Editing Kirby's Return to Dream Land

{{Featured}}{{Infobox-Game
|title=Kirby's Return to Dream Land
|image=
<tabs>
<tab name="North American box art">
[[File:KRtDL Boxart L.jpg|250px]]
</tab>
<tab name="British box art">
[[File:Kirby Adventure Wii box art.jpg|250px]]
</tab>
<tab name="Japanese box art">
[[File:KRtDL Kirby Wii JP box art.png|250px]]
</tab>
</tabs>
|caption=Box art of '''''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''''' in various regions.
|developer=[[HAL Laboratory]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|released='''Wii''':<br>{{Released|NA|October 24, 2011|Japan|October 27, 2011|Europe|November 25, 2011|Australia|December 1, 2011|South Korea|September 6, 2012}}<br>'''Wii U (digital)''':<br>{{Released|Japan|January 28, 2015|Europe|February 19, 2015|Australia|February 19, 2015|NA|July 30, 2015}}
|platforms=[[Wii]], [[Wii U]] (digital)
|language={{languages|jp=y|en_us=y|en_gb=y|fr_fr=y|fr_ca=y|it=y|de=y|es_latam=y|es_es=y|kr=y}}
|rating={{ratings|esrb=e10+|pegi=7|cero=a}}
|predecessor=''[[Kirby Mass Attack]]''
|successor=''[[Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition]]''
}}
{{title font|title=Kirby's Return to Dream Land}}
{{redirect|Kirby Wii|other Kirby games on Wii|[[Kirby's Epic Yarn]] or [[Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition]]}}
{{redirect|Return to Dream Land|the ending theme of this game|[[Return to Dream Land (theme)]]}}
{{quote|A 4-player Kirby adventure!|Wii save data description}}
<onlyinclude>{{#ifeq:{{{transcludesection|}}}|lead|
'''''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''''' (known as '''''Kirby's Adventure Wii''''' in the European translations, and originally known under its working title '''''Kirby Wii''''') is a main series ''[[Kirby (series)|Kirby]]'' game released for the [[Wii]] in late 2011 internationally and September 2012 in South Korea. It was the first main series title to be released on a home console since ''[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]]'', and would remain the latest title to have that distinction until the release of ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'' in 2018. Much of this game is derived from the leftover work done on the canceled ''[[Kirby for Nintendo GameCube]]'' game.

As the North American title suggests, ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' returns the series to its traditional gameplay, and tasks [[Kirby]] to traverse several different levels, each with four or more stages, while obtaining and utilizing [[Copy Ability|copy abilities]] and battling enemies, [[Mid-Boss]]es, and [[boss]]es. However, several new gameplay features have been added; notably the addition of four-player co-operative play (allowing additional players to join in at any time using [[King Dedede]], [[Meta Knight]], or [[Bandana Waddle Dee]]), four all-new standard copy abilities, and a set of special [[Super Ability|Super Abilities]] which are powered-up versions of familiar ones, used at specific points in stages. ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' takes a lot of inspiration from ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'' and ''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]'', particularly when it comes to combat, though the level and stage structure more closely resembles ''[[Kirby's Adventure]]''. ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' also makes use of full 3D graphics, though only for visual purposes, as the game proper is still played in two dimensions.

In 2015, ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' was released as a digital download for the [[Wii U]]. A remake of the game, ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]'', was released on February 24th, 2023 for the [[Nintendo Switch]].
}}</onlyinclude>{{:{{ROOTPAGENAME}}|transcludesection=lead}}
==Story==
[[File:KRtDL Sullen Magolor screenshot.png|thumb|250px|left|Kirby and friends discover a sad [[Magolor]] shortly after [[Lor Starcutter]]'s crash.]]
On an unassuming day on [[Popstar|Planet Popstar]], [[Kirby]] is running along the road in a grassy field with a slice of [[food|shortcake]] in hand, pursued by [[King Dedede]] and [[Bandana Waddle Dee]], past [[Meta Knight]] who is quietly reading a book under a knoll. All of this is interrupted when a hole appears in the sky above, out of which comes the [[Lor Starcutter]]. The ship crashes into the countryside, shedding parts as it goes, as Kirby and his companions give chase. Once they catch up with the downed ship, they enter to find [[Magolor]] - an alien clad in a blue robe - unconscious on the floor. Once Magolor comes to, he immediately rushes to the ship's console to assess the damage, finding that five major pieces of the ship were lost, along with all 120 of its [[Energy Sphere]]s. At this, he begins to sulk, prompting Kirby to approach and cheer him up. The party agrees to help this stranger by tracking down the missing pieces. In return, he promises to take them on a cruise to his homeworld - a far-flung planet called [[Halcandra]] - once the ship is restored.

With this done, Magolor keeps his word and takes Kirby and his friends to Halcandra, but upon arrival, the Lor Starcutter is immediately shot down by a four-headed dragon named [[Landia]]. Seeing this, Kirby agrees to defeat the foul-tempered beast. After traveling to the volcano where Landia resides, they defeat him, causing the dragon's [[Master Crown|golden crown]] to fall from his head. In the middle of Kirby's victory, Magolor appears from out of nowhere and nabs the crown. After donning it, Magolor transforms into a [[Traitor Magolor|more powerful version of himself]], revealing the crown to have been his ultimate goal the whole time. With the power of the Master Crown - Magolor declares his intention to bend the universe to his will, and decides to start by subjugating Popstar. With a forced evil laugh, he departs through a dimensional portal of his own making, leaving Kirby and his friends behind on Halcandra.

The formerly defeated dragon Landia approaches Kirby and prompts him to ride on his back in pursuit of Magolor. They fly through the rift just as it closes and chase him down in [[Another Dimension]]. From there, they must first battle the Lor Starcutter, then fight Magolor himself, who is driven mad by the crown's power and transformed into [[Magolor (second form)|the Master Crown's own projection of Magolor]] in the process. Kirby and friends defeat Magolor, returning him to normal and shattering the crown as an unconscious Magolor disappears, but the group are left stranded in the parallel dimension they found themselves in. Just as the route back to Popstar is about to vanish forever, Landia and the Lor come in and rescue Kirby and his friends, returning them to Popstar. They then see each-other off, grateful to be home safe, and to have put a stop to another evil force.

==Gameplay==
[[File:KRtDL_Gameplay.png|thumb|250px|right|Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Bandana Waddle Dee in the [[Cookie Country - Stage 1|first stage]] of [[Cookie Country]].]]
''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' returns the series to its roots, taking place in side-scrolling stages (though rendered in 3D) where the goal is to reach the golden [[door]] at the end. While traversing these stages, Kirby will have to deal with numerous different enemies, [[Mid-Boss]]es, and environmental hazards such as bodies of water, [[spike]]s, [[bottomless pit]]s, [[crusher]]s, and more novel things. These obstacles can be overcome with the use of Kirby's [[Copy Ability|Copy]] power to gain various attacks, culminating in the use of the new [[Super Ability|Super Abilities]] at the end of some stages. While traveling through standard stages, Kirby can also collect [[Energy Sphere]]s, which are used to unlock bonus content from within the Lor Starcutter. Obtaining these spheres usually entails solving a more complicated puzzle or taking the correct route through the stage. It may also involve hopping briefly into an alternate dimension to do battle with the [[Sphere Doomer]]s, who always yield two spheres upon defeat. In the last stage of each level, a [[boss]] is fought, who must be defeated in order to progress to the next level.

Among the most distinct features in this title is the ability for secondary characters to join Kirby in real-time as he travels through the stages, allowing for a multiplayer experience of up to four players. Secondary players can choose between King Dedede, Meta Knight, Bandana Waddle Dee, or a Kirby of [[Color|a different color]] to play as, and will expend an [[1-Up|extra life]] when they appear if Kirby has multiple. Apart from the other Kirbys, these characters are locked to a particular moveset. If they are KO'd, they will be removed from the game until the player controlling them decides to hop back in, costing another extra life to do so. Characters can interact with each other in various ways, including hopping off each-others' heads, riding [[piggyback]], hanging on to each other as they fly, or [[Face-to-Face|sharing food items]]. Secondary characters cannot travel too far away from Kirby, however, and should protect him at all costs, for if Kirby is KO'd, they will have to start over again.

[[File:KRtDL Goal Game screenshot.png|thumb|250px|left|The [[Goal Game]].]]

After collecting enough Energy Spheres, [[Sub-Game]]s and other bonus areas are unlocked inside the Lor Starcutter, which Kirby can return to from the world map. Among these rooms are various [[Challenge Stage]]s, which will test Kirby's skill with a specific Copy Ability (or with items). Also unlocked are a number of Copy Ability testing rooms, which allow Kirby to practice with various moves, and allow him to leave the Lor with one of those abilities equipped.

Upon completion of the Main Mode, an [[Extra Mode]] is unlocked, which will allow the player to play through the story again on an increased difficulty setting. Among other things, playing in this mode cuts Kirby's (and other characters') maximum [[Health]] in half and changes all Bosses and Mid-Bosses to more powerful forms with more intricate attack patterns.

{{clear}}

==Controls==
{| class="wikitable" border=1 cellpadding=2
!colspan=3|Kirby's moveset
|-
!Move
!Image
!Controls
|-
|Guard
|[[File:KRTDL Kirby Crouch.png|130px]]
|A
|-
|Drop copy ability
|N/A
| - or get hit with a strong attack
|-
|Walk
|[[File:KRTDL Kirby Run.png|130px]]
|← or ⁠→
|-
|Dash
|[[File:KRtDL Kirby Dash Artwork.png|130px]]
|Quickly tap ← or ⁠→ twice
|-
|Crouch
|N/A
|↓
|-
|Swallow/copy
|N/A
|↓
|-
|Enter door
|N/A
|↑
|-
|Jump
|[[File:KRTDL Kirby Jump.png|130px]]
|2
|-
|Hover
|[[File:KRTDL Kirby Float.png|130px]]
|Hold or press 2 repeatedly in midair
|-
|Slide
|N/A
|↓ + 2
|-
|Inhale
|[[File:KRtDL Kirby Inhale.png|130px]]
|1
|-
|Spit
|N/A
|1
|-
|Use copy ability
|[[File:KRTDL Cutter.png|130px]]
|1
|-
|Shoot air (in midair)
|N/A
|1
|-
|Shoot water (in water)
|N/A
|1
|-
|Throw
|[[File:KRTDL Bomb Nozzle.png|130px]]
|1
|}

==Characters==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" border=1 cellpadding=2
!colspan=2|Characters in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' &nbsp;
|-
!Character
!Role
|-
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL Kirby 2.png|125px]]<br>'''[[Kirby]]'''}}
|The roly-poly pink puff and star of this adventure. Kirby is enjoying a day of fun with his friends when the mysterious Lor Starcutter crash-lands into Dream Land with its pilot, Magolor. Kirby, an altruist as always, offers to help the alien recover the missing Energy Spheres and parts for the ship, discovering the powerful Super Abilities and mysterious rifts to Another Dimension along the way.
|-
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL_Dedede_2.png|125px]]<br>'''[[King Dedede]]'''}}
|Kirby's arch-frenemy King Dedede accompanies him on his quest, having no qualms about assisting his greatest rival in an act of selfless diplomacy. As his first true playable appearance, King Dedede acts as a permanent variant on the Hammer ability, while still being able to puff up and float just like Kirby.
|-
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL Meta Knight Artwork 2.png|125px]]<br>'''[[Meta Knight]]'''}}
|Meta Knight is reading a book on a knoll when the Lor Starcutter appears. Soon afterwards, he offers to help Kirby with his experienced swordsmanship. He plays much like he did in [[Meta Knightmare]] and [[Meta Knightmare Ultra]], being a permanent combination of the Sword and Wing abilities, but also has a few new tricks up his sleeve.
|-
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL Bandana Waddle Dee 2.png|125px]]<br>'''[[Bandana Waddle Dee]]'''}}
|This intrepid bandana-wearing Waddle Dee, newly playable in this game, is thrust into the spotlight when he joins Kirby on his journey. He acts as a permanent variant on the newly-introduced Spear ability, and is also able to [[Infinity Jump]] to keep up with the others while in midair.<br>In this game, he is referred to simply as "Waddle Dee".
|-
|{{center|[[File:KRTDL Magolor.png|125px]]<br>'''[[Magolor]]'''}}
|The friendly alien who kickstarts the plot, Magolor asks Kirby and friends to recover the parts for his sunken ship, the Lor Starcutter. When the ship is fully repaired, he takes the group back to his home planet, Halcandra. Once there, he is shot down again by the enraged dragon Landia; he asks Kirby's group to take down Landia to quell the dragon's rampage. This turns out to be a trick, as Magolor was actually after the Master Crown that Landia was guarding, allowing him to reveal his true ambition to take over the entire universe. As the final boss of the game, Kirby and friends put a stop to his plans.
|-
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL Lor Starcutter.png|125px]]<br>'''[[Lor Starcutter]]'''}}
|A mysterious ancient ship powered by Energy Spheres. Collecting these spheres, along with the five primary parts of the ship, constitutes one of the major goals of the game. As Kirby does so, new areas of the ship are unlocked for him and his friends to enjoy. The Lor Starcutter apparently has a mind of its own, and its parts double as weapons.
|-
|{{center|[[File:Landia Spirit.png|125px]]<br>'''[[Landia]]'''}}
|A four-headed dragon and the guardian of the Master Crown, tasked with attacking anyone who should threaten the ancient artifact. Landia's potent attacks are enhanced by his ability to split into four copies. Magolor deceives the heroes into fighting Landia, but after he takes the crown for himself, the four dragons forgive Kirby's group and allow them to ride on their backs into the last battle in Another Dimension.
|}

==Copy Abilities==
''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' introduces four new abilities to the series. While featuring fewer abilities overall than some of its predecessors, all returning abilities are heavily re-worked, granting each one a revised and expanded moveset, along with providing a few with new hats. Each new ability is similarly fleshed out.
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" border=1 cellpadding=2
!colspan=5|Copy Abilities in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' &nbsp;
|-
!Ability
!Icon
!Provider(s)
!Description
!Notes
|-
!colspan=5|'''New Abilities'''
|-
|[[Leaf]]
|[[File:KRtDL Leaf Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Bulby]], [[Leafan]]
|Kirby gains the ability to throw razor-sharp leaves at his opponents, and hide in a pile of leaves for protection.
|
|-
|[[Spear]]
|[[File:KRtDL Spear Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Lanzer]], [[Pierce]]
|Kirby gains a spear, which can be used to thrust through walls or toss from a distance. Can be used underwater.
|
|-
|[[Water]]
|[[File:KRtDL Water Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Pluid]], [[Water Galbo]], [[Water Galboros]], [[Fatty Puffer]]
|Kirby gains the ability to ride water waves and spit water to harm foes and douse flames. Also enhances his [[Water Gun]].
|
|-
|[[Whip]]
|[[File:KRtDL Whip Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Whippy]]
|Kirby can snap at opponents through walls and grab them with a whip. This can also snatch items from afar.
|

|-
!colspan=5|'''Returning Abilities'''
|-
|[[Beam]]
|[[File:KRtDL Beam Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Gemra]], [[Waddle Doo]], [[King Doo]], [[Metal General]]
|Kirby can throw out magical beam attacks, including a beam whip and beam blasts.
|
|-
|[[Bomb]]
|[[File:KRtDL Bomb Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Foley]], [[Poppy Bros. Jr.]], [[Bomb Machine]], [[Mr. Dooter]], [[Metal General]], [[HR-D3]]
|Kirby can prep and toss bombs at opponents.
|Gains a new hat.
|-
|[[Crash]]
|[[File:KRtDL Crash Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Searches]], [[Metal General]]
|Kirby can cause a massive explosion that defeats all foes on-screen.
|Single-use ability. Gains a new hat.
|-
|[[Cutter]]
|[[File:KRtDL Cutter Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Jackle]], [[Sir Kibble]], [[Kibble Blade]]
|Kirby can throw bladed boomerangs which return to him when thrown and can be steered somewhat.
|
|-
|[[Fighter]]
|[[File:KRtDL Fighter Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Knuckle Joe]]
|Kirby gains a large number of powerful martial-arts-based moves and a series of energy blasts.
|
|-
|[[Fire]]
|[[File:KRtDL Fire Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Flamer]], [[Galbo]], [[Hot Head]], [[Sphere Doomer|Fire Sphere Doomer]], volcano rocks
|Kirby can breathe fire or engulf himself in flames.
|
|-
|[[Hammer]]
|[[File:KRtDL Hammer Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Bonkers]]
|Kirby gains a powerful hammer that can pulverize enemies and pound [[stake]]s. Can be used underwater.
|
|-
|[[Hi-Jump]]
|[[File:KRtDL Hi-Jump Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Starman]]
|Kirby can leap high into the air to defeat enemies or rocket down from the sky.
|
|-
|[[Ice]]
|[[File:KRtDL Ice Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Chilly]], [[Snowl]], [[Strike Box]]  [[Sphere Doomer|Ice Sphere Doomer]], [[Goriath]]
|Kirby can freeze enemies solid using icy breath or an icy aura, and can also encase himself in ice for protection.
|
|-
|[[Mike]]
|[[File:KRtDL Mike Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Walky]]
|Kirby can shout into a microphone to defeat enemies with damaging sound waves.
|Three-use ability.
|-
|[[Needle]]
|[[File:KRtDL Needle Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Needlous]], [[Tick]], [[Totenga]]
|Kirby can spout needles of various sizes from his body, and shoot them out.
|
|-
|[[Ninja]]
|[[File:KRtDL Ninja Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Moonja]]
|Kirby gains access to a large number of ninja-like techniques, including throwing knives and slashing with a katana.
|Gains a new hat.
|-
|[[Parasol]]
|[[File:KRtDL Parasol Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Parasol Waddle Dee]], [[Waddle Doo|Parasol Waddle Doo]]
|Kirby gains a parasol that can be used to defend, attack or float gently downward. Can be used underwater.
|
|-
|[[Sleep]]
|[[File:KRtDL Sleep Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Noddy]]
|Kirby falls asleep and cannot do anything until he wakes up.
|Limited-duration ability.
|-
|[[Spark]]
|[[File:KRtDL Spark Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Elec]], [[Sparky]], [[Sphere Doomer|Spark Sphere Doomer]], [[Dubior]], [[Metal General|Metal General EX]]
|Kirby can generate electric fields and fire them at opponents.
|Takes elements from [[Plasma]] in previous titles.
|-
|[[Stone]]
|[[File:KRtDL Stone Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Rocky]], [[Moundo]]
|Kirby can transform into a stone and slide down hills, or attack using a stone fist.
|Gains a new hat.
|-
|[[Sword]]
|[[File:KRtDL Sword Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Blade Knight]], [[Sodory]], [[Gigant Edge]]
|Kirby gains a sword and a large number of powerful sword techniques. Can be used underwater.
|
|-
|[[Tornado]]
|[[File:KRtDL Tornado Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Twister]]
|Kirby can transform into a small tornado and cut through enemies at high speed.
|
|-
|[[Wing]]
|[[File:KRtDL Wing Icon.png|50px]]
|[[Owgulf]]
|Kirby gains a pair of wings and can attack with divebombs and feathers.
|
|}

===Super Abilities===
All [[Super Ability|Super Abilities]] hold a time limit on how long they can be used. They are typically very powerful, and using them to destroy a final obstacle is often required to access an alternate dimension where Kirby can obtain two additional [[Energy Sphere]]s from a [[Sphere Doomer]].

{|class="wikitable" border=1 cellpadding=2
!colspan=4|Super Abilities from ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' &nbsp;
|-
!Copy Abilities
!Icon
!Normal counterpart
!Obtained from
|-
|[[Flare Beam]]
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL Flare Beam Icon.png|60px]]}}
|{{center|[[Beam]]}}
|{{center|[[Super Waddle Doo]]}}
|-
|[[Grand Hammer]]
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL Grand Hammer Icon.png|60px]]}}
|{{center|[[Hammer]]}}
|{{center|[[Super Bonkers]]}}
|-
|[[Monster Flame]]
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL Monster Flame Icon.png|60px]]}}
|{{center|[[Fire]]}}
|{{center|[[Super Hot Head]]}}
|-
|[[Snow Bowl]]
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL Snow Bowl Icon.png|60px]]}}
|{{center|[[Ice]]}}
|{{center|[[Super Chilly]]}}
|-
|[[Ultra Sword]]
|{{center|[[File:KRtDL Ultra Sword Icon.png|60px]]}}
|{{center|[[Sword]]}}
|{{center|[[Super Blade Knight]]}}
|-
|}

==Levels==
All main levels include one boss stage, which is included in the stage count.

{| class="wikitable sortable" border=1 cellpadding=2
!World
!Level
!Image
!Name
!Stages
!Energy <br/> Spheres
!Ship Part
!Boss(es)
!Description
|-
|rowspan=5|[[Popstar#Kirby's Return to Dream Land|Popstar]]
|Level 1
|[[File:KRtDL Cookie Country map screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Cookie Country]]
|
*[[Cookie Country - Stage 1|Stage 1]]
*[[Cookie Country - Stage 2|Stage 2]]
*[[Cookie Country - Stage 3|Stage 3]]
*[[Cookie Country - Stage 4|Stage 4]]
*[[Cookie Country - Stage 5|Stage 5]]
|13
|Oars
|
*[[Whispy Woods]]
|This level is a grassy level with trees and vegetation. Some parts of this level are played underground.
|-
|Level 2
|[[File:KRtDL Raisin Ruins map screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Raisin Ruins]]
|
*[[Raisin Ruins - Stage 1|Stage 1]]
*[[Raisin Ruins - Stage 2|Stage 2]]
*[[Raisin Ruins - Stage 3|Stage 3]]
*[[Raisin Ruins - Stage 4|Stage 4]]
*[[Raisin Ruins - Stage 5|Stage 5]]
|16
|Right Wing
|
*[[Mr. Dooter]]
|This level is set in a desert with pyramids and ruins.
|-
|Level 3
|[[File:KRtDL Onion Ocean map screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Onion Ocean]]
|
*[[Onion Ocean - Stage 1|Stage 1]]
*[[Onion Ocean - Stage 2|Stage 2]]
*[[Onion Ocean - Stage 3|Stage 3]]
*[[Onion Ocean - Stage 4|Stage 4]]
*[[Onion Ocean - Stage 5|Stage 5]]
|16
|Left Wing
|
*[[Fatty Puffer]]
|This level takes place in aquatic environments, above and under the sea.
|-
|Level 4
|[[File:KRtDL White Wafers map screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[White Wafers]]
|
*[[White Wafers - Stage 1|Stage 1]]
*[[White Wafers - Stage 2|Stage 2]]
*[[White Wafers - Stage 3|Stage 3]]
*[[White Wafers - Stage 4|Stage 4]]
*[[White Wafers - Stage 5|Stage 5]]
*[[White Wafers - Stage 6|Stage 6]]
|19
|Emblem
|
*[[Goriath]]
|This level is characterized by being snowy and icy throughout.
|-
|Level 5
|[[File:KRtDL Nutty Noon map screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Nutty Noon]]
|
*[[Nutty Noon - Stage 1|Stage 1]]
*[[Nutty Noon - Stage 2|Stage 2]]
*[[Nutty Noon - Stage 3|Stage 3]]
*[[Nutty Noon - Stage 4|Stage 4]]
*[[Nutty Noon - Stage 5|Stage 5]]
*[[Nutty Noon - Stage 6|Stage 6]]
|20
|Mast
|
*[[Grand Doomer]]
|This level bears a vague "Jack and the Beanstalk" feel, starting on the ground, carrying to the sky, and eventually arriving at a castle situated in the air. Like in previous games, this level features stages where characters can walk on clouds.
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Halcandra]]
|Level 6
|[[File:KRtDL Egg Engines map screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Egg Engines]]
|
*[[Egg Engines - Stage 1|Stage 1]]
*[[Egg Engines - Stage 2|Stage 2]]
*[[Egg Engines - Stage 3|Stage 3]]
*[[Egg Engines - Stage 4|Stage 4]]
*[[Egg Engines - Stage 5|Stage 5]]
*[[Egg Engines - Stage 6|Stage 6]]
|21
|N/A
|
*[[Metal General]]
*[[HR-D3]] (Extra Mode only)
|This level is set in a mechanized and industrialized area, showing signs of decay.
|-
|Level 7
|[[File:KRtDL Dangerous Dinner map screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Dangerous Dinner]]
|
*[[Dangerous Dinner - Stage 1|Stage 1]]
*[[Dangerous Dinner - Stage 2|Stage 2]]
*[[Dangerous Dinner - Stage 3|Stage 3]]
*[[Dangerous Dinner - Stage 4|Stage 4]]
|15
|N/A
|
*[[Landia]] 
|This level is set in a volcanic, lava-dominated land.
|-
|[[Another Dimension]]
|Level 8
|[[File:KRtDL Another Dimension empty screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Another Dimension (level)|Another Dimension]]
|N/A
|0
|N/A
|
*[[Lor & Magolor]]
*[[Traitor Magolor|Magolor]]
*[[Magolor (second form)]] (Main Game only)
*[[Magolor Soul]] (Extra Mode only)
|This level is a boss level where Kirby must fight the final three bosses of the game. This area is located in a dark, eerie, alternate dimension.
|}
*In the Japanese, English and Korean versions, the first letters of Level 1-7 spell out [[C-R-O-W-N-E-D]], the soundtrack title for the final battle with Magolor Soul (his second boss form), indicating how he has crowned himself with the [[Master Crown]].
*In the Latin Spanish version, the first letters of Level 1-7 spell out CORONAR (which translates to "to crown" in Spanish), very similar to the English version.
*In the French version, the first letters of Level 1-7 spell out PARFAIT (which translates to "perfect" in French).
*In the German version, the first letters of Level 1-7 spell out KROENEN, with the "OE" likely being meant to symbolize the "Ö" in "Krönen" (which translates to "to crown" in German).

==Enemies==
''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' offers a massive array of enemies, many of which have never before been seen in the series. While the majority of these enemies provide no copy ability when swallowed, there are often at least two different enemies who will provide the same ability, offering a good deal of variety. Most enemies are defeated relatively easily, but some are invincible and must be avoided instead.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" border=1 cellpadding=2
!colspan=5|Neutral enemies in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' &nbsp;
|-
!Name
!Image
!New enemy?
!Description
!Notes
|-
|[[Armor Waddle Dee]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Armor Dee.jpg|75px]] <br> [[File:KRtDL Armor Dee Halcandra.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A heavy metal suit made to resemble a [[Waddle Dee]]. Has three Waddle Dees inside which are exposed once the suit breaks. 
|Has a Popstar and Halcandra variant.
|-
|[[Babut]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Babut.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A bulbous bat which hangs from ceilings until Kirby gets near, whence it will fly toward him and attack by collision.
|This is Babut's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Barbar]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Barbar.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A giant invincible eel that pops out of holes and tries to swallow Kirby. It will chew him for a bit if successful.
|
|-
|[[Barracu]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Barracu.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A nasty fish with sharp teeth that swims back and forth and will thrash Kirby with its jaws if it catches him.
|
|-
|[[Blipper]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Blipper.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A fish that wears goggles. It will swim after Kirby or try to jump out of the water to hit him. It flops around on land.
|This is Blipper's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Big Waddle Dee]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Big Waddle Dee screenshot.png|100px]]
|{{N}}
|A giant Waddle Dee who requires a Super Inhale to eat, but is otherwise identical to the smaller ones.
|
|-
|[[Bouncy]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Bouncy.jpg|75px]] <br> [[File:KRtDL Bouncy Halcandra.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A pink creature with a bow on a spring that bounces in place.
|Has a Popstar and Halcandra variant.
|-
|[[Bouncy Sis]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Bouncy Sis.png|100px]]
|{{Y}}
|A larger and more decorated version of [[Bouncy]].
|
|-
|[[Bowby]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Bowby.jpg|75px]] <br> [[File:KRtDL Bowby Halcandra.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A floating bow with a face that holds in place and will try to shoot arrows at Kirby.
|Has a Popstar and Halcandra variant.
|-
|[[Bronto Burt]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Bronto Burt.jpg|75px]] <br> [[File:KRtDL Bronto Burt Halcandra.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A stubborn flying ball of a foe who will fly in consistent patterns, hold in place, or pursue Kirby.
|Has a Popstar and Halcandra variant.
|-
|[[Broom Hatter]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Broom Hatter.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A yellow lass wearing a witch's hat who sweeps the ground using a broomstick.
|
|-
|[[Cappy]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Cappy.jpg|50px]]
|{{N}}
|A mushroom-like foe who wears a cap. If Kirby attempts to inhale Cappy while its cap is on, the cap will fly into his mouth in place of the enemy proper.
|
|-
|[[Key Dee|Carry Dee]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Carry Dee.jpg|50px]]
|{{Y}}
|A yellow Waddle Dee-like creature with a monkey's face and tail who can be seen holding [[Key]]s. Kirby has to chase it down and defeat it to get its key.
|Known as Key Dee in later games.
|-
|[[Cerulean]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Cerulean.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A spear tip-shaped flying foe who gently glides in a straight direction while sometimes slowly descending. It can only attack by collision but does not actively seek to do so.
|
|-
|[[Clayn]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Clayn.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A slug-like foe who curls up into a small blob until approached, where it then unfurls and reveals itself. Does not do much aside from this.
|
|-
|[[Coldtzo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Coldtzo.jpg|100px]]
|{{Y}}
|A large invulnerable cannon foe who shoots big ice volleys at Kirby.
|
|-
|[[Coconut]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Big Coconut.png|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A seemingly inanimate object which will try to drop on Kirby's head and explode if he passes underneath. Comes in two different sizes.
|This is the Coconut's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Como]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Como.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A spider-like foe who slides down on a strand of silk when Kirby approaches. It will be defeated if hit directly or if its string is cut.
|This is Como's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Craby]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Craby.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A circular crab-like enemy who scuttles along the ocean floor and extends its arms out diagonally to try and snip at Kirby.
|
|-
|[[Darpa]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Doomer Rapa.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A [[Sphere Doomer]]-like foe that inhabits [[Another Dimension (level)|Another Dimension]]. Its only attack is to fly straight, attempting to ram into its target.
|
|-
|[[Degout]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Degout Screenshot.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A floating robotic eye that cannot be inhaled and can be attacked a lot. Most are stationary, but some will pursue Kirby.
|
|-
|[[Deppa]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Doomer Repa.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A [[Sphere Doomer]]-like foe that inhabits [[Another Dimension (level)|Another Dimension]]. It is big and bulky, can fire projectiles, and explodes into four pieces when defeated.
|
|-
|[[Dippa]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Doomer Ripa.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A [[Sphere Doomer]]-like foe that inhabits [[Another Dimension (level)|Another Dimension]]. It is slightly larger than a Darpa, can fire projectiles, and attempts to ram into its target.
|
|-
|[[Dupa]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Doomer Rupa.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A [[Sphere Doomer]]-like foe that inhabits [[Another Dimension (level)|Another Dimension]]. It is egg-shaped and clings to surfaces with its feet, firing projectiles as it goes.
|
|-
|[[Gigatzo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Gigatzo.jpg|100px]]
|{{Y}}
|A very large invulnerable cannon which fires flaming boulders on a regular basis.
|
|-
|[[Glunk]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Glunk.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|An unassuming anemone-like enemy which can fire projectiles from its head, and tends to cling to surfaces without moving.
|
|-
|[[Gordo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Gordo.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A spiny invulnerable floating enemy which should be avoided.
|
|-
|[[Degout|Hunter Degout]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Hunter Degout.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A red Degout who will pursue Kirby relentlessly, but only if he has a [[Key]].
|
|-
|[[Scarfy|Hunter Scarfy]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Hunter Scarfy.jpg|75px]] <br> [[File:KRtDL Hunter Scarfy Angry.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A red Scarfy who will pursue Kirby relentlessly, but only if he has a [[Key]]. Reverts to normal if he drops or uses the key.
|
|-
|[[Iron Barbar]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Iron Barbar.jpg|125px]]
|{{Y}}
|A massive black Barbar who emerges from lava pits and tries to eat Kirby.
|
|-
|[[Kabu]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Kabu.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A small stone idol which is capable of rolling around, leaping, and occasionally vanishing and reappearing somewhere else.
|This is Kabu's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Mopoo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Mopoo.png|50px]]
|{{N}}
|Circular snow-tuft creatures that jump out of fissures in the ground or in clouds and either arc back down or keep rising indefinitely. Fissures produce them continuously.
|
|-
|[[Mumbies]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Mumbies.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A floating red eye wrapped in bandages which will chase Kirby if he is not looking at it. Cannot be inhaled.
|
|-
|[[Nruff]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Nruff.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A woolly pig-like creature which charges and jumps. Waddle Dees can be seen riding them.
|
|-
|[[Pacloud]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Pacloud.jpg|100px]]
|{{Y}}
|A cloudy variant of Pacto which has slightly higher stamina, but is otherwise the same.
|
|-
|[[Pacto]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Pacto.jpg|100px]]
|{{N}}
|A floating yellow monster with a huge maw who will try to eat Kirby if he enters its range. Has rather high stamina.
|This is Pacto's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Puppet Waddle Dee]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Puppet Waddle Dee.jpg|125px]]
|{{Y}}
|A crude paper suit made to resemble a [[Waddle Dee]]. Has three Waddle Dees inside which are exposed once the suit breaks. 
|
|-
|[[Scarfy]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Scarfy.jpg|75px]] <br> [[File:KRtDL Angry Scarfy.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A deviously cute flying creature who usually holds in place. If Kirby tries to inhale it or hurts it, it turns into a demon and chases him.
|
|-
|[[Shelt]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Shelt Screenshot.jpg|75px]] <br> [[File:KRtDL Exposed Shelt Screenshot.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|A small armless creature that wears a pointed metal helmet and charges at Kirby. The helmet can be inhaled or broken, leaving the defenseless Shelt to run in fear.
|
|-
|[[Shotzo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Shotzo.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|An invulnerable round cannon that shoots continuous volleys and may re-orient itself to aim at Kirby. It can fall if the ground is removed from beneath it.
|
|-
|[[Squishy]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Squishy.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|A white squid who can swim through water, jump out of the water, and walk around on land.
|This is Squishy's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Volttzo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Volttzo.jpg|100px]]
|{{Y}}
|An invulnerable large cannon which fires large balls of lightning on regular intervals.
|
|-
|[[Waddle Dee]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Waddle Dee.jpg|75px]] <br> [[File:KRtDL Halcandle Dee.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|Common and generally passive creatures similar to Kirby in physique, though without mouths.
|Has a Popstar and [[Halcandle Dee|Halcandra variant]]. Can also be seen [[Swinging Waddle Dee|swinging from ropes]].
|-
|[[Walf]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Walf.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|Inflatable raft-like turtle enemies who float on the surface of the water and will pursue Kirby slowly.
|
|-
|[[Wapod]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Wapod.jpg|50px]]
|{{N}}
|Ghostly Waddle Dees who waft out of pots. The pot must be destroyed to stop Wapods from appearing.
|This is Wapod's first 3D appearance.
|}

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" border=1 cellpadding=2
!colspan=6|Copy Ability-providing enemies in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' &nbsp;
|-
!Name
!Image
!New enemy?
!Ability
!Description
!Notes
|-
|[[Blade Knight]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Blade Knight.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Sword]]
|A swordsman in green armor who sits in place or walks slowly and will try to swipe at Kirby if he gets close.
|This is Blade Knight's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Bulby]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Bulby.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Leaf]]
|An animate tuber plant with eyes and limbs that pops out of the ground when startled, then slowly glides down using its flower.
|
|-
|[[Chilly]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Chilly.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Ice]]
|A living snowman who can conjure a freezing aura around himself when Kirby gets near. Otherwise, he just shuffles around.
|
|-
|[[Elec]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Elec.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Spark]]
|A robotic eyeball with green protrusions that rolls along walls and can emit electricity. A close cousin of [[Flamer]].
|
|-
|[[Flamer]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Flamer.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Fire]]
|A spicy eyeball with pink protrusions that rolls along walls and can spout flames. It will occasionally jump off the wall to try and tackle Kirby.
|This is Flamer's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Foley]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Foley.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Bomb]]
|A circular flying creature with a propeller cap. If Kirby tries to pass underneath, Foley drops its propeller and falls, exploding once it hits something.
|This is Foley's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Galbo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Galbo.png|125px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Fire]]
|A small dragon-like blob creature which can hop around and breathe fire.
|
|-
|[[Gemra]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Gemra.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Beam]]
|A floating crystal ball with a hat that holds its position and fires a beam whip toward Kirby.
|
|-
|[[Hot Head]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Hot Head.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Fire]]
|A flaming octopus-like enemy which spews flames from its snout.
|This is Hot Head's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Jackle]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Jackle.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Cutter]]
|A floating enemy similar to [[Wheelie]] in appearance which throws a cutter boomerang in whatever direction it is facing.
|
|-
|[[Knuckle Joe]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Knuckle Joe.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Fighter]]
|A young karate master who knows many different moves, though is still very susceptible to Kirby's inhale.
|
|-
|[[Lanzer]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Lanzer.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Spear]]
|A purple-clad knight who marches back and forth and jabs with its trident.
|
|-
|[[Leafan]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Leafan.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Leaf]]
|A bulbous orange creature with a leafy crown and tail which can float gently through the air and spit seeds out on both sides of itself.
|
|-
|[[Moonja]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Moonja.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Ninja]]
|An elusive foe in a purple ninja cloak who knows many tricks, but is susceptible to Kirby's inhale.
|
|-
|[[Needlous]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Needlous.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Needle]]
|A spiky caterpillar-like foe that can roll up into a ball and rush forward.
|This is Needlous's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Noddy]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Noddy.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Sleep]]
|A pink armless opponent who spends most of its time asleep.
|
|-
|[[Owgulf]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Owgulf.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Wing]]
|A red owl-like bird that can throw feather projectiles at Kirby.
|
|-
|[[Parasol Waddle Dee]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Parasol Waddle Dee.jpg|50px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Parasol]]
|A Waddle Dee holding a Parasol. Can be made to drop the parasol if attacked or after landing from a drift.
|
|-
|[[Parasol Waddle Doo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Parasol Waddle Doo.jpg|50px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Parasol]] or [[Beam]]
|A Waddle Doo holding a Parasol. Can be made to drop the parasol if attacked or after landing from a drift.
|
|-
|[[Pierce]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Pierce.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Spear]]
|A flying bumblebee soldier who uses a spear to attack.
|
|-
|[[Pluid]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Pluid.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Water]]
|A blob of water with eyes that drops from ceilings and tries to bump into Kirby.
|
|-
|[[Poppy Bros. Jr.]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Poppy Bros Jr.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Bomb]]
|A small trickster who throws large bombs at Kirby. The bombs can also be inhaled for the ability.
|
|-
|[[Rocky]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Rocky.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Stone]]
|A rock with eyes, feet, and a headband who falls very quickly after a leap or after walking off a cliff.
|
|-
|[[Searches]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Searches.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Crash]]
|A floating spherical creature which will detonate if Kirby gets too close.
|
|-
|[[Sir Kibble]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Sir Kibble.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Cutter]]
|A yellow suit of armor who throws cutter boomerangs at Kirby.
|
|-
|[[Snowl]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Snowl.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Ice]]
|A frosty owl who flies back and forth and drops chunks of ice on regular intervals.
|
|-
|[[Sodory]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Sodory.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Sword]]
|A living sword who hops using its blade and uses its hilt like wings. It can swipe at Kirby with its blade.
|
|-
|[[Sparky]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Sparky.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Spark]]
|A green tear-shaped blob enemy who can hop and emit an electric barrier around itself.
|
|-
|[[Starman]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Starman.jpg|50px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Hi-Jump]]
|A star-shaped superhero with a cape who can make great leaps upward.
|This is Starman's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Tick]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Tick.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Needle]]
|A white blob who can shoot a huge needle out the top of its head when Kirby tries to pass overhead.
|
|-
|[[Totenga]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Totenga.jpg|50px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Needle]]
|A spiky orange creature who rests atop a tall green spiky cactus. Hits to the cactus cause it to shrink. Totenga cannot be inhaled until the cactus base is completely gone.
|
|-
|[[Twister]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Twister.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Tornado]]
|A yellow spinning top foe who can briefly turn into a mini-tornado.
|This is Twister's first 3D appearance.
|-
|[[Waddle Doo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Waddle Doo.jpg|75px]]
|{{N}}
|[[Beam]]
|A small cycloptic creature similar to Waddle Dees who can fire a beam from his giant eye.
|Can also be seen [[Swinging Waddle Doo|swinging from ropes]].
|-
|[[Walky]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Walky screenshot.png]]
|{{N}}
|[[Mike]]
|An anthropomorphic microphone that paces back and forth.
|
|-
|[[Water Galbo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Water Galbo.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Water]]
|A blue Galbo which spits globs of water instead of breathing fire.
|
|-
|[[Whippy]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Whippy.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Whip]]
|A limbless cat-like creature with a long whip tail that it can strike with at far range.
|
|-
!colspan=6|Super Enemies
|-
|[[Super Blade Knight]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Super Blade Knight.jpg|100px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Ultra Sword]]
|A more decorated version of Blade Knight who otherwise acts the same.
|
|-
|[[Super Chilly]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Super Chilly.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Snow Bowl]]
|A more decorated version of Chilly who otherwise acts the same.
|
|-
|Super Hammer
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Super Hammer.jpg|100px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Grand Hammer]]
|An inanimate hammer that can appear during the final boss battle in Extra Mode.
|
|-
|[[Super Hot Head]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Super Hot Head.jpg|75px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Monster Flame]]
|A more decorated version of Hot Head who otherwise acts the same.
|
|-
|[[Super Waddle Doo]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Super Waddle Doo.jpg|100px]]
|{{Y}}
|[[Flare Beam]]
|A more decorated version of Waddle Doo who otherwise acts the same.
|
|-
!colspan=6|<small>Super Enemies will drop ability stars upon defeat. Super Bonkers is mentioned in the Mid-Bosses table.</small>
|}

===Super Ability-specific enemies===
The following enemies appear exclusively in [[Super Ability]] sections in stages. Without exception, they bear glowing stars somewhere on them to mark them as targets for the Super Abilities, and can only be destroyed by said abilities. All of them are new to this game and have not appeared in any game since.

Note that other environmental objects with stars on them can be targets for the super abilities as well, but since these do not actively attack Kirby, they will not be listed here.
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" border=1 cellpadding=2
!colspan=6|Super Ability-specific enemies in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' &nbsp;
|-
!Name
!Image
!Description
!Notes
|-
|[[Bomb Machine]]
|align=center|[[File:Bomb Machine.jpg|100px]]
|A large bomb on a wheel trolley and crank which re-positions it. It fires missiles from its mouth and can be defeated by lighting its fuse with the [[Monster Flame]] ability.
|The missiles provide the [[Bomb]] ability if swallowed.
|-
|[[Burner Box]]
|align=center|[[File:Burner Box.jpg|50px]]
|A fire-spewing box which can be pounded flat using the [[Grand Hammer]] ability.
|
|-
|[[Drill Machine]]
|align=center|[[File:Drill Machine.jpg|100px]]
|A spiky piston-based machine that can be destroyed using the [[Flare Beam]] or [[Monster Flame]] ability.
|
|-
|[[Giant Flotzo]]
|align=center|[[File:Giant Flotzo.jpg|100px]]
|A large pale octopus-like creature who hides inside a shipwreck, and can be defeated using the [[Monster Flame]] ability.
|
|-
|[[Merman Statue]]
|align=center|[[File:Merman Statue.jpg|50px]]
|A waddling statue with a barrel in its mouth. The barrel can be struck when exposed using [[Monster Flame]].
|
|-
|[[Moai Block]]
|align=center|[[File:Moai Block.jpg|100px]]
|A series of stone blocks; some being able to spew flames from their 'mouths'. Can be broken using [[Flare Beam]].
|
|-
|[[Strike Box]]
|align=center|[[File:KRtDL Strike Box screenshot.png|100px]]
|A jack-in-the-box-like enemy who pops out in various places to fire beam blasts. Can be smashed using the [[Grand Hammer]] ability.
|Its projectiles provide the [[Ice]] ability when swallowed.
|}

===Mid-Bosses===
Note: The more difficult forms of these mid-bosses played in Extra mode have a different color scheme and an "(EX)" appended to the end of their names.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" cellpadding="2"
!colspan=4|'''Mid-Bosses in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''' &nbsp;
|-
!'''Name'''
!Appearance
!Copy Ability
!Description
|-
|[[Bonkers]]
|[[File:KRtDL Bonkers screenshot.png|150px]]<br>[[File:KRtDL Bonkers EX screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Hammer]]
|Bonkers' debut 3D appearance. He attacks much like his counterparts in previous titles, but has an EX version with more formidable techniques.
|-

|-
|[[Super Bonkers]]
|[[File:KRtDL Super Bonkers screenshot.png|150px]]<br>[[File:KRTDL Super Bonkers EX.png|150px]]
|[[Grand Hammer]]
|A super variant of Bonkers who provides the Grand Hammer ability. Despite his name and look, Super Bonkers is not any tougher than normal Bonkers.
|-

|-
|[[Dubior]]
|[[File:KRtDL Dubior screenshot.png|150px]]<br>[[File:KRtDL Dubior EX screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Spark]]
|A floating UFO-type enemy that can generate an energy shield and fire sparks in various patterns. It can also summon little minions that can be swallowed and spat back at it.
|-

|-
|[[Gigant Edge]]
|[[File:KRtDL Gigant Edge screenshot.png|150px]]<br>[[File:KRtDL Gigant Edge EX screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Sword]]
|A large armored swordsman who carries a shield and charges with his blade. His attacks are slow, but dangerous.
|-

|-
|[[Kibble Blade]]
|[[File:KRtDL Kibble Blade screenshot.png|150px]]<br>[[File:KRtDL Kibble Blade EX screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Cutter]]
|A large silver version of [[Sir Kibble]] that throws huge inhalable cutter blades and sometimes charges head-first at Kirby.
|-

|-
|[[King Doo]]
|[[File:KRtDL King Doo screenshot.png|150px]]<br>[[File:KRtDL King Doo EX screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Beam]]
|A very large [[Waddle Doo]] with a long hair-lick draped over his eye. He can fire his beam in many different ways, much like Beam Kirby can.
|-

|-
|[[Moundo]]
|[[File:KRtDL Moundo screenshot.png|150px]]<br>[[File:KRtDL Moundo EX screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Stone]]
|Resembles a tiny mountain with eyes, a craggy mouth, a headband, and a pair of sandals. It attacks by rolling about and crashing down from above.
|-

|-
|[[Sphere Doomer]]
|[[File:Sphere Doomer arena.png|150px]]<br>[[File:Sphere Doomer EX arena.png|150px]]
|N/A
|Spectral beings from [[Another Dimension]] that come in four variants. Each Doomer is characterized by its vaguely bird-like features attached to a spherical ghostly body, and can be sorted from least to most powerful through the number of tail feathers each one bears. They attack with various flying maneuvers and firing energy orbs that can be inhaled and spat back. Most Sphere Doomers drop two [[Energy Sphere]]s upon defeat.
|-

|-
|[[Water Galboros]]
|[[File:KRtDL Water Galboros screenshot.png|150px]]<br>[[File:KRtDL Water Galboros EX screenshot.png|150px]]
|[[Water]]
|A large [[Galbo]]-like enemy that spits water projectiles. It also performs various attacks with its girth, by charging and slamming.
|-
|}

===Bosses===
These bosses are fought throughout the game at the end of each level, in this order. In Extra Mode, these bosses have an (EX) appended to the end of their name. Lor Starcutter, Magolor, and Magolor Soul are all fought in [[Another Dimension (level)|Another Dimension]]. In [[The Arena]], these bosses, along with 3 mid-boss challenges, are fought in no particular order, except for the Another Dimension bosses, which are played in order at the end of the Arena. In [[The True Arena]], the EX forms of the bosses are fought.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" cellpadding="2"
!colspan=6|'''Bosses in ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land''' &nbsp;
|-
!Boss
!Main form
!HP (Main)
!EX form
!HP (EX)
!Description
|-
|'''[[Whispy Woods#Kirby's Return to Dream Land|Whispy Woods]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Whispy Woods Arena Icon.png]]
|330
||[[File:KRtDL Whispy Woods EX True Arena Icon.png]]
|480
|A sentient tree which can drop apples and breathe gale force winds to attack. Whispy Woods also gains the ability to inhale and chew on Kirby and friends.
|-
|'''[[Mr. Dooter]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Mr Dooter Arena Icon.png]]
|420
|[[File:KRtDL Mr Dooter EX True Arena Icon.png]]
|580
|An exotic magician which can produce skulls and snakes from his hat, and can spin rapidly to form a tornado.
|-
|'''[[Fatty Puffer]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Fatty Puffer Arena Icon.png]]
|560
|[[File:KRtDL Fatty Puffer EX True Arena Icon.png]]
|700
|An obese pufferfish with the ability to perform a rolling charge, spit water projectiles, and inflate to an even more monstrous size when damaged enough.
|-
|'''[[Goriath]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Goriath Arena Icon.png]]
|460
|[[File:KRtDL Goriath EX True Arena Icon.png]]
|540
|A large white primate with the ability to control ice and deliver powerful punches. In his second phase, Goriath's hair turns golden and he gains additional attacks, such as the ability to fire energy waves.
|-
|'''[[Grand Doomer]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Grand Doomer Arena Icon.png]]
|580
|[[File:KRtDL Grand Doomer EX True Arena Icon.png]]
|640
|The final boss fought on [[Popstar]], Grand Doomer is the leader of the fierce Sphere Doomers. It can fire energy spheres and disappear into a dimensional hole to ambush Kirby. During Grand Doomer's second phase within the main mode, it gains stony armor which can only be damaged by the [[Ultra Sword]] ability.
|-
|'''[[Metal General]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Metal General Arena Icon.png]]
|600
|[[File:KRtDL Metal General EX True Arena Icon.png]]
|640
|The mechanical guardian of Egg Engines, Metal General possesses impressive swordsmanship and can shoot bombs and giant missiles at Kirby. In Extra Mode, Metal General is fought directly before HR-D3.
|-
|'''[[HR-D3]]'''
|{{N}}
|{{N}}
|[[File:KRtDL HR-D3 True Arena Icon.png]]
|720
*Phase 1: 288 (40%)
*Phase 2: 432 (60%)
|A titanic robot piloted by Metal General. It has two separate health bars for each of its attack phases. HR-D3 can fire homing rockets, shoot lasers from its eyes, and spin its giant arms around.
|-
|'''[[Landia]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Landia Arena Icon.png]]
|640
|[[File:KRtDL Landia EX True Arena Icon.png]]
|720
|The draconian keeper of the Master Crown, Landia consists of four smaller dragons which can combine into a single, four-headed beast. Landia's attacks consist of launching fireballs, creating windstorms, and wielding electrical currents.
|-
|'''[[Lor & Magolor]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Lor and Magolor Arena Icon.png]]
|580
|[[File:KRtDL Lor and Magolor EX True Arena Icon.png]]
|680
|Magolor manipulates the corrupted Lor Starcutter to assault Kirby. It can launch star projectiles and energy orbs, throw its wings akin to boomerangs, and even control a massive hurricane.
|-
|'''[[Galacta Knight#Kirby's Return to Dream Land|Galacta Knight]]'''
|{{N}}
|{{N}}
||[[File:KRtDL Galacta Knight True Arena Icon.png]]
|540*
|A legendary swordsman akin to [[Meta Knight]], said to be the most powerful warrior in the galaxy. He possesses a wide range of attacks with his lance and shield, as well as the ability to summon and launch energy swords.
|-
|'''[[Magolor]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Magolor Arena Icon.png]]
|600
|[[File:KRtDL Magolor EX True Arena Icon.png]]
|800
|The deceitful wizard possesses an impressive array of magical abilities, including the ability to launch magical spheres, summon Doomers to glide across the screen, and generate black holes. In his second phase, Magolor creates a star-like shield which can only be broken using [[Super Ability|Super Abilities]].
|-
|'''[[Magolor (second form)]]'''<br>'''[[Magolor Soul]]'''
|[[File:KRtDL Magolor Second Form Arena Icon.png]]
|750
|[[File:KRtDL Magolor Soul True Arena Icon.png]]
|999
|After his initial defeat, Magolor transforms into an ethereal, more powerful reincarnated form. During their second phase, Magolor's second form and Magolor Soul can respectively wield their own, twisted renditions of Kirby's Super Abilities.
|-
|colspan=6|Notes:
*The basic [[Star Bullet]] does 52 [[damage]].
*Multiplayer damage multiplier: 0.8 for 2 players, 0.75 for 3 players, 0.7 for 4 players.
*Bosses have 75% maximum HP in [[The Arena]] and [[The True Arena]] (rounded down to zero decimal places).
*The table lists Galacta Knight's actual 540 HP* in The True Arena instead of the 720 base HP.
|}

==Legacy==
''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' builds upon the legacy for modern ''Kirby'' series games that was previously set by ''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]'', with some characters, concepts, places, and assets making a mainstay in future ''Kirby'' games to come, such as the following:
*The main engine of ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' would become the main basis for future games rendered in 3D up to ''[[Kirby Fighters 2]]'', and as such, many assets were reused in future games, especially audio and graphics.
*[[Another Dimension]] would become a mainstay (including its dimensional rifts) in modern ''Kirby'' series games, such as ''[[Team Kirby Clash Deluxe]]'' and ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]'', although the concept of parallel bosses didn't debut until the former.
*Various characters and enemies who have debuted in this game, such as [[Magolor]] and [[Landia]], would become mainstays within the ''Kirby'' series, whether as cameo appearances or even as playable characters.
*[[Ultra Sword]] would receive more cameo appearances than any other [[Super Ability]] seen in the game, and was even incorporated into [[Kirby]]'s [[Final Smash]] in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series since ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''.
*A remake of this game called ''[[Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe]]'' released for the [[Nintendo Switch]] on February 24, 2023. Unlike the original game, and similarly to ''[[Kirby Super Star Ultra]]'', the game has the same name in both the North American and European versions.

==Unused content==
{{main|tcrf:Kirby's Return to Dream Land}}
A number of unused ability icons exist in the game's files. Among them include icons for [[Super Ability|super versions]] of [[Cutter]] and [[Spark]], which were likely removed for functioning too similar to already-existing Super Abilities. There are also models of a hat and weapon for the Cutter-based Super ability. Additionally, a pair of icons with a clock inset are present. These remove Kirby's copy ability, and went unused.

There is an unused purple [[switch]] variant which can be accessed in the game's files. There is also a fully animated, unused enemy called "Hearbell" which resembles a [[Pacflower]] from ''Kirby: Triple Deluxe''. It has animations for catching Kirby in its mouth, suggesting that it would act similar to [[Pacto]] or [[Barbar]]. A model of an early design for [[Walf]] also exists in the game's files.

<gallery>
KRtDL Unused Super Cutter Icon.png|Unused super Cutter ability icon
KRtDL Unused Super Spark Icon.png|Unused super Spark ability icon
KRTDL Super Cutter hat model.png|Unused super Cutter ability hat
KRTDL Super Cutter blade model.png|Unused model of the blade that super Cutter Kirby would use
KRtDL Unused Clock Icon.png|Unused clock ability icon
KRtDL Unused Super Clock Icon.png|Unused super clock ability icon
KRTDL Hearbell model.png|Hearbell, an unused enemy that tries to catch Kirby in its mouth
KRTDL Unused Walf model.png|An early design for [[Walf]]
</gallery>

==Staff==
The following is a list of staff who have worked on ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'':
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1"  cellpadding="2"
|-
!colspan=3|Staff of ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' &nbsp;
|-
!colspan=2|Position
!Developer(s)
|-
![[File:Director icon KRtDL.png]]
!Director
|[[Shinya Kumazaki]]
|-
![[File:Director icon KRtDL.png]]
!Assistant Director
|Yuki Endo<br>Tatsuya Kamiyama
|-
![[File:Programming icon KRtDL.png]]
!Program Director
|Hiroaki Nakano
|-
![[File:Programming icon KRtDL.png]]
!Lead Action Programming
|Katsuyoshi Sumitomo
|-
![[File:Programming icon KRtDL.png]]
!Programming
|Akio Hanyu<br>Masaaki Fukunaga<br>Takaaki Kawahara<br>Tomokazu Tsuruoka<br>Isao Takahashi<br>Sho Tajima<br>Tomohiro Kamochi<br>Masami Ishiguro<br>Keita Tanifuji<br>Rui Uchida<br>Yoshihiro Nagata<br>Takayuki Sugano<br>Ryoichiro Atono<br>Takashi Nozue
|-
![[File:Design icon KRtDL.png]]
!Design Director
|Tadashi Kamitake
|-
![[File:Design icon KRtDL.png]]
!Lead Character Design
|Kazuyuki Nakamura<br>Kenichiro Kita
|-
![[File:Design icon KRtDL.png]]
!Design
|Akiko Hayashi<br>Hitoshi Kikkawa<br>Tsuyoshi Wakayama<br>Tetsuya Mochiduki<br>Shigeyuki Kawata<br>Tsuyoshi Fujita<br>[[Riki Fuhrmann]]<br>Masa Matsubayashi<br>Souta Sugisaki<br>Monami Matsuura<br>Akihiro Kanno<br>Tomoyuki Iwakuro<br>Tsutomu Taniguchi
|-
![[File:Motif Design icon KRtDL.png]]
!Lead Motif Design
|Tadashi Hashikura
|-
![[File:Motif Design icon KRtDL.png]]
!Motif Design
|Noriko Itoh<br>Daisuke Morishita<br>Masashi Fujiura<br>Shigeru Hashiguchi<br>Tomomi Minami<br>Yuki Honda<br>Kumiko Itoh
|-
![[File:Level Design Support icon KRtDL.png]]
!Level Design Support
|Koji Akaike
|-
![[File:Movie icon KRtDL.png]]
!Movie
|Kunio Watanabe
|-
![[File:Sub-Game staff icon KRtDL.png]]
!Sub-Game Director
|Hisatoshi Takeuchi<br>Kazushige Masuda
|-
![[File:Sub-Game staff icon KRtDL.png]]
!Sub-Game Programming
|Takuya Abe<br>Kouji Mori<br>Munemasa Kimura<br>Yoshiya Taniguchi<br>Hideto Fukushima
|-
![[File:Sub-Game staff icon KRtDL.png]]
!Sub-Game Design
|Kazuo Yazawa<br>Ayaka Kimura<br>Teruhiko Suzuki<br>Shingo Yamada<br>Yuuta Kawakami<br>Haruka Abe
|-
![[File:Sound icon KRtDL.png]]
!Sound
|[[Hirokazu Ando]]<br>[[Jun Ishikawa]]
|-
![[File:Sound icon KRtDL.png]]
!Voice
|[[Makiko Ohmoto]] ([[Kirby]])
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL.png]]
!Team Support
|Seiji Otoguro
|-
![[File:Design Adviser icon KRtDL.png]]
!Design Adviser
|Ashura Benimaru Itoh
|-
![[File:Public Relations icon KRtDL.png]]
!Public Relations
|[[Satoshi Ishida]]<br>Tomohiro Minemura
|-
![[File:Public Relations icon KRtDL.png]]
!Artwork
|[[Tetsuya Notoya]]<br>Rieko Kawahara<br>Yumiko Sano<br>Hisayo Osanai<br>Keiko Inoue<br>Sachiko Nakamichi
|-
![[File:Public Relations icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOK Artwork
|Jiyoung Shin<br>Siyoung An
|-
![[File:Testing icon KRtDL.png]]
!Testing
|Masaru Kobayashi<br>Akimitsu Ushikoshi<br>Dai Suzuki<br>Kenta Nakanishi<br>Tsuyoshi Komura<br>Naofumi Terazono<br>Yuuki Tanikawa<br>Miyuki Murato<br>HAL Debug Team<br>Mario Club
|-
![[File:Programming icon KRtDL.png]]
!Technical Support
|Chiharu Itoh<br>Tatsuhiro Tanoue<br>Koutarou Hiromatsu<br>Shingo Okamoto
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOA Localization Management
|Nate Bihldorff<br>Reiko Ninomiya<br>Tim O'Leary<br>Leslie Swan
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOA Localization
|Hélène Bisson-Pelland<br>Kristin Kirby<br>Anne-Marie Laperrière<br>César Pérez<br>Morgan Ritchie<br>Galia Rodríguez Hornedo<br>Tom Slattery
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOE Localisation Management
|Erkan Kasap<br>William Romick
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOE Localisation Producers
|Andrew Steele<br>Barbara Wallace
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOE Translation Coordination
|Daniele Braglia
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL.png]]
!Translation
|Benjamin Roffey<br>Thomas Berthollet<br>Sabrina Jouillat<br>Susanne Becker<br>Philipp Zechner<br>Kent Robello<br>Mirko Capocelli<br>Miguel Sánchez<br>Miguel Rodríguez
|-
![[File:Testing icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOE Quality Assurance Coordination
|Stefania Montagnese
|-
![[File:Testing icon KRtDL.png]]
!Quality Assurance
|James Clarke<br>Michael Reid<br>Sarah Rutherford-Bryant<br>Nicolas Jéhanne<br>Tristan Germanaud<br>Ahmed Bounouar<br>Mareike Krause<br>Peter Eiselt<br>Hannah Siebert<br>Edoardo Toniolatti<br>Robert Roja<br>Alessandro Crosa<br>Miguel Ángel Carnero Calderón<br>María Gay Moreno<br>Jesús Gutiérrez
|-
![[File:Testing icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOA Product Testing Management
|Masayasu Nakata<br>Kyle Hudson<br>Eric M. Bush<br>Sean Egan<br>Tomoko Mikami<br>Nicko Gonzales De Santiago<br>Teresa Lillygren
|-
![[File:Testing icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOA Product Testing
|Scott Callahan<br>Stephen Ward<br>Christopher N. Hicks<br>Josh Newman<br>Kindra Timmerwilke<br>Sara Hoad<br>Stéphane Arlot<br>Noriko Kaji<br>William Hixenbaugh<br>Ludovic Tientcheu
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL KR.png]]
!NOK Localization Management
|Yu Fukaya<br>Hyokjin Jung
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL KR.png]]
!NCL Localization Management
|Kimiharu Hyodo<br>Kimiko Nakamichi
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL KR.png]]
!NOK Localization
|Jihyun Choi<br>Joohe Kim
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL KR.png]]
!NCL Localization Coordination
|Chulsoo Yoon<br>Ilho Kim<br>Jonghoon Park
|-
![[File:Testing icon KRtDL.png]]
!NOK Testing
|Junbong Lee<br>Sungmin Park<br>Kyoungim Na<br>Weonjun Jang<br>NOK Debug Team
|-
![[File:Special Thanks icon KRtDL.png]]
!Special Thanks
|Masanobu Yamamoto<br>Hiroshi Fujie<br>Zenta Ando<br>Kensuke Tanabe<br>Taira Murakami<br>Ken Osada<br>Hiromasa Endo<br>Haruka Itou<br>Kanako Omori<br>Shunsuke Akagi<br>Toshio Yasuhara<br>Yoshimi Takahashi<br>Katsuhiro Sakoda<br>Shinya Watanabe<br>Hitoshi Ishimura<br>Yuki Nishimura<br>Shinichi Kawaji<br>Yuzo Honda<br>Tetsuya Noge<br>Tatsuya Murase<br>Hiroshi Ohnishi<br>Kazuya Konishi<br>Yasuhiro Mukae<br>Yukari Kemmochi<br>Ryusei Matsuo<br>Hiromi Deyama<br>Akinari Kaneko<br>Yusuke Ota<br>[[Yumi Todo]]<br>[[Tadashi Ikegami]]<br>Toru Yamashita<br>Tomoaki Tsuji
|-
![[File:Management icon KRtDL.png]]
!Managing Director
|Kazuhiro Yoshikawa<br>Yurie Hattori
|-
![[File:Management icon KRtDL.png]]
!Project Management
|Tetsuya Abe
|-
![[File:Producer icon KRtDL.png]]
!Producer
|Hiroaki Suga<br>Hitoshi Yamagami<br>Shigefumi Kawase
|-
![[File:Producer icon KRtDL.png]]
!General Producer
|[[Masayoshi Tanimura]]<br>Shinya Takahashi
|-
![[File:Executive Producer icon KRtDL.png]]
!Executive Producer
|[[Satoru Iwata]]
|-
!colspan=3|HAL Laboratory, Inc. and Nintendo are the authors of this software for the purpose of copyright.<br>All rights reserved.<br>©2011 HAL Laboratory, Inc. / Nintendo<br><br>HAL Laboratory, Inc.<br>Nintendo
|}

==Nintendo eShop description==
''Kirby™ and his friends are back in an adventure designed to satisfy longtime Kirby fans and beginners alike. When an alien spaceship crashes in the otherwise-peaceful realm of Planet Pop Star, its pieces are scattered throughout the land.''

''Players must guide Kirby as he retrieves the ship's parts and helps an alien return to its home planet. Kirby's powerful Copy Ability returns, allowing him to inhale, spit, and transform as he encounters enemies. He can deploy classic abilities, new abilities, and also Super Abilities, which are activated after inhaling special enemy characters.''

''This time, however, Kirby is not alone. At any time, up to three more players can join in the fun and play as Meta Knight, King Dedede, Waddle Dee, or a different-color Kirby.''

==Trivia==
*Many elements of this title, and possibly the base engine itself, were taken from the canceled ''[[Kirby for Nintendo GameCube]]'' game, including certain musical tracks, the [[Piggyback]] mechanic, and [[HR-D3]].
*This game takes many elements from ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'', such as the multiplayer feature, and generally the same storyline as [[Milky Way Wishes]], with Magolor being like [[Marx]], asking for help so that they could each achieve ultimate power. Each also has a harder, more powerful form, known as Magolor Soul and [[Marx Soul]] respectively.
**This similarity is further compounded by one of Kirby's [[Stone]] transformations in ''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]'', which depicts both Magolor and Marx together as a golden statue.
*On October 23, 2015, Satoshi Ishida from HAL Laboratory revealed in a Miiverse post that HAL was considering ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' to be titled ''Kirby Wii: Super Friends'' during development. This combined 'Super' from 'Super Abilities' "with the image of adventuring together", and "'friend' evokes the concept of friendship, which is one of the game's main themes".<ref>[https://kirbydevpostarchive.tumblr.com/post/164951856636/hal-laboratory-イシダ-hallaboratory-10232015-908 Miiverse post celebrating the game's 4th anniversary (archive)]</ref>
**Ironically, the title 'Super Friends' would arguably have been even more fitting for the later game ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''.
*''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' is the first ''Kirby'' title to be rated E10+ by the ESRB, as well as the first to be rated 7+ by the PEGI. The primary reason for the ESRB rating is the [[Scope Shot]] minigame, in which "players assume a third-person perspective to fire pellet guns at an oversized tank and passing blimps—the sequence is accompanied by constant projectile fire and realistic explosions."<ref>[https://www.esrb.org/ratings/31397/Kirbys+Return+to+Dream+Land/ ESRB rating summary for ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'']</ref>
*The signs that tell the player what action to perform in the early stages will show a red circle after completing the action in the Japanese and Korean versions, due to red circles representing affirmation, while in the international versions, it is replaced with a green checkmark instead, due to the symbolism being the equivalent of red circles internationally.
**This change carries over into ''[[Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition]]'', ''[[Kirby: Triple Deluxe]]'', ''[[Kirby: Planet Robobot]]'', ''[[Kirby Battle Royale]]'' and ''[[Kirby Star Allies]]''. For the Korean translations of the aforementioned titles, the check mark is used instead of the circle mark.

==Gallery==
{{Main|Kirby's Return to Dream Land/gallery}}

==Names in other languages==
{{names
|ja={{furi|星|ほし}}のカービィ{{furi|Wii|ウィー}}
|jaR=Hoshi no Kābyi Wii
|jaM=Kirby of the Stars Wii
|esA=Kirby's Return to Dream Land
|esAM=-
|esE=Kirby's Adventure Wii
|esEM=-
|frA=Kirby's Return to Dream Land
|frAM=-
|frE=Kirby's Adventure Wii
|frEM=-
|de=Kirby's Adventure Wii
|deM=-
|it=Kirby's Adventure Wii
|itM=-
|ko=별의 커비 Wii
|koR=Byeorui Keobi Wii
|koM=Kirby of the Stars Wii
|zh=星之卡比Wii<ref>From iQue 3DSXL StreetPass Mii Plaza: Puzzle Swap and an official upload of the "Kirby's Return to Dream Land Medley"</ref><br>''Xīngzhī Kǎbǐ Wii''<br>Kirby's Return to Dream Land
|zhM=Kirby of the Stars Wii<br>-
|nl=Kirby's Adventure Wii
|nlM=-
|ptA=Kirby's Return to Dream Land
|ptAM=-
|ptE=Kirby's Adventure Wii
|ptEM=-
|ru=Kirby's Adventure Wii
|ruM=-
}}

==External links==
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/sukj/ Japanese website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120722184118/https://kirby.nintendo.com/returntodreamland/ North American website]
*[https://www.kirbyinformer.com/kirbys-return-to-dream-land ''Kirby's Return to Dream Land'' on Kirby Informer]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230523095717/https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/manual-nintendo-wii-kirby-return-to-dreamland.pdf English, French and Spanish manual (NA print)] (archive)

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