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UFO
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- This article is about UFO as a Copy Ability. For other uses, see UFO (disambiguation).
UFO, also known as U.F.O., is a Copy Ability which transforms Kirby into flying saucer. It is typically obtained by finding the rare UFO enemy which tends to appear in hidden rooms throughout the series. UFO first appeared in Kirby's Adventure, and has since only made a handful of appearances throughout the series, a large number of which were just as cameos. When Kirby gains this power, his normal movement is replaced with the ability to hover rapidly through the air in any given direction, as he is no longer affected by gravity. He also gains access to four or five different primary attacks in the form of a chargeable projectile, as follows:
- An uncharged attack fires a beam whip energy chain, similar to the Beam ability.
- A short charge will fire a small laser beam that can bounce off slopes, similar to the Laser ability.
- A medium charged attack will fire a Star Bullet (Kirby's Adventure) / Heat Beam (Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land onward).
- A fully charged attack will fire a Blaster Bullet (Kirby's Adventure) / Piercing Heat Beam that can pierce through enemies (Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land onward).
- In Kirby: Planet Robobot, charging for even longer releases the Heat Cannon, which fires a large energy glob and three smaller projectiles (one of which fires backwards) which spread outward from the main blast. This attack is similar to the Robobot Jet Mode's "Missile Spread" attack.
UFO Kirby can move through water and will not revert to his regular form with goggles like with other abilities. UFO Kirby cannot drop through thin floors or use ladders except in Kirby: Planet Robobot.
Game appearances[edit]
UFO Kirby's video game appearances | ||
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Game | Role | Notes |
Kirby's Adventure | Copy Ability | Obtainable from UFO. |
Kirby's Dream Course | Copy Ability | Obtainable from UFO and Transformer. Single-use in this game. |
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land | Copy Ability | Obtainable from UFO. |
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror | Copy Ability | Obtainable from UFO. |
Kirby: Squeak Squad | Copy Ability | Obtainable from UFO and Doc's dropped flying saucer. Can be upgraded with an Ability Scroll. |
Kirby: Triple Deluxe | Reference | Appears as a keychain. |
Kirby Fighters Deluxe | Enemy | Appears on the Butter Building stage and drops food items. |
Kirby: Planet Robobot | Copy Ability | Obtainable from UFO or an amiibo. |
Kirby Star Allies | Reference | Appears on the "The Great Labyrinth Battle" Celebration Picture. |
Kirby Fighters 2 | Enemy | Appears on the Butter Building stage and drops food items. |
Kirby's Dream Buffet | Reference | Appears on a Character Treat. |
Kirby's Adventure / Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land[edit]

The U.F.O. ability first appeared in Kirby's Adventure. It can be obtained by swallowing the UFO who appears only once in certain areas, usually hidden rooms. When Kirby has this ability, he transforms into a flying saucer and can fly freely around in the air without being affected by gravity. It fires Star Bullets / Blaster Bullets with medium/max charge in this game. The U.F.O. Blaster Bullets can destroy metal blocks but cannot travel through walls. Kirby will lose the U.F.O. ability once he returns to the stage hub. However, this can be circumvented using certain glitches.
In the remake Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, the U.F.O. ability fires Heat Beams / Piercing Heat Beams instead with medium/max charge, which has been settled in later games. Despite the changes in attacks, they do the same damage in the remake. The glitch allowing the player to keep the U.F.O. ability is also removed in the remake.
U.F.O.'s move-set in Kirby's Adventure / Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land | |||||
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Button Execution | Attack | Description | Damage | Special Property | Notes |
B | Beam | U.F.O. Kirby does the Beam Whip attack. | 4 | ![]() |
The original Beam ability does 3 damage in Adventure and 4 in the remake. |
Hold B (low hold) | Laser | U.F.O. Kirby fires a laser beam. | 3 | Bounces off slopes; can light Cannon Fuses. | The original Laser ability also does 3 damage in both games. |
Hold B (medium hold) | Star Bullet / Heat Beam | U.F.O. Kirby fires a Star Bullet / Heat Beam. | 10 | ![]() |
The original Star Bullet also does 10 damage in both games. |
Hold B (long hold) | Blaster Bullet / Piercing Heat Beam | U.F.O. Kirby fires a Blaster Bullet / Piercing Heat Beam. | 18 | Can pierce through enemies; can destroy metal blocks. | The original Blaster Bullet does 25 damage in both games. |
Kirby's Dream Course[edit]

The U.F.O. ability reappears in Kirby's Dream Course. It is gained by defeating the UFO enemy. When used, Kirby can freely fly around laterally while maintaining his height off the ground, but will be forced to come down after 10 seconds. The ability will be canceled early if B is pressed or if Kirby hits a bumper or wall.
Notably, while Kirby can float OB and fly off cliffs while using this ability, he will still move up and down slopes like normal if he is touching them. Additionally, the speed at which the UFO travels is dependent on how quickly Kirby was moving prior to transforming.
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror[edit]

The U.F.O. ability reappears in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, where it uses the same assets from Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land and functions mostly the same as its previous appearance.
When U.F.O. Kirby uses the Cell Phone, a small satellite dish is used instead. Kirby will lose this ability if he returns to Rainbow Route - Central Circle.
U.F.O.'s moveset in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror | |||||
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Button Execution | Attack | Description | Damage (Star Bullet=10) |
Element | Special Property |
B | Beam | U.F.O. Kirby does the Beam Whip attack. | 4 | Electric | ![]() |
Hold B (low hold) | Laser | U.F.O. Kirby fires a laser beam. | 4 | Fire | Bounces off slopes; can light Cannon Fuses. |
Hold B (medium hold) | Heat Beam | U.F.O. Kirby fires a Heat Beam. | 10 | Fire | Can light Cannon Fuses. |
Hold B (long hold) | Piercing Heat Beam | U.F.O. Kirby fires a Piercing Heat Beam. | 18 | Fire+Pound | Can pierce through enemies and walls; can destroy metal blocks; can light Cannon Fuses. |
Kirby: Squeak Squad[edit]

The U.F.O. ability reappears in Kirby: Squeak Squad, where it again uses the same assets from Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land. The ability can now be used when leaving a stage. However, the ability's other attacks become considerably weaker and the Heat Beams lose the fire element in this title. When fighting Doc, he may occasionally drop his own personal UFO when stunned, which Kirby can inhale to gain the ability.
The U.F.O. Ability Scroll gives the ability a new attack called Star Guard, which automatically creates a rotating electric orb around U.F.O. Kirby.
U.F.O.'s moveset in Kirby Squeak Squad | |||||
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Button Execution | Attack | Description | Damage (Star Bullet=40) |
Element | Special Property |
B | ムチビーム Beam Whip |
U.F.O. Kirby does the Beam Whip attack. | 10 | Electric | ![]() |
Hold B (low hold) | レーザー Laser |
U.F.O. Kirby fires a laser beam. | 20 | Fire | Bounces off slopes; can light Cannon Fuses. |
Hold B (medium hold) | ビーム Beam |
U.F.O. Kirby fires a beam. | 30 | None | Can pierce through walls. |
Hold B (long hold) | 貫通ビーム Penetrating Beam |
U.F.O. Kirby fires a penetrating beam. | 40 | None | Can pierce through enemies and walls; can destroy metal blocks. |
Automatically activated (with Ability Scroll) | スターガード Star Guard |
An electric orb rotates around U.F.O. Kirby. | 10 | Electric | ![]() |
Attack names are taken from the Kirby: Squeak Squad Nintendo Official Guidebook. |
Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]
UFO Kirby (dot sprite from Kirby's Adventure) appears as a keychain in Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
Kirby Fighters Deluxe and Kirby Fighters 2[edit]
In Kirby Fighters Deluxe and its sequel Kirby Fighters 2, UFO Kirby is one of the enemies that can appear (in his original 8-bit form) on the Butter Building Battle Stage. Here, he will fly in and deposit a food item in the middle of the stage, either atop the thin floor or on the ground below. He will deal 12 damage to fighters on contact, and can be interrupted if defeated.
Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]

The UFO ability reappears in Kirby: Planet Robobot, where it is an extremely rare ability as the UFO enemy does not appear in the main stages. The ability is obtainable only by either scanning Kirby's home-series amiibo into the game, or by completing the game 100% to unlock the UFO enemy's appearance in the Copy Ability Room. To obtain this ability in The Arena and The True Arena, amiibo must be used.
Here, UFO Kirby is as strong as he was in earlier games and has a larger move-set. Like in Kirby: Squeak Squad, Kirby can keep this ability when he leaves a stage. The ability also allows Kirby to drop through platforms, unlike in previous games.
When in a cutscene, traversing the World Map, traveling through a pipe, or using a Warp Star, Kirby assumes his normal form, and wears a special hat that resembles the UFO top.
UFO's moveset in Kirby: Planet Robobot | ||||||
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Attack | Image | Button Execution | Description | Damage (Star Bullet=52) |
Element | Special Property |
Chain Beam | Press and release B | UFO Kirby does the Beam Whip attack like the Beam ability. | 16→8×4 | Electric | ![]() | |
Smart Beam | Hold B shortly before releasing | UFO Kirby fires a laser beam similar to the Laser ability. | 16 | None | Bounces off slopes. | |
Heat Beam | Hold B longer before releasing | UFO Kirby fires a Heat Beam. | 24 | Electric+Fire | Can light Cannon Fuses. | |
Piercing Heat Beam | Hold B even longer before releasing | UFO Kirby fires a Piercing Heat Beam. | 36 | Electric+Fire | Can pierce through enemies and walls; can light Cannon Fuses. | |
Heat Cannon | Hold B SUPER long before releasing | UFO Kirby fires spread Piercing Heat Beams: 3 in the front and 1 in the back. | 68 (front center) 42 (front diagonal) 36 (back) 3→1 (charging, 2nd hit onward) |
Electric+Fire | Can pierce through enemies and walls (front center only); can light Cannon Fuses. | |
Star Guard | B repeatedly | An electric orb rotates around UFO Kirby. | 16→4 (2nd hit onward) | Electric | ![]() | |
Unidentified Flight | Dash + hold B | UFO Kirby zig-zags through the air, damaging anything he touches. | 18→8×2 | None | Kirby is invincible during this attack. | |
Mystery Catch | A | UFO Kirby uses a tractor beam to suck up enemies from below, like an Inhale. Enemies vanish after they are sucked up. | N/A | None | Can suck up downed Mid-Bosses; no effect on Bosses. |
Kirby Star Allies[edit]
In Kirby Star Allies, UFO Kirby appears in the Celebration Picture: "The Great Labyrinth Battle".
Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]
In Kirby's Dream Buffet, UFO Kirby appears on a Character Treat, using the artwork from Kirby's Adventure.
Profiles[edit]
Flavor text[edit]
Image | Game | Flavor text |
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Kirby's Adventure | Hold down the B button to charge, and then let go! You can attack four different ways! |
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Kirby's Dream Course | Move the UFO with the Control Pad. If you run out of time, you'll fall! Be careful! Press the B button while flying and you can get off any time. |
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Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land & Kirby & The Amazing Mirror & Kirby: Squeak Squad | Wow! I'm so lucky I copied a UFO! I can do four different moves. It all depends on how long you hold B! |
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Kirby: Planet Robobot | Unidentified flying object detected! You are very lucky to have managed to copy this ability! |
Kirby's Dream Course manual[edit]
- "This lets you turn Kirby into a U.F.O. With this, he can fly at a constant speed. You can make Kirby move at right angles by pressing ← and → on the +Control Pad. If Kirby rams into a bumper, he can no longer use this power."
Trivia[edit]
- In Kirby: Squeak Squad, it is possible for Kirby to spit out bubbles and Star Bullets while using a Copy Ability. In the case of U.F.O., his upper portion inflates when he is preparing to spit, and he inverts and starts to lose altitude, unable to move until he spits out his item. This is also the case with the Ghost Copy Ability, and is the only time when he cannot move while preparing to spit.
- The Mystery Catch attack in Kirby: Planet Robobot resembles that of Saucer the Metamortex Transformation from Kirby's Epic Yarn.
Gallery[edit]
Artwork[edit]
UFO Keeby from Kirby's Dream Course
"The Great Labyrinth Battle" Celebration Picture from Kirby Star Allies, featuring a UFO Kirby cameo
Illustration from the Kirby JP Twitter based on Crane Fever, featuring a plushie of UFO Kirby
Sprites[edit]
Keychain from Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Icons[edit]
Ability Star from Kirby: Planet Robobot
Screenshots[edit]
Other[edit]
Character Treat from Kirby's Dream Buffet, featuring artwork from Kirby's Adventure
Plushies of Sword and UFO Kirby from "Kirby Copy Ability Selection" merchandise line
Videos[edit]
Official Kirby Portal video showcasing UFO
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Names in other languages[edit]
Language | Name | Meaning |
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Japanese | U.F.O. Yūfō |
U.F.O. |
Dutch | UFO | UFO |
French | O.V.N.I. | U.F.O.
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German | UFO | U.F.O. |
Italian | U.F.O. | U.F.O. |
Korean | UFO |
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Polish | UFO[1] | UFO |
Portuguese | OVNI | UFO
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Russian | НЛО NLO |
UFO |
Spanish | OVNI | U.F.O.
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References
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- Good pages
- Copy Abilities in Kirby's Adventure and Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
- Copy Abilities in Kirby's Dream Course
- Copy Abilities in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
- Copy Abilities in Kirby: Squeak Squad
- Copy Abilities in Kirby: Planet Robobot
- Copy Abilities which can break metal blocks
- Copy Abilities which can light fuses