Tornado

Tornado Artwork of Tornado Kirby from Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Details First game Kirby's Adventure (1993) Latest game Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (2023) Other game(s) Kirby's Dream Course Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Kirby Air Ride Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Kirby: Canvas Curse Kirby: Squeak Squad Kirby's Return to Dream Land Kirby Battle Royale Kirby and the Forgotten Land Kirby's Dream Buffet Type(s) Unlimited use Obtained from Twister, Transformer, Caller, Fleurina Power(s) Become a tornado, and execute tornado-related attacks. Similar to Parasol + Coo

Tornado is a Copy Ability which allows Kirby to spin rapidly until he turns into a small nigh-invulnerable vortex, capable of ripping through enemies and traveling large distances quickly. The primary disadvantage to this form is that it can be somewhat difficult to control. The ability is usually only available by swallowing a Twister, though other less common providers include Caller and the Mid-Boss Fleurina. In most games, the Tornado ability is accompanied by a tiara similar to those of the Fire and Ice abilities. This hat, however, is topped with a small vortex, and a green diamond-shaped crystal marking the crest of the hat.

Tornado first appeared in Kirby's Adventure, making it among the oldest Copy Abilities in the Kirby series. Since then, it has made several other appearances, though often with large gaps between showings in the main series. Its most consistent string of appearances was between Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land and Kirby: Squeak Squad, as it never missed an appearance in that game-span.

Overview

Using Tornado, Kirby can make rapid progress and clear out any enemies in his way as long as he maintains control and uses it wisely.

Tornado is one of Kirby's most powerful and potent Copy Abilities, usually giving him several seconds of sustained invulnerability while he moves rapidly, defeating or passing through nearly any enemy and obstacle along the way. In most of his appearances, however, Tornado Kirby is forced to move while using his attack, and he will rapidly bound off of surfaces, making controlling him tricky. Starting up and finishing the attack requires some time as well, making Tornado's attack tricky to use against bosses without getting hit during those periods of vulnerability. In most of Tornado's appearances, holding down the jump button will make Kirby rise slowly while using the attack, allowing him to take to the sky as needed.

While Tornado tends to consistently be one of Kirby's simplest abilities in terms of moveset, its specific properties and powers can change in-between appearances. In Kirby Air Ride, Tornado can be seen as little more than an upgrade to the already-existing Quick Spin technique. In Kirby's Return to Dream Land, Tornado Kirby has access to a couple other moves in the form of quick burst attacks and projectiles. In Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Tornado Kirby can catch enemies in his vortex and then toss them at other foes, similar to Needle in that game. In Kirby's Dream Buffet, Tornado can grab strawberries and other items at a distance on the course and draw them towards Kirby.

Game appearances

Tornado Kirby's video game appearances
Game	Role	Notes
Kirby series
Kirby's Adventure	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Twister.
Kirby's Dream Course	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Twister and Transformer. Single-use in this game.
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Twister.
Kirby Air Ride	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Caller. Limited-use in this game.
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Twister.
Kirby: Canvas Curse	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Twister.
Kirby: Squeak Squad	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Twister. Can be upgraded with an Ability Scroll.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Twister.
Kirby Battle Royale	Playable character	Can be unlocked by spending 500 Battle Coins, but needs to be unlocked separately in Dedede's Cake Royale. Has three unlockable alternate costumes.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Twister and Fleurina. Can be evolved into Fleur Tornado and Storm Tornado, or powered up.
Kirby's Dream Buffet	Copy Food Ability	Activated when using a Tornado Frosting Copy Food item for a single use.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe	Copy Ability	Obtainable from Twister.
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. Brawl	Reference	Tornado Kirby appears as a trophy.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U	Reference	Tornado Kirby appears as a trophy.

Kirby's Adventure / Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Kirby using Tornado to rush through an area in Kirby's Adventure

The Tornado ability debuted in Kirby's Adventure, along with all of the other first Copy Abilities, and also appears in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land (where it first got its hat in the games). It allows Kirby to travel quickly through the air in a whirlwind, being effectively invulnerable while the attack is executing. Controlling Kirby's trajectory while this move is being used can be tricky, however, since Kirby rebounds very strongly off any walls he comes across while spinning.

Tornado is provided solely by Twister or a Mix in these games. Due to Twister's relative rarity, however, Tornado is not frequent to come across.

Kirby's Dream Course

Kirby using the Tornado ability to cross the board in Kirby's Dream Course

In Kirby's Dream Course, the Tornado ability can be acquired by colliding with either Twister, or Transformer (2P Game only). Using this ability allows Kirby to move rapidly across the board and cover a lot of ground, though the tornado can be tricky to control. The distance this move can cover depends on the terrain, as trying to spin uphill will cause Kirby to slow down and stop spinning, while traveling downhill will speed him up. Deft movement on varied terrain can allow Tornado Kirby to cover a lot more ground than he otherwise would have been able to.

Kirby Air Ride

“

This ability intensifies your Quick Spin and can be used in mid-air! If you fully charge up, you will automatically do a Quick Spin offensive attack.

”

— Kirby Air Ride North American instruction booklet, page 39

Tornado appears in Kirby Air Ride, provided by the obscure enemy Caller. When active, Kirby will perform a powerful spin attack after a boost or when performing a Quick Spin. Enemies caught in this attack will be sent flying and spinning. Like with other abilities in Kirby Air Ride, the ability only lasts for a short time.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

Tornado returns in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, and is provided by Twister as usual. It looks and functions identically to the way it did in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land.

Kirby: Canvas Curse

In Kirby: Canvas Curse, Kirby can gain the Tornado ability by defeating Twister. Using this ability, Kirby can rapidly rise into the air without the aid of a Rainbow Line when the player taps him repeatedly using the Nintendo DS stylus. While spinning, Tornado Kirby can also defeat enemies.

Since Twister only appears in two stages in the main Story Mode, Tornado is one of the rarest abilities in this game.

Kirby: Squeak Squad

Kirby using Tornado to attack King Dedede in Kirby: Squeak Squad.

Tornado returns in Kirby: Squeak Squad, being obtainable from Twister and looking and functioning very similarly to its appearance in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land. Once the Tornado Ability Scroll is acquired, Kirby can cause his vortex to take on an elemental attribute such as fire, ice, or lightning by touching the appropriate element. Also, when the elemental attribute is gained, the vortex nearly doubles in size. Tornado Kirby can hit more rapidly in this game than in previous ones, making the ability very handy for defeating bosses.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land / Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe

Tornado Kirby as he appears in Kirby's Return to Dream Land

The Tornado ability appears again in Kirby's Return to Dream Land and its remake, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, obtained by swallowing a Twister. In addition to its usual powers, it has also gained new attacks, mainly in the form of projectiles that can be thrown upward or downward. Shaking the Wii Remote during a Tornado Attack allows Kirby to finish with an extra strong burst of wind.

Tornado moveset for Kirby's Return to Dream Land & Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Skill	Button Execution (KRtDL)	Button Execution (KRtDLD)	Description
Tornado Attack	1	B/Y	Kirby spins into a tornado for an extended moment, and can be steered through the air with some difficulty. He defeats any enemies he comes in contact with and can pass unharmed through most hazards.
Tornado Dash	Dash + 1 in midair	Dash + B/Y in midair	Kirby does a quick lateral rush attack inside a tornado.
Falling Gust	↓ + 1 in midair	↓ + B/Y in midair	Kirby throws a tornado projectile below himself.
Rising Gust	↑ + 1	↑ + B/Y	Kirby throws a tornado projectile above himself.
Hyper Tornado	Shake or ↑ during Tornado Attack	Move control stick rapidly or hold B/Y during Tornado Attack	Kirby charges up, and releases a more powerful larger gust at the end of his regular Tornado Attack.

Kirby Battle Royale

“

Try the Tornado ability if you want to play cool tricks on your rivals. All that wind will feel mighty nice to you, but not your opponents.

”

— Knuckle Joe's comment in Kirby Battle Royale

Tornado is one of the abilities on offer in Kirby Battle Royale. To unlock it for general use, the player needs to purchase it with 500 in-game Battle Coins. In Dedede's Cake Royale, Tornado is unlocked by obtaining 225 League Points in the Gold League. Tornado allows for long-lasting attacks, but leaves Kirby vulnerable at the end of them. When using the Big Tornado, Kirby can draw items such as Apples closer to him and hit nearby opponents, even when they are airborne.

In addition, Tornado comes with three alternate costumes in this game. Those are the Twister Hat, the Pinwheel, and the Kracko Hat.

Tornado Moveset in Kirby Battle Royale
Skill	Button Execution	Skill	Button Execution
Tornado Attack	B	Big Tornado	Hold B
Hyper Tornado	BB	Tornado Dash	Y

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  The Twister Helmet, as seen in Kirby Battle Royale

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  The Pinwheel

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  The Kracko Hat

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Tornado Kirby solving a switch puzzle in Kirby and the Forgotten Land

After a 10 year absence from mainline titles, Tornado Kirby returns in Kirby and the Forgotten Land. In this game, Kirby has more control over his vortex, traveling primarily on a horizontal plane and being able to start and stop much faster, as well as no longer being forced to move forward while spinning, though hitting an obstacle still imparts a lot of rebound. In addition, Tornado Kirby can catch enemies and objects in the spin and take them along, then throw them at other enemies and obstacles when the attack concludes, much like with Needle. Tornado Kirby's moveset has once again been simplified for this game, though one notable distinction is the addition of the Hyper Tornado finisher, which allows Kirby to end his spin early with a larger gust hitting all enemies around him. Tornado also gains the ability to cool down Flame Blocks, much like the Ice ability.

In addition to its usual provider, Twister, Tornado can now be obtained from Fleurina, a swan-like Mid-Boss. One of the Evolved Copy Ability forms for Tornado, Fleur Tornado, resembles Fleurina, and using this version of the ability gives Kirby a bigger and more powerful whirlwind that grows over time. The other evolved form, Storm Tornado, resembles storm clouds, and using this version of the ability gives Kirby an even more powerful whirlwind than the previous one, along with allowing him to strike nearby enemies with lightning.

Moveset

All attack names are conjectural.

Tornado moveset in Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Move	Button execution	Description
Tornado Attack	B or press and hold B	Kirby spins around and creates a vortex, allowing him to move more quickly and float in the air. Enemies and objects caught along the way are carried through the vortex until the move ends.
Hyper Tornado	B during Tornado Attack or hold B (to execute Tornado Attack) and release or rotate the Left Stick during Tornado Attack	Kirby ends his vortex and causes a whirlwind that blows away any enemies hit by it, also flinging away any enemies or objects caught in the vortex previously.

Kirby's Dream Buffet

Kirby using the Tornado ability in Kirby's Dream Buffet.

Tornado returns as an ability in Kirby's Dream Buffet, and has been redesigned to fit the Copy Food motif like the other abilities in this title. Here, Kirby takes on the appearance of a cup of frosting when he picks up the Tornado Frosting item from a Food Box. Using this ability, Kirby can create a vortex that throws other racers around and can draw strawberries towards himself. Pressing and holding the R button will increase the vortex's radius, but reduces Kirby's movement. This ability can be used in all of the game modes, but it travels fastest when used in the race mode. Kirby will not roll off edges while using this ability. When Tornado Kirby hits a rival racer while using this ability, that racer will be stunned for a moment, meaning they will be unable to recover if thrown off an edge.

Super Smash Bros. series

Tornado Kirby appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

In Kirby: Right Back at Ya!

Tornado Artwork from Kirby: Right Back at Ya! Details First episode A Fish Called Kine Last episode Trick or Trek Other episode(s) Island of the Lost Warrior, A Dental Dilemma, Mabel Turns the Tables Obtained from Spinning dangerous objects, like rotors or drills. Power(s) Summoning tornadoes, parting water, causing storms

In the anime series Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Tornado makes a few appearances, and is notable for being one of the most powerful abilities in Kirby's arsenal. Using the Tornado ability, Kirby can conjure massive gusts of wind and affect the weather on a large scale. In its most basic usage, Kirby can conjure a tornado from his hat which can be used to blow his opponents away or keep them caught aloft spinning through the air. Kirby also often uses this ability in conjunction with bodies of water to solve problems. In Mabel Turns the Tables, Tornado Kirby uses his power to part the ocean for Mabel in a scene that mirrors the parting of the Red Sea in the Book of Exodus. In Tornado Kirby's final episode, Trick or Trek, he uses the ability to conjure a storm to put out a massive forest fire and save everybody inside.

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  Tornado Kirby destroying King Dedede's submarine to stop him bulldozing the Rainbow Coral Reef

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  Tornado Kirby (right) clashing with Tornadon (left)

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  Hardy being blown away by Tornado Kirby

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  Tornado Kirby parting the water for Mabel

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  Tornado Kirby creating a torrential storm to put out a forest fire

Profiles

Flavor text

Image	Game	Flavor text
	Kirby's Adventure	Kirby can now spin and bump away his foes! Hold the B Button to spin into the air!
	Kirby's Dream Course	As a tornado, you can change directions by pressing right/left on the Control Pad.
	Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land & Kirby & The Amazing Mirror & Kirby: Squeak Squad	Spin spin spin spin spin Spinspinspinspin Spinspinspin AAAAAUGGHH!
	Kirby: Canvas Curse	Touch to fly! Keep soaring!
	Kirby's Return to Dream Land	Round and round you go! Spin with unique controls! Shake the Wii Remote, charge up power, and send a whirlwind flying!
	Kirby Battle Royale	Scatter your rivals with a whirlwind. It takes practice to get the hang of it.
	Kirby and the Forgotten Land	Figure description: Pull enemies, blocks, and stars into your cyclone, then release them to deal damage! This ability's controls might make you dizzy, so whirl, swirl, and twirl...but try not to hurl. Weapons-Shop Waddle Dee: The Tornado ability has the power to pull enemies or stars into its cyclone! If you pick up a bunch of objects, you can launch them back out with B and hit other enemies!
	Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe	Round and round you go! Spin with special controls! Wiggle (control stick) to charge up a whirlwind attack! Round and round and— Whee!

Super Smash Bros. Brawl trophy

Image	Description	Found in
	"Kirby when he inhales enemies that fly around like twisters through the sky. When in tornado form, Kirby can spin freely through the air for short amounts of time, clearing out groups of enemies. Tornado Kirby will continue spinning and bouncing violently off of obstacles until he comes to a stop. One drawback of Tornado Kirby is the control difficulty."	Kirby's Adventure Kirby Air Ride

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U trophy

Image	American English description	British English description	Appears In/Related Games
	"Who needs hats when you can have an actual tornado coming out of your head? That's our Kirby—always the trendsetter. And with the Tornado ability, he can go one step further, turning his whole body into a cyclone to go on a wild rampage. His rapid spinning isn't exactly easy to control, but that's all part of the fun!"	"Who needs hats when you can have an actual tornado coming out of your head? That's our Kirby - always the trendsetter. And with the Tornado ability, he can go one step further and turn his whole body into a cyclone to go on a wild rampage. His rapid spinning isn't exactly easy to control, but that's all part of the fun!"	Kirby's Adventure (05/1993) Kirby's Return to Dream Land (10/2011)

Kirby's Dream Course manual

• "This lets you turn Kirby into a tornado. Press ← or → on the +Control Pad to change his direction as he moves."

Trivia

• The Tornado Attack has the longest period of invulnerability of any single move in the Kirby series.
• In games like Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land and Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, the Tornado ability cannot destroy Star Blocks.

Gallery

Artwork

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  Kirby's Adventure

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  Kirby's Dream Course

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  Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land and Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

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  Smaller but transparent version of the previous artwork

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  Kirby Air Ride

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  Kirby: Canvas Curse

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  Kirby: Canvas Curse

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  Kirby: Squeak Squad

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  Kirby Battle Royale

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  Kirby and the Forgotten Land

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  Kirby and the Forgotten Land (figure)

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  Treasure Road artwork from Kirby and the Forgotten Land

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  Kirby's Dream Buffet

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  Copy Food from Kirby's Dream Buffet

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  Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe pause screen artwork

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  Illustration from the Kirby JP Twitter commemorating the release of Kirby Battle Royale, featuring Tornado Kirby

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  Artwork from Kirby: Right Back at Ya!

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  Artwork from the KIRBY's COMIC PANIC merchandise line

Sprites

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  Kirby's Dream Course

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  Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, and Kirby: Squeak Squad

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  Kirby: Canvas Curse

Icons

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  Kirby's Adventure

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  Kirby's Dream Course

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  Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land and Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

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  Kirby Air Ride

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  Kirby: Canvas Curse

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  Kirby: Squeak Squad

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  Kirby's Return to Dream Land

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  Kirby Battle Royale

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  Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe

Other

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  Model of Tornado Kirby's hat from Kirby Air Ride

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  Tornado Kirby in Kirby Battle Royale

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  Tornado Kirby in Kirby's Dream Buffet

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  Model used for Tornado Kirby's trophy from Super Smash Bros. Brawl

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  Gashapon Copy Ability figurines by Bandai, featuring Tornado Kirby

Videos

Click to load content Official Kirby Portal video showcasing Tornado

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	トルネイド Toruneido	Tornado
Traditional Chinese	龍捲風 Lóngjuǎnfēng	Tornado
Simplified Chinese	龙卷风 Lóngjuǎnfēng
Dutch	Tornado	-
French	Tornade	Tornado
German	Tornado	-
Italian	Tornado	-
Korean	토네이도 Toneido	Tornado
Polish	Tornado	-
Portuguese	Tornado	-
Spanish	Tornado	-
Thai	Tornado	-