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Gourmet Race

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Gourmet Race
KSSU Gourmet Race Title Screen.png
The title screen for Gourmet Race.
Details
Difficulty 2 Stars (? in Kirby Super Star)
Stages Pumpkin Grand
Corn Hall
Onion Garden
Unlock requirements In Kirby Super Star:
Available at the start.
In Kirby Super Star Ultra:
Complete stage 1 of Spring Breeze.
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This article is about the main game in Kirby Super Star and its remake. For the musical theme of the same name, see Gourmet Race (theme). For the game mode in Kirby's Dream Buffet, see Gourmet Grand Prix.
Yes! A race with King Dedede! It's close, but keep snacking! Eat, eat, EAT for victory!
— Description from Kirby Super Star Ultra

Gourmet Race is the third main game in Kirby Super Star and Kirby Super Star Ultra. This game pits Kirby against King Dedede in a friendly competition to see who can reach the finish line on a straightforward race course while grabbing and eating as much food as possible along the way. In Kirby Super Star, playing Gourmet Race is optional, but in Kirby Super Star Ultra, winning the Grand Prix is required in order to advance further in game progression. In Kirby Super Star Ultra only, Gourmet Race can also be played with a second player.

Modes[edit]

Grand Prix[edit]

Kirby and King Dedede racing in Grand Prix mode in the first stage, Pumpkin Grand

The Grand Prix game plays out exactly as it sounds: Kirby races King Dedede and eats food as he goes along his 2D side-scrolling way. In the Kirby Super Star Ultra-exclusive multiplayer mode, the second player takes control of a yellow Kirby. The races take place over three courses: Pumpkin Grand, Corn Hall, and Onion Garden.

Kirby or King Dedede gain one point for each piece of food picked up on the course, with Maxim Tomatoes being worth three points. Whoever reaches the finish line first gains a bonus 30 points, for a possible total of 90. The winner of the Grand Prix is the one who gets the most points after finishing all three courses, with the total score combined from the food and goal points of the courses. As such, if Kirby finds himself trailing behind the King, he can potentially make up the shortfall by grabbing as many of the food items on the sidelines as possible.

Time Attack[edit]

Alternatively, the Time Attack mode can be played as a time trial type game for a single course, with no competition other than previous best scores. In Kirby Super Star Ultra, Ghost Kirby replaces the star as the best record runner. No food appears in the time attack courses.

Details[edit]

In Gourmet Race, Kirby is able to run much faster than he can in other game modes. As such, it is important for the sake of speed to stay on the ground and avoid spending time in the air whenever possible. There are no enemies or other hazards on the courses which can actually defeat Kirby, so Health is not a concern (Spikes exist in Onion Garden, but do not actually deal damage). One interesting detail exclusive to this game-mode is that if Kirby hits a piece of food using an Air Bullet or Star Bullet, he will collect it.

Generally speaking, King Dedede is faster in the air than Kirby, so Kirby will need to keep ahead if he wants to grab airborne food items. Despite his greedy nature, King Dedede is not interested in all of the food items on the course, but he will prioritize Maxim Tomatoes whenever they are in reach. Kirby and King Dedede cannot interact with each-other directly, and pass through each-other.

Occasionally, obstacles in the form of Star Blocks will appear on the road. When King Dedede encounters blocks in his path, he will stop and use his hammer to clear them out. He does this rather slowly, which can be useful to Kirby if he wants to grab some extra food items or slip under the blocks using a Slide and get a larger lead.

Stages[edit]

Pumpkin Grand[edit]

Main article: Pumpkin Grand

Pumpkin Grand is the shortest and most straightforward course. This course is mostly an irregular surface beginning with sloped hills, but midway through Kirby will find holes, Star Blocks, and pillars that serve to block and slow him down. Sporadically throughout the course's path are several food items, most being worth one point each. A Maxim Tomato (worth three points) can be found within jumping reach on the goal post.

Corn Hall[edit]

Main article: Corn Hall

Corn Hall begins much like Pumpkin Grand, but soon changes with a steep slope downhill to an underground section. This course consists of a moderate amount of turns, flights upwards, and vertical zig-zagging obstacles.

Onion Garden[edit]

Main article: Onion Garden

The Onion Garden is the most elaborate course. The race will often change directions and terrain. The course will have stretches of ground running, dropping down, floating upwards, and swimming. Additionally, this course offers Copy Abilities at the earliest section. Any (or none) can be chosen; Jet, Parasol, Ninja, Wing, and Wheel are offered. At some points, there are alternative paths to choose from.

Instructions[edit]

In-game instructions[edit]

  • "King Dedede challenged Kirby to see who's the hungriest gourmet! Who will reach the goal first? Speed up to eat, eat to win!"

Manual instructions[edit]

  • Kirby Super Star Ultra Instruction manual (page 25): "There are two ways to play this game. In Grand Prix, you will race against King Dedede. Run through the course and collect food as quickly as you can. Your score is determined by the amount of food you gather and how many more times you reach goal lines before your opponent. In Time Attack, you will choose a course and race through it alone to try and get the best time possible"

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese 激突げきとつ!グルメレース
Gekitotsu! Gurume Rēsu
Crash! Gourmet Race
French Rallye Exquis Exquisite Rally
German Formel Mampf Formula Munch
Italian Gara dei Buongustai Gourmet Race
Korean 대결! 음식 레이스
Daegyeol! Eumsik Reiseu
Battle! Food Race
Spanish Carrera gourmet Gourmet race


Kirby Super Star Ultra Menu
Spring BreezeDyna BladeThe Great Cave OffensiveMegaton PunchSamurai KirbyKirby Card SwipeGourmet RaceRevenge of Meta KnightMilky Way WishesKirby on the DrawRevenge of the KingThe True ArenaThe ArenaSnack TracksMeta Knightmare UltraHelper to HeroTheaterSound TestBackKSSU Corkboard.png
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