This article is about Nruff as a common enemy. For its appearance as a boss, seeNruff and Nelly.
Nruff is a recurring enemy throughout theKirby series, debuting as a regular enemy inKirby's Dream Land 3 and in 3D inKirby 64: The Crystal Shards. Its appearance is similar to that of a brown boar, usually portrayed in games without tusks and with perpetually closed eyes. Its fur sticks out in spikes behind it, giving it an appearance similar to the spines of a porcupine, and it possesses stripes on its back that are lighter in color than the rest of its body. It does not grant aCopy Ability in any games.
Nruff originally appearedas a boss alongside smaller Nellys inKirby's Dream Land 2, though this Nruff has a somewhat different appearance. Aside from its major appearances, Nruff is also seen making a cameo as a sticker inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl.
InKirby's Dream Land 3, Nruff appears as a common enemy rather than a boss and has assumed its tusk-less, striped appearance. The enemy version of Nruff, which is first encountered in the third stage ofGrass Land and last seen in the game's final regular stage, attacks simply by galloping back and forth, only turning around when it slams into wall, causing the screen to shake a little.Nruff & Waddle Dees can sometimes be found, variants that are essentially Nruffs with aWaddle Dee riding on top of it, much like howPoppy Bros. Jr.s are able to rideGrizzos in the originalKirby's Dream Land; once such a Nruff collides with an obstacle, however, its rider is thrown off and briefly left unconscious on the floor.
Although Nruffs can be inhaled in this game (besides being vulnerable to all other attacks), swallowing them does not grant Kirby an ability. Nruffs with Waddle Dees disappear when scrolled off the screen after their Waddle Dee rider is defeated and do not respawn unless Kirby leaves the section and enters it again.
Nruff reappears as a regular enemy inKirby 64: The Crystal Shards, acting similarly to its previous appearance, but never being used as a steed by other enemies. Nruff also appears onEnemy Info Card #66.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land /Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[edit]
Nruffs reappear as a regular enemy inKirby's Return to Dream Land andKirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, where they have undergone major changes in appearance. While otherwise keeping a similar look to theirKirby 64: The Crystal Shards incarnation, Nruffs now possess bulbous, red noses and lack visible ears, now bearing a spike-shaped tail and multiple spiked tufts of fur. The direction of the stripes on the creature's back has also changed, now running from top to bottom instead of parallel to its body.
Nruffs are first encountered inRaisin Ruins and are often found stampeding down or up hills, raising dust behind them and making small jumps whenever they reach an edge, which can enable them to cross narrow pits. Just like inKirby's Dream Land 3, they may occasionally carry a Waddle Dee on their back, which is treated as a separate enemy and catapulted off when its mount collides with a wall or is harmed by Kirby or his allies. Like in previous games featuring them as regular enemies, Nruffs are vulnerable to any attack and award no ability when swallowed.
Nruff makes an appearance as a common enemy in this game. It acts similarly toGrizzo, charging Kirby slowly at first, but gradually gaining speed until it hits him or he dispatches it. If it makes contact with another Nruff or wall, it will be stunned.
InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl, Nruff is represented by asticker. Equipping this sticker grants +5 to "body" and "spin" attack damage for Kirby, Meta Knight, and King Dedede.
InKirby's Dream Land 3, Nruff appears as a common enemy rather than a boss and has assumed its tusk-less, striped appearance. The enemy version of Nruff, which is first encountered in the third stage ofGrass Land and last seen in the game's final regular stage, attacks simply by galloping back and forth, only turning around when it slams into wall, causing the screen to shake a little.Nruff & Waddle Dees can sometimes be found, variants that are essentially Nruffs with aWaddle Dee riding on top of it, much like howPoppy Bros. Jr.s are able to rideGrizzos in the originalKirby's Dream Land; once such a Nruff collides with an obstacle, however, its rider is thrown off and briefly left unconscious on the floor.
Nruff reappears as a regular enemy inKirby 64: The Crystal Shards, acting similarly to its previous appearance, but never being used as a steed by other enemies. Nruff also appears onEnemy Info Card #66.
Artwork fromKirby's Dream Land 3
Artwork fromKirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Nruff inKirby's Return to Dream Land
Nruff's model fromKirby's Return to Dream Land
Nruff inKirby's Blowout Blast
Nruff being ridden by aWaddle Dee inKirby Star Allies
Guest Star ???? Star Allies Go! credits picture fromKirby Star Allies, featuring twoParasol Waddle Dees ridingpiggyback while aWaddle Dee is riding a Nruff
Nruff inCavernous Corners inKirby Air Riders
