Squeaky Hammer Machine

"We resurrected the hammer machines from the Factory Tour stage of Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, and turned them into the Squeaky Hammer Machines in Kirby Fighters. I thought that the designer was just going to enhance the appearance of the ones from the Nintendo 64 version, so when I saw that they now opened their mouths and let out a belch of steam as they attacked, I was really surprised! I'd say they are even more "striking" than the ones in the N64 game."

- Tadashi Kamitake

Squeaky Hammer Machine is a large enemy in the Kirby series, debuting in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. It is invincible and cannot be defeated.

Physical Appearance
Squeaky Hammer Machine is a beige cylindrical robot. It has two potholes for eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Its most prominent feature is the massive red mallet protruding from the top of its head. In Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, the hammerhead is very simple, being only red. In Kirby: Triple Deluxe, however, it is updated to have gold plates marked with X symbols on either side.

Squeaky Hammer Machine's mouth contains a bevel gear in Kirby: Triple Deluxe.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Squeaky Hammer Machine appears exclusively in Stage 4 of Shiver Star. In the second room of the factory, Kirby rides on King Dedede's back. In order to get to the other end of the room, Dedede must use his mallet to smash down numerous roll gates. Between each pair of roll gates is a Squeaky Hammer Machine. It uses a predictable attack method: After remaining relatively still, it bounces up and down before slamming its hammer onto the conveyor belt floor. If Kirby is struck, he is instantly KO'd.

The conveyor belt Dedede runs along speeds up as he progresses through the room, making it gradually more difficult to dodge the Squeaky Hammer Machines. It is recommended that the player break down gates while the robots attack and then immediately sprint past them when they raise their mallets.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe and Kirby Fighters Deluxe
Three Squeaky Hammer Machines appear in the background of the Factory Tour stage in the Kirby Fighters sub-game. At random times, one or more of the machines unleashes a belch of steam from its mouth and slams the platform immediately in front of it. Any Kirby caught in the attack is flattened and takes heavy damage. Four spaces on the stage are safe from the robots: the left and right edges of the screen and the two gaps on either side of the middle robot. All four of these safe spots are marked by yellow tape on the floor.

Kirby Battle Royale
Squeaky Hammer Machine's hammer appears as part of the Gentleman's Hat outfit King Dedede can wear. It closely resembles the hammer's Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards design with X patterns on the head.

Related Quotes
"Time your travels. The robots bounce up and down just before they strike. As soon as they do, break the door, walk through, and break the other door before the robot hits the conveyor belt again."

- Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Official Strategy guide (Prima)

Trivia

 * Squeaky Hammer Machine is the only enemy in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards that can KO the player in one hit.


 * In Kirby Star Allies, playing Guest Star ???? Star Allies Go! with Adeleine & Ribbon causes some level layouts to change so they reflect stages from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. Level 5 changes to reflect Stage 4 of Shiver Star. One sequence has Adeleine run along conveyor belts while chunks of terrain attempt to crush her. Stones in the background are decorated to look like smiling robots in reference to Squeaky Hammer Machine.