The Computer Virusboss features many lines of dialogue that it uses to emulate the narration of a typical turn-based RPG. These are not displayed in any particular order, as the lines of dialogue may occur at random or be dependent on player action.
With the exception of newly-added lines of dialogue, the Japanese dialogue is mostly unchanged from Kirby Super Star to Kirby Super Star Ultra. Most of the differences in the English dialogue for the games is a result of a different translation. Some lines are redone or outright replaced, which are reflected in the English translation.
Many of the lines of dialogue Computer Virus uses are reused with certain words substituted to be appropriate for the situation.
In English, most of the messages are in present tense; in Japanese, most of the messages are in past tense.
Many of the enemies are inconsistently named:
The Slime is the only enemy to have its name be consistent across all instances. Its name in the message window is "Slime" (スライム) and the name on its enemy window is "Slime."
In the message window, the second enemy the Computer Virus summons is called "Dancing Doll" in the Kirby Super Star translation and "Puppet" in the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation. The name on the enemy window, in both languages and across both games, is "Puppet." Its Japanese name in the message window is おどりにんぎょう (Odori Ningyō), which translates to "Dancing Doll," although にんぎょう (Ningyō) can also mean "Puppet." The Kirby Super Star translation is more faithful to the Japanese original, while the Kirby Super Star Ultra name maintains consistency with the name on the enemy window.
In the message window, the third enemy the Computer Virus summons is called "Witch" in the Kirby Super Star translation and "Magician" in the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation. The name on the enemy window, in both languages and across both games, is "Magician." Its Japanese name in the message window is まほうつかい (Mahōtsukai), which can refer to a general "magic user," being equally valid for "Magician" or "Witch." The Kirby Super Star Ultra name again maintains consistency with the name on the enemy window.
The Evil Knight has a consistent name in the English translation, which differs slightly from the Japanese name. Its Japanese name in the message window is あくまのきし (Akuma no Kishi), which translates to "Devil Knight"; in the enemy window, however, it is called "Dark Night"[sic] in the Japanese version of Kirby Super Star and "Evil Knight" in the Japanese version of Kirby Super Star Ultra, matching its official English name.
In the message window, the final enemy the Computer Virus summons is called "Red Dragon" in the Kirby Super Star translation and "Great Dragon" in the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation. The name on the enemy window is simply "Dragon" in the Kirby Super Star translation and "Great Dragon" in the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation. This is reflective of the fact that its name was changed in the Japanese version. Its Japanese name in the message window in Kirby Super Star is レッドドラゴン (Reddo Doragon), which translates to "Red Dragon"; and its Japanese name in the message window in Kirby Super Star Ultra is グランドドラゴン (Gurando Doragon), which translates to "Grand Dragon." Its Japanese name in the message window in Kirby Super Star is just "Dragon" and its Japanese name in the message window in Kirby Super Star Ultra is "Grand Dragon." While not clear why its name in the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation wasn't the same as its Japanese version, a possible explanation is that "Grand Dragon" has a consecutive "D" sound, making it more awkward to say.
In the Kirby Super Star translation, there are no articles preceding the enemies' names. In the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation, the indefinite article—"a" or "an"—is used when an enemy appears, and the definite article—"the"—for all other instances. In the Japanese language, there are no articles, so articles, or lack thereof, can only be assumed in translation.
When Kirby gets a Copy Ability from a Copy Essence, the Computer Virus leaves a message narrating this. In Kirby Super Star, most Copy Abilities acquisitions start as "Kirby gets" preceding the Copy Ability. Parasol, Suplex, Hammer, and Ninja get unique messages. In Kirby Super Star Ultra, the messages are made more varied to be less repetitive.
General:
When multiple characters are fighting the Computer Virus, the text changes to accompany this: in the Kirby Super Star translation, it says "Kirby & Co." and in the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation, is says "Kirby and his friend" (or "Meta Knight and his friend" in Meta Knightmare Ultra or simply "The Helpers" in Helper to Hero). In the Japanese version, the word たち (tachi) is attached to the end of the name of the initial character being referred to ("Kirby," "Meta Knight," or The Helper"). たち can be used as a pluralizing suffix to nouns that related to people, as it is used when changing "The Helper" to "The Helpers." たち also refers to the group of people whom the name/word it is attached to is a part of, as it is used with Kirby and Meta Knight, represented as "& Co." or "and his friend" in the Kirby Super Star and Kirby Super Star Ultra translations, respectively.
When Kirby doesn't attack, Computer Virus says "Kirby takes a “time-out!”" in the Kirby Super Star translation. In Japanese, it says "カービィはぼ～っとしていた。" in Kirby Super Star, describing Kirby as absent-minded. This was changed to instead saying "Kirby was unable to cause any damage!" in the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation; an additional line for both Kirby and the Helper not causing damage was added in Kirby Super Star Ultra.
A new line was added if Kirby guards an attack in Kirby Super Star Ultra; in Kirby Super Star, it instead counts as avoiding the attack.
A new line was added if a Helper heals during battle in Kirby Super Star Ultra; in Kirby Super Star, it claims both Kirby and the Helper heal, even if Kirby does not.
Slime:
One of the Slime's useless actions is to call "his gang" in the Kirby Super Star translation or "a pal" in the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation. In the Japanese version, the word used is なかま (nakama), a word that can mean "friend" or "gang."
In Kirby Super Star, one of the Slime's useless actions is to trip. In Kirby Super Star Ultra, this was changed to have the Slime be "surprised by something." This change may be because the Dancing Doll also has a useless action where it trips/collapses.
Dancing Doll/Puppet:
In Kirby Super Star, one of the Dancing Doll's useless actions is to flip "a nuclear missile switch." In Kirby Super Star Ultra, this was changed to have the Puppet try to self-destruct. This change is likely due to the controversy of nuclear weapons.
In Kirby Super Star, one of the Dancing Doll's useless actions is to cry. In Kirby Super Star Ultra, this was changed to have the Puppet laugh. The reason for this change is unclear.
In Kirby Super Star, one of the Dancing Doll's useless actions is to sleep. In Kirby Super Star Ultra, this was changed to have the Puppet scream. The reason for this change may be because the Slime also has a useless action where it sleeps.
Witch/Magician:
In Kirby Super Star, one of the Witch's actions is to retreat. In Kirby Super Star Ultra, this was changed to have the Magician perform a guard spell. This change was likely to be consistent with the Magician's fire and ice spells.
Evil Knight:
In Kirby Super Star, one of the Evil Knight's actions is to retreat. In Kirby Super Star Ultra, this was changed to have the Evil Knight defend using his shield. This change was likely to give the Evil Knight a more character-specific defensive option, as he is seen with a shield.
In Kirby Super Star, one of the Evil Knight's actions is to attack with an ax. In Kirby Super Star Ultra, this was changed to have the Evil Knight attack with a sword. This change was likely because the Evil Knight is carrying a sword, not an ax.
In Kirby Super Star, one of the Evil Knight's actions is freeze opponents with its "eye gleam." In Kirby Super Star Ultra, this was changed to have the Evil Knight perform a freezing slash. This change was likely due to the odd nature of the original attack, and that the Evil Knight's animation when attacking has him swing his sword.
Red Dragon/Great Dragon:
In Kirby Super Star, one of the Red Dragon's actions is to retreat. In Kirby Super Star Ultra, this was changed to have the Great Dragon petrify itself. This change is not present in the Japanese version.
Various messages regarding the actions of the Red Dragon/Great Dragon were slightly changed from Kirby Super Star to Kirby Super Star Ultra (both in Japanese and English), but more or less convey the same meaning.
Defeat:
When the Computer Virus is defeated, it gives a message claiming the player earned a random amount of experience. In the Japanese version and the Kirby Super Star Ultra translation, it also notes the useless nature of the experience, a detail that was omitted in the Kirby Super Star translation.
The Computer Virus then leaves five messages claiming Kirby (or Meta Knight) has five random stats that have been increased, with a sixth stat that is always the same depending on who is Player 1 and if a Helper is present. All of these stats in the English version of Kirby Super Star are not translations of the Japanese stats (excluding "Love" and "Friendship," which are the sixth stats that appear when Kirby is alone or with a Helper, respectively); in Kirby Super Star Ultra, many of the stats are changed and the English translation is more faithful to the names of these stats.
In Kirby Super Star Ultra, while most of the Japanese stats from Kirby Super Star don't return, some do. These appear to be: "Eye Sparkle," "Sincerity," and "プププ" (which is associated with the Kirby series, particularly Dream Land, but doesn't have a real meaning). "Courage" is also reused from the English version of Kirby Super Star.
Meta Knight has his own unique stats, but some are shared with Kirby: "Courage," "Heroism," "Spirit," and "プププ". "Mask Shine" (かめんのつや) is also analogous with "Eye Sparkle" (めのいろのつや).
