In addition to his normal attack, Kirby can acquire special powers from certain enemies after inhaling them. To do this, simply press 
after swallowing an enemy, rather than throwing it as a star. Some of these powers are particularly useful and will also allow Kirby to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
FIRE
Kirby can breathe flames, with which he can attack enemies or destroy certain elements. It can also be used to light fuses.
BEAM
Kirby emits a beam of energy in front of him, moving from top to bottom. This weapon can be useful for hitting hard-to-reach spots.
SWORD
Kirby wields a sword with which he can strike enemies like a swordsman. It can also be used underwater. To defeat one of the bosses in the game you will be forced to use this weapon.
CUTTER
Kirby can throw a sharp blade, which moves horizontally and then comes back like a boomerang. This weapon allows him to strike enemies at great distances.
WHEEL
Kirby transforms into a wheel, moving at great speed and eliminating all minor enemies he encounters along the way. Be careful though, because you can't stop, only change direction. If Kirky then crashes into a wall he will be stunned for a few moments.
LASER
Kirby fires a long-range laser, which moves in a straight line. If the laser hits an inclined plane, it will rebound at a 90° angle. It can also light fuses.
SPARK
Kirby emits sparks all around him, damaging enemies who come into contact with the sparks. A good way to defend yourself.
PARASOL
Kirby wields an umbrella, with which he can attack enemies. He can also use the umbrella to glide slowly while in the air. It can be used underwater.
FIREBALL
Kirby transforms into a ball of fire that can charge enemies at great speed, in a straight line even while in the air. He can also light fuses. Be careful though, if Kirby hits a wall he will be stunned for a few moments.
NEEDLE
Kirby will grow spikes, like a porcupine. While he uses this attack, he will be completely still. It is still a good way to defend against enemies attacking from above.
HI-JUMP
With this ability, Kirby can jump very high, while damaging enemies in his path. Very useful both for climbing quickly and for attacking from the bottom up.
STONE
Kirby turns into a stone. If he uses this power while in the air, he will quickly crash to the ground, killing enemies below him. This is a very powerful attack, which can also destroy otherwise indestructible elements. Also, while Kirby is turned into rock, he is invulnerable to enemy attacks.
TORNADO
Kirby begins to swirl around the screen like a tornado, killing any enemies he encounters. He can also soar into the air by holding 
. After the attack, however, Kirby will be vulnerable for a few moments.
HAMMER
Kirby wields a huge hammer, with which he attacks enemies. It is a short-range but very powerful weapon that can destroy some otherwise indestructible elements. It can also be used underwater.
FREEZE
When you acquire this power, Kirby turns blue. He can radiate a freezing temperature from his body, similar to the Spark attack, turning enemies it hits into blocks of ice. You can then push these ice blocks to attack other enemies.
ICE
Similar to the previous power. The difference is that this attack is similar to Fire instead of Spark, but still allows you to freeze enemies into blocks of ice.
BACK DROP When he gains this power, Kirby will still inhale enemies as in the normal attack, but instead of spitting them he will slam them into the ground or throw them in the desired direction, hitting other enemies.
BALL
Kirby turns into a ball. In this form he can jump and bounce higher and higher by holding 
, while killing enemies he comes into contact with.
THROW
After inhaling an enemy, Kirby can throw them in the desired direction. This is a more powerful attack than the normal one, as it doesn't stop when it hits an enemy, but allows you to reach more targets.
SLEEP
This power is completely useless and even dangerous. Kirby will fall asleep for a few seconds, during which time he will be vulnerable to enemy attacks. Avoid acquiring it.
CRASH
The most powerful attack in the entire game. Kirby goes berserk and destroys all enemies on the screen, causing heavy damage to bosses as well. It can only be used once, however, after which Kirby reverts to his normal attack.
MIKE
Kirby attacks all on-screen enemies, chanting shrilly. It's not as powerful as the previous attack (still enough to take out all secondary enemies), but it can be used three times.
LIGHT
You'll find this power only in a couple of dark areas in the game and it simply serves to illuminate the area. It can only be used once.
UFO
The rarest and most captivating attack in the game. Kirby will drive a spaceship, with which he can move wherever he wants on the screen, with perfect precision. The spaceship has four different attacks. By pressing , you will attack with a laser or a beam. Holding down the button and then releasing it moments later will throw a star, just like when you use your normal attack. Instead, holding down for a couple of seconds, releasing it will launch a doubly powerful attack, like when you swallow two enemies. Unfortunately, however, you will only be able to use this power in the level in which you obtained it. When you exit the level you will revert to your normal attack.
Note: If you inhale two enemies at the same time, both with a special power, pressing will start scrolling through all the powers you have already acquired, like in a slot machine. By pressing , you will acquire the power that is currently displayed.