Drop
Catching Horn + ← + B
Kirby performs a backward somersault with his opponent, then slams into the ground, launching the opponent away. 20
Slamming Drill
Catching Horn + ↓ + B
Kirby throws his opponent to the ground and drills them with his horn before launching them away. 20

Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]

In Kirby's Dream Buffet, Beetle Kirby appears on a Character Treat, using his artwork from Kirby: Triple Deluxe. Beetle does not appear as an ability in the game proper.

In the Kirby novel series[edit]

Beetle
V6 Illustration 26.png
Kirby gains the Beetle ability in Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!
Details
First volume Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!
Last volume Kirby: Uproar at the Kirby Café?!
Other volume(s) Kirby's Decisive Battle! Battle Royale!!
Obtained from Hornhead
Power(s) Grabs and throws enemies
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In the Kirby novel series, Beetle is a recurring Copy Ability. It first appears in Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!, and it also makes appearances in various other novels. With this Copy Ability, Kirby can use moves such as Horn Flurry, Rocket Horn, and Crown Drop.

In Kirby's Labyrinth Rescue!, Kirby gains the Beetle ability by inhaling Hornhead which Waddle Dee brought. He uses it to try and fight the giant Magolor, but it only tickles him. Once he sees that it doesn't work, Kirby drops it for another Copy Ability.

In Kirby's Decisive Battle! Battle Royale!!, a Kirby copy uses the Beetle ability in a match against Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee in the Battle Arena. He uses this ability to toss the unconscious Waddle Dee to the air, which angers Kirby. Beetle Kirby is eventually defeated by Kirby.

In Kirby: Uproar at the Kirby Café?!, Kirby gains the ability by inhaling Hornhead. He uses it to fight Bugzzy after King Dedede was captured by him. Kirby defeats Bugzzy by throwing him into the air and dropping him.

Flavor text[edit]

Image Game Flavor text
KTD Boxart NA.jpg Kirby: Triple Deluxe A flash of light reflects off its horn as the king of bugs soars through the sky! After charging your enemies to grab them with your horn, you can slam them into the ground!
KBR box art.jpg Kirby Battle Royale Harness the power of the king of insects to fling and pierce foes!
KSA Boxart NA.jpg Kirby Star Allies A flash of light reflects off its horn as the king of bugs returns! You can pound stakes with Hardhead Slam and use to gather your friends on your head and fling them into the air!

Trivia[edit]

  • Some of Beetle's moves are notably similar to the Suplex and Throw abilities. Also, Suplex is obtained from the mid-boss Bugzzy, who is similar in appearance to Hornhead.
  • The design of the Beetle hat is based on the Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle. It also takes a couple details from feudal samurai armor.[1]
  • Despite Beetle being referred to as the "king of insects", that phrase is usually referred for the bee.
  • Friend Throw's Japanese name, ブンナゲフレンズ, derives from ぶんなげ, the Japanese name of Beetle's 'Quick Throw' attack. This reference is kept in the Chinese version of Kirby Star Allies:
    • Beetle's 'Quick Throw': 力投 (Power Throw)
    • Friend Throw: 力投盟友 (Power Throw Friend)

Gallery[edit]

Videos[edit]

Official Kirby Portal video showcasing Beetle

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ビートル
Bītoru
Beetle
Traditional Chinese 獨角仙
dú jiǎo xiān
Japanese rhinoceros beetle (literal translation: "one-horned beetle")
Simplified Chinese 独角仙
dú jiǎo xiān
Dutch Kever Beetle
French Scarabée Scarab
German Käfer Beetle
Italian Scarabeo Scarab
Korean 비틀
Biteul
Beetle
Portuguese Escaravelho Scarab
Spanish Escarabajo Scarab


References