Kirby (series) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kirby
Logo since 2022
Genres	Action platform
Developers	HAL Laboratory Good-Feel Flagship Dimps Arika Compile Banpresto Vanpool Nintendo R&D1 Nintendo R&D2
Publishers	Nintendo
Creators	Masahiro Sakurai
Platforms	Game Boy NES SNES Nintendo 64 Game Boy Color GameCube Game Boy Advance Nintendo DS Wii Nintendo 3DS Wii U Nintendo Switch
First release	Kirby's Dream Land April 27, 1992
Latest release	Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe February 24, 2023

The Kirby video game series is a super fun set of action and platform games. It's made by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. The games are all about Kirby, a cute pink hero. He lives on a faraway planet called Popstar. Kirby always tries to protect his home from all sorts of dangers.

Most Kirby games are side-scrolling adventures. This means you move from left to right across the screen. They mix puzzle-solving with beat 'em up action. Kirby has a special power: he can inhale enemies and objects! He can then spit them out like a projectile. Or, he can eat them. If he eats certain enemies, he gets their powers. These are called Copy Abilities. They give him new weapons or skills.

The Kirby games are designed to be easy to learn. Even if you don't play many action games, you can pick them up quickly. But they also offer extra challenges for experienced players. This makes them fun for everyone! The Kirby series has 39 games. It has sold over 40 million copies around the world. This makes it one of Nintendo's most popular game series.

Discover Kirby's Gameplay

Kirby can gain the properties of enemies or objects he eats– for example, by inhaling a sword-wielding foe, Kirby gains the Sword ability.

The main Kirby games are action-packed platformers. You play as Kirby, a round, pink hero. Your goal is to run, jump, and attack enemies. You'll explore many different areas. Along the way, you'll solve puzzles and fight big bosses.

Kirby's most famous power is his ability to inhale. He can suck up objects and enemies, even big ones! He can then spit them out as a weapon. Or, he can swallow them. When Kirby swallows certain enemies, he gains a Copy Ability. This lets him use that enemy's special skill. For example, if he eats an enemy that breathes fire, Kirby can then breathe fire too!

Kirby can also float. He takes in air to inflate himself and fly. In most games, he can fly for as long as he wants. However, his attack options become limited while flying.

Hidden Items and Unique Levels

Kirby games often have hidden items. These items can unlock new parts of the game. Sometimes, they are just fun to collect. Often, you need to find all of them to reach 100% completion. These special items are usually important to the story. They might be used to create a special weapon. This weapon helps you defeat the final boss. In some games, this weapon is optional. You can even use it regularly after beating the boss. These core ideas stay the same in most games. Each game adds its own special twist.

Every Kirby game features unique areas. These include fiery mountains, green grasslands, and icy snowfields. You'll also find watery areas and other natural places.

Spin-off Games

The Kirby series also has many spin-off games. These games explore different types of video games. You can find Kirby pinball, puzzle, and racing games. Some even use motion controls. Many of these spin-off games use Kirby's round shape in fun ways.

Meet the Kirby Characters

The main hero of the series is Kirby. He lives in Dream Land, a peaceful kingdom. Dream Land is on a star-shaped planet called Popstar. Life in Dream Land is usually calm and happy. But when trouble comes, it's up to Kirby to save his home. He protects everyone who lives there from threats. These threats can come from Popstar or from outer space!

Main Characters

Many characters appear in the Kirby series. They can be friends or enemies.

• King Dedede is a big, blue penguin-like bird. He calls himself the ruler of Dream Land. He's very greedy and loves to eat! King Dedede has been in almost every Kirby game. Sometimes, he fights Kirby because he's selfish. Other times, he's being controlled by a bigger bad guy. But when a truly dangerous threat appears, he often teams up with Kirby to save the day.

• Meta Knight is a mysterious knight. He wears a cool mask and is similar to Kirby in size. He wants to fight the strongest warrior in the galaxy. When he fights Kirby, he almost always offers Kirby a sword. This makes sure the fight is fair. We don't know much about his past. His face looks like Kirby's, but their exact connection is a mystery.

• Waddle Dees are common creatures on Popstar. They appear in every Kirby game. They can be friendly or sometimes attack you. In Kirby and the Forgotten Land, they are friendly. You need to rescue them from cages. They are a main collectible in that game.

• Bandana Waddle Dee is a special Waddle Dee. He wears a blue bandana and often uses a spear. He sometimes helps Kirby on his adventures. He's even a playable character in some games. You can play as him in Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Kirby's Return to Dream Land.

How Kirby Games Were Made

Early Games and New Powers (1992–1999)

Kirby's Dream Land, released in 1992 for the Game Boy, was the first game in the series.

The very first Kirby game was Kirby's Dream Land. It came out in 1992 for the Game Boy. This simple game had five levels. It showed off Kirby's ability to inhale enemies. But in this game, he couldn't yet gain Copy Abilities. The game also had a harder "Extra Game" mode. Fun fact: the North American box art showed a white Kirby, but he was always pink in the game!

The second game, Kirby's Adventure, came out in 1993 for the NES. This game was a big step! It gave Kirby his famous Copy Abilities. He could gain special powers by eating certain enemies. There were 25 different abilities to use. These powers would last until Kirby got hit or you chose a new one. This game also made sure Kirby was always pink. Kirby's Adventure had amazing graphics and sound for an NES game.

After these first games, many spin-off Kirby titles appeared. These included Kirby's Pinball Land (1993) and Kirby's Dream Course (1994), a golf-like game. Kirby's Avalanche (1995) was a puzzle game.

Kirby's Dream Land 2 (1995) brought Copy Abilities to the Game Boy. It also introduced animal friends like Rick the hamster and Coo the owl. These friends changed how Kirby's abilities worked. This game also brought in Dark Matter, a recurring bad guy.

Kirby Super Star (1996) for the SNES was a collection of seven different games. It introduced "Helpers." You could create a Helper from your Copy Ability to fight alongside you.

Entering the World of 3D (2000–2004)

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, introduced 3D graphics to the series, while retaining the classic 2D side-scrolling gameplay.

The first Kirby game with 3D graphics was Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. It came out in 2000 for the Nintendo 64. This game let you combine two Copy Abilities to make new, powerful ones! It also let you play as King Dedede and a Waddle Dee in certain parts.

In 2000, Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble came out for the Game Boy Color. This was one of Nintendo's first games to use motion controls. You tilted the Game Boy Color to move Kirby!

Kirby Air Ride (2003) for the GameCube was a racing game. It was very different from other Kirby games. But it still had Kirby's enemies and Copy Abilities.

In 2002, Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land was released. It was a remake of Kirby's Adventure for the Game Boy Advance. It had updated graphics and sound. It also added a new mode where you could play as Meta Knight.

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror (2004) for the Game Boy Advance was unique. It was a Metroidvania-style game. All the levels were connected, and you could explore them in any order. You could even call up to three other Kirbys to help you!

Touch and Yarn Adventures (2005–2011)

Kirby: Canvas Curse, released in 2005 for the Nintendo DS, introduced touch-based gameplay to the series.

Kirby: Canvas Curse (2005) for the Nintendo DS changed things up. You didn't control Kirby directly. Instead, you used the stylus to draw paths on the touch screen. Kirby would roll along these paths.

Kirby: Squeak Squad (2006) also on the Nintendo DS, brought back traditional Kirby gameplay. But it used the touch screen to let you store items and Copy Abilities in Kirby's stomach. You could also find scrolls to upgrade your abilities.

Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008) was a remake of Kirby Super Star for the Nintendo DS. It added seven new games to the original nine. It also had updated graphics and cool animated scenes.

Kirby's Epic Yarn (2010) for the Wii had a unique look. Kirby and the world were made of yarn! This game started as a different idea. But Nintendo decided to make it a Kirby game.

Kirby Mass Attack (2011) for the Nintendo DS was another unique game. You controlled multiple copies of Kirby using the touch screen.

Return to Classic Fun (2011–2021)

Kirby's Return to Dream Land, released in 2011 for the Wii, returned traditional platforming gameplay to the series – the first in a home console since Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2000) – featuring local multiplayer up to 4 players.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land (2011) for the Wii brought back classic Kirby gameplay. It also allowed up to four players to play together! Players could choose to be Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, or Bandana Waddle Dee.

In 2012, Kirby's Dream Collection was released for the Wii. This was a special collection to celebrate Kirby's 20th Anniversary. It included six classic Kirby games. It also had new challenge stages and a history section.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe (2014) for the Nintendo 3DS added a cool feature. Kirby could move between the foreground and background of the levels. It also had fun mini-games like Kirby Fighters and Dedede's Drum Dash.

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (2015) for the Wii U was a sequel to Kirby: Canvas Curse. It had a similar drawing gameplay style.

Kirby: Planet Robobot (2016) for the Nintendo 3DS introduced Kirby's Robobot Armor. This giant robot suit gave Kirby new ways to fight and solve puzzles. It also had two new mini-games: Kirby 3D Rumble and Team Kirby Clash.

For Kirby's 25th Anniversary in 2017, three new Kirby games were announced for the 3DS. These were Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, Kirby's Blowout Blast, and Kirby Battle Royale.

Kirby Star Allies (2018) for the Nintendo Switch brought back the "Helper System." Kirby could throw "Friend Hearts" to turn enemies into allies. You could also summon "Dream Friends" like King Dedede and Meta Knight to help you.

Full 3D Adventures (2022–Present)

In 2022, Kirby and the Forgotten Land was released for the Nintendo Switch. This was the first true 3D main Kirby game! It became the best-selling game in the series. This game also introduced Kirby's new logo.

Kirby's Dream Buffet (2022) is a fun multiplayer party game for the Nintendo Switch. In 2023, a remake of Kirby's Return to Dream Land was released. It's called Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch. It has new abilities and a cool comic book-like art style.

Games

Kirby's Legacy and Appearances

Crossovers with Other Games

Left to right: Meta Knight, King Dedede and Kirby in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Kirby is a playable character in Nintendo's popular fighting game series, Super Smash Bros.. He has been in every single game in the series! Meta Knight and King Dedede also joined the fight starting with Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Many items from the Kirby series appear in Super Smash Bros.. These include the Maxim Tomato, Warp Star, and Star Rod. Characters like Knuckle Joe and Chef Kawasaki can also be summoned to help. All Kirby characters in Smash Bros. can jump many times in the air!

Kirby has also made small appearances in other games. You might spot him in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, EarthBound, and Mario Kart 8. If you scan a Kirby Amiibo figure in Mario Kart 8, you can unlock a Kirby costume for your Mii character!

The Kirby Café

In 2016, the "Kirby Café" opened in Japan. It's a restaurant chain themed all around Kirby! There are two permanent locations in Japan. One is in Tokyo, and the other is in Fukuoka. The café has also had many temporary locations since 2016.

Other Media for Kirby Fans

Kirby's Anime Show

The Kirby games inspired a Japanese animated TV series. It first aired in Japan in 2001. It was called Hoshi no Kirby. In North America, it was known as Kirby: Right Back at Ya!. The show ran for 100 episodes until 2003.

The show follows Kirby's adventures with his friends Tiff and Tuff. Kirby crash-lands in Dream Land (also called Cappy Town). He is a legendary Star Warrior. He is meant to save the universe from a bad guy named Nightmare. But Kirby woke up too early. So, he's still like a child, and his powers aren't fully grown.

King Dedede, the ruler of Dream Land, gets jealous of Kirby. He often orders monsters from Nightmare's company, Nightmare Enterprises. He tries to get rid of Kirby. Nightmare Enterprises looks like a delivery company. But it's really a front for Nightmare's plan to take over the galaxy. Kirby has to learn to use his amazing powers. His friends help him, and sometimes Meta Knight secretly trains him.

The show uses characters and ideas from the games. But it tells its own unique story.

Comics, Manga, and Books

Kirby also stars in several manga (Japanese comics) series. Many different artists have drawn them.

The longest-running Kirby manga is Kirby of the Stars: The Story of Dedede Who Lives in Pupupu. It was published from 1994 to 2006. It sold over 10 million copies! This series was later published in English as Kirby Manga Mania.

Since 2013, a series of novels based on Kirby have been published in Japan. They are written by Mie Takase.

See also

In Spanish: Kirby (serie) para niños