Needle

Needle
Artwork from Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Details
Debut Game	Kirby's Adventure
Last Game	Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Other Game(s)	Kirby's Dream Course, Kirby's Dream Land 2, Kirby's Block Ball, Kirby's Dream Land 3, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, Kirby Air Ride, Kirby: Canvas Curse, Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Type(s)	Unlimited uses
Obtained from	Boten, Bukiset, Captain Stitch, Ghost Knight, Kacti, Needlous, Pichikuri, Punc, Spikey, Tick, Togezo
Power(s)	Surrounding Kirby with spikes and performing needle-based attacks.
Comparable to	Spark, Freeze

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Needle is a Copy Ability, making its debut in Kirby's Adventure. It can be obtained by inhaling a Needle Bukiset, a Togezo, or a Needlous. After its initial appearance, Needle has made several appearances throughout the series, but it has not been seen since Triple Deluxe.

Game Appearances

Kirby's Adventure/Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Needle makes it debut appearance in Kirby's Adventure. Kirby surrounds himself with needles, hurting any enemy that is too close to him. If Kirby is falling, the spikes hit enemies from below.

Needle reappears in the remake. There, Kirby is colored yellow, and he wears a cap filled with golden needles.

Kirby's Dream Land 2

Needle reappears in Kirby's Dream Land 2. Kirby acquires this ability from Captain Stitch and Spikey. By itself, this ability performs similar to the one in Kirby's Adventure.

When on an Animal Friend, however, Kirby can perform a variation of the ability. When Coo is carrying him, Kirby can extend the needles below him. If Kine holds him, he can have Kine extend spikes around his body. If Rick carries Kirby, Rick can have his back covered in spikes.

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Needle makes another appearance in the sequel Kirby's Dream Land 3. It functions similarly to its previous appearance. New Animal Friends, though, create more Needle-related abilities with Kirby or Gooey.

If Nago holds Kirby with the Needle ability, Kirby can shoot pink spikes that can harm the enemy. If Chuchu is riding on Kirby with the Needle ability, Chuchu can shoot needles from her back. If Pitch is being used, Pitch can fly in a straight line, defeating any enemy he pecks.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

In Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, there are combos such as the following:

Needle-Bomb: Transforms into a Gordo, then blows the Spikes out (similar to Captain Stitch from Kirby's Dream Land 3.).
Needle-Stone: Makes a giant drill.
Needle-Needle:Several larger spiked objects appear, giving Kirby a larger range for his attack. A few of these objects are a cactus, a pencil, a nail and a fork.
Needle-Ice: Turns Kirby into a snowflake. Pressing down the attack button increases the size and range of the Snowflake.

Kirby Air Ride

Needle returns as an usable Copy Ability in Kirby Air Ride. Kirby can receive this ability if he swallows a Pichikuri or if he touches a Needle Copy Ability Panel. If Kirby charges with the Needle ability, Kirby's spikes extends, hurting any opponent or enemy that is nearby, similar to the Ice ability in that game.

Kirby: Canvas Curse

Needle is one of the few Copy Abilities that make an appearance in Kirby: Canvas Curse. If the player taps Kirby, Kirby turns yellow and spikes protrude from him. He can ride the drawn lines and stick to walls, defeating enemies that touch him. Kirby can receive this ability from Needlous and Tick.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land

Kirby uses the Mega Needle in Kirby's Return to Dream Land.

Needle makes a prominent return in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. Kirby can receive it by inhaling Needlous, Tick, and Togekuki, but in Togekuki's case, the head has to be the only part showing. Compared to its appearances in previous games, Kirby has more attacks at his disposal when using the Needle ability. Needle, however, still has less attacks than other abilities in the game.

Needle moveset in Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Skill	Button Execution	Skill	Button Execution
Needle Attack		Needle Burst	Waggle during Needle Attack
Rolling Needle	Dash +	Mega Needle	+

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Needle appears again in Kirby: Triple Deluxe. The ability has had a few changes: the Rolling Needle attack was removed (most likely due to its similarity to the Wheel ability), and a new move was added.

Needle moveset in Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Skill	Button Execution	Skill	Button Execution
Needle Attack	B	Wall Stick	Touch a wall during Needle Attack
Needle Burst	Hold B and mash '	Mega Needle	+ B
Falling Spine	Dash + B

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

The Needle ability appears as one of the many trophies in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Brawl Trophy Description

"A Kirby ability made when Kirby inhales a spiked enemy. When attacking, the needles on Needle Kirby's body extend, giving him a porcupine-like look. This ability provides both offensive and defensive measures against nearby enemies. Plus, needles which extend on Kirby's underside when jumping eliminate any threats on landing." Appearances: (Kirby's Adventure, Kirby: Canvas Curse)

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Needle Kirby reappears as a collectible trophy.

Wii U Trophy Description

"Kirby normally looks as tasty as a big ol' marshmallow, but he's significantly less appetizing when he's copied the Needle ability. Those pokey spikes won't add any flavor at all. With this ability, Kirby can bash into enemies or launch the spikes at them. A great, easy-to-use ability!" Appearances: (Kirby's Adventure, Kirby: Triple Deluxe)

In Kirby: Right Back at Ya!

Needle has been given a few appearances in the anime Kirby: Right Back at Ya!. It has appeared in episodes 18, 19, 43, and 55. In the anime, Kirby does not stay motionless as in the games. Instead, he can fire needle missiles, which he can direct at enemies. The needles, however, do not always respawn after they are shot.

Gallery

Sprites

HUD sprites of Needle in English, French, and German respectively from Kirby's Adventure.
Needle's icon in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land.
Needle's Copy Ability Panel from Kirby Air Ride.
Needle's icons from Kirby: Canvas Curse