Kirby's Rainbow Resort

Plas Durock, general awesome guy and furry friend to the Resort, has taken the painstaking time to go through and analyze every ability in Super Star Ultra, giving execution, notes, damage amounts, and changes from the previous version of the game. That's either devotion or a cry for help, folks. Furthermore, some additional notes on the game physics are listed at the bottom of the page.

Copy abilities

This is a layout to how the Ability Guide is written. Here, the Pause Screen Flavor Text is written for each power.

Button Input or execution - Technique Names (Previous damage amount/Ultra damage [per hit])

Special notes of interest or change are placed here at the end.

Ice

Freeze foes with Icy breath! Kick Ice cubes into others! When you dash, you skate!

Dash - Skate (0/0)
B - Ice Breath (16/18)
B in Air - Ice Sprinkle (18/18)
Dash + B in Air - Super Ice Sprinkle (14/14)
Dash + Hold B or BBB - Ice Storm (20/20)
Any Direction + B near Enemy - Ice Suction (Kill/Kill)
Ice Suction + B - Ice Ejection (70/70)
Tap Frozen Enemy - Ice Kick (0/0)

The Ice part of the cap appears crystalline.
Kirby sometimes does a twist like a figure skater when dashing.
There are more objects that ice can freeze.
Ice Storm can now be done indefinitely.
Ice Suction has longer invincibility frames.

Plasma

Tap the + Control pad to make and store an electric charge!

Plasma shots go through walls.

Rotate D-Pad - Charge (0/0)
No Charge + B - Plasma Needle (5/8)
(additional sparking) - Spark (4/4)
Level 1 Charge + B - Plasma Arrow (15/10)
Level 2 Charge + B - Plasma Spark (30/30)
Level 3 Charge + B - Plasma Laser (32/32)
Full Charge - Plasma Barrier (6/6)
Full Charge + B - Plasma Wave (40/40)
(released from Plasma Wave) - Sparks (40/16)

Kirby is recolored green, and the hat appears as a green flame with sparks of electricity.
Plasma's barrier is able to absorb more attacks.
Charging plasma takes slightly longer.
Plasma Spark has slightly more range.
The back sparks during Plasma Wave comes out at a different angle, so they can't break blocks below Kirby anymore.

Yo-Yo

This isn't just any yo-yo!

Swing up and down, or break spin!

Try 'em all to look cool!

B - Yo-Yo Throw (16/16)
Dash + B - Break Spin (10/10)
Up + B - Yo-Yo Up (18/18)
Down + B - Yo-Yo Down (18/18)
Dash + B in Air - Jump Spin (12/12)
Any Direction + B - Hammer Drop (60/60)
Up Down + B - Gazer Spiral (6/6)
(surrounding Gazer Spiral) - Stars (26/26)

The rotation periods and invincibility for both spin techniques is shorter.
Yo-yo has a harmless glitch dubbed "Gazer Flip". It occurs when Kirby does Gazer Spiral on the very edge of a cliff.

Bomb

Grab a bomb and hold the button to set the throw angle.

Toss it and it'll go Ka-BOOM!

B - Ready Bomb (*/*)
Ready Bomb + B - Bomb Throw (*/*)
Hold + B - Change Angle Thrown (*/*)
Dash + A, Y + B - Aerial Straight Throw (*/*)
Dash + B - Straight Throw (*/*)
B near Foe - Bomb Drop (*/*)
Down + B - Bomb Set (*/*)
(direct hit) - Bomb Impact (16/16)
(resulting blast) - Explosion (26/26)

The aerial straight throw carried over from Amazing Mirror.
All attacks made with Bomb cause the same damage.
The damage depends on hitting with the explosive or the burst.

Sword

You wield the king of blades! At full health you shoot beams!

Show your sword mastery!

B - Chop (18/16)
B with full health - Sword beam (16/16)
B After Chop - Uppercut (18/16)
BBB - Multisword Attack (6/8)
Dash + B - Stab (12/12)
Dash + B in air - Sword Spin (12/12)
B in air - Chop (22/22)
(follows Chop) - Thrust (16/16)
Down + B in Air - Down Thrust (24/24)

Kirby holds out a silver sword at all times.
The thrust technique (which follows a missed air chop) sticks out longer.
The Sword spin technique is performed faster, does fewer hits, but can be used twice in the air, or once on the ground if timed right.
The stab technique grants invincibility and pushes Kirby through enemies.
Kirby's hop during the multisword combo is shorter.

Fire

Burn bright with fire power! Light the fuse! Yow! Hot!

You're on fire, man! Yow!

B - Fire breath (5/6)
Fire Breath + D-pad - Aim Fire (5/6)
Hold B & pull back - Fireball Inferno (40/40)
Dash + B - Burn (16/20~22)
B in Air - Fireball Spin (16/16)
B Prior to landing - Fireball Roll (18/18)

The fire hat now looks fiery! What even was it before? Feathers?
Fire breath now has a wider stream.
The Fireball wall bounce, gives slightly more height.
Fireball Inferno now cancels without exhaling flames.

Wing

Midair spins and shuttle loops!

Spread your wings and fly, little Kirby! Doesn't that feel good?

B - Feather Gun (6/6)
Dash + B - Condor Heading (10~12/10~12)
Down + B in Air - Bomber Head (12/12)
(impact after Bomber Head) - Shock Wave (unlisted) (18/18)
Dash, Jump, Down + B - Condor Dive (18/18)
(Condor Dive/Bomber head + Ground Impact) - Shock Wave (26/26)
Any Direction + B near Foe - Toss (0/0)
B After Toss - Shuttle Loop (16/16)
A or Y in Air - Hover Flap (4/4)

The Feather Gun has longer range.
Condor Heading and Bomber Head can hit more than once.
The shock wave from Bomber Head and Condor Dive has more range.

Cutter

Throw a boomerang all over! Slash! Jab! Strike!

You can even cut ropes!

B - Cutter Throw (10/12)
Dash + B - Cutter Dash (18/18)
Hold B in the air - Sweep Cutter (15/22)
Down + B in air - Cutter Drop (22/22)
B near foe - Cleaving Cutter (4/4)
BBB near foes - Non Stop Cutter & Final Cutter (4/4)
(following strike of Non Stop Cutter) - (8/8)
(final strike of Non Stop Cutter) - (32/32)

Cutter Combos are glitched on Whispy Woods and are easily interrupted.
Cutters combos are interrupted if enemies are moved away during the attack.

Mirror

This mirror has odd powers! Deflect projectiles or project doubles of yourself!

B - Mirror Cut (22/22)
Hold B - Reflect Force (12/12)
Dash + B - Mirror Body (19/19)
L or R - Reflect Guard (1/1)
(reflected objects) - (~40/~40)

"Revenge" type bosses Mid-bosses, have attacks that do chip damage through Mirror Guard.

Beam

Flail this beam like a whip. It has many useful attacks.

Try to store up a super shot!

B - Beam Whip (5/8)
Dash + B - Cycle Beam (16~18/16~18)
Dash + B in air - Beam Blast (16~20/16~20)
Any direction near Foe + B - Capture Beam (60/60)
Hold B + Release - Wave Beam (25/30)

Beam Whip has more range.
Beam Blast launches Kirby a bit higher and stalls his decent; it can now be used more times before he lands.

Fighter

Hi-yaa! Hold the B button longer for a stronger blow!

That punch is an instant KO!

B (Tap) - Vulcan Jab (5/5)
B (Hold) - Smash Punch (22/20)
Dash B (Tap) - Leg Sweep (6/6)
Dash B (Hold) - Spin Kick (10/20)
(following Spin Kick hit) - (*/8)
B in Air (Tap) - Down Kick (18/18)
B in Air (Hold) - Double Kick (22/20)
Up + B (Hold) - Rising Break (4/4~6)
Any Direction + B near Foe - Grab (0/0)
Grab + B - Arm Throw (70/70)
Grab + Any (behind or down) Direction - Judo Throw (80/80)

Down Kick can fall through multiple blocks and looks different.
Spin Kick gets a second hit.
Leg sweep now knocks foes forward instead of up.
Smash punch and double kick have increased range.
Rising Break can hit more.

Parasol

Guard against falling objects! Twirl to attack or just drift.

Or do a parasol throw!

(collision with Parasol while standing) - (6/6)
B - Parasol Swing (16~18/16~18)
(sprayed droplets) - Water Drops (12/12)
Hold B - Parasol Shield (8/8)
Dash + B - Parasol Drill (4~18/4~18)
Down + B in air - Parasol Dive (28/28)
Any Direction near foe - Circus Throw (*/*)
(enemy taken) - Grab (Death/Death)
(enemies struck) - Throw (60/60)
Drop - Parasol Drift (6/6)
Down while dropping - Drift Stall (0/0)

Idle Parasol and Parasol Shield can block more attack.
Parasol Drill's damage depends on speed and distance of the attack.
Like in Nightmare in Dreamland, Kirby Auto-Drifts when falling.

Stone

Pound! Pound! CRUSH!

Change into many heavy forms. When on a slope, you'll sliiiide.

B - Stone Change (*/*)
B in Air - Stone Smash (55/50)
Dash + B - Turbo Stone (26/32)
BBB - Stone Hop (*/50)
(from pounding) - Stars (16/20)

Stone has several new transformations.
Kirby rises when coming out of stone and can immediately inflate because of this.
Stone has a larger hit box making it even safer.
Stone Forms include: Mario Statue, Samus Aran Statue, Body Builder Statue, Star Stone, 8 Ton Weight, Kirby Statue, Rick Statue, Coo Statue, Kine Statue, Bricks, Mt. Fuji, Hal Logo, Iron Fist, Thudd

Wheel

Roll to be nearly invincible or ride a Wheel Helper!

Beware thorns and holes.

B - Dash (Stop Dash/16)
Dash + A or Y - Brake (0/0)
Dash + Hold A or Y - Slow Down (0/0)
Dash + Backwards - Turn (14/18)
Dash + Turn - Turn Jump (12/16)
A, Y (Wheelie Rider) - Rider Jump (0/0)
Up + A, X, or Y (Wheelie Rider) - Dismount (0/0)
B (Wheelie Rider, 2nd Player) - Star Bullets (52/52)

Turn Jump can break blocks.
Wheel lost the ability to do a grinding start on foes.
Wheel can no longer "park" against a wall.

Jet

Strap Jet power to your back!

Hold B button to change, then let go and hit Mach 5!

Hold B - Store Power (0/0)
(while charging) - Engine Flames (6/10)
Release B - Jet Kick (14/14)
Release B in air - Jet Headbutt (22/22)
Max Power + Release B - Jet Dash (30/30)
Jet Dash + B - Jet Cracker (45/45)
Any Direction + Release B near for - Jet Blow (60/60)
Max Power + Jet Blow - Rocket Dive (80/80)
Store Power + Guard or A or Y - Hold Charge (0/0)
A or Y in air - Hover (0/0)
Max Power + A or Y in air - Ultra Jet Jump (10/10)
(from release) - Explosion (26/26)

Jets charges up more quickly.
Attacks depend on storing charge.
The flame on Jet's engine can break blocks.
Rocket Dive can be used to 1HKO certain bosses.
Rocket Dive has a shorter recovery.
Jet cracker has more range and a wider spread.
Ultra Jet Jump can break blocks above Kirby.

Suplex

This burns with fighting spirit! Grab foes and throw 'em!

Learn all 8 throws to be a champ!

B - Dash Grab (0/0)
Dash + B - Turbo Dash Grab (0/0)
Down + B in Air - Pinpoint Kick (16/16)
B when Grabbing - Fury Stomp (*/*)
(enemy grabbed) - (50/50)
(enemies struck) - (70/70)
B Near Foe - Lift (0/0)
Grab + Up - Back breaker (*/*)
(enemy grabbed) - (50/50)
(enemies struck) - (70/70)
Grab + Down - Body Slam (*/*)
(enemy grabbed) - (50/50)
(enemies struck) - (70/70)
Grab + Forward - Pile Driver (*/*)
(enemy grabbed) - (50/50)
(enemies struck) - (60/60)
Grab + Back - Big Suplex (*/*)
(enemy grabbed) - (50/50)
(enemies struck) - (60/60)
Grab + B - Torrent Lariat (*/*)
(enemy grabbed) - (50/50)
(enemies struck by swing) - Punch (60/60)
(enemies struck by thrown) - (70/70)
Grab + A or Y - Rock Drop (*/*)
(enemy grabbed) - (50/50)
(enemies struck) - (60/60)
All but Down in air - Air Body Slam (*/*)
(enemy grabbed) - (70/70)
(enemies struck) - (60/70)
Down in Air - Plunge Body Slam (*/*)
(enemy grabbed) - (70/70)
(enemies struck) - (90/90)

The damage for most Suplex techniques depends on whether the enemy is captured by the move or hit with the captured enemy.
Suplex has a glitch that crashes the game in the Dynablade sub-game on the Peanut Plains stage.
The Pinpoint Kick auto-cancels after falling for a certain distance.

Hammer

This hammer packs a wallop! Punish stakes and blocks!

When it's on fire, foes beware!

B - Hammer (30/34)
Dash + B - Hammer Swing (12~26/12~28)
B in air - Giant Swing (14~20/34)
Dash + B in air - Ultra Giant Swing (14~20/16)
Up + B - Hammer Flip (80/80)
(while Flip charges) - Charging Flames (4~16/16)
(from Flip) - Fireball (*/80)
Dash + X - Hammer Throw (80/80)

Kirby wears a bandanna with blue and white stripes.
The basic attack is performed faster and has less lag.
Hammer Swing's damage depends on your direction.
Hammer Flip is faster and has a fireball that gives it more range.
The fireball go through floors and walls.
The Hammer Swing can do more hits.

Ninja

Hide in shadows and darkness.

Use ninja skills on your mission. You're a ninja! A NINJA! Cool...

B - Knife Throw (7/7)
Hold B - Slash (unlisted) (22/25)
Hold B Longer - Quad Shock (23/24)
Dash + B - Dash Attack (6/6)
Down + B in air - Ninja Kick (14/18)
Any Direction + B near foe - Air Drop (*/*)
(enemy held) - (50/50)
(enemies struck) - (60/60)
Take Damage + B - Hide Guard (26/26)
Push on Wall in air - Wall Cling (0/0)
Wall Cling + A or Y - Wall Jump (0/0)

Kunai are thrown slower.
Hide Guard damages foes when vanishing and reappearing.
Dash Attack pushes foes into the rest of the attack.

Copy

Use a strange light to analyze and then copy foes' abilities.

Might you learn weird ones?

B (Kirby only) - Analyze Beam (18/10)
B - Steal (18/18)
Hold B & release - Cat Magnum (*/28)
X - Discard Copy Ability (0/0)
L/R - TAC Hide (0/0)

Kirby can only use Analyze Beam. All other controls are for the TAC helper only.
Analyze beam got a decrease in damage.
The helper received an extra technique.
TAC's Punch comes out slower at a range, but up close he can punch rapidly.
Cat Magnum is basically a charged version of TAC's standard attack.

Crash

KO all foes with a big BOOM!

But be careful. This ultimate weapon has only 1 charge.

B - Crash Fireball (160/160)

Kirby's animation for crash is a bit different. Lightning surrounds Kirby and then comes out of his four limbs, he then he rises slowly while spinning which is followed by a destructive bright flash filled with rising stars.

Sleep

Just a li'l while longer...

...Please. Let me sleep...

Auto Use - Sleep (0/0)

There are no significant differences with sleep.

Paint

Now's your chance to use it! A special one time copy ability!

Paint the town all of 7 colors!

B - Paint Out (70/70)

Paint's attack animation has changed, Kirby rises and splatters the screen with paint and then waves the brush in front of him in crossing patterns.

Cook

What's on today's menu?

Put all your foes into the pot and stew them to perfection!

B - Cook Pot (Death/Death)

Cook Notes:
The golden pots takes on the appearance it had as a Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Mike

Owowow! Oh, yeah-ah!

Yabba jabba yeah yeah yeah!

Sing 3 times to silence all...

B (1st) - Megaphone (40/40)
B (2nd) - Desk Mike (60/60)
B (3rd) - Stand Mike (80/80)

Kirby sounds differently than he did in KSS.

Additonal Mechanics Changes

Also covered are some general game mechanics, which are worth pointing out:

Ultra's physics and mechanics are a mix between the original Kirby Super Star and the Kirby & The Amazing Mirror.
Grab techniques are easier to pull off and enemies produce more objects and projectiles that can be grabbed.
Button presses are much more lenient on timing in KSSU than KSS.
Unlike KSS, some abilities have Aerial Dash Attacks that can't be canceled by resetting the D-Pad to neutral.
Like in Kirby Super Star, spitting after dashing increases the damage of star bullets.
Also like in Super Star, on Kirby's first jump, he has brief invincibility frames from the head butt action.