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'''''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'''''{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071202061129/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2005/gc_soft/ Nintendo of Japan website (archived)]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6dBh5yVgGY&t=131s Kirby GCN - Nintendo Press Kit E3 2005 - hungrygoriya - YouTube]</ref>}} was the tentative title for an unreleased mainline ''Kirby'' game developed for the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. Announced in 2004, it featured a revamped [[Helper]] system based on that of ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'', alongside the camera perspective used in ''[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]]''. It began development in 2000, shortly after development for ''Kirby 64'' concluded,{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref name="IwataAsks>[https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/kirby-dream-land/0/0/ Iwata Asks - Kirby's Return to Dream Land - Page 1]</ref>}} and was planned for release soon after ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'' in 2003.{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref name="IwataAsks" />}} Its initial announced release date was 2005, which was later pushed back to 2006. However, due to the difficulty of designing a game for both single-player and multi-player, it was eventually canceled, most likely sometime in 2006.{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref name="IwataAsks" />}} Had it been released as intended, it would have been the eighth game in the main series. | '''''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'''''{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071202061129/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2005/gc_soft/ Nintendo of Japan website (archived)]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6dBh5yVgGY&t=131s Kirby GCN - Nintendo Press Kit E3 2005 - hungrygoriya - YouTube]</ref>}} was the tentative title for an unreleased mainline ''Kirby'' game developed for the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. Announced in 2004, it featured a revamped [[Helper]] system based on that of ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'', alongside the camera perspective used in ''[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]]''. It began development in 2000, shortly after development for ''Kirby 64'' concluded,{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref name="IwataAsks>[https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/kirby-dream-land/0/0/ Iwata Asks - Kirby's Return to Dream Land - Page 1]</ref>}} and was planned for release soon after ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'' in 2003.{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref name="IwataAsks" />}} Its initial announced release date was 2005, which was later pushed back to 2006. However, due to the difficulty of designing a game for both single-player and multi-player, it was eventually canceled, most likely sometime in 2006.{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref name="IwataAsks" />}} Had it been released as intended, it would have been the eighth game in the main series. | ||
Three more builds of the game followed, with development eventually transferring over to the [[Wii]]. | Three more builds of the game followed, with development eventually transferring over to the [[Nintendo Wii]]. | ||
Only the last of these was released, under the title ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]''.{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref name="IwataAsks" />}} The concept for this game would later be revisited in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]]. | Only the last of these was released, under the title ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]''.{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|Kirby for Nintendo GameCube|<ref name="IwataAsks" />}} The concept for this game would later be revisited in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]]. | ||
}}</onlyinclude>{{:{{ROOTPAGENAME}}|transcludesection=lead}} | }}</onlyinclude>{{:{{ROOTPAGENAME}}|transcludesection=lead}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The game was shown as a more traditional 2D adventure, but still containing 3D assets. It featured a [[Helper]] system similar to the one in ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'', but allowed up to 3 Helpers at a time instead of just one. Enemies and [[Mid-Boss]]es could be stunned by the attacks of Kirby and his helpers. The story would have seen Kirby on a quest to retrieve the [[Warp Star]], which had been stolen by [[King Dedede]], who uses it to power his new robot, [[Dedede Robo]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20120306183526/http://cube.ign.com/objects/716/716496.html</ref> Official press releases seem to imply that the game would use a similar "compilation" format as ''Kirby Super Star'', with [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/182899928140480512/933818220153036830/unknown.png concept art for the main menu] shown in the ''[[20th Anniversary Kirby Pupupu Encyclopedia]]'' depicting a variety of menu options formatted as a stack of boxes. | |||
The game started development in 2000, shortly after the release of ''Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards'', and was intended to release soon after ''Kirby Air Ride'' in 2003. It was announced in November 2004,<ref name="ign" /> and trailers and press screenshots were shown during [[wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2005]],<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=yy2l5BSBSL0</ref>, though nothing more would come of it. | The game started development in 2000, shortly after the release of ''Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards'', and was intended to release soon after ''Kirby Air Ride'' in 2003. It was announced in November 2004,<ref name="ign" /> and trailers and press screenshots were shown during [[wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2005]],<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=yy2l5BSBSL0</ref>, though nothing more would come of it. | ||
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==The three lost ''Kirby'' games== | ==The three lost ''Kirby'' games== | ||
In an Iwata Asks interview for ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'', it was revealed that two more builds and concepts for the game existed before the final version; these two concepts alongside the one shown at E3 are collectively referred to as the "three lost ''Kirby'' games".<ref name=IwataAsks /> Each of the three lost games were said to be "fairly complete | In an Iwata Asks interview for ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'', it was revealed that two more builds and concepts for the game existed before the final version; these two concepts alongside the one shown at E3 are collectively referred to as the "three lost ''Kirby'' games".<ref name=IwataAsks /> Each of the three lost games were said to be "fairly complete".<ref name="Iwata2">[https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/kirby-dream-land/0/1/ Iwata Asks - Kirby's Return to Dream Land - Page 2]</ref> A general timeline can be estimated based on investor reports that give release dates for the project. | ||
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" cellpadding="2" | {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" cellpadding="2" | ||
!colspan=8|Release dates given in investor informational material for ''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'' and its successor projects between E3 2005 and the release of ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' | !colspan=8|Release dates given in investor informational material for ''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'' and its successor projects between E3 2005 and the release of ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' | ||
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|星のカービィ(仮称) | |星のカービィ(仮称) | ||
|[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/060526.pdf] | |[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/060526.pdf] | ||
|While still listed for a GameCube release in Japan, ''Kirby'' is now no longer listed for an American release either, when ''The Legend of Zelda (working title)'' still is (now for 2006/Q4). However, as the latter is also no longer listed for a European release, the omission of ''Kirby'' from overseas schedules could be a simple error, or an omission for brevity. | |While still listed for a GameCube release in Japan and the Americas, ''Kirby'' is now no longer listed for an American release either, when ''The Legend of Zelda (working title)'' still is (now for 2006/Q4). However, as the latter is also no longer listed for a European release, the omission of ''Kirby'' from overseas schedules could be a simple error, or an omission for brevity. | ||
|- | |- | ||
|2006/10/27 | |2006/10/27 | ||
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| footer = Development screenshots of the full 3D platformer | | footer = Development screenshots of the full 3D platformer | ||
}} | }} | ||
The second lost game was a full 3D adventure allowing Kirby to freely move around | The second lost game was a full 3D adventure allowing Kirby to freely move around, and looked very similar to ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'' in graphical style. It was stated to have extremely challenging gameplay, and was canceled because it did not achieve HAL's quality standards.<ref name="IwataAsks" /> | ||
Due to the fullscreen proportions of the | Due to the fullscreen proportions of the screenshot, it can be reasonably assumed that the game was developed for the [[Nintendo GameCube]], at least initially. This likely would have been developed between late 2006 and mid-2007, when investor reports changed the game's planned release date from 2006 to "TBA". As such, it likely had the shortest development span of any of the three lost games. | ||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
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| footer = Development screenshots of the full 2D platformer | | footer = Development screenshots of the full 2D platformer | ||
}} | }} | ||
The third and final lost game was a 2D platformer with clean 2D graphics, similar in art style to ''[[mariowiki:Wario Land: Shake It!|Wario Land: Shake It!]]'' | The third and final lost game was a 2D platformer with clean 2D graphics, similar in art style to ''[[mariowiki:Wario Land: Shake It!|Wario Land: Shake It!]]''. Only a few screenshots of this game were ever released, but the backdrop and layout looked very similar to [[Cookie Country]] from ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]''. The [[Super Ability|Super Abilities]] were planned to appear in this build, and they ended up being included in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''.<ref>[https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/kirby-dream-land/0/2/ Iwata Asks - Kirby's Return to Dream Land - Page 3]</ref> One noticeable aspect shown in this build is a counter for [[Treasure]]s on the heads-up display, suggesting similar gameplay mechanics to ''[[Kirby: Squeak Squad]]''. | ||
The game was developed for the Wii, judging by the widescreen proportions of the | The game was developed for the Wii, judging by the widescreen proportions of the screenshot. This likely would have been in development from mid-2007 to early 2010; investor reports show that it was targeting a 2008 release date, then 2009, before eventually returning to a TBA release date by early 2010, when the game was canceled for unknown reasons.<ref name="IwataAsks" /> The development team was ultimately able to complete ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' in a year and a half due to having materials left over from the three lost ''Kirby'' games, with the third game in particular having the strongest influence on the final product.<ref name="Iwata2"/> | ||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
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Several aspects of the three canceled projects would eventually work their way into completed ''Kirby'' titles. Among them included the following points: | Several aspects of the three canceled projects would eventually work their way into completed ''Kirby'' titles. Among them included the following points: | ||
*The concept of a full 3D ''Kirby'' game was likely the inspiration for the 3D environments in the sub-game [[Kirby 3D Rumble]], and later in ''[[Kirby's Blowout Blast]]'' and ''[[Kirby Battle Royale]]'', and would ultimately be realized fully in ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]''. | *The concept of a full 3D ''Kirby'' game was likely the inspiration for the 3D environments in the sub-game [[Kirby 3D Rumble]], and later in ''[[Kirby's Blowout Blast]]'' and ''[[Kirby Battle Royale]]'', and would ultimately be realized fully in ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]''. | ||
*Much of the music and other assets developed for ''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'' would be used in ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]'', most noticeably "[[Road to Victory]]" (used for [[The Arena]] and [[The True Arena]]). This track was first heard in the ''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'' trailer during [[wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2005]], and shares the melody of the theme "[[Sky Tower]]" from ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''. The melody was probably intended to serve as a leitmotif of ''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'', though it's also widely used in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''. Another song carried over from the GameCube game was " | *Much of the music and other assets developed for ''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'' would be used in ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land]]'', most noticeably "[[Road to Victory]]" (used for [[The Arena]] and [[The True Arena]]). This track was first heard in the ''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'' trailer during [[wikipedia:Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2005]], and shares the melody of the theme "[[Sky Tower]]" from ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''. The melody was probably intended to serve as a leitmotif of ''Kirby for Nintendo GameCube'', though it's also widely used in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''. Another song carried over from the GameCube game was "Exploring the Cave", which played in the footage shown at E3 2005. Furthermore, several songs in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' share a different melody that may have been intended as a leitmotif for one of the later builds.<ref>[https://twitter.com/IcedlandSMB3/status/1612259050502111233 Video showing the secondary leitmotif in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land]</ref> | ||
*Several models and sounds in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''{{'}}s files use the header "GCK", presumably for "GameCube Kirby", indicating that they were originally planned for use in this title. | *Several models and sounds in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''{{'}}s files use the header "GCK", presumably for "GameCube Kirby", indicating that they were originally planned for use in this title. | ||
*Various sound effects used in this title would be later be used in | *Various sound effects used in this title would be later be used in ''[[Kirby: Squeak Squad]]'', including the sound for getting a Copy Ability, the inhale sound, and the sound of Water Kirby's bubble attack (for the [[Bubble]] ability's attacks). | ||
*The ''Kirby'' series trophies in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' appear to use assets from this title, with models such as [[Golem]] and the [[Fire]] hat, which has a hexagonal jewel rather than the circular one in ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'', being direct matches. | *The ''Kirby'' series trophies in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' appear to use assets from this title, with models such as [[Golem]] and the [[Fire]] hat, which has a hexagonal jewel rather than the circular one in ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'', being direct matches. | ||
*The [[Water]] ability was originally planned to debut in this game, with a different design more closely matching its appearance in the ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'' anime; it ended up debuting in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' instead. | *The [[Water]] ability was originally planned to debut in this game, with a different design more closely matching its appearance in the ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'' anime; it ended up debuting in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' instead. | ||
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*[[Morpho Knight]], who had initially been designed as a boss for this title, would later debut in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' and subsequently reappear in ''Kirby and the Forgotten Land''. | *[[Morpho Knight]], who had initially been designed as a boss for this title, would later debut in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' and subsequently reappear in ''Kirby and the Forgotten Land''. | ||
*The concept of having three [[Helper]]s, along with the return of the [[Cleaning]] ability, would eventually manifest in ''Kirby Star Allies'', though taking a slightly different approach. | *The concept of having three [[Helper]]s, along with the return of the [[Cleaning]] ability, would eventually manifest in ''Kirby Star Allies'', though taking a slightly different approach. | ||
*The game was initially planned to have an [[Extra Mode]] titled "Save Kirby!", where Kirby would've been captured by King Dedede and the player would control a Helper to set out and rescue him. This concept appears to have become the basis for [[Helper to Hero]] in ''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]'' and [[Guest Star ???? Star Allies Go!]] in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''.<ref | *The game was initially planned to have an [[Extra Mode]] titled "Save Kirby!", where Kirby would've been captured by King Dedede and the player would control a Helper to set out and rescue him. This concept appears to have become the basis for [[Helper to Hero]] in ''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]'' and [[Guest Star ???? Star Allies Go!]] in ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''.<ref>[https://gigi9714.wordpress.com/2022/02/15/kirby-gcn-concept-art-shows-a-save-kirby-mode-where-you-control-a-helper/ Translation of text about the mode from ''20th Anniversary Kirby Pupupu Encyclopedia'']</ref> | ||
*The art style of ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]'' may have been inspired by the art style of the third canceled project, with both notably featuring a storybook-like art style with outlines around the characters. | *The art style of ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]'' may have been inspired by the art style of the third canceled project, with both notably featuring a storybook-like art style with outlines around the characters. | ||
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Piggyback KGCN artwork.png|Artwork of Heat Phanphan, Golem, and Kirby riding on [[Bonkers]] | Piggyback KGCN artwork.png|Artwork of Heat Phanphan, Golem, and Kirby riding on [[Bonkers]] | ||
Kirby GCN 2004 Kibble screenshot.jpg|Cutter Kirby facing Sir Kibble | Kirby GCN 2004 Kibble screenshot.jpg|Cutter Kirby facing Sir Kibble | ||
Kirby GCN 2004 Parasol screenshot.jpg|Parasol Kirby and | Kirby GCN 2004 Parasol screenshot.jpg|Parasol Kirby and Parasol Waddle Dee | ||
Kirby GCN 2004 inhale screenshot.jpg|Kirby inhaling a Waddle Dee | Kirby GCN 2004 inhale screenshot.jpg|Kirby inhaling a Waddle Dee | ||
Kirby GCN 2004 underwater screenshot.jpg|Kirby diving underwater (sans goggles) near two [[Blipper]]s | Kirby GCN 2004 underwater screenshot.jpg|Kirby diving underwater (sans goggles) near two [[Blipper]]s | ||
