Nintendo's Kirby series first began in 1992 with the release of Kirby's Dream Land. The franchise has existed for more than 3 decades, and in that time, HAL Laboratory has celebrated some of its most notable milestone years. This is a list of Kirby series anniversaries, describing when and how each was celebrated.
For reference, Kirby's Dream Land debuted in Japan on April 27 and North America on August 1; thus, both of those dates are considered Kirby's official birthday. These dates are bold when mentioned below. April 26 is also bolded because of differing timezones.
10th Anniversary[]
Games[]
The year 2002 marked the series' 10th anniversary. Though Nintendo did not bring attention to this, the company did celebrate the occasion by releasing Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land for the Game Boy Advance.[1] This is a remake of Kirby's second game, Kirby's Adventure, which launched on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993, and was notable for introducing Copy Abilities. In October 2002 in Japan, users who bought a copy of Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land were also given a commemorative 10-year anniversary badge.[2]
15th Anniversary[]
Games[]
The year 2007 marked the series' 15th anniversary. Like the 10th anniversary, Nintendo did not bring attention to this. However, the company did begin developing Kirby Super Star Ultra to celebrate the occasion, then released it for the Nintendo DS in 2008.[3] Kirby Super Star Ultra is a remake of Kirby's fourth mainline game, Kirby Super Star, which launched on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1996.
20th Anniversary[]
The year 2012 marked the series' 20th anniversary. Unlike the previous anniversaries, Nintendo made an effort to capitalize on it.
Games[]
Nintendo released an original game, Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, for the Wii. As its name implies, it is a collection of six classic Kirby games: Kirby's Dream Land, Kirby's Adventure, Kirby's Dream Land 2, Kirby Super Star, Kirby's Dream Land 3, and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. It features two other game modes: The first of these is New Challenge Stages, which has Kirby play through challenge stages based on those in Kirby's Return to Dream Land; this mode serves as an epilogue to that game. The last mode is Kirby's History, which has Kirby travel down a hall filled with past games. The player can read about them, watch clips from them, view each box, watch three episodes of Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, read manga volumes (only in the Japanese version), and watch a symphony play a medley of Kirby music.
Packaged with the game are a Compilation Soundtrack CD and a copy of Kirby's 20th Anniversary Celebration Book. Whether the player is reading about them or listening to music from them, both cover almost every game in the series. The book is slightly different in each region it was released in, as certain games were or were not released in those regions (for example, the Western version replaces any mention of Kirby's Super Star Stacker with Kirby's Avalanche, as the former game was not localized outside of Japan). In Japan, a commemorative prepaid gift card was also released at the same time as the game as well.[4]
Events[]
On September 1st, Nintendo hosted an event at PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington. To celebrate the anniversary, the company wanted to break the Guinness World Record for the most people in a room blowing a chewing gum bubble simultaneously. Altogether, 536 fans showed up to participate, setting the new record.[5]
Merchandising[]
HAL Laboratory released a Kirby's Dream Land 3 comic book starring Kirby, ChuChu, Nyupun, and many other characters, although it was never released outside of Japan.
For Club Nintendo users in Japan, a "Kirby of the Stars 20th Anniversary Campaign" was released alongside the Kirby's 20th Anniversary website which allowed users to register Kirby's Epic Yarn, Kirby's Return to Dream Land, and/or Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition to the Japanese Club Nintendo website to enter a raffle of four different Kirby goods: an original Wii disc case, playing cards, an original bead cushion, and a set of special badges each depicting boxart of of various Kirby games from Kirby's Dream Land to Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition; each prize had a set number of winners that being 500 for the first two and 1,000 for the last two prizes. This campaign was originally announced via a Nintendo Direct in 2012 and promoted on booklet flyers.[6][7]
On September 18, North American Club Nintendo began holding a random drawing for members, with the prize being the set of circular Kirby-themed playing cards from the Japanese "Kirby of the Stars 20th Anniversary Campaign" prize pool. Members could participate by registering a copy of Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition by October 31 and completing a survey. There were 190 winners.[8] Additionally, on September 5, a Limited Edition Kirby Medal was made available as a Club Nintendo reward, costing 600 Coins. Only 1,000 were produced.[9]
Outside of Club Nintendo, a line of Kirby merchandise was released in Japan, with each item sporting a tag with the Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition logo.[10][11][12]
25th Anniversary[]
The year 2017 marked the series' 25th anniversary. Nintendo brought attention to this anniversary, especially in Japan.
Games[]
During a Nintendo Direct presentation on April 12, 2017, Nintendo revealed its plans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kirby through a series of three game releases during the year. This included unveiling and releasing Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, as well as announcing Kirby's Blowout Blast for a Summer release. A third game was teased for a Winter release, though no details were announced back then.
Kirby's Blowout Blast, an expansion of the Kirby 3D Rumble sub-game from Kirby: Planet Robobot, is a simplistic game that hearkens back to Kirby's Dream Land, and it is the first completely 3D game to use traditional gameplay in the series. Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, an expansion of the Team Kirby Clash sub-game from Kirby: Planet Robobot, is more complex, introducing certain RPG elements and in-game purchases. It contains appearances from and references to characters from throughout the series.
During a Nintendo Direct presentation on September 13, 2017, Nintendo announced the third game: Kirby Battle Royale is a somewhat complex game that plays like a combination of Kirby's Blowout Blast and Kirby Fighters Deluxe. It features 10 game modes, some two-dimensional and some three-dimensional, and brings Copy Abilities into a 3D space for the first time. The game also features some references to past games. It was released in November 2017 in Japan and Europe, and January 2018 in North America.
Events[]
- In Japan, the company Banpresto (bpnavi) held a lottery called Kirby: Sweet Party. Starting January 21, 2017, customers could pay ¥620 for an entry and receive a prize; prizes were split into eight categories of rarity, from A to H. The participant who pulled the final prize was awarded a special one.[13] Also, Banpresto held "Kirby: 25th Pupupu Collection" (April 2017)[14]and "Kirby: KIRBY ★ ICE CREAM"[15] (July 2017).
- Tokyu Hands, a Japanese department store chain, collaborated with HAL Laboratory and the company Ensky to hold an event called Kirby's Pupupu Paint Day. From April 15 to May 14, 2017, the Tokyu Hands locations sold Ensky-produced merchandise based on the Kirby series. To fit the event's paint theme, much of the merchandise featured images of Paint Kirby and a Waddle Dee flinging green paint.[16]
- HAL Laboratory arranged Kirby-themed concerts in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. They were conducted by Yasushi Takemoto and performed live by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and Osaka Symphony Orchestra, respectively. In addition to hearing orchestral renditions of popular music from the series, the audience listened to some Kirby series developers talk about the series--two notable guests were series creator Masahiro Sakurai and voice actress Makiko Ohmoto. The dates and times of each concert were as follows:
Bunkamura Orchard Hall (Tokyo) | Orix Theater (Osaka) |
---|---|
April 16, 2017; 12:45-1:30 PM, 5:15-6:00 PM July 20, 2017; 6:15-7:00 PM July 21, 2017; 6:15-7:00 PM |
June 18, 2017; 12:15-1:00 PM, 4:00-5:00 PM |
- The Yamashiroya toy store in Ueno, Tokyo held an event called Kirby's Birthday. From April 27 to May 20, 2017, the building's sixth floor was converted into a Kirby store, selling merchandise from various games. Kirby-themed snack foods such as cookies were also sold. A table was provided that allowed attendants to write birthday messages or draw pictures on sticky notes which were then posted on the back wall; using pink, blue, yellow paper, they formed a large sprite of Kirby from Kirby's Adventure wearing a yellow bow tie, along with the message "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIRBY!!"[17][18]
- Sega Ikebukuro GiGO and namco Umeda store--a Japanese arcade and a shopping complex, respectively--collaborated with Dippin' Dots ice cream. In honor of Kirby's 25th Anniversary, both stores released Kirby-themed can badges and charms to sell alongside the frozen treats; the charms were sold separately at ¥350 apiece, while the can badges were sold with cups of Dippin' Dots ice cream for ¥800. They were released on July 1, 2017.[19]
- TBS ishop, a Japanese retail chain, launched a collaboration with Nintendo called Kirby Pupupu Train. The company released a line of Kirby-themed merchandise at its stores starting in December 2016. The products toured from one city to another across Japan over a year's time. As its name suggests, the theme of the collaboration and products was a railway, with characters dressed up as conductors or passengers. A map of real-world destinations was drawn but given a Kirby theme, so each location was given the name of a place on Planet Popstar; from well-known locations like Green Greens to more obscure ones such as Dedede Resort.[20]
- Lawson, a Japanese convenience store chain, launched a line of Kirby-themed merchandise in celebration of the Kirby series' 25th anniversary at the time of Kirby's Blowout Blast's release (July 4, 2017). In addition to the merchandise line, the Kirby 25TH x LAWSON campaign included a ¥1,500 prepaid card and a download card for Kirby's Blowout Blast that included an exclusive theme.[21]
Social Media[]
- On December 14, 2016, Nintendo opened a website celebrating Kirby's 25th Anniversary. It includes a history section containing to a mostly-complete line-up of Kirby games, character bios for the four primary characters (Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Waddle Dee), and a list of celebratory events and products.
- In addition, an official Twitter account (@Kirby25thJP) was created. It was used to promote upcoming games and merchandise while simultaneously using artwork to celebrate holidays and pay homage to series characters. The characters running the account were Channel PPP, a crew of Waddle Dee reporters who delivered news from Planet Popstar, though their efforts are often shown to be fraught with danger or discomfort.
- During August 2017, the music on the Wii U eShop was changed to a rearrangement of "Green Greens."
- On August 14, 2017, Nintendo UK released a YouTube video called "Kirby 25th Anniversary - Trailer," which showed footage of every Kirby game released in Europe up to that point. Nintendo of America uploaded an extremely similar video called "Kirby 25th Anniversary Trailer" on August 22, 2017. This showcased almost every Kirby game released in North America.
- The official Twitter account also had "Bandana Waddle Dee's News!" which were posts relating to the upcoming game Kirby Battle Royale.
- On April 27, 2018, the official Twitter account renamed itself, and shortly after, posted an image celebrating the end of Kirby's 25th Anniversary. This message was followed by another post which contained a link leading to the "Kirby Portal", which will host comprehensive information about future Kirby Star Allies content, along with other goods.
- On June 25, 2018, Kirby music was made available for download on the iTunes Store, Apple Music, and other similar stores.[22] Three soundtracks were released so far, these being the "Kirby 25th Anniversary Orchestra Concert", the "Kirby: Planet Robobot Original Soundtrack", and the "Kirby Memorial Arrangements".
- On February 6, 2019, Prince Fluff started hosting "Prince Fluff's Yarn Ball News Flash," covering information on the then-upcoming game Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn.
Merchandising[]
- A line of Kirby merchandise was released in Japan, with each item sporting a Kirby 25th Anniversary logo.
- Premium merchandise was also produced. The company Runa sold stainless steel Kirby watches for ¥27,000. The company Ensky sold metal necklaces featuring Kirby and Magolor for ¥15,000, as well as Kirby and Meta Knight rings for the same price.
- Each of the events listed above had its own line of merchandise that often followed the event's theme.
- On April 27, 2017, Nintendo released a Kirby's 25th Anniversary Nintendo 3DS Theme. It uses the general aesthetic of the website and plays "Welcome to Dream Land" from Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition. This Theme was purchasable for 20 Gold Coins on Nintendo's website.
- On August 1, 2017, Nintendo released a wallpaper and re-released Kirby 3D on the My Nintendo rewards program. The aforementioned Nintendo 3DS Theme was also made available as a reward.[23]
- On August 8, 2017, the company Bandai Candy released a Kirby-themed candy called Star Kirby Pupu Momoko Gumi. Each packet contains apple-flavored gummy candies shaped like Kirby and Waddle Dee, as well as a large sticker featuring images of Kirby and/or Waddle Dee with food. There are 12 possible stickers.[24]
- On August 14, 2017, Play Nintendo released a free wallpaper to celebrate Kirby's 25th anniversary. It is the same image used for the background of the Kirby 25th Anniversary website, but with the anniversary logo in the lower right-hand corner.[25]
Orchestra Concert[]
Kirby 25th Anniversary Orchestra Concert | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Notes | Music Track |
"Kirby's 25th Anniversary: Grand Opening" | Medley of "Welcome to Dream Land" and "Green Greens". | |
"Kirby's Adventure Medley" | Medley of "Beginning of Level 8", "Grape Garden", "Orange Ocean", and "Ending Demo". | |
"King Dedede & Meta Knight Medley" | Medley of "King Dedede's Theme", "The Masked King", "Boarding the Halberd", "Havoc Aboard the Halberd", and "My Friend and the Sunset". | |
"Kirby's Dream Land 2 Animal Friends Medley" | Medley of "Rick's Theme", "Kine's Theme", and "Coo's Theme". | |
"Kirby's Dream Land 3 / Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Medley" | Medley of "Ripple Field 1", "Sand Canyon 3", "Planet Popstar", "Ripple Star: Stage Select", and "0² Battle". | |
"Kirby Super Star Medley" | Medley of "Grand Opening", "Gourmet Race", "Crystal Area", "Halberd Scenes", "Meddlesome Marx", and "Kirby's Triumphant Return". | |
"Kirby Air Ride Medley" | Medley of "Air Ride: Fantasy Meadows", "Air Ride: Magma Flows", and "The Legendary Air Ride Machine". | |
"Kirby & the Amazing Mirror / Kirby: Squeak Squad Medley" | Medley of "Forest/Nature Area", "Candy Constellation ", "Having Fun Outside", and "Here Come the Squeaks!". | |
"Kirby Ball Medley" | Medley of "Wispy Woods Land", "Iceberg Ocean", "Drawcia Sorceress", and "Rainbow Across the Skies". | |
"Kirby Triple Deluxe Medley" | Medley of "Floral Fields", "Moonlight Capital", "Taranza, the Master of Puppetry", and "Fatal Blooms in Moonlight". | |
"Kirby: Planet Robobot Medley" | Medley of "Pink Ball Activate!", "VS. Star Dream", and "Planet Heart". | |
"Kirby's Return to Dream Land Medley" | Medley of "The Adventure Begins", "Sky Tower", "Dangerous Dinner", "C-R-O-W-N-E-D", and "Return to Dream Land" | |
"A New Wind for Tomorrow" | Credits theme of Kirby's Dream Land. | |
"Milky Way Wishes: Staff Credits" | Credits theme for Milky Way Wishes and for Kirby Super Star as a whole. |
Memorial Arrangements[]
Kirby Memorial Arrangements | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Notes | Music Track |
"Big Band Kirby" | Medley of "A New Wind for Tomorrow", "Float Islands", and "Shooting". | |
"Take off!" | "Boarding the Halberd" with lyrics. | |
"Sleeping Like a Baby" | Medley of "Beginning of Level 8", "Grape Garden", "Orange Ocean", and "Ending Demo". | |
"Star Tumble" | Medley of "Insane" and "Simple Stage". | |
"Epic Yarn" | Medley of "Fountain Gardens", "Big-Bean Vine", "Snowy Fields", and "Ripple Star: Stage Select". | |
"Driving Star" | Medley of "Menu" (Kirby Air Ride), "Top Ride: Water", and "Air Ride: Frozen Hillside". | |
"The Apple Juice Song" | "Apple Scramble" with lyrics. | |
"Happy Castle in the Grasslands" | Medley of "Meadow Breeze" and "Fun Castle". | |
"Beyond the Forest and the Desert" | Medley of "Big Forest", "Sand Canyon 1", and "Aqua Star". | |
"Across the Rainbow Bridge" | Medley of "The Adventure Begins" (Kirby and the Rainbow Curse) and "Rainbow Across the Skies". | |
"Eternal Dream" | "Fatal Blooms in Moonlight" with lyrics. | |
"I'll Never Forget You" | Medley of "Magolor, the Far-Flung Traveler" and "Memories (I'll Never Forget You)". |
27th Anniversary[]
This section is currently under construction | |
The year 2019 marked the series' 27th anniversary. Nintendo brought little attention to this anniversary, with only one event to celebrate in Japan and a few mentions on social media.
Events[]
On April 27, Kirby Café celebrated Kirby's 27th birthday with new menu items.[26]
Social Media[]
- On April 27, the official Kirby Twitter account changed its banner and logo. Various posts were made to commemorate the anniversary, such as a video of Kirby and the Dream Friends celebrating via a montage of them and Kirby Star Allies. There was also a blog post on HAL Laboratory's website, which also features a photograph of Masahiro Sakurai and Shinya Kumazaki receiving the 2018 Famitsu Award for best character after Kirby had won it.[27]
28th Anniversary[]
This section is currently under construction | |
The year 2020 marked the series' 28th anniversary.
Games[]
On April 26, the Kirby of the Stars Photo Frame webgame was updated to add three more usable frames. One of the frames celebrated the anniversary using a collection of Kirby's Copy Ability artworks borrowed from the Kirby 25th Anniversary Polls.
Social Media[]
- On April 26, the official Kirby Twitter account posted artwork commemorating the anniversary, along with a coloring page version.
29th Anniversary[]
This section is currently under construction | |
The year 2021 marked the series' 29th anniversary.
Games[]
On April 26, the Kirby of the Stars Photo Frame webgame was updated to add three more usable frames.
Social Media[]
- On April 26, the official Kirby Twitter account posted artwork commemorating the anniversary, along with a coloring page version.
30th Anniversary[]
This section is currently under construction | |
The year 2022 marks the series' 30th anniversary.
Games[]
Kirby and the Forgotten Land was formally revealed during the September 23rd Nintendo Direct and it was released on March 25th, 2022.
Kirby's Dream Buffet was announced via Nintendo's Twitter and YouTube channel on July 12, 2022, and it was released on August 17, 2022.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe was revealed in the September 13th Nintendo Direct and released on February 24, 2023.
Social Media[]
- On January 12th, the official Kirby Twitter posted artwork and a new logo commemorating the milestone. A wallpaper based off of the artwork was also posted on the Japanese and western Kirby websites.
- On March 15th, the Kirby 30th Anniversary Music Fest was announced to be occurring on August 11, 2022 at the Tokyo Garden Theater, and livestreaming for free worldwide on the Kirby Portal YouTube channel. It is set to include a "big-band ensemble of 35 musicians" performing medleys of songs throughout the Kirby series in various styles, as well as a large LED monitor that will feature a "moving Kirby".[28]
- On April 26, the official Kirby Twitter account posted artwork commemorating the anniversary, along with a coloring page version.
- On April 26, the Kirby of the Stars Photo Frame webgame was updated to add three more usable frames. One of the frames was original, one celebrated the anniversary, and another advertised Kirby and the Forgotten Land.
Music Fest[]
Kirby 30th Anniversary Music Fest. | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Notes | Music Track |
"Green Greens - Running Through the New World" | Medley of "Green Greens", "Running through the New World", and "Kirby Dance". | |
"Kirby Through the Years 1993-2004" | Medley of "Kirby Drawing Song", "Title Screen" (Kirby's Adventure), "Grass Land" (Kirby's Dream Land 2), "Peanut Plains", "Candy Mountain", "The Last Iceberg", "Dark Star", and "Ending" (Kirby & The Amazing Mirror). | |
"Beyond the 25th Anniversary" | Medley of "Twinkle☆Stars", "Prologue" (Kirby Battle Royale), "The Heroes' Challenge! Quest Board", "VS. King Dedede & Meta Knight", and "A New Battle for Tomorrow". | |
"Get Pumped Up! Sub-Game Medley" | Medley of "Samurai Kirby", "Arena", "Checkerboard Chase", "Smash Ride", "Tilt-and-Roll Kirby", and "Congratulations!" | |
"The Knights' Revenge Medley" | Medley of "Revenge of Meta Knight: Title", "Meta Knight", "Dark Meta Knight", "The Greatest Warrior in the Galaxy", and "Morpho Knight". | |
"Kirby Through the Years 2005-2022" | Medley of "Opening" (Kirby: Canvas Curse), "Squeak Squad: Title", "Heavy Lobster", "Fly, Kirby!", "The World to Win", and "Northeast Frost Street". | |
"King Dedede Medley" | Medley of "Macho of Dedede", "Robo Dedede", and "The Masked King". | |
"Go! Go! Kirby Race Medley" | Medley of "Gourmet Race", "Outlaw Driver", "Circuit Speedway", "Top Ride: Grass", and "City Trial: City". | |
"Kirby Final Battle Fest" | Medley of "Final Boss" (Kirby's Adventure), "Meddlesome Marx", "0² Battle", "C-R-O-W-N-E-D", "Fatal Blooms in Moonlight", and "Vagrant Counting Song of Retrospection". | |
"Suite: The Star-Conquering Traveler" | Medley of "Prelude: Into The Sea of Stars", every movement of "Suite: The Star-Conquering Traveler", and "Last Friends". | |
Special Live Performance: "Green Tree Memories" | Green Tree Memories from Kirby sung by Makiko Ohmoto. | |
Special Live Performance: "WELCOME TO THE NEW WORLD" | Welcome to the New World! sung by Makiko Ohmoto and Neichel. | |
"Kirby Endings" | Medley of "Milky Way Wishes: Staff Credits", "Project K-64", "Ending" (Kirby: Squeak Squad), "Return to Dream Land", "Soaring Determination: No Night Is Eternal", and "A New Wind for Tomorrow". |
31st Anniversary[]
This section is currently under construction | |
The year 2023 marked the series' 31st anniversary.
Social Media[]
- On April 26, the official Kirby Twitter account posted artwork commemorating the anniversary, along with three new frames: one for Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, one for Kirby's Dream Buffet, and one for the Kirby Horoscope Collection.
32nd Anniversary[]
This section is currently under construction | |
The year 2024 marked the series' 32nd anniversary.
Social Media[]
On April 26, the official Kirby Twitter account posted artwork commemorating the anniversary, along with three new frames: one for Kirby and the Forgotten Land, one for Kirby Café, and one for Kirby Sweet Dreams. Advertisements were posted for Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe.
Nintendo's Twitter accounts posted a similar image, with a square crop and slightly different character placements. The official Cut the Rope Twitter replied with a photo of Cut the Rope mascot Om Nom recolored to look like Kirby.[29]
Trivia[]
- On now-closed official Miiverse accounts, official artwork was released celebrating anniversaries of certain games and of the series itself. This included artwork celebrating:
- The first anniversary of Kirby: Triple Deluxe (2015).
- The first anniversary of Kirby Fighters Deluxe and Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe (2015).
- The seventh anniversary of Kirby Super Star Ultra (2015).
- The fourth anniversary of Kirby's Return to Dream Land (2015).
- The ninth anniversary of Kirby: Squeak Squad (2015).
- The 22nd, 23rd, and 25th anniversaries of the Kirby series itself (2014, 2015, 2017).
- For unknown reasons, the "Kirby 25th Anniversary - Trailer" video released by Nintendo UK calls Kirby Super Star by its North American name rather than its European name, Kirby's Fun Pak.
- The Kirby Super Star and Kirby's Dream Land 3 logos used in both regions' videos are these rips from Kirby Wiki, uploaded by users Gioku and Changtau2005, respectively.
- Footage of Kirby Super Star Ultra was not shown in the "Kirby's 25th Anniversary Trailer" video, for unknown reasons.
- On April 27, 2017, the fast food chain Arby's acknowledged Kirby's 25th anniversary on Twitter. The company's official page posted a stop-motion animation of a cardboard Kirby inhaling dozens of curly fries.[30]
- On April 1, 2018, the Kirby 25th Anniversary website and Kirby 25th Anniversary Twitter changed to revolve around Waddle Dee's 25th Anniversary. Logos and artwork from both sites were replaced with Waddle Dee equivalents. Waddle Dee Star Allies and Waddle Dee Battle Royale were two games advertised; clicking on either revealed artwork of Meta Knight or King Dedede holding signs that say "ドッキリ"—which can mean "feeling shocked or startled" or "prank"/"practical joke"—followed by real artwork of the two games. These changes were an elaborate April Fools' Day joke by Nintendo.[31][32]
- Furthermore, a section reserved on the Japanese Kirby website specifically for Waddle Dee was highlighted. One of these pages was a slideshow which featured various Waddle Dees through the Kirby series. Clicking on an "Extras" tab led to four images of clothed Waddle Dees, each representing a past promotion.
- On April 1, 2019, the Kirby Twitter and Kirby Portal changed once again, this time depicting Kirby as being cube-shaped instead of spherical. One tweet announced that this would be Kirby's shape from now on.[33] To strengthen the gag, the banner on the home pages of the official Kirby Star Allies and Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn subsites were edited to include a cubic/square Kirby, and the two games were renamed to go along with it.[34][35]
- Qbby from HAL Laboratory's BOXBOY! series, conversely, became a circle.[36]
- Additionally, King Dedede, Marx, and Hyness appear on the Kirby Star Allies and Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn websites as pop-ups, holding signs that say “ドッキリ,” much like the last April Fools’ Day event, along with text reminding the viewer that the strange occurrence is just a prank for April Fools' Day, and that the renamed games weren't actually real.
- The international release of the "Kirby Memorial Arrangements" album on Amazon Music is incorrectly credited to Kirby's Dream Band, a California-based video game tribute band with no connection to HAL Laboratory or the 25th Anniversary Orchestra project.
- Starting with Kirby: Triple Deluxe, each time a new traditional Kirby game releases in the decennial anniversary year of another traditional Kirby game, the new game seems to draw influences from at least one of the games whose decennial anniversary it is.
- Kirby: Triple Deluxe released on the 10th anniversary year of Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, which may have influenced the Dimension Mirror playing an important role and the return of Dark Meta Knight.
- Kirby: Planet Robobot released on the 20th anniversary year of Kirby Super Star, which may have influenced the return of the Jet and Mirror abilities, the Halberd playing an important role, several boss themes containing or being remixes of tracks from the game, and Star Dream's final form turning out to be a Galactic Nova.
- Kirby Star Allies released on the 10th anniversary year of Kirby Super Star Ultra and the 20th anniversary year of Kirby's Dream Land 3 in Japan.
- The former may have influenced several Copy Abilities and two mid-bosses returning from the game, the return of Helpers in the form of "Friends," the debut of Grand Mam, Twin Kracko, and the Twin mid-bosses, and the entirety of Far-Flung - Starlight Heroes.
- The latter may have influenced the return of the Cleaning ability with cameos of the Animal Friends who debuted in the game, the return of Pon & Con, and the heavy association with Dark Matter with the antagonists.
- Some non-traditional platformers have drawn influence as well. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse released on the 10th anniversary year of Kirby: Canvas Curse, the game to which it acts as a spiritual successor. Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn almost fulfills the condition, being released on the ninth anniversary year of its predecessor, Kirby's Epic Yarn.
Related Quotes[]
“ | Happy birthday, Kirby!!!
It's hard to believe that it's been 25 years since you came into this world. Our youthful traveller has been inhaling all manner of things and puffing up like a big balloon, right up to the ripe old age of 25. Kirby, you've become a fine, upstanding...adult?! I must say, your plump, pink form has taken on something of a refined glow recently. And to mark this auspicious occasion, we have no less than three new Kirby games for you to enjoy! The free-to-start Team Kirby Clash Deluxe co-op action game came out just recently, and this summer we're getting Kirby's Blowout Blast, the first genuine 3D action game in the series. On top of that, we have a new fighting action game due this holiday! How have you all been enjoying Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, by the way? Since the game came out I've been getting into it all over again, playing it with my family. I reckon seasoned players could have a lot of fun supporting their teammates by playing as Doctor Healmore. After you finish the game, incidentally, a certain someone shows up in the village, looking like quite the reformed character. Why not have a look for yourself!” |
— Shinya Kumazaki • Miiverse |
External Links[]
- Official Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition website
- Official Kirby 25th Anniversary website
- Kirby 25th Anniversary Twitter
- Kirby Portal Twitter
- Kirby Sweet Party website
- Kirby 25th Anniversary Orchestra website
- Kirby meets Dippin' Dots website
- Kirby Pupupu Train website
References[]
- ↑ Wikipedia
- ↑ Yahoo Japan Fleamarket - Kirby 10 Year Badge Product Description
- ↑ Kirby's 20th Anniversary Celebration Book, p. 35
- ↑ Fc2 blog from 167hirona
- ↑ The Escapist
- ↑ YouTube - [Nintendo Direct Club Nintendo Kirby 20th Goods - Presentation]
- ↑ Fc2 blog from nijiiroleina
- ↑ Club Nintendo website (archived)
- ↑ Nintendo World Report
- ↑ Kirby's 20th Anniversary merchandise
- ↑ Kirby's 20th Anniversary merchandise
- ↑ Kirby's 20th Anniversary merchandise
- ↑ Perfectly Nintendo
- ↑ 一番くじ 星のカービィ 25周年プププコレクション
- ↑ 一番くじ 星のカービィ KIRBY ★ ICE CREAM
- ↑ Inside-Games
- ↑ Inside-Games
- ↑ Imgur
- ↑ Kirby Duppin' Dots website
- ↑ Pupupu Train map (archived)
- ↑ Nintendo Everything
- ↑ Kirby_JP Twitter
- ↑ My Nintendo
- ↑ Bandai Candy product page
- ↑ Play Nintendo
- ↑ Kirby Café (archived)
- ↑ Kirby Twitter - April 27, 2019 (archived)
- ↑ https://www.kirby.jp/30th-musicfest/index_en.html Kirby 30th Anniversary Music Fest official website (English)
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Cut_The_Rope/status/1784269545454137845 looking good, Kirby! but ofc all who enjoy their food look great... 😉
- ↑ Arby's Twitter
- ↑ Waddle Dee 25th Anniversary website April Fools' joke
- ↑ Waddle Dee 25th Anniversary Twitter April Fools' joke
- ↑ Kirby Twitter (April 1, 2019)
- ↑ Kirby Portal (2019 prank page)
- ↑ Kirby Star Allies subsite (2019 prank page)
- ↑ Nintendo Everything