Nintendo's iconic pink puffball Kirby is trending on Twitter today, as fans express their appreciation for Kirby's enormous skill in battle. While Kirby may seem harmless, fans know about his extensive track record of battle victories, and now is the perfect moment to discuss that record as Kirby's name trends.
Few characters come from such humble beginnings as Kirby. Unlike most major Nintendo franchises, which started off with major releases filled with features, Kirby debuted in the Game Boy game Kirby's Dream Land. Designed with young children and inexperienced gamers in mind, the game was very simple and short. Nevertheless, it sold well enough to justify sequels, which helped to flesh out Kirby's home of Planet Popstar. Over time, Kirby games have become increasingly elaborate, with recent entries like Kirby Star Allies including dozens of playable characters working together to fight a demonic progenitor god.
Kirby started trending in response to a tweet by Zelda Gif World. The tweet asked which two of nine Super Smash Bros. Ultimate characters fans would want to protect them, if the other seven attacked them. Many fans answered that they would want Kirby as an ally, which ultimately got Kirby's name trending on Twitter. While those unfamiliar with Kirby may be confused as to why he received so much attention as a result of the poll, it all comes back to his awe-inspiring battle power.
In the original Kirby's Dream Land, Kirby started off with a relatively simple final boss, by facing King Dedede in the latter's castle. In subsequent games, however, Kirby began discovering alien conspiracies that threatened to take out Kirby's home world. At this point, Kirby has squared off against sinister cosmic forces like Dark Matter, faced versions of his enemies from an alternate mirror dimension, and taken down the monstrous god Divine Terminus. Reading a list of Kirby final bosses comes across like something from a horror novel - and yet, in spite of that, Kirby is still just as plucky as ever.
Of course, Kirby relies on his signature inhale-and-copy ability to imitate his foes' powers. That said, in what might be the greatest possible testament to Kirby's strength, he is still able to come out on top when his normal fighting methods are taken away. Whether turned into a ball in games like Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, or turned into yarn in Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn, Kirby adapts to any new situation and returns to Planet Popstar unscathed.
While Kirby's feats in his home series are truly staggering, he is sadly not the strongest contender in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In fact, he's quite weak, regularly appearing at the bottom of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tier lists. Still, this isn't enough to deter his fans, who trust that Kirby would be able to turn his foes' powers against them and emerge victorious.