Basic controls
SNES Controls | DS Controls | Action |
---|---|---|
or | or | Hold to walk. To dash, double-tap and hold on the second tap. |
Climb up a ladder or enter a doorway. | ||
Climb down a ladder or duck. | ||
or | Press to make Kirby jump. While in the air, tap it repeatedly to fly. While in in "fly" mode, you will descend slower, but can't use regular attacks. Press the attack button to release a buff of air and return to normal. | |
Without an ability, hold this to inhale an enemy. Press when Kirby has inhaled an enemy to make him swallow and gain its ability, or press again to exhale them as a lethal projectile.
When you have an ability, press this button to use its powers. See Kirby Super Star/Abilities for more information on how to use different abilities. | ||
If you have:
| ||
N/A | In the SNES version, this opens up a game-specific menu. In the Great Cave Offense, it shows your collected treasures. In Milky Way Wishes, it shows your collected abilities. In the DS version, this information is instead given on the bottom screen while you play. | |
or | or | Kirby guards. This can block or diminish the damage of most attacks Kirby is hit with. Kirby can guard against most melee-type attacks, but range attacks are more likely to penetrate it. Attacks that grab or throw Kirby can always completely penetrate his guard. |
Pauses the game, and shows an explanation of the ability Kirby currently carries. | ||
N/A | In the DS version only, Kirby loses his ability, turning it into a star. The star can be inhaled and swallowed to regain the ability, if you choose to do so.}} |
Advanced Techniques
Kirby's initial jump can "headbutt" enemies or obstacles above him. This usually only has much effect on falling obstacles. When he falls from a great distance, Kirby will headbutt downwards too.
If Kirby inhales two enemies at once, things are a little different. If he spits them out as a projectile star, the star will deal more damage, and pass through multiple enemies. If both enemies have an ability when Kirby swallows them, he'll gain a random ability, usually different from the ones he swallowed.
If the Kirby-player presses while it seems he's about to land on a Helper's head, Kirby will take a huge leap upwards. This is more convenient than flying at times, and his upwards-headbutt seems to be more powerful too.
If the helper holds underneath Kirby while Kirby is in fly mode, they'll latch on to Kirby's feet. Kirby becomes heavier, but this helps Helpers reach higher distances since they can't fly as far as Kirby.
In the DS version: When you release after a dash, Kirby takes a few steps before coming to a complete stop. Normally this isn't a problem, but it can make some boss battles a hassle. You can tap in the opposite direction to make him stop faster.