Kirby's Return to Dream Land/Abilities

By inhaling and swallowing a small foe, certain projectiles, or a Mid-Boss, as well as when touching a Copy Essence, (a) Kirby receives the corresponding Copy Ability. Most of these abilities have a broad moveset, following the trend of Kirby Super Star. Any of the regular Copy Abilities can be obtained via a mix when swallowing 3 or more foes. Abilities can be discarded by pressing, as well as stolen from other Kirbys by swalloing them. Taking damage can knock off an ability, in which cases an ability star that can be inhaled again bounces around.

The other three playable characters have movesets that are similar to certain abilities. However, they are unable to change their movesets. Standing on top of any of the four main characters, charging a guard with and releasing it at the same time creates a powerful attack that differs depending on the character at the bottom and number of players stacked.

In addition to regular Copy Abilities, enhanced versions of five of the abilities appear as Super Abilities. These abilities have a set timer, cannot be retrieved once discarded, but can defeat foes or even Mid-Bosses in one attack and break certain otherwise unbreakable stage elements, which always leads to a dimensional rift which strips all Kirbys of their abilities.