Kirby Ball
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- This article is about Kirby in ball form, and should not be confused with the Ball Copy Ability.
- This article is about Kirby as a ball. For the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game called "Kirby Ball" in Japanese and its canceled Nintendo 64 sequel, see Kirby's Dream Course and Kirby Ball 64.
Kirby Ball (also called Ball Kirby and Ball-shaped Kirby[1]) refers to a specific form that Kirby takes in certain spin-off games in the Kirby series where he is portrayed without his hands and feet, leaving him as only a pink sphere with his face on it (though sometimes even this feature is missing). Unlike the Copy Ability, this is a more permanent form of Kirby which can have other Copy Abilities added on top, and conditions for reverting back to normal Kirby vary by appearance, if it is possible at all.
Characteristics[edit]
Kirby Ball is Kirby but without his hands or feet. When in this form, his only form of locomotion is often rolling along the ground and bouncing, with other implements controlled by the player necessary to move him forward. Depending on which game Kirby Ball appears in, he may be able to revert to normal under certain situations or he may be bestowed with additional abilities, whether those be for locomotion or for defense. Notably, if Copy Abilities are an option, Kirby Ball will not gain them by using his inhale but instead gains them by colliding with specific types of enemies. Aside from these differences, Kirby Ball generally has the same strengths and weaknesses as his normal form.
Game appearances[edit]
Kirby's Pinball Land[edit]
Kirby Ball makes his first appearance in Kirby's Pinball Land, where he appears as the ball which traverses the various "Pinball Lands". In this form, he is capable only of rolling and being launched by the flippers and bumpers and defeats enemies by colliding with them. He reverts to his normal form when riding the Warp Star, falling out of the board, and fighting bosses. Notably, only his eyes appear when in ball form.
Kirby's Dream Course[edit]
In Kirby's Dream Course, Kirby assumes ball form when being launched across the courses. He reverts to normal upon landing or gaining a copy ability.
Kirby's Block Ball[edit]
“ | Originally, Kirby was just going to be worked into the paddles' design, but all that changed when we realized Kirby would make the perfect ball! | ” | — Text caption regarding Kirby Ball in Kirby's Block Ball, from Kirby 20th Anniversary Celebration Book, page 13 |
In Kirby's Block Ball, Kirby assumes ball form when moving across the various stages under normal circumstances. Unlike in other iterations, Kirby Ball is not affected by gravity, and is much smaller, consisting of only a tiny featureless ball. When using a copy ability, he momentarily grows back to his usual size. Kirby also reverts to his normal form for a moment when a Power Bounce is used to launch him faster.
Kirby's Toy Box[edit]
All eight original mini-games from Kirby's Toy Box feature Kirby as a ball.
Kirby: Canvas Curse[edit]
Kirby Ball is featured most prominently in Kirby: Canvas Curse, and is locked to that form for nearly the entire game as part of a curse bestowed upon him by Drawcia Sorceress. In order to move forward, Kirby can roll slowly along the ground, but he can gain some speed by riding the Rainbow Line drawn by the player or by using a Dash Attack. Mobility can also be granted by using some of the copy abilities in this game, one of which is unique to Kirby Ball. Notably, Kirby will revert to normal form momentarily when he is defeated.
In addition to Kirby, other playable characters also appear in ball form. Their stats are as follows:
- Waddle Dee: Waddle Dee has four health bars and no special powers.
- Waddle Doo: Waddle Doo has five stamina bars, and shares a dash attack with Beam.
- Meta Knight: Meta Knight's dash attack is extra fast, and his sword attack gives him extra range. He only has three stamina bars.
- King Dedede: King Dedede is larger and slower than all the other playable characters. He has eight stamina bars.
Kirby Mass Attack[edit]
In Kirby Mass Attack, the mini-Kirbys assume ball form in two different instances. The first is in Stage 2 of Dedede Resort, where they are launched in a pachinko board. The other is in the sub-game Kirby Brawlball, which plays very similarly to Kirby's Pinball Land.
Other appearances[edit]
- In several games, there are Copy Ability powers that momentarily remove Kirby's limbs when activated. These include Ball, Burning (in some games), Metal, Needle (in some games), and Stone.
- Additionally, several special abilities (such as Power Combos and Animal Friend team-ups) also feature Kirby in ball form to an extent.
- In Kirby's Epic Yarn, Kirby can take on the form of a baseball when Prince Fluff grabs him using the Yarn Whip.
- In Kirby: Planet Robobot, images of Kirby Ball and other ball characters appear as stickers.
- There is also an image of Ball King Dedede as a card in Kirby Card Swipe, from Kirby Super Star Ultra.
- In Kirby's Dream Buffet, Kirby Ball appears on a Character Treat, using his artwork from Kirby: Canvas Curse.
- "Dedede Ball" and "Meta Knight Ball" also appear as Character Treats.
Trivia[edit]
- There are a handful of Kirby games where Kirby rolls around like a ball but keeps his limbs; namely Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, and Kirby's Dream Buffet.
- Kirby Ball was planned to appear in a game called Kirby Ball 64, which would have been a sequel to Kirby's Dream Course on the Nintendo 64, but this game ended up being scrapped to develop Kirby's Air Ride on the Nintendo 64 instead (though this also ended up being canceled).
- In Kirby's Dream Land 3, when the enemy Pacto spits Kirby out after eating him, Kirby momentarily appears in ball form before taking damage from the attack.
Gallery[edit]
Artwork of Kirby Ball from 'Kirby's Dream Course
Sticker of Kirby and Keeby as balls fighting over a hole from Kirby: Planet Robobot (originally artwork for Kirby's Dream Course)
Artwork of Kirby Ball from Kirby's Block Ball
North American box art for Kirby: Canvas Curse featuring Kirby Ball
Artwork of Burning Kirby Ball from Kirby: Canvas Curse
Keychain of Ball Kirby from Kirby: Triple Deluxe
References
- ↑ "A game in which ball-shaped Kirby had to reach, and then beat, bosses waiting at the top of exciting pinball stages." –Caption from Kirby's History regarding Kirby's Pinball Land (from Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition)
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