Water Gun
The Water Gun is an attack that Kirby can use while underwater. The attack is characterized by Kirby blowing jets of water and/or streams of bubbles out from his mouth at enemies to defeat them. First introduced in Kirby's Adventure, this move is present in every mainline series since, except Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (in which Kirby's moveset is unchanged underwater, just slower) and Kirby and the Forgotten Land (that features no underwater sections).
If Kirby has the Sword, Parasol, Hammer, UFO, Metal, Spear, Bell, or Staff abilities, he cannot perform this attack underwater, but he can use the respective ability underwater instead. If Kirby has any other ability besides these, he will still use the Water Gun.
If Kirby has the Water ability, his water gun powers up into the Enhanced Water Gun, which attacks multiple targets and reaches further than the normal Water Gun. Additionally, starting with Kirby's Return to Dream Land, Kirby can use the Stealth Water Gun if he has the Ninja ability, which allows him to attack upwards from the water's surface.
Game appearances[edit]
Kirby's Adventure / Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land[edit]
This was the first game to feature this attack, and has featured in nearly every main series Kirby game since then. While underwater, Kirby can continuously fire a water jet from his mouth, which can be aimed in the four primary directions. Its range is about on par with the Needle ability, though it only aims in one direction at a time. While not the most powerful attack, it is an effective deterrent in much the same way that Air Bullets are. Kirby cannot move and will slowly sink while executing this attack.
Kirby's Dream Land 2[edit]
In Kirby's Dream Land 2, the Water Gun returns, and is characterized as a stream of bubbles. Other than that, it functions the same as before, with the same range.
Kirby Super Star / Kirby Super Star Ultra[edit]
Water Gun takes a new form in Kirby Super Star. It is characterized as a single burst water projectile that fires in whatever direction Kirby is facing and travels for decent range, on par with the Cutter ability.
Kirby's Dream Land 3[edit]
Kirby's Water Gun in Kirby's Dream Land 3 functions much like it did in Kirby's Dream Land 2. Unfortunately, it is downgraded in the sense that it can't be re-aimed and can only be fired left or right. Its range is slightly better though, on par with Fire or Ice.
Kirby's Water Gun in this game also has the unique property of being able to deflect the objects that Acro will try to throw at him.
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror / Kirby: Squeak Squad[edit]
In Kirby & The Amazing Mirror and Kirby: Squeak Squad, Water Gun looks and behaves exactly like it did in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land / Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[edit]
Water Gun in Kirby's Return to Dream Land functions much like it did in Kirby Super Star. Additionally, some Copy Abilities will give it additional functions:
- The Water ability powers it up to an "Enhanced Water Gun," allowing it to strike multiple targets and reach further.
- In Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, the Kine and Mine Dress-Up Masks also allow Kirby to use this, even if he has no ability.
- The Ninja ability grants a stealth variety when used on the water's surface that fires upward out of the water. The utility of this ability is somewhat situational.
Kirby is the only character who uses the Water Gun, as the other characters will use their weapons.
Kirby: Triple Deluxe / Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]
Water Gun returns (with only a slight visual change) in Kirby: Triple Deluxe and Kirby: Planet Robobot with more or less the same functionality from its previous appearance in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. With the absence of the Water ability, only the Ninja variant is available in addition to the default.
Kirby Star Allies[edit]
In Kirby Star Allies, Water Gun still behaves like it did since Kirby's Return to Dream Land, but now it can be fired in 8 directions (including the four diagonal directions). The Water ability returns in this game along with its Enhanced Water Gun. This eight-directional usage of the Water Gun would appear again in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe.
Trivia[edit]
- From Kirby Super Star to Kirby Super Star Ultra, Kirby generally wears a snorkel when swimming underwater, meaning that the Water Gun should not actually work (he would simply exhale from the snorkel). The official artwork for Kirby Super Star Ultra shows Kirby actually taking off the snorkel to use the Water Gun, but all games since Kirby's Return to Dream Land have simply removed the snorkel altogether.
- While the Water Gun is usually not usable in boss battles, it can be used to attack Gobbler, Void Soul and Void underwater. It can also be used to indirectly deal damage to Sweet Stuff and Acro in their respective debut games by deflecting certain projectiles back at them.
Gallery[edit]
Artwork of Kirby using the Water Gun from Kirby's Adventure
Artwork of Kirby using the Water Gun from Kirby Super Star
Kirby using the Water Gun in Kirby's Dream Land 2
Artwork of Kirby using the Water Gun from Kirby: Squeak Squad
Artwork of Kirby using the Water Gun from Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby using his Water Gun on a Blipper in Kirby Star Allies
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 水鉄砲 Mizudeppō |
Water gun |
| French | Canon à eau | Water cannon |
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