When the alien Magolor’s ship crashlands into Kirby’s home planet of Popstar in Kirby’s Return To Dream Land Deluxe, the eponymous pink protagonist and his friends Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Waddle Dee embark on a journey to help the lost extraterrestrial. While Kirby’s Return To Dream Land Deluxe is a remake of the 2011 platformer, the game retains much of a Kirby game’s staple features, such as Copy Abilities.
Perhaps the main shtick of Kirby’s character, Copy Abilities give Kirby access to various abilities depending on the kind of enemy he swallows. When done correctly, Kirby is able to use special skills against obstacles, enemies, and even difficult bosses. However, for fans who want a successful playthrough of the Dream Land remake, just which abilities should they rely on?
10 Sleep
One of the cutest abilities in the Kirby game, Sleep from Noddy forces Kirby to fall asleep. During this time, Kirby won’t be able to move or wake up except through the game’s strict mechanics. While snoozing, players can mash various directions to have a nose bubble grow and, upon popping, will eventually wake up the main character.
However, aside from the appeal of seeing Kirby sleep in the thick of combat, Sleep is extremely useful in its dual-purpose activation. At its core, popping Sleep’s bubble will not only deal damage to enemies in all directions but also destroy blocks within its range.
9 Wing
Perhaps the most colorful ability in Kirby’s arsenal, Wing in the Kirby game is acquired from the Owgulf or the Wing Copy Essence and gives the main character the ability to fly. At its core, this ability allows Kirby to skirt through most obstacles provided the immediate skies are available for him to explore.
Despite its lack of combat utility, players who want to skip a huge part of the game’s levels can rely on Wing to get the job done. Of course, it’s still helpful for Kirby to have access to a secondary combat ability just in case the ability ends prematurely or the map’s exploration grinds to a halt and requires Kirby to explore more dangerous territory.
8 Tornado
When Kirby swallows a Twister in Return to Dream Land gameplay, he gets access to the Tornado Copy Ability. Thanks to this power, Kirby obtains a raging whirlwind on his head and can pass through opponents more conveniently. Moreover, the ability also provides Kirby with new attacks such as projectiles that can hit enemies above or below Kirby.
However, players do need to pay attention to Tornado as it’s fairly difficult to control. Players need to focus on which direction they would send Kirby with this ability, as not having solid ground to fall on can send this cute character spiraling toward his untimely demise.
7 Spark
Kirby swallowing a Plasma, Elec, and even the attacks of Mid-Boss Dubior and Metal General can provide him with Spark. In the Kirby game, this ability manifests with a layer of electricity appearing as a field around the character, allowing him to protect himself against enemies by shooting various electric projectiles.
This is a crucial ability when it comes to AOE supremacy, especially since enemies coming close to Kirby could be hit more efficiently with its sparks, unlike other area of effect skills. However, the rare nature of this ability does make it difficult to acquire, meaning players need to make use of this Copy Ability as soon as they obtain this from the game’s monsters.
6 Fighter
Perhaps one of the most unique Copy Abilities in the Kirby game, the Fighter Copy Ability can be acquired when swallowing the Knuckle Joe or getting the Fighter Copy Essence. Unlike other abilities with more straightforward attacks, the Fighter instead gives Kirby access to unique combos plus a look signified by his red headband.
With Fighter, Kirby transforms Return to Dream Land into a pseudo-fighting game, giving players access to unique punches, kicks, and techniques that can eliminate enemies quite easily. Players who love fighting games and want to get an experience close to Smash Bros can definitely try securing this Copy Ability
5 Ninja
Players who want to transform a Kirby stage in Return to Dream Land Deluxe into a partial stealth game might want to have Kirby swallow a Moonja. Similar to its appearances in other games, the Ninja Ability grants Kirby access to techniques that let him accomplish stylish takedowns of his foes.
New abilities in Return to Dream Land Deluxe include Stealth Water Gun, Blossom Storm, Smoke Screen, and Stealth Slash. Not to mention, he acquires headgear and a sword that may strike the curiosity of a Naruto fan, especially with his headpiece.
4 Fire
Taking on the adage “Fire is the cleanser,” Return to Dream Land Deluxe has Fire take on the role of another unique environmental ability. Thanks to Fire, Kirby gets the capability of lighting cannons and other flammables on fire to dish out damage to opponents on the battlefield.
More specific to the Kirby game are abilities such as Fireball Jump and Searing Burn alongside the default ability that allows him to breathe fire against his enemies. Players who want to see Kirby searing red with rage with literal fire on top of his head would definitely find this ability oddly appealing.
3 Hammer
Another common Copy Ability in the Kirby game, Hammer allows Kirby to make various interactions in the environment that can trigger special effects. This is acquired when swallowing Bonkers, giving Kirby access to a large hammer and a moveset quite similar to his other abilities.
Breaking blocks and hammering stakes can cause certain things to happen around Kirby to his advantage, making this an invaluable part of his arsenal. Certain stages also give Kirby access to special abilities such as the Grand Hammer from the Super Bonkers that will let the main character destroy much larger stakes and blocks.
2 Sword
A quintessential part of Kirby’s arsenal of Copy Abilities would definitely include Sword, which makes a comeback in Return to Dream Land Deluxe. This Kirby ability, acquired when swallowing the Blade Knight, grants him a hat and a sword akin to Link’s attire and his signature Master Sword alongside a wide variety of slashing techniques. Meanwhile, swallowing the Super Blade Knight gives Kirby access to the much stronger Ultra Sword.
Being one of the first Copy Abilities Kirby would learn in Return to Dream Land Deluxe, it makes sense for Sword to be one of his main priorities. Not only can it break blocks and cut ropes, but it’s also an efficient combat ability. Moreover, Sword is one of the only few Copy Abilities that Kirby can use while swimming, making this skill an extremely integral part of his arsenal.
1 Leaf
Debuting in the original Return to Dream Land title, Leaf has become an ever-reliable part of Kirby’s arsenal. At its core, players obtain this ability when swallowing Bulby and Leafan, both of which don’t exactly provide the toughest of defenses against Kirby in the core gameplay.
At its core, Leaf offers a strong degree of control for players, where they’re able to manifest leaves in a tornado-like fashion to hit multiple foes at once. Likewise, it can create a pile of leaves where Kirby can hide underneath, protecting himself from danger.
Kirby’s Return To Dream Land is currently available on the Nintendo Switch.