The best Kirby transformations and copy abilities

For a squidgy blob heading steadily towards middle age, the Kirbster is looking good. Those rosy cheeks have hardly aged a day in their 29 years on this earth, though they’ve certainly grown an extra pixel or two. His secret? Probably something to do with all that gobbling up the life essence and powers of others. For Kirby’s 29th anniversary, we’re celebrating his iconic black hole of a gullet by highlighting 13 of our favorite transformation and copy abilities from the pink puffball’s series and wider history.

The best Kirby transformations and copy abilities

13. Ball (Kirby’s Adventure)

There’s nothing particularly special about the Ball transformation. It’s far from Kirby’s most powerful ability, and bouncing around too quickly can lead to some unfortunate slips from ledges. Yet there’s something intensely satisfying about his pure, cylindrical shape. It’s almost as if this is how Kirby ought to be, freed from the constraints of outer limbs. We could all learn a thing or two from Ball Kirby.

12. Beetle (Kirby: Triple Deluxe)

Just look at that majestic horn. Don’t get too close though, because Beetle Kirby is ruthless in its application. Looking fit to take the place of Sekiro’s most fearsome bosses, Beetle Kirby can charge foes down and even impale them, to be hoisted up as a warning for would-be contenders. This barbed transformation also grants him wings to unleash slamming strikes from above. And if his fighting skills ever fail him, Beetle Kirby could also find a pretty solid career as an Elvis impersonator.

11. Whip (Kirby’s Return to Dream Land)

Well howdy there, pardner. With a flick of the wrist, Whip Kirby delivers a snappy sense of style to the pink persona. Despite what the hat might indicate, the only cattle getting herded here are Kirby’s enemies, who’ll need to withstand a flurry of strikes and ensnaring lashes. Whip Kirby can even grab out-of-reach items, offering plenty of utility for the eternally hungry sphere to snag snacks from the fridge while he relaxes at the ranch.

10. Tornado (Kirby’s Adventure)

Of Kirby’s original copy powers, Tornado has to be the coolest. Outfitting our beloved hero in a windswept headpiece, this power allows Kirby to briefly transform into an invincible spiral of air. Devastating in terms of damage, it takes some practice to control the chaotic winds nature of the winds. 

9. Refrigerator Kirby (Kirby 64)

Kirby 64 includes some of the weirdest copy powers, and the most unsettling by far is the Ice + Spark Refrigerator Kirby. Perhaps embodying some deeply buried shame at the puffball’s excessive consumption, Refrigerator Kirby spits food back out at enemies, annihilating them on impact. Unsettling stuff, best contained in the SCP foundation or Control’s Panopticon.

8. Cook (Kirby Super Star)

On the positive side of the culinary spectrum is the classic Cook Kirby. This cheery fellow will happily broil both friend and foe alike within his golden cooking pot. Anyone unfortunate enough to be caught in the vat is transformed into food for Kirby to devour. Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be a happy power?

7. Doctor Kirby (Kirby: Planet Robobot)

Proof that Kirby is just as capable and qualified as Nintendo’s dungarees-clad mascot Mario. Doctor Kirby is the result of years of medical practice and training. Someone else’s years, sure, but Kirby still did the hard work of eating them. Much like Mario, the result of that medical license is the ability to hurl bouncing pills at enemies, though later multiplayer titles did add healing options as well. The hippocratic oath really doesn’t mean what it used to.

This is the end of Page One of our favorite kirby transformations and copy abilities. Click here to head to Page Two, or leave a comment of your favorite ability in the comments below!

This is Page Two of our favorite Kirby transformations. To read from the start, click here to visit Page One!

6. Festival (Kirby Star Allies)

Dressed to impress, Festival Kirby is the life of the party. Featuring a bold, multicolored headdress, he can gather his friends together for a boogie so powerful it transforms all nearby enemies into Point Stars. When is this party-loving guy turning up for our Animal Crossing Festivale celebrations? On second thought, he'd probably eat all our villagers!

5. Joker (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)

Kirby unleashes his ultimate superpower: Gun. The Smash games are overflowing with brilliant and adorable Kirbified versions of our favorite video characters. Few of them, however, can compete with the sheer absurdity of seeing Kirby whip out a pistol to unload several rounds into Donkey Kong. Look what you’ve wrought, Joker. Special recognition is also due to the Bayonetta, King K-Rool, Game & Watch, and Captain Falcon transformations for being cute, hideous, cool, and melodic, respectively.

4. Fire Engine (Kirby’s Epic Yarn)

Epic Yarn features a full complement of unique transformations lovable enough to bring a tear to your eye. The train transformation comes close but, for our money, the Fire Engine is the best looker of the lot. Plus, this Kirbmobile variant can shoot water out to douse flaming pillars and creatures. Fire Engine Kirby knows that only you can prevent forest fires.

3. Sleep (Kirby’s Adventure)

We’re not entirely convinced that Sleep is actually a transformation. It's well known that the best companion to a large meal is a light nap, and all that eating Kirby gets up to is sure to require some recovery time. Sleep gains bonus points for being almost entirely useless, but adorning Kirby in an adorable little night cap. We can only dream of such blissful rest.

2. Hypernova (Kirby: Triple Deluxe)

We joke about Kirby’s stomach being a black hole, but Hypernova quite literally generates one inside of him. This, truly, is the purest distillation of Kirby. The power Hypernova grants means even the largest enemies and objects standing Kirby’s way can’t withstand tumbling into that gastronomical abyss. A terrifying, world-guzzling upgrade.

1. Ultra Sword (Kirby’s Return to Dreamland)

All of Kirby’s Super Abilities are worth a place on this list, but to save room for the less flashy powers, we’ve picked his classic Ultra Sword to represent them all. Appearing in a huge number of titles, the Ultra Sword even forms his Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Donning a Link-inspired (but suitably jazzed up) hat, Kirby wields a sword so ludicrously oversized that even Cloud Strife would probably call it overcompensating. Exactly the level of over-the-top flourish we're after from an ultimate attack.

Those were our favorite Kirby transformations, but what about yours? Let us know your picks in the comments below to celebrate Kirby’s birthday in your own style!