Mr. Masahiro Sakurai had the project of making
a new Gameboy game, one for beginning gamers in which any player
could reach the ending. During the production, he would need
to create a dummy, until graphics and later code would be filled
it. The dummy he created, was a funny smiling blob that soon
became the star of the game. Everyone liked the funny little
blob so much, they decided to expand on it. The blob was first
named Popopo, then later Kirby. Rumors spread that Kirby was
named after the famous vacuum company and even one of Nintendo's
lawyers. To this day day, Mr. Sakurai still can't remember how
Kirby ended up being Kirby.
Because Kirby's career started on Gameboy, no one was sure exactly
what color he was. Mr. Sakurai intended for him to be pink,
while Mr. Miyamoto believed he should be yellow. On the 1992
Kirby's Dreamland Box Cover, he was printed as white, but when
Kirby's Adventure came out for NES, he had found his true color
being pink.
For Kirby's next game, Kirby's Adventure on NES, the Kirby team
tackled a concept in which beginners could complete the game,
but also appeal to advanced players. Then the genius idea came
that Kirby could inhale his baddies and copy their ability.
This way, beginners could easily get through the game just swallowing
and shooting, while advanced players could have different options
and choices. This has since become Kirby's signature move and
as he has advanced through the years it only gets better!
Kirby's Friends
Kirby is lucky that he is not alone on his adventures, as he
has tons of friends. All through out Popstar Kirby has friends
and characters he knows. However, you can find more about them
through playing the games, or just checking out our game guides.
Here are a few of Kirby's most impressionable friends.
Gooey
Gooey is Kirby's best friend, however what exactly Gooey
is... your guess is as good as ours!
Rick the Hamster
A cute friend that rules the grassy terrains. Rick has
helped Kirby out a couple of times in his adventures.
Coo the Owl
Coo is a wise and reserved owl that helps Kirby by lifting
him off the ground and flying him around.
Kine the Fish
Kirby's fishy friend is eager to help and makes underwater
predicaments extremely easy for Kirby, which can be
tough work otherwise.
Nago the Cat
Nago is a purrfect friend to Kirby, as he helps in on
the ground with his sneaky moves and abilities. Eager
to lend a hand, Nago has appeared in one adventure.
Chu Chu the Octopus
Chu Chu is an excellent friend both above ground and
under water. From her flying broom ability to natural
underwater skills, she makes a wonderful teammate.
Pitch the Bird
Good things come in small packages, as Pitch proves.
Despite his size Pitch has some unique and powerful
moves. Eager to help Pitch is a valued friend.
Bad Guys
Deep into the heart of the Universe, there is a unique planet
called Popstar. On Popstar, there is a beautiful little place
called Dreamland, where Dreamlanders live a peaceful existence.
They spend their days eating delicious food, napping and then
gathering with friends to tell their dreams. This is Kirby's
homeland.
The Fountain of Dreams is the power of Dreamland. It protects
against nightmares and creates wonderful the wonderful dreams
that the dreamer wishes to his heart's content.
Many things have gone wrong, like King Dedede stealing the star
rod and breaking it to giving a piece to each of his friends.
Without the star rod, not a single dreamlander had a dream.
He once stole all the food from Dreamland because he was greedy,
but more than once he was possessed by the evil Dark Matter,
a being that wishes to take the peaceful, cheerful planet Popstar
and drain it of it's good. King Dedede really isn't that bad,
he's just misunderstood... and easily possessed!
One special Dreamlander, has taken on the tasks and overcome
the obstacles that have been thrown at Popstar, and handled
King Dedede's greed. This Dreamlander is Kirby, the Hero of
Dreams and the protector of Popstar, a title he did not intentionally
earn. Without his friends however, the tasks would have been
a lot harder, maybe even not as victorious
Kirby has met very interesting characters in his travels, with
unique abilities and looks. The most interesting one is Meta
Knight, a heavily armored swordsmen who endlessly challenges
Kirby.
The strangest thing is, when Kirby is victorious in battle against
him, he shows his true form - which is strikingly a lot like
Kirby! Many theories have been made as to who exactly Meta Knight
is, but there are no answers. Some believe he is Kirby's lost
brother, or even an altar ego.
The Future
Kirby has graced every Nintendo console released and with the
Game Cube now the current Nintendo console, more Kirby games
should be coming soon. For so long, Kirby has been a very underrated
Nintendo character, but he proved his weight in cuteness when
he took on the heavy weights in both Super Smash Bros. and it's
sequel, Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Fans have become delighted with the recent news of Kirby - his
own Saturday morning cartoon called Kirby: Right Back at Ya'!
Now on it's 30+ episode and going strong, fans can watch Kirby
every saturday!
Not long after the release of the cartoon, came Kirby: Nightmare
in Dreamland, a re-make of Kirby's Adventure for GBA! Nostalgic
Kirby fans went crazy with the news, and it's still quite a
hot topic. Not to mention the possibility and rumor or a Kirby
game in the works for the Gamecube. The future just gets brighter
and brighter with Kirby, coincidentally happening quite recently.
While Kirby just seems to rise only higher, only time will tell.
The Games
Kirby's Dreamland
System: Gameboy
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: April 1992
Players: 1
Genre: Action
Kirby's Adventure
System: NES
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: May 1993
Players: 1
Genre: Action
Kirby's Pinball Land
System: Gameboy
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: November 1993
Players: 1
Genre: Action/Pinball
Kirby's Dream Course
System: SNES
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 1994
Players: 1-2
Genre: Sports
Kirby's Dreamland 2
System: Gameboy
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 1995
Players: 1
Genre: Action
Kirby's Avalanche
System: SNES
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 1995
Players: 1-2
Genre: Puzzle
Kirby's Star Stacker
System: Gameboy
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 1997
Players: 1
Genre: Puzzle
Kirby Super Star
System: SNES
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 1996
Players: 1
Genre: Action
Kirby Dreamland 3
System: SNES
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 1997
Players: 1
Genre: Action
BS Kirby no Omotya Bako Baseball
System: Satelliview (SNES add on)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 1996 (JAPAN ONLY)
Players: 1-2
Genre: Sports
Kirby No Kirra Kids (Kirby Super Star Stacker)
System: SNES
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 1997 (JAPAN ONLY)
Players: 1
Genre: Action
Super Smash Bros.
System: Nintendo 64
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 1999
Players: 1 - 4
Genre: Fighting
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
System: Nintendo 64
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 2000
Players: 1 (4 for mini games)
Genre: Action
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
System: Gameboy Color
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 2001
Players: 1 (4 for mini games)
Genre: Action
Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland
System: Gameboy Advance
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratory
Released: 2002
Players: 1 (4 for mini games)
Genre: Action
