Score

Kirby receives points for defeating a Gold Waddle Dee in the Fighter Combat Chamber, which adds to his score.

Score refers to a numerical value (points) that serves as a metric of performance in many games, video or otherwise, that usually take the form of an integer. Points are awarded or deducted based on certain actions or other factors that the player is in control of while playing. In the Kirby series, many games utilize a scoring system, which usually increment with the defeating of enemies. In early main series titles, the score was largely cosmetic, and had no real bearing on whether or not the player was doing well in the game (leading it to eventually be discarded in newer titles). In more strictly competitive games such as New Challenge Stages from Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, Kirby's Blowout Blast, or Kirby Battle Royale, getting the high score (the highest number of points) is the goal of the game.

The score is intangible regarding the in-game universe, and is not derived from anything in particular. In some games, getting a certain score (usually 50,000) awards a 1-Up.

In Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the number of Star Coins Kirby collected in a given stage is used as his score for that stage. The game will keep track of how many coins were collected, and notifies the player if a new record is attained.

List of Kirby titles which utilize a scoring system in the main game

The following table lists each game that utilizes a scoring system in the main game, along with details about how the score functions and what it is used for:

Score in Kirby games
Game	Description
Kirby's Dream Land	The score in these games is used to measure performance, and accrues when defeating enemies and collecting certain items and decreases when using a Continue after a Game Over. It is not saved to a high-score table, and is largely cosmetic.
Kirby's Adventure / Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby's Pinball Land	The score in this game is the primary metric by when the player's progress is ascertained, and is accrued for performing various tasks such as bumping into enemies. A high-score table is kept.
Kirby's Dream Course	The score in this game takes the form of a "par", so a lower score results in a better outcome. Earning a certain par will yield a medal for the course. In the 2P game, score is earned by claiming Point Stars on the board, and the highest score wins.
Kirby's Avalanche	Score is earned in this game by placing blobs and forming chains, though it is not the primary metric of progress, and has little direct impact on whether a game is won or lost. A high score table is kept.
Kirby's Block Ball	Score is earned in this game by breaking blocks, defeating enemies and bosses, and collecting items. Bonuses are also available for certain tasks in rounds, and can be earned by cashing in 1-Ups at the end of a stage. In order to reach the final stage in the game, each stage's "Border Line Score" needs to be met, so earning a certain score in each stage prior to Stage 11 is required to complete the game.
Kirby Super Star / Kirby Super Star Ultra	Score is calculated differently depending on which game is being played, though the game does save the best scores in most cases. In most games, score is largely cosmetic, and follows the same rules as the score in early games in the series. In Gourmet Race, score is determined by how many food items were eaten, is also awarded for completing the race in first, and is the metric by which the winner is decided. In The Great Cave Offensive, the score is determined by how many Treasures were picked up.
Kirby's Star Stacker (Game Boy) / Kirby's Star Stacker (Super Famicom)	In these games, score is determined by how many stars were stacked, and changes depending on the game mode being played. In Round Clear, the score starts at a certain point and has to be reduced to 0 to advance to the next round. In Challenge Mode and Time Attack, the score starts at 0 and increases for each star stacked.
Kirby's Epic Yarn / Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn	In these games, score is determined by how many beads are collected, and a medal is given out for certain score thresholds in stages. In boss stages, earning a certain bead score is necessary to unlock that level's first extra stage. Outside of stages, beads accumulate and can be used to buy things in Quilty Square.
Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe	In these games, score is the primary metric to determine the player's performance, and a medal or trophy is awarded depending on what the final score is for any given stage. In certain instances, gaining a certain medal or trophy is required to unlock extra stages or other content.
Team Kirby Clash Deluxe / Super Kirby Clash
Kirby's Blowout Blast
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse	In this game, a score is kept based on how many Point Stars were collected in any given stage, and a medal is rewarded based on this score. Gaining gold medals is necessary to unlock certain Challenge Mode stages, and thus, to attain 100% completion.
Kirby Battle Royale	Score is the primary metric by which most of the Battle Modes in this game are evaluated. The method of earning points varies by Battle Mode.
Kirby Fighters 2	Score is earned in this game in different ways depending on the game mode being played. In Story Mode: The Destined Rivals, score is earned through bonuses given out at the end of matches. In Single-Handed Mode, a flat score is given for the difficulty, with any additional being inversely proportional to the amount of time it takes to complete. Score in this game is converted to a separate Fighters Rank system, which is used to unlock additional content for the game.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land	In this game, the high-score for any given stage is defined by the number of Star Coins Kirby collected while playing it. A flat bonus is also given for playing the stages in Wild Mode. Star Coins accumulate outside of stages, and Kirby can spend them in Waddle Dee Town on various things.
Kirby's Dream Buffet	In this game, collecting strawberries is the main metric by which the winner of a game is decided. After the winner is announced, all of the player's strawberries are converted into points for the Gourmet Rank system, which is used to unlock additional content for the game.