Kirby Wiki
Register
Advertisement
When a big enemy is defeated, eat him!
— Intro description • Kirby's Adventure

Mid-bosses (also known as mini-bosses[1] or medium-rank bosses[2]) are enemy characters that are stronger than regular enemies but not as strong as bosses. They are typically fought mid-way through levels and bar the player's progress further. Usually, during a fight with a mid-boss, the camera locks in place and Kirby cannot leave the battlefield until he has won the fight. Due to the 3D nature of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, mid-boss battles take place in circular or rectangular arenas with a blue barrier around them upon entering. When the mid-boss is defeated, the barrier will disappear allowing the player to progress.

When a mid-boss is defeated, it typically lies on the ground KO'd for a few seconds before exploding; in Kirby Super Star Ultra, the KO'd mid-boss has 26 HP. It is only during this time that Kirby can use his inhale on them to receive their Copy Ability as normally they are strong enough to resist his suction.

Fighting mid-bosses[]

Most mid-bosses, with the exception being the Meta-Knights, are able to resist Kirby's inhale and have a health meter that must be depleted before they are defeated. They also have at least one attack that can be inhaled and spit back at them (this is the only way to beat them without a Copy Ability).

In some games, Mid-Boss Towers can be accessed, where many mid-bosses are faced consecutively. In most Boss Endurance modes since Kirby Super Star, mid-bosses can also be faced in a consecutive pack known as Mid-Boss All Stars.

Copy Abilities from mid-bosses[]

When a mid-boss is defeated, it normally lies on the ground KO'd for a few seconds before exploding; exceptions to this are mid-bosses in games and sub-games without Copy Abilities, Kracko Jr., all mid-bosses in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Sphere Doomers, and Super Bonkers. During this time, Kirby can inhale them and gain their ability. Nearly all mid-bosses have Copy Abilities and some Copy Abilities can only be collected from mid-bosses (e.g. Hammer from Bonkers, Suplex from Bugzzy, and Ghost from Tedhaun).

List[]

Name by Date by Title Copy Ability
Adeleine 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Blowfish 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Bouncy 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Burnis 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Burning
Chilly 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Ice
Drop 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards None
Fishbone 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Cutter
Galbo 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Ice Dragon 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Kacti 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Needle
Kany 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Kapar 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
King Dedede 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Mopoo 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Ice
N-Z 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Pupa 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Sawyer 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Spark-i 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Spark
Tick 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Needle
Waddle Dee 20000324
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards N/A
Bonkers 19930323
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure Hammer
Bugzzy 19930323
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure Backdrop
Fire Lion 19930323
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure Fireball
Grand Wheelie 19930323
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure Wheel
Meta-Knights 19930323
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure None
Mr. Frosty 19930323
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure Freeze
Mr. Tick-Tock 19930323
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure Mike
Poppy Bros. Sr. 19930323
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure Crash
Rolling Turtle 19930323
Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure Throw
Batafire 20040415
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Burning
Bombar 20040415
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Missile
Bonkers 20040415
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Hammer
Box Boxer 20040415
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Fighter
Boxy 20040415
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Magic
Master Hand 20040415
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Burning, Smash, Stone
Mr. Frosty 20040415
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Ice
Phan Phan 20040415
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Throw
Waddle Dee 20040415
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror None
Fleurina 20220325
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Tornado
Wild Bonkers 20220325
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Hammer
Wild Edge 20220325
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Sword
Wild Frosty 20220325
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Ice
Mecha Cotta 20150299
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse N/A
Deepsee 20150299
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse N/A
Bonkers 20120916
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition N/A
Dubior 20120916
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition N/A
Gigant Edge 20120916
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition N/A
Kibble Blade 20120916
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition N/A
King Doo 20120916
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition N/A
Moundo 20120916
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition N/A
Water Galboros 20120916
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition N/A
Whispy Woods 20120916
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition N/A
Kracko Jr. 19920427
Kirby's Dream Land
Kirby's Dream Land N/A
Lololo 19920427
Kirby's Dream Land
Kirby's Dream Land N/A
Poppy Bros. Sr. 19920427
Kirby's Dream Land
Kirby's Dream Land N/A
Blocky 19950321
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2 Stone
Captain Stitch 19950321
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2 Needle
Efreeti 19950321
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2 Burning
Jumpershoot 19950321
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2 Parasol
Master Green 19950321
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2 Spark
Mr. Frosty 19950321
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2 Ice
Waiu 19950321
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2 Cutter
Blocky 19971127
Kirby's Dream Land 3
Kirby's Dream Land 3 Stone
Boboo 19971127
Kirby's Dream Land 3
Kirby's Dream Land 3 Burning
Captain Stitch 19971127
Kirby's Dream Land 3
Kirby's Dream Land 3 Needle
Haboki 19971127
Kirby's Dream Land 3
Kirby's Dream Land 3 Clean
Jumper Shoot 19971127
Kirby's Dream Land 3
Kirby's Dream Land 3 Parasol
Yuki 19971127
Kirby's Dream Land 3
Kirby's Dream Land 3 Ice
Blast Mariner 20101014
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby's Epic Yarn N/A
Combo Cannon 20101014
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby's Epic Yarn N/A
Kracko 20101014
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby's Epic Yarn N/A
Reactor 20101014
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby's Epic Yarn N/A
Space Kracko 20101014
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby's Epic Yarn N/A
Wicked Willow 20101014
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby's Epic Yarn N/A
Whispy Woods 20101014
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby's Epic Yarn N/A
Blast Mariner 20190308
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn N/A
Combo Cannon 20190308
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn N/A
Kracko 20190308
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn N/A
Reactor 20190308
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn N/A
Space Kracko 20190308
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn N/A
Wicked Willow 20190308
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn N/A
Whispy Woods 20190308
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn N/A
Big Birdee 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Big Warwiggle 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Block Waddle Dee 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Buzzybat 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Freezy Rex 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Giga Clanksprout 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Great Gear 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Hamsturr 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
King Eelongo 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Mega Stactus 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Moley 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Mothership 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Quadgun 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Shadowbite 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Skullseer 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Steelsnapper 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Tortletummy 20110804
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack N/A
Bonkers 20021025
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Hammer
Bugzzy 20021025
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Backdrop
Fire Lion 20021025
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Burning
Grand Wheelie 20021025
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Wheel
Meta-Knights 20021025
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land None
Mr. Frosty 20021025
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Freeze
Mr. Tick-Tock 20021025
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Mike
Phan Phan 20021025
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Throw
Poppy Bros. Sr. 20021025
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Crash
Blocky 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot Stone
Bonkers 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot Hammer
Dubior 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot Spark
Gigant Edge 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot Sword
Gigavolt 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot N/A
Gigavolt II 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot N/A
Invader Armor 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot N/A (Robobot Armor)
Kibble Blade 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot Cutter
King Doo 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot Beam
Masher 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot N/A
Miasmoros 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot Poison
Security Force 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot Beam, Bomb, Spark
Telepathos 20161006
Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot ESP
Bonkers 20111024
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Hammer
Dubior 20111024
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Spark
Gigant Edge 20111024
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Sword
Kibble Blade 20111024
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Cutter
King Doo 20111024
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Beam
Moundo 20111024
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Stone
Sphere Doomer 20111024
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land None, Fire, Spark, Ice
Super Bonkers 20111024
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Grand Hammer
Water Galboros 20111024
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Water
Bonkers 20230224
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Hammer
Dubior 20230224
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Spark
Gigant Edge 20230224
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Sword
Kibble Blade 20230224
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Cutter
King Doo 20230224
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Beam
Moundo 20230224
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Stone
Sphere Doomer 20230224
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe None, Fire, Spark, Ice
Super Bonkers 20230224
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Grand Hammer
Water Galboros 20230224
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Water
Big Metalun 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Metal
Bonkers 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Hammer
Box Boxer 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Fighter
Boxy 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Magic
Buboo 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Bubble
Doc 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Bomb, Laser, UFO
Gao Gao 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Animal
Mr. Frosty 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Ice
Spinni 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Ninja, Animal
Storo 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Hammer
Tedhaun 20060211
Kirby: Squeak Squad
Kirby: Squeak Squad Ghost
Bonkers 20180316
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby Star Allies Hammer
Bugzzy 20180316
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby Star Allies Suplex
Chef Kawasaki 20180316
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby Star Allies Cook
Mr. Frosty 20180316
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby Star Allies Ice
Vividria 20180316
Kirby Star Allies
Kirby Star Allies Artist
Bonkers 19960321
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star Hammer
Bugzzy 19960321
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star Suplex
Chef Kawasaki 19960321
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star Cook
Iron Mam 19960321
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star Fighter
Jukid 19960321
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star Suplex
Meta-Knights 19960321
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star None
Mr. Frosty 19960321
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star Ice
Poppy Bros. Sr. 19960321
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star Bomb
Bandana Waddle Dee 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra None
Bonkers 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Hammer
Bugzzy 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Suplex
Chef Kawasaki 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Cook
Fire Lion 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Fire
Grand Wheelie 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Wheel
Iron Mam 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Fighter
Jukid 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Suplex
Meta-Knights 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra None
Mr. Frosty 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Ice
Mr. Tick-Tock 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Mike
Phan Phan 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Suplex
Poppy Bros. Sr. 20080922
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra Bomb
Blocky 20140502
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Stone
Bonkers 20140502
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Hammer
Flame Galboros 20140502
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Fire
Gigant Edge 20140502
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Sword
Grand Wheelie 20140502
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Wheel
Hornhead 20140502
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Beetle
Mr. Frosty 20140502
Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Kirby: Triple Deluxe Ice

Etymology[]

Mid-boss is a shortening of "middle-rank boss," referring to how the enemy isn't quite the rank of a normal boss, but cannot be exploited like a regular enemy. The "mid" in its name could also be interpreted in that the mid-boss generally appears in the middle of stages/levels instead of being at the end, where a normal boss would usually be.

Related Quotes[]

Some of the enemies are just too nasty for me to swallow. See if you can find other ways to beat these guys!
A medium-rank boss can't be swallowed up.
— There are Some Tough Guys Out There That Even I Can't Swallow! • Kirby's Dream Land Instruction Booklet

References[]

Advertisement