Kirby Fighters 2

	This article contains information that does not coincide with the main series canon.	(Similar)

“	"This combat-based fighting game lets you choose a Copy Ability, then enter battles with up to four players! You can fight dear friends or unknown rivals all over the world. There's even a story mode where you'll face off against the tag team of King Dedede and Meta Knight!"”
	— Past Adventures • Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe

Kirby Fighters 2 is a battle-action Kirby game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was released worldwide on September 23, 2020. A sequel to Kirby Fighters Deluxe, a stand-alone upgrade of the Kirby: Triple Deluxe sub-game Kirby Fighters, Kirby Fighters 2 features more Copy Abilities, stages, and playable characters alongside a new Story Mode and online multiplayer.

Gameplay[]

Kirby Fighters 2 is a fighting game where Kirbys with Copy Abilities, as well as Buddy characters, battle. The game contains a multitude of items, along with on-stage hazards and bosses in some stages.

The player can choose from eighteen different Copy Abilities in this game, along with five other characters; these include the same twelve abilities that were featured in Kirby Fighters Deluxe. These must be unlocked by raising the player's Fighters Rank. Additional stages, Story Items, and Rare Hats can also be unlocked by raising the Fighters Rank.

If the player has data from Kirby Star Allies on the system, a Francisca style Rare Beam Hat, a Flamberge style Rare Sword Hat, and a Zan Partizanne style Rare Staff Hat will be unlocked. If the player has data from Super Kirby Clash on the system, a rare Hero Sword Hat will be unlocked.

Modes[]

Battle Mode[]

Battle Mode is the main mode of the game, during which up to four fighters (or three CPUs) can choose from unlocked characters and Copy Abilities and battle on a stage. Players may compete in a team battle or a free-for-all.

Online Mode[]

Online Mode allows players to go online and play in a team battle.

Local Play Mode[]

Local Play Mode allows players to use multiple local Nintendo Switch systems to battle.

Story Mode: The Destined Rivals[]

“	Enemies await in the tower. Climb it with a buddy as you select items and power up along the way!”
	— Story Mode • Kirby Fighters 2

Kirby Fighters 2 contains a Story Mode that can be played with up to two players. After choosing a Copy Ability/character, the players must fight through a certain number of floors in each Chapter to reach the Summit, where a boss is fought. In between each floor, players may choose one unlocked Story Item in the Item Room to assist them.

Single-Handed Mode[]

“	Compete for time in nine solo battles! Select a difficulty and the challenge begins!”
	— Single-Handed Mode • Kirby Fighters 2

In Single-Handed Mode, a player must choose a Copy Ability/character and compete in a series of Rounds against increasingly difficult opponents without stopping. The mode has four difficulties; Easy, Normal, Hard, and Very Hard (which is only unlocked after the the other three difficulties are beaten).

Training[]

Training allows players to experiment with fighting techniques against two CPUs in the Training stage.

Characters[]

By default, the only playable characters are Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee.

Playable[]

Enemies/stage hazards[]

Bosses[]

Twin Woods
Duo Edge
- Gigant Edge
- Ignite Edge
Shadow Kirby
King Dedede & Meta Knight
- Waning Crescent Masked Dedede & Waxing Crescent Masked Meta Knight

Copy Abilities and Buddies[]

By default, the only playable Copy Abilities are Sword, Bomb, and Staff. The only buddy unlocked by default is Bandana Waddle Dee. All unlockable Copy Abilities are unlocked by reaching certain Fighters Ranks; Gooey and Magolor are unlocked by reaching certain Fighters Ranks. Meta Knight and King Dedede are unlocked by progressing though the game's story mode.

Ability/Buddy	Unlock Criteria
Sword	Fighters Rank 1
Bomb	Fighters Rank 1
Staff	Fighters Rank 1
Artist	Fighters Rank 21
Fighter	Fighters Rank 16
Yo-Yo	Fighters Rank 6
Beetle	Fighters Rank 11
Bell	Fighters Rank 37
Archer	Fighters Rank 28
Parasol	Fighters Rank 31
Cutter	Fighters Rank 24
Hammer	Fighters Rank 13
Beam	Fighters Rank 10
Wrestler	Fighters Rank 2
Ninja	Fighters Rank 33
Whip	Fighters Rank 27
Water	Fighters Rank 30
Bandana Waddle Dee	Fighters Rank 1
Gooey	Fighters Rank 3
Magolor	Fighters Rank 39
King Dedede	The Destined Rivals Final Chapter Completed
Meta Knight	The Destined Rivals Chapter 4 Completed

Stages[]

Battle Mode[]

KF2 Select Stage — All stages playable in Battle Mode

10 stages are introduced in Kirby Fighters 2. Almost all stages are unlocked by getting a high enough Fighters Rank, and all stages have secret songs, most of which can be unlocked at certain higher Fighters Ranks.

Name	Inspired by	Features	Unlock criteria	Secret song unlock criteria
Green Gardens	Stage 1 of World of Peace - Dream Land from Kirby Star Allies	Three platforms	Unlocked by default	Fighters Rank 19
Springy Hand Land	Stage 3 of Lollipop Land in Kirby: Triple Deluxe	Two platforms at the sides, six Springy Hands that can slam Kirbys onto the screen.	Unlocked by default	Fighters Rank 31
Dried-up Sea	Stage 2 of Gigabyte Grounds in Kirby: Planet Robobot	Two high platforms on each side and one low platform in the center; three fans on each side.	Unlocked by default	Fighters Rank 84
Coo's Forest	Stage 5 of Grass Land in Kirby's Dream Land 3	Three pairs of platforms; Coo, Rick, and Kine come through doors and attack: Coo shoots three Cutter feathers, Rick shoots a stream of fire, and Kine flops around.	Fighters Rank 25	Fighters Rank 76
Gourmet Go Go	Stage 2 of Dedede's Drum Dash and Pumpkin Grand, stage 1 of Gourmet Race	Four platforms; King Dedede (appearing as he does in Kirby Super Star Ultra) will run along the screen after a Waddle Dee pops a popper, Waddle Dees will throw food, bombs and Gordos from the sides and top of the stage.	Fighters Rank 3	Fighters Rank 58
Butter Building	Rotating tower segments of Butter Building in Kirby's Adventure	Two levels, tower rotates, Starmen jumping, Bronto Burts flying, Laser Balls shooting 1-4 lasers, UFO Kirby dropping food, and, very rarely, Bombers. All enemies can be defeated, even the UFO Kirby.	Fighters Rank 35	Fighters Rank 74
Waddle Dee Train Tracks	Stage 1 of Old Odyssey in Kirby: Triple Deluxe	Two platforms of varying heights to the sides, Waddle Dee Train rams into Kirbys from the background or from the sides.	Fighters Rank 23	Fighters Rank 92
Factory Tour	Stage 4 of Shiver Star in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards	Three Squeaky Hammer Machines slam the ground, sometimes in pairs, occasionally all three.	Fighters Rank 37	Fighters Rank 67
Haldera Volcano	Stage 1 of Dangerous Dinner in Kirby's Return to Dream Land	Three islands, platform above middle island, lava pillars between islands and one above the middle island.	Fighters Rank 7	Fighters Rank 89
Castle Lololo	Wider version of Lololo & Lalala's arena in Kirby Super Star/Kirby Super Star Ultra	Three levels, Lololo & Lalala push their boxes, Blue Boxes, and Gordos across the screen.	Fighters Rank 14	Fighters Rank 96
Bubbly Clouds	Kracko's arena in Kirby Super Star/Kirby Super Star Ultra	Two platforms, Kracko appears and uses classic attacks: star beam, rain storm, and lightning.	Fighters Rank 5	Fighters Rank 44
Dedede Arena	King Dedede's arena in Kirby Super Star Ultra	Right and left sides of arena are raised, platform above the main fighting area, Dedede drops from the ceiling and can throw Waddle Dees, Gordos, Apples, and Oil Drums. He can also jump across the stage.	Fighters Rank 29	Fighters Rank 97
Dyna Blade's Nest	Dyna Blade's Nest stage in Kirby Super Star Ultra	Dyna Blade appears and uses classic attacks: dropping onto the ground, shooting fire, stretching her neck, grabbing characters with her talons, and charging from the background.	Fighters Rank 42	Fighters Rank 79
Gigavolt	Gigavolt's arena in Kirby: Planet Robobot	Features its eponymous boss character which cannot be defeated.	Fighters Rank 40	Fighters Rank 97
Fortress of Shadows Jambastion Entrance	Gatehouse Road stage of Fortress of Shadows - Jambastion in Kirby Star Allies	Features four floating platforms, two large upper platforms and two small lower platforms; The Three Mage-Sisters appear, each with two attacks.	Fighters Rank 49	Fighters Rank 60
The Empyrean	Fifth level of Team Kirby Clash Deluxe and Super Kirby Clash	Flat battleground	Fighters Rank 72	Fighters Rank 93
Fountain of Dreams	Fountain of Dreams from Kirby Super Star/Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land	Flat battleground	Fighters Rank 81	Fighters Rank 100
Stage of Destined Rivals	Location of fight against King Dedede & Meta Knight in Chapter 4 of Story Mode: The Destined Rivals.	Flat battleground	Complete Chapter 4 of Story Mode: The Destined Rivals	Complete Chapter 4 of Story Mode: The Destined Rivals
Stage of the Partners Who Shook the Heavens	Location of fight against King Dedede & Meta Knight in the Final Chapter of Story Mode: The Destined Rivals.	Flat battleground	Complete Final Chapter of Story Mode: The Destined Rivals	Complete Final Chapter of Story Mode: The Destined Rivals
Training	Tutorial area in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards.	Flat battleground	Unlocked by default	Fighters Rank 98

Others[]

These stages cannot be chosen via the stage select screen, but serve as battlefields for certain bosses.

Name	Notes	Image
Decisive Battlefield	Exclusive to Shadow Kirby

Items[]

Battle Items[]

Story Items[]

Story Items are items only obtainable in Story Mode. The player can choose one Story Item in the Item Room after clearing a floor. By default, there are three items to choose from in each Item Room.

Category	Name	Image
Auto-Guard	Auto-Guard I
Auto-Guard	Auto-Guard II
Badge	Bandana Waddle Dee Badge
	Gooey Badge
	Magolor Badge
	Boss Badge
Buddy Skill Up	Buddy Skill Up
Charm	Anti-Explosion Charm
	Anti-Gordo Charm
	Anti-Hazard Charm
	Anti-Mike Charm
Cursed Ring	Cursed Anti-Ghost Ring
	Cursed Attack Ring
	Cursed Auto-Heal Ring
Item Selection Bonus	Item Selection Bonus
Recovery	Cherry
	Energy Drink
	Maxim Tomato
Score Statue	Bronze Score Statue
	Silver Score Statue
	Gold Score Statue
Sticker	Auto-Heal Sticker
	Crackler Sticker
	Explosives Sticker
	Extension Sticker
	Ice Container Breaking Sticker
	Mint Leaf Sticker
	Quick-Cheer Sticker
	Score-Bonus Sticker
	Zap Weapon Sticker
Stone	Attack Stone Lv. 1
	Attack Stone Lv. 2
	Attack Stone Lv. 3
	Attack Stone Lv. 4
	Cursed Attack Stone Lv. 5
	Ghost Stone Lv. 1
	Ghost Stone Lv. 2
	Ghost Stone Lv. 3
	Ghost Stone Lv. 4
	Cursed Ghost Stone Lv. 5
	Health Stone Lv. 1
	Health Stone Lv. 2
	Health Stone Lv. 3
	Health Stone Lv. 4
	Cursed Health Stone Lv. 5
	Quick-Charge Stone Lv. 1
	Quick-Charge Stone Lv. 2
	Quick-Charge Stone Lv. 3
	Quick-Charge Stone Lv. 4
	Cursed Quick-Charge Stone Lv. 5
	Recovery Stone Lv. 1
	Recovery Stone Lv. 2
	Recovery Stone Lv. 3
	Recovery Stone Lv. 4
	Cursed Recovery Stone Lv. 5

Canonicity[]

Unlike other games in the Kirby series with story modes that explain the existence of several multi-colored members of Kirby's species, such as Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, the multiple Kirbys (and duplicates of other characters such as Magolor and Gooey) seen in Kirby Fighters 2 go unexplained, a trademark of presumably non-canon spinoffs like Kirby Air Ride. Since the existence of most such duplicates is not supported in the mainline Kirby games, it can be assumed that their appearance in Kirby Fighters 2 is non-canon. However, as these duplicates are largely unimportant to the described events in Story Mode: The Destined Rivals, it can be assessed that said described events, such as King Dedede and Meta Knight teaming up as well as the existence of the Mask of Dark Bonds, could be considered canon.

Demo[]

Demo title
Demo icon
Demo menu

The demo for Kirby Fighters 2 was released to the Nintendo eShop in all regions on October 21, 2020.^[2] It includes Local Play Mode, Online Mode, and the first chapter of Story Mode: The Destined Rivals. The player has access to all abilities, characters, stages, and items afforded by Fighter Rank 1. They can accumulate up to 100 Fighters Points but cannot level up. The Rewards List, Training, and Options are also available.

Differences from Kirby Fighters Deluxe[]

Certain color palettes, such as Red, White, Purple, and Shadow, are absent.
The Combo Cannon item is replaced with the Buddy Star Blaster.
Kracko no longer appears in a boss battle; rather, he now serves as a hazard in the Bubbly Cloud stage.
The Flower Land stage has been replaced by Green Gardens.
Shadow Kirby is no longer playable, instead, he only appears as a boss.

Transcript[]

Main article: Story Mode: The Destined Rivals/Transcript

Staff[]

Main article: List of Kirby Fighters 2 Staff

Music[]

Main article: Kirby Fighters 2/Music

Related Quotes[]

“	Choose from a cast of Kirby's most iconic copy abilities—including the brand-new Wrestler ability—and duke it out to be the last Kirby standing. Familiar friends and foes like Bandana Waddle Dee and King Dedede also make an appearance as playable characters in the Kirby Fighters 2 game, available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch™ system.”
	— Summary • Play Nintendo Official Website

“

Kirby vs. Kirby vs. Kirby vs. Kirby

Choose from a cast of Kirby's most iconic copy abilities-including the brand-new Wrestler ability-and duke it out to be the last Kirby standing. Familiar friends and foes like Bandana Waddle Dee and King Dedede also make an appearance as playable characters.

Prove your pink puffball prowess and scale the tower in Story Mode

Meta Knight and King Dedede having seemingly teamed up to challenge Kirby to a buddy gauntlet! Fight alongside a buddy (player or computer controlled) to scale the tower, choosing helpful items between each round that will power you up for the rest of your ascent.

Friends can join the fray locally or online.

Up to four players can battle on the same system*, with local wireless, or online**! Choose a free-for-all or team battle and customize the rules to your liking.

Each of the playable abilities and characters has a distinct play style and set of moves. Abilities like Cutter and Archer excel at ranged attacks, while Wrestler and Fighter like to get up close and personal! Other characters like Gooey or Bandana Waddle Dee bring a variety of moves from the past Kirby games. Experiment with them all to find and master your favorite.

Earn Fighters Points as you play to level up your Fighters Rank to unlock abilities, characters, stages, and more. You'll even unlock Rare Hats that change the look of certain copy abilities—Cutter Kirby rocking a mohawk is a sight to see.

When you aren't battling with friends or scaling the tower in Story Mode, Single-Handed mode is a one-player trial of 9 back-to-back battles! It's great for practicing your skills or gaining some Fighters Points.

Players with save data for the Kirby Star Allies game can get Rare Hats of the Three Mage Sisters, and players with save data for the Super Kirby Clash game can get a Rare Hat for Sword Kirby.”

— Kirby Fighters 2 • Nintendo eShop

“	Congratulations on clearing Story Mode for the first time! Getting 100% clear isn't so far out of your grasp! Keep improving your skills by increasing your Fighters Rank and trying any uncleared modes!”
	— Announcement • Kirby Fighters 2

“	The mysterious effect of this stage causes nothing but Action Stars to appear! Falling food and sudden naps... Cross your fingers and hope for the best!”
	— Action Star Stage • Kirby Fighters 2

“	The mysterious effect of this room increases the enemy's attack power! Keep your Guard up and fight!”
	— Brutal-Foe Stage • Kirby Fighters 2

“	The mysterious effect of this stage doubles the damage done by hazards! It's a risky battleground, but if you can lure enemies into the hazards, it might pay off!”
	— Deadly Hazard Stage • Kirby Fighters 2

“	The mysterious effect of this stage causes nothing but Bombers and Timed Dynamite to appear! Careful not to get caught up in an explosion!”
	— Explosive Stage • Kirby Fighters 2

Trivia[]

Kirby Fighters 2 was leaked on Nintendo's Play Nintendo microsite on September 22, 2020. The Game Finder application briefly listed it among games for Nintendo Switch, with its icon, description, and MSRP. The discovery was spread on Twitter before Nintendo removed the listing.^[3]^[4] Likewise, its demo was discovered in a datamine and leaked on September 24, 2020. This was nearly a month before the demo's release.^[5]
- Kirby Fighters 2 is the first Kirby game to be leaked before its official reveal, followed by Kirby and the Forgotten Land one year later.

HAL In Quarantine — Members of the development team wearing masks.

Kirby Fighters 2 is the first Kirby game to be developed and released during the COVID-19 pandemic. The development team could not communicate with each other in person due to their remote work environment. They had previously worked together on Super Kirby Clash, so they were familiar enough that no communication issues or major problems arose.^[6]
Kirby Fighters 2 is the first expanded sub-game to introduce an original Copy Ability, and is the second spin-off in the series to do so overall, with the first being Balloon in Kirby: Canvas Curse.
This is the second game where Meta Knight is both one of the main antagonists and final bosses after Revenge of Meta Knight from Kirby Super Star.
Kirby Fighters 2's training theme is a medley of remixes of themes from previous Kirby games: the training theme from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards; the theme of Green Greens from Kirby's Dream Land; and the stage select music for Ripple Star from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards.
Unlike the previous Kirby games on the Nintendo Switch, Kirby Star Allies and Super Kirby Clash, instead of running at 30fps, Kirby Fighters 2 runs at 60fps, thus making this the first Kirby game on the Nintendo Switch to run at 60fps.

KF2 Beta Select Screens — Concept designs of the Copy Ability select screen.

In released concept designs of the Copy Ability select screen for Kirby Fighters 2, one can see the icon for the Fire ability in the top right design, and artwork for the ESP ability in the bottom right design. This may suggest that both Fire and ESP were planned to appear in the game at one point, but were ultimately scrapped.
- Additionally, the bottom right design uses artwork of White Kirby and Red Kirby, despite them not appearing in the game. This may also suggest that selectable alternate palettes were planned and scrapped as well, although they may be serving as placeholders instead.
Kirby Fighters 2 is the first Kirby game since 2005's Kirby: Canvas Curse to feature only one Stone transformation. As one of Gooey's attacks, it hearkens back to Stone's only form in Kirby's Dream Land 3.
All of the KO animations are recycled from Kirby Star Allies. As a result, when Magolor is KO'd, he falls to the ground and strikes the same position he took when the Lor Starcutter crashed in Kirby's Return to Dream Land.
Kirby Fighters 2 is the first Kirby game since Kirby and the Rainbow Curse to have no amiibo functionality.
The ending of this game, where King Dedede walks sadly down a path, is likely a reference to the final scene in Revenge of the King from Kirby Super Star Ultra.
This is the first Kirby game for Nintendo Switch to not feature or reference Morpho Knight in any capacity.
The music that plays while viewing the rewards is a remix of the music that plays in the Central Circle from Kirby & The Amazing Mirror.
- If the player waits in the options menu for 86 seconds, another remix of the music featured in a medley alongside "Forest/Nature Area" plays.

Videos[]

Kirby Fighters 2 – Launch Trailer – Nintendo Switch

Artwork[]

Promotional art[]

Media[]

Concept Artwork[]

Gallery[]

References[]

[KF2-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Kirby Fighters 2 microsite

[2] Nintendo Life - October 21, 2020

[3] Kirby Fighters 2 for Nintendo Switch

[4] Nintendo Life article archiving the original tweet

[5] Datamine demo leak - September 24, 2020

[6] Translated development blog - Nintendo Life

[1]