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Kirby's Triumphant Return

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Kirby's Triumphant Return
Various samples of "Kirby's Triumphant Return".
Details
Debut appearance Kirby Super Star (1996)
Last appearance Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (2023)
Other appearance(s) Super Smash Bros. Melee
Kirby Air Ride
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby Battle Royale
Kirby Star Allies
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Super Kirby Clash
Kirby Fighters 2
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby's Dream Buffet
Composer(s) Jun Ishikawa or Dan Miyakawa
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"Kirby's Triumphant Return"[derived from Japanese] is the name of a short musical piece that plays during the ending cutscene of Milky Way Wishes in Kirby Super Star. It is a common recurring leitmotif in the Kirby series, often paired with "Green Greens".

Composition[edit]

As its name implies, "Kirby's Triumphant Return" is a triumphant theme in C minor and 4/4. It consists of two phrases. The first is a climactic descending C minor scale that ends in a tonic broken chord in the rhythm of "Green Greens". The second phrase is a variation of "Green Greens" itself with modified harmonic functions forming a perfect cadence through subdominant, cadence tonic, dominant and tonic resolution fanfare.

Game appearances[edit]

Kirby Super Star / Kirby Super Star Ultra[edit]

In Kirby Super Star and its remake, "Kirby's Triumphant Return" plays during the cutscene with the same name at the end of Milky Way Wishes that plays after Marx's defeat. Reprising this role, the theme also plays during the ending cutscene of the Kirby Super Star Ultra-exclusive game mode Meta Knightmare Ultra, "Knight's Triumphant Return".

Additionally, the motif of "Kirby's Triumphant Return" can be heard in the following tracks:

  • "Crystal Area", heard after the main section, which is an arrangement of "Green Greens".
  • "Havoc Aboard the Halberd", appears near the end.
  • "Milky Way Wishes: Staff Credits", played during the bridge section by a trumpet in the key of B-flat major. This usage directly precedes a quote of the "Green Greens" theme in G major, again tying the two motifs together.
  • "Alternate Corkboard" (exclusive to Kirby Super Star Ultra) is heavily based on "Kirby's Triumphant Return".
"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby Super Star  
Theme Sample
"Crystal Area"
"Havoc Aboard the Halberd"
"Kirby's Triumphant Return"
"Milky Way Wishes: Staff Credits"
"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby Super Star Ultra  
Theme Sample
"Crystal Area"
"Havoc Aboard the Halberd"
"Kirby's Triumphant Return"
"Milky Way Wishes: Staff Credits"
"Alternate Corkboard"

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, the orchestral arrangement of "Green Greens" incorporates "Kirby's Triumphant Return", similarly to "Crystal Area".

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Super Smash Bros. Melee  
Theme Sample
"Green Greens"

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

In addition to the returning "Green Greens" track from Melee, a remix of "Vs. Marx" features "Kirby's Triumphant Return" near the end of the track before looping, mimicking its usage in the Kirby Super Star cutscene. The theme is also present in the "Meta Knight's Revenge" remix, due to it incorporating "Havoc Aboard the Halberd".

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Super Smash Bros. Brawl  
Theme Sample
"Meta Knight's Revenge"
"Vs. Marx"

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[edit]

The Wii U version features the return of the previous three remixes which include "Kirby's Triumphant Return": "Green Greens (Melee)", "Vs. Marx", and "Meta Knight's Revenge".

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

"Green Greens (Melee)", "Vs. Marx", and "Meta Knight's Revenge" also return to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with all three tracks once again incorporating "Kirby's Triumphant Return".

Additionally, a new track known as "Staff Credits - Kirby's Dream Land" is a remix of both "A New Wind for Tomorrow" and "Milky Way Wishes: Staff Credits", the latter of which includes "Kirby's Triumphant Return".

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate  
Theme Sample
"Staff Credits - Kirby's Dream Land"

Kirby Air Ride[edit]

In Kirby Air Ride, a remix of "Green Greens" incorporating "Kirby's Triumphant Return" which is notably similar to its arrangement from Super Smash Bros. Melee can be unlocked as the alternate track for the Checker Knights course. A new remix of "Green Greens" that plays in the Drag Race Stadium also includes the motif.

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby Air Ride  
Theme Sample
"Green Greens"
"Drag Race"

Kirby's Epic Yarn / Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn[edit]

In Kirby's Epic Yarn and its remake, "Kirby's Triumphant Return" is once again incorporated into the "Green Greens" rearrangement used in Whispy's Forest.

Exclusively in Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn, Slash & Bead features an arrangement of "Havoc Aboard the Halberd" paired with "Boarding the Halberd". In the "Havoc Aboard the Halberd" section, "Kirby's Triumphant Return" plays in the background.

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby's Epic Yarn and Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn  
Theme Sample
"Green Greens"
Slash & Bead

Kirby Mass Attack[edit]

In Kirby Mass Attack, the final cutscene theme that plays after Necrodeus' defeat, "Down to One", starts with "Kirby's Triumphant Return" before quickly switching to "Green Greens". The victory theme for Kirby Brawlball, "Big Gold Star", also features the motif at the start.

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby Mass Attack  
Theme Sample
"Down to One"
"Big Gold Star"

Kirby's Return to Dream Land / Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[edit]

In Kirby's Return to Dream Land and its remake, "Kirby's Triumphant Return" is featured in several tracks:

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby's Return to Dream Land and Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe  
Theme Sample
"Dreaming of Clouds"
"Fly, Kirby!"
"C-R-O-W-N-E-D"
"Supreme Ruler's Coronation - OVERLORD"

Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition[edit]

In Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, the Kirby's Epic Yarn arrangement of "Green Greens" featuring "Kirby's Triumphant Return" has a chance of playing in the HAL Room of the Normal Challenge stage in Last Land.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]

In Kirby: Triple Deluxe, the "Green Greens" remix used on the world map incorporates "Kirby's Triumphant Return" near the end. Additionally, "Fly, Kirby!" returns in Kirby Fighters for the Another Dimension Battle Stage, once again incorporating the said motif.

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby: Triple Deluxe  
Theme Sample
"Green Greens"

Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe[edit]

In Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe, two fast remixes of "C-R-O-W-N-E-D" appear, both featuring the motif from "Kirby's Triumphant Return".

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe  
Theme Sample
"C-R-O-W-N-E-D"
"C-R-O-W-N-E-D (Reprise)"

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse[edit]

In Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, new arrangements of "Crystal Area" (in the form of "Deploy the Kirby Tank!") and "C-R-O-W-N-E-D" feature "Kirby's Triumphant Return", much like the originals.

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby and the Rainbow Curse  
Theme Sample
"Deploy the Kirby Tank!"
"C-R-O-W-N-E-D"

Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]

In Kirby: Planet Robobot, the Kirby Air Ride rearrangement of "Green Greens" and "C-R-O-W-N-E-D: Reprise" from Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe appear in Access Ark - Stage 8 EX, both of which incorporate the melody of "Kirby's Triumphant Return". The "Stadium: Drag Race" track, which also incorporates the melody, also reappears for the extra stage mid-boss battles and both Mid-Boss All Star battles in The Arena.

Additionally, two new themes include "Kirby's Triumphant Return". The final boss theme, "VS. Star Dream", features "Havoc Aboard the Halberd" at the end of it, and thus also has "Kirby's Triumphant Return". Lastly, in the final Story Mode cutscene, the track "Planet Heart" plays, which includes "Kirby's Triumphant Return" near the end.

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby: Planet Robobot  
Theme Sample
"VS. Star Dream"
"Planet Heart"

Kirby Battle Royale[edit]

In Kirby Battle Royale, the theme for Dededestroyer Z, known in the Music Collection as "Cake Royale 13", features segments of "Masked Dedede's Theme", "Let Battle Commence!", "Kirby's Triumphant Return" and "King Dedede's Theme".

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby Battle Royale  
Theme Sample
"Cake Royale 13"

Kirby Star Allies[edit]

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" is incorporated into several tracks in Kirby Star Allies:

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby Star Allies  
Theme Sample
"For Those Who Are Brave"
"Your Friends Believe in You"
"Land of Dreams and Fresh Greens' Remains"
"Best Friends, Tomorrow and Always"
"Supreme Ruler's Coronation - OVERLORD"
"Deus Ex Machina at a Young Age"

Super Kirby Clash[edit]

In Super Kirby Clash, "Kirby's Triumphant Return" can be heard in two remixes of previous themes: "Fly, Kirby!" for both battles against Parallel Susie, and "Deus Ex Machina at a Young Age", which plays in the Super-rank Party Quest battle against Pres. Parallel Susie.

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Super Kirby Clash  
Theme Sample
"Fly, Kirby!"
"Deus Ex Machina at a Young Age"

Kirby Fighters 2[edit]

In Kirby Fighters 2, the beginning portion of the Story Mode: The Destined Rivals Final Chapter prologue theme features "Kirby's Triumphant Return", not included in the loop with the other motifs, "Revenge of Meta Knight (Map)" and "King Dedede's Theme".

A slowed down version of "Kirby's Triumphant Return" can also be heard near the end of the second Item Room theme, a remix of "Green Greens". Finally, the staff credits theme of Chapter 4, a remix of "My Friend and the Sunset" and "Kirby Fighters 2: The Destined Rivals", includes "Kirby's Triumphant Return".

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby Fighters 2  
Theme Sample
Chapter 4 credits
Final Chapter prologue
Final Chapter Item Room

Kirby and the Forgotten Land[edit]

One of the main themes of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, "Running Through the New World", includes the "Kirby's Triumphant Return" motif as one of its musical phrases. This section is incorporated into derivatives of the theme, such as "Wild Results", "Pitch-Black Horror", "Pitch-Black Valley", "Enter the Fiery Forbidden Lands", "Scattered Souls across Isolated Isles" and "From Those Who Departed for Space".

Furthermore, this game includes a new arrangement of "Green Greens" known as "Welcome Back, Kirby", which plays in Kirby's House. This track also incorporates "Kirby's Triumphant Return" near the end of its loop.

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby and the Forgotten Land  
Theme Sample
"Running Through the New World"
"Wild Results"
"Welcome Back, Kirby"
"Pitch-Black Horror"
"Pitch-Black Valley"
"Enter the Fiery Forbidden Lands"
"Scattered Souls across Isolated Isles"
"From Those Who Departed for Space"

Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]

In Kirby's Dream Buffet, an arrangement of "Havoc Aboard the Halberd" (and its "Kirby's Triumphant Return" section) once again paired with "Boarding the Halberd" appears in this game under the title of "Revenge of Steel Wings". "Alternate Corkboard" is also arranged alongside "I'm a Hungry Pink Puffball!" and "Gourmet Race" to form the medley known as "Kirby's Ultra-Gourmet Memories".

"Kirby's Triumphant Return" in Kirby's Dream Buffet  
Theme Sample
"Revenge of Steel Wings"
"Kirby's Ultra-Gourmet Memories"

Other appearances[edit]

This track is known as カービィ凱旋~スタッフロール (Kirby's Triumphant Return ~ Staff Roll), Track 33 in the Kirby Ultra Super Deluxe Original Sound Track, where it is also paired with "Milky Way Wishes: Staff Credits".

In the Kirby 25th Anniversary Orchestra Concert, the track "Kirby Super Star Medley" features "Crystal Area" with its "Kirby's Triumphant Return" segment, and then includes "Kirby's Triumphant Return" proper at the end. "C-R-O-W-N-E-D" is also featured in the "Kirby's Return to Dream Land Medley" track, and thus with it "Kirby's Triumphant Return".

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese カービィ凱旋[1]
Kābyi gaisen
Kirby's Triumphant Return

References