This article is about the transformation inKirby and the Rainbow Curse. For theMetamortex Transformation fromKirby's Epic Yarn andKirby's Extra Epic Yarn, seeTankbot.

TheKirby Tank is atransformation thatKirby can undergo inKirby and the Rainbow Curse usingElline's painting skills. Using a canvas, she transforms him into a small tank with a cannon for a mouth and treads for feet. In this form, Kirby is able to shoot endless volleys of cannonballs from his "mouth" to quickly defeat enemies as he rolls slowly along the ground. The Kirby Tank is used in the stagesDeploy the Kirby Tank! andWoodland Battle. It also appears in severalChallenge Mode stages.

Details[edit]

The Kirby Tank is about the same size as Kirby in his usual form, turning his hands and feet into orange tank treads with pink stars for gears and turning his mouth into a cannon nozzle. In this form, Kirby's controls change from the usual as follows:

• Kirby moves much more slowly across the ground, but does move continuously using his treads. He cannot move backwards without tumbling.
• Tapping Kirby gives him a short burst of speed, but unlike theTouch Dash, this cannot be used to defeat enemies.
• Tapping anywhere aside from Kirby causes him to shoot a cannonball at that location. The cannonball explodes once it reaches the point specified, so it may be advantageous to aim past moving enemies instead of directly at them.
• Kirby can still ride rainbow ropes in this form, but he cannot travel up steep lines or move upside-down.
• In place of aStar Dash, the Kirby Tank has a separate transformation (called theMega Kirby Tank) which can be used by holding the stylus down at a specified position. This attack can be released at various levels of charge, with the reticle transforming to indicate this. This barrage of multiple cannonballs fans out to cover a wide area, and can be used to break metal blocks.

In addition,Waddle Dees present gain their own cannons, which they hold above their heads along with a hard hat in place of the usual bandana. As before, they are free to walk around and jump while they are firing away.

Flavor text[edit]

In theKirby novel series[edit]

In theKirby novel series, the Kirby Tank makes an appearance inKirby's Labyrinth Rescue!. During the fight againstTaranza andMagolor,Waddle Dee uses the canvas thatElline gave to them to transformKirby into the Kirby tank. With this newfound power, Kirby shoots bullets at Magolor and Taranza.Meta Knight tells him to target Taranza, to help reveal Magolor's true plan. Kirby shoots a bullet at Taranza, making him fall, but not leaving a serious injury. When Kirby tries to shoot at the fleeing Magolor, the tank's power fades, leaving him at his normal form.

Trivia[edit]

• During the transformation, Kirby is first repainted to resembleRick, referencing the fact that the Kirby Tank, like Rick, specializes in traversing dry land.
  • Conversely,early concept art for Rick's debut game,Kirby's Dream Land 2, suggests that HAL Laboratory originally considered the idea of Kirby as a tank early in the development cycle of that game.

Gallery[edit]

• 
  Artwork of the Mega Kirby Tank
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  The Kirby Tankfigurine
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  The Mega Kirby Tank figurine
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  AWaddle Dee figurine featuring him holding a cannon, only possible during the Kirby Tank transformation
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  Elline preparing to paint Kirby into a tank
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  Kirby Tank firing at someBouncies
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  Using the Mega Kirby Tank transformation to break open a metal block cache
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  Firing while retreating from lots of Bronto Burts
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  Shooting at a rolling log to make it roll the other way inWoodland Battle
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  Using a Rainbow Rope to keep the Kirby Tank from falling into an abyss
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  "The Messenger" comic fromPlay Nintendo

Names in other languages[edit]

Kirby Tank[edit]

Mega Kirby Tank[edit]

• Transformations
• Novels

• Articles which list Japanese names
• Articles which list French names
• Articles which list German names
• Articles which list Italian names
• Articles which list Spanish names