Star Block: Difference between revisions
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KSA Star Block.jpg|A Star Block in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' | KSA Star Block.jpg|A Star Block in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' | ||
KSA Big Star Block.jpg|A big Star Block in ''Kirby Star Allies'' | KSA Big Star Block.jpg|A big Star Block in ''Kirby Star Allies'' | ||
KRtDL Beta 1.jpg|Screenshot from the second build of ''[[Kirby for Nintendo GameCube]]'', where several Star Blocks can be seen on the horizon. | |||
KRtDL Beta 2.jpg|Screenshot from the third build of ''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'', featuring Kirby and a [[Waddle Dee]] on top of some Star Blocks. | |||
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Revision as of 00:48, 13 April 2022
A Star Block,[1] called Star Box in Kirby's Dream Land, and Inhale Block in Kirby Super Star's manual, is a yellow-orange square block with a bordered white star insignia inset which is commonly found in most Kirby games as part of the environment, whether it be used as a barricade, to build platforms, or just tucked away in the corner of an area. Star Blocks are typically about Kirby's size (though some are larger) and can be easily inhaled by the pink puffball and used to spit out Star Bullets. They can also be destroyed in a single hit by any attack, including Air Bullets, Slide attacks, Water Gun shots, or Headbutts. In some games, such as Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, they can also be destroyed (albeit sometimes inadvertently) using a Dive Attack. In many cases, Star Blocks will reveal other items or even hidden Doors when broken.
Star Blocks are typically involved in puzzles or other environmental challenges which utilize their various properties. Sometimes they are simply meant to be used as ammunition against enemies or to hit switches and other objects, while other times they serve as a fragile set of platforms that Kirby may want to keep intact so he or another character can traverse a chasm with a Key or other item. In rarer cases, Star Block formations may be tied more esoterically to other triggers, such as in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, where Kirby has to selectively break certain blocks in a formation to make one of the Crystal Shards appear. Due to their ubiquitous nature, some enemies (like Blockin) will disguise themselves as Star Blocks in order to get the jump on Kirby.
Appearances
Star Blocks first appeared in Kirby's Dream Land, and have reappeared in every main-series game since then, along with many of the spin-offs. As such, it is simpler to list all the games which do not have Star Blocks, which are as follows:
- Kirby's Pinball Land
- Kirby's Dream Course
- Kirby's Avalanche
- Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
- Kirby Air Ride
- Kirby Fighters Deluxe
- Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe
- Team Kirby Clash Deluxe
- Kirby Battle Royale
- Super Kirby Clash
- Kirby Fighters 2
Notable appearances
Star Blocks look and behave roughly the same way in nearly every game they appear in. In the following games, however, Star Blocks have peculiar properties:
Kirby's Block Ball
In Kirby's Block Ball, Star Blocks are referred to formally as "Score Blocks", and can be hit multiple times before they disappear, with each subsequent hit yielding more points than the last. It is possible for these blocks to start out invisible until they are hit the first time.
There is another variety of block in this game that is referred to as a Star Block, but this does not resemble a traditional Star Block, instead being much narrower and darker with rounded edges. These are collected in the Target Shooting rounds and then cover the spikes during boss fights.
Kirby's Star Stacker
In both the Game Boy and Super Famicom versions of Kirby's Star Stacker, Star Blocks are the main elements of each puzzle round that need to be cleared (or "stacked") in order to earn points and progress through the game. This is done by lining up Animal Friends between the blocks to make them disappear, or by using Bomb Blocks. Star Blocks can appear in new rows from the bottom or be deposited from the top depending on various circumstances.
Kirby: Canvas Curse
In Kirby: Canvas Curse, Star Blocks can be destroyed by tapping them with the Nintendo DS stylus, in addition to more normal methods. Principally, they come in two distinct sizes in this game, with the larger ones taking up a 2x2 area as compared to the standard ones.
Kirby Mass Attack
In Kirby Mass Attack, larger Star Blocks take several hits to destroy, and visibly crack as they are damaged.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Kirby's Return to Dream Land marked the first time in the series that multiple Star Blocks could be inhaled at once, using the Super Inhale technique. This aspect of Star Blocks would carry over into future games in the series that feature both inhaling and Star Blocks.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
In Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, Star Blocks can appear in extra wide varieties which block off hallways and take several hits to destroy, visibly cracking as they are damaged. Star Blocks in this game are distinct from the softer Clay Blocks in the fact that Kirby cannot simply power through them without using a Star Dash or other special technique.
Kirby's Blowout Blast
In Kirby's Blowout Blast, larger Star Blocks can individually provide Kirby with a Blaster Bullet when inhaled. Additionally, when Kirby has a full belly, he will automatically break through Star Blocks that he touches.
Profiles
Kirby Super Star
- Wii U Virtual Console manual bio: "You can inhale it or attack to destroy it."
Kirby Super Star Ultra
- Instruction manual bio (page 21): "Attack or swallow these to get them out of your way"
Trivia
- Star Blocks are typically the main building block for the formations of letters seen in HAL Rooms in various games where that Easter egg is present.
Gallery
Kirby using Superspicy Curry to clear away a line of Star Blocks in Kirby's Dream Land
Coming across an Energy Drink encased by Star Blocks in Kirby's Adventure
Busting through a Star Block barricade in Kirby's Dream Land 2
A Star Block (called a "Score Block" in-game) can be seen tucked inside this block formation in Kirby's Block Ball.
A bridge of Star Blocks in Kirby Super Star
Star Blocks are among the main puzzle elements in Kirby's Star Stacker.
Preparing to blast through a thick Star Block barricade using a Zebon in Kirby's Dream Land 3
A Star Block in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
A winding tunnel filled with Star Blocks in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Passing by a tall stack of Star Blocks in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Entering a room absolutely filled with Star Blocks in Kirby: Canvas Curse
Artwork of Balloon Kirby from Kirby: Canvas Curse that also features Star Blocks
- KSqS Gamble Galaxy Stage 2 Chest 3.jpg
Traversing an area made almost entirely of Star Blocks in Kirby: Squeak Squad
Traversing a room full of Star Blocks in Kirby Super Star Ultra
Walking over a Star Block bridge in Whispy's Forest, from Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirbys busting through Star Blocks using Jumbo Candy in Kirby Mass Attack
Sprite of Block Waddle Dee - a Big Waddle Dee that wears a Star Block as armor - from Kirby Mass Attack
- KTD Hypernova Kirby Eat Blocks.jpg
Kirby eating multiple blocks at once using Hypernova, from Kirby: Triple Deluxe
A Challenge Mode room from Kirby and the Rainbow Curse which contains both regular and wide Star Blocks.
A Star Block in Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby standing on some Star Blocks in a stage in Kirby's Blowout Blast
A Star Block in Kirby Star Allies
Screenshot from the second build of Kirby for Nintendo GameCube, where several Star Blocks can be seen on the horizon.
Screenshot from the third build of Kirby for Nintendo GameCube, featuring Kirby and a Waddle Dee on top of some Star Blocks.
Names in other languages
Language | Name | Meaning |
---|---|---|
French | Bloc étoile | Star block |
German | Sternenblock | Star block |
References
- ↑ "Star Block. Attack or swallow these to get them out of your way" –Kirby Super Star Ultra instruction manual (page 20)