Kirby might just be the best character in Melee. Many Smash Bros. players say Kirby had an unfair advantage in the original game, mostly due to his powerful throw and the ability to float, so HAL has tweaked the pink fluff a bit and given him some worthwhile opposition with the equally nimble Peach. Yes, it is Peach. You read right. Just like in the original, Kirby can hover, suck in his opponents, copy their abilities, and pull off his dreaded "Stone" drop attack.

However, he's also picked up a few new tricks along the way. For starters, Kirby can pull out a huge hammer and whack his opponent if he's close. And as far as the drop attack goes, Kirby can now actually transform into new forms as he is falling, such as a spiky ball or a stone block.

Gameplay Tips

Kirby has remained largely in tact from the original Super Smash Bros. Melee. He can still float for what seems like miles, and thanks to his small size and agility he's a hard target. As indicated, most of his attacks are largely the same. So his most powerful attack is still his morphing stone attack (Down + B). You can drop from high above the stage and slam into unsuspecting foes. It leaves him vulnerable for throws, but it's definitely one of those attacks that can still be abused. As well, Kirby has the all-important ability to steal opponents powers by sucking them in like a vacuum with the B-button. With 25 different characters total to play, Kirby has a volumes of attacks to steal. This is definitely one of his most valuable attacks, as you can turn a foe's weakness into your strength. Kirby steals the following B attacks from his opponents. Be sure to read the other character profiles for more on these moves.

Dr. Mario: Megavitamins

Mario: Fireball

Luigi: Fireball

Peach: Toad

Bowser: Fire Breath

Yoshi: Egg Lay

Donkey Kong: Giant Punch

C. Falcon: Falcon Punch

Ganondorf: Warlock Punch

Ness: PK Flash

Falco: Blaster

Fox: Blaster

Ice Climbers: Ice Shot

Samus: Charge Shot

Zelda: Nayru's Love

Sheik: Needle Storm

Link: Bow

Young Link: Fire Bow

Pichu: Thunder Jolt

Pikachu: Thunder Jolt

Jigglypuff: Rollout

Mewtwo: Shadow Ball

Mr. Game & Watch: Chef

Marth: Shield Breaker

Roy: Flare Blade

Kirby's ability to fly gives him the distinct advantage in the air. He can easily maneuver himself into place to drop onto foes or attack them in midair. However, his Forward+A attack in the air is very weak. As an alternative, try to use his Up + A and Back + A attacks. Kirby also has his Final Cutter (Up + B) attack which can be very effective for getting yourself out of sticky situations. If you feel threatened in the air use it or when you're on the ground, if you're close enough attack with it to send foes flying away.

Kirby comes with some new moves too. His hammer is all new to the fighting series and it is definitely very handy. In midair he can pull out his hammer for a wild spin attack, but on the ground he can really position himself to deliver a smash hit. Take note that your distance from your opponent drastically affects this Forward+B hammer smash. At the farthest distance possible can take away a lot of damage, but at close range it is fairly weaker. This makes sense, as in close range you hit them with the handle and not the hammer's head. Another new attack is Kirby's fireball attack. It's his Dash+A attack and he sends himself straight across the screen like a meteor. Anyone in his path will be burned. The attack is very weak, though, so it's mostly useful for evasion or slowly racking up damage points on opponents.

Overall, Kirby still feels the same and his hammer attack is very welcomed. If you liked him before, you'll love him now.

Move Button / Combination Additional Info Swallow B Swallow enemy Spit A (after swallowing enemy) Spit opponent off stage Copy Ability B (after swallowing enemy) Steal opponent's B attack Hammer Hit Right / Left + B Horizontal hammer attack Hammer Spin Right / Left + B (in the air) Spin attack, covers all directions Final Cutter Up + B Upwards attack with ground projectile Stone Down + B Smash down on opponents or use as block Air Float Y / Up (in the air) Float move (x5) Punch A Standard punch attack Right/Left Combo A A Double punch attack Vulcan Jab A (repeatedly) Punch attack combo Burning Charge A (while running) Running charge Kirby Tail Up + A Strong Attack: Up Spinning Kick Right / Left + A Strong Attack: Side Low Kick Down + A Strong Attack: Down Air Cutter Up + A (Smash) Charge the Smash Move by holding A Smash Kick Right / Left + A (Smash) Charge the Smash Move by holding A Propeller Kick Down + A (Smash) Charge the Smash Move by holding A Tinkle Star A (in the air) Midair Attack Triple Attack Up + A (in the air) Midair Attack: Up Drop Kick Left + A (in the air) Midair Attack: Back Kirby Spiral Right + A (in the air) Midair Attack: Front Screw Driver Down + A (in the air) Midair Attack: Down Grab L + A / R + A / Z Must be close to opponent Grab Attack Grab opponent, then hit A Must be close to opponent Upper Throw Grab opponent, then Up Must be close to opponent Power Bomb Grab opponent, then Right Must be close to opponent Brain Buster Grab opponent, then Left Must be close to opponent Stomping Grab opponent, then Down Must be close to opponent Shield L or R (analog: strength/size) Shield can be shifted with stick Roll Backward L or R + Left (Smash) Evasive Move Roll Forward L or R + Right (Smash) Evasive Move Dodge L or R + Down (Smash) Evasive Move Air Dodge L / R (in the air) Control stick determines direction Pick up / Use Item A Effect depends on item Throw Item Right/Left + L / R + A Alternatively throw with Right/Left + Z Smash Throw L / R + A + Right/Left (Smash) Alternatively throw with Right/Left + Z Drop Item L / R + A Alternatively discard item with Z Climb Up Up (hanging from edge) Hit A or B for instant attack Taunt / Discard Power D-Pad Up Discards absorbed power

All moves are based on a character facing to the right.

Origin: The character was originally created by Masahiro Sakurai -- and the happy little blob was actually just meant as a placeholder for the final character design. But the members of the development team soon grew to like the smiling blob and the first Kirby for Game Boy Color developed from there. Kirby was first called Popopo, but Mr. Sakurai eventually came up with the name Kirby. Popular Nintendo lore has it that Kirby was either named after NOA lawyer John Kirby or the famous vacuum cleaning company (get it, he sucks, too!) -- but nobody at Nintendo today remembers how the name came about. Since Kirby's debut was on the black and white handheld, his final color wasn't completely clear until 1993, when a pink Kirby appeared for the first time on the cover of the NES classic Kirby's Adventure.

advertisement

Game History: