Gondola
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- This article is about the gondolas in Kirby and the Rainbow Curse. For the gondolas in Kirby: Triple Deluxe and Kirby: Planet Robobot, see Tilt Gondola.
A Gondola is a stage device that appears in Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, most notably in the stage Gondola Ride. It is a small bowl-shaped gondola attached to a line which Kirby can hop into and take for a ride. Effective use of gondolas is required to complete the Gondola Ride stage.
Details[edit]
Despite being a relatively simple-looking device, there are a lot of nuances when it comes to controlling Kirby when he is inside a gondola. When entering a gondola, Kirby cannot hop out again until it breaks. A gondola can only break if it hits the ground, which can happen after falling off a gondola line. Additionally, if Kirby hits into a wall or an enemy while riding a gondola, the rope will snap, forcing Kirby to fall until he and the gondola seat hit the ground (or fall into a bottomless pit).
The gondola will automatically follow any line it is attached to, moving in the direction indicated by arrows on the line itself. Gondola lines may terminate on their own, but otherwise, a Gondola can be diverted from its course using a Rainbow Rope, which the gondola will follow as if it were a regular line, following the rope's direction. In order for this to work, the rope has to be connected to the line the gondola was originally on, and can also snap to another gondola line, with a small visual and audio indicator letting the player know when this has happened. If a gondola is in free-fall (and still has its rope intact), it will attach to any new line it falls onto, including a rainbow rope.
While inside the gondola, the only action Kirby himself can take is to use a Touch Dash to speed up the gondola somewhat, and this can also be used to break blocks and attack enemies as usual. There are also sections of gondola lines that slip behind certain walls, allowing access to areas that cannot be entered normally. Waddle Dees have the particular ability to latch onto gondola lines using their spears, which means they do not need the gondola seat to take a ride (though naturally, they cannot go very far without Kirby regardless).
Lastly, there is an enemy called Gondola Bzztbulb which rides his own gondola.
Gallery[edit]
Kirby riding the gondola along a Rainbow Rope
Using a gondola to sneak past an otherwise solid barrier
A Gondola Bzztbulb electrifying the gondola line
A page from Elline's Secret Diary featuring gondolas
