Kirby: Difference between revisions

|image        = [[File:Kirby KATFL.png|275px|Kirby]]

Official artwork of Kirby from ''{{s|wikirby|Kirby and the Forgotten Land}}''.

|lastappearance= ''{{iw|harddrop|Tetris 99}}'' (2022, cameo via update)

'''Kirby''' ({{ja|カービィ|Kābī}}, ''Kirby'') is the eponymous protagonist of the {{uv|Kirby}} series. A round, pink creature hailing from Planet {{s|wikirby|Popstar}}, he is best known for his ability to {{b|inhale|Kirby}} enemies and [[copy ability|copy]] their abilities, and uses these powers to defend his homeland from various threats ranging from his "arch-frenemy" [[King Dedede]] to outside evil forces such as [[Nightmare]] and {{s|wikirby|Dark Matter}}. He was created by [[Masahiro Sakurai]], who also created the ''{{b|Super Smash Bros.|series}}'' series. As a member of the "[[Fighter#"Perfect-attendance crew"|perfect-attendance crew]]", Kirby has been featured as a playable character throughout the entire ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.

[[File:Kirby (Super Star).png|thumb|left|150px|Official artwork of Kirby from ''{{s|wikirby|Kirby Super Star}}'', depicting his original design. Kirby's current design debuted in ''Smash 64'', and was integrated into the ''Kirby'' games with ''{{s|wikirby|Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards}}''.]]

Kirby is a resident of the yellow, star-shaped planet {{iw|wikirby|Popstar}}, and the planet's consistent hero. His round, pink form is only 20 cm (8 inches) in height, though his dimensions are obviously enlarged in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series. Living in the peaceful kingdom of {{s|wikirby|Dream Land}}, he defends his home against foes such as his "arch-frenemy" [[King Dedede]], and the malevolent, shadowy {{s|wikirby|Dark Matter}}. Kirby is generally depicted with an innocent and easygoing personality, but he is also shown to be determined and heroic when the situation calls for it. While Kirby's species is left unclear, he is not the only one of his kind; multiple Kirby-like beings are known to exist, including [[Meta Knight]], who bears a striking resemblance to him.

Kirby's demeanor is best described as childlike. He is often motivated solely by his instinctual needs to eat and sleep, and depending on his temperament, he may make brash decisions or allow others to take advantage of him. This extends to the point that he is occasionally compared to an infant, especially in the ''{{s|wikirby|Kirby: Right Back at Ya!}}'' anime. His voice, reflecting his nature, is comparable to a toddler learning to speak: mostly incoherent babbling with a very rare short sentence. However, Kirby does show some intelligence that an infant would not possess, particularly in his combat skills and adaptability to the situations he comes across. Kirby is also perceptive of emotions, being able to tell what others are feeling and respond appropriately.

'''Kirby''' makes his first appearance as a [[starter character]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''. Kirby is known for his great recovery, quick attacks which gives him a great combo game, his incredibly fast up tilt, and surprisingly long-range [[Aerial attack|aerials]], all of which place him high in the original game's [[Tier list]], placing 2nd only behind Pikachu. Kirby's trademark move is [[Inhale (Kirby)|Swallow]], which allows him to him suck in enemies caught within the vortex and emulate their neutral [[special attack]].

:*''{{s|wikirby|Kirby's Dream Land}}'' (GB)

:*''{{s|wikirby|Kirby's Pinball Land}}'' (GB)

:*''{{s|wikirby|Kirby Super Star}}'' (SNES)

[[File:Kirby SSBM.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Kirby, as he appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''.]]

For Kirby's return in the GameCube ''Smash'' entry, he gets a redesign and has new attacks, including the {{b|Hammer|move}} as his new side special move. He is still a starter character and is still a floaty, lightweight character that can jump five times in midair. However, Kirby has been severely [[nerf]]ed, losing most of his power, combo ability, and speed from ''Smash 64'', while also being harmed by the game’s faster mechanics overall. As a result, Kirby now heavily struggles to compete against the vast majority, with most of his foes able to shrug off his approaches by overwhelming him with fast attacks and speed or by camping him. These nerfs have landed him in the F tier, rendering him 25th out of 26 characters.

[[File:Kirby SSBB.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Kirby, as he appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.]]

Kirby returns for his third appearance in the Wii version of the ''Smash'' series. He was revealed in all trailers for ''Brawl'' before its release (also being the only character who didn't undergo drastic changes in graphics, as shown by the trailers), and was confirmed on the official website on June 7, 2007.<ref>[http://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_us/characters/kirby.html]</ref> He rounds out the roster again as a starter character and he is no longer the sole playable character from [[Kirby (universe)|his series]] as he is joined by the inclusion of {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} and {{SSBB|King Dedede}}. Kirby has been drastically improved in ''Melee'', having increased reach, speed, power, combo ability, and aerial mobility. These boons have allowed him to be ranked 20th on the current [[tier list]] in D tier as a mid tier.

{| class="wikitable sortable"

! Character(s)

| {{s|wikirby|Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards}}

| {{s|wikirby|Kirby & The Amazing Mirror}}

| {{s|wikirby|Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards}}

| {{SortKey|Kirby Meta Knight King Dedede}}{{Head|Kirby|g=SSBB|s=16px}}{{Head|Meta Knight|g=SSBB|s=16px}}{{Head|King Dedede|g=SSBB|s=16px}}

| {{s|wikirby|Kirby & The Amazing Mirror}}

| {{s|wikirby|Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards}}

| {{SortKey|Kirby Meta Knight King Dedede}}{{Head|Kirby|g=SSBB|s=16px}}{{Head|Meta Knight|g=SSBB|s=16px}}{{Head|King Dedede|g=SSBB|s=16px}}

| {{s|wikirby|Kirby Air Ride}}

| {{SortKey|Kirby Meta Knight King Dedede}}{{Head|Kirby|g=SSBB|s=16px}}{{Head|Meta Knight|g=SSBB|s=16px}}{{Head|King Dedede|g=SSBB|s=16px}}

| {{s|wikirby|Kirby Super Star}}

[[File:Kirby SSB4.png|thumb|right|Kirby as he appears in ''Super Smash Bros. 4''.]]

At ''SSB4'''s initial release, Kirby had been [[nerf]]ed since ''Brawl'', with his overall range being reduced. However, Kirby benefits from general gameplay changes of ''SSB4'', such as the changes to [[hitstun canceling]], which allow him to perform combos more effectively. Kirby was also noticeably [[buff]]ed courtesy of game updates to [[List of updates (SSB4-3DS)|both]] [[List of updates (SSB4-Wii U)|versions]] of ''SSB4'', improving his approach and KO power. However, such updates have not significantly patched up his key flaws, which has resulted in his representation in tournaments being scarce and his tier position being worse than it was in ''Brawl''. He is ranked 50th on the [[tier list]], placing him in the F tier.

[[File:Kirby_SSBU.png|thumb|right|Kirby as he appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.]]

Kirby reappears in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' as a playable fighter. He appears in the World of Light mode as the sole survivor of [[Galeem]]'s initial attack. He can now inhale certain projectiles that could heal or damage him, and his [[dash attack]] is now the [[flame]] variant used in ''Melee''.

*Throughout the series, all of Kirby's [[victory pose]]s have been variations of the {{s|wikirby|Kirby Dance}}, a victory dances he performs upon completing a level or defeating a boss in his home series.

*Kirby uses a different dash attack in each of the first three ''Super Smash Bros.'' games. In ''Super Smash Bros.'', he performs a sliding tackle. In ''Melee'' and ''Ultimate'', he performs the {{s|wikirby|Burning}} ability's attack. In ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4'', he performs the {{s|wikirby|Yo-yo}} ability's Break Spin from ''Kirby Super Star''.