This article is about smaller separate game modes in various Kirby games, and should not be confused with theMinigame mode inKirby's Dream Buffet.

ASub-Game^[1] (also known as aBonus Game,^[2]Sub Game,^[3]Mini-Game,^[4]Subgame,^[5] orMinigame^[6]) is a smaller separate game or activity contained within a game in theKirby series. It typically has rules and gameplay completely different to the larger game it features in, and completing the Sub-Game typically is not required to complete the main game, but may offer bonuses like score or1-Ups, or contribute to100% completion. They may be accessed as bonus content within the main game itself, or be completely separate, and accessible from the main menu. Some Sub-Games have also been the source for larger standalone spin-off titles, particularly in later installments of the series.

Most games in theKirby series include at least two Sub-Games.

Sub-Games by title[edit]

Kirby's Adventure[edit]

Kirby's Adventure is the first game to feature distinct Sub-Games with completely different rules to the main game. They can be accessed through doors in thelevel hubs. Completing a Sub-Game here rewards Kirby with either points or 1-Ups (depending on how well he did) and then blocks off the door until the game is reset. Once the main game is complete, the Sub-Games also become available on the main menu.

There are three different Sub-Games inKirby's Adventure. They are:

• Crane Fever
• Quick Draw
• Egg Catcher

Kirby's Pinball Land[edit]

Each main course has a bonus game inset which can be accessed viaWarp Star. There are three in all, which award extra points when played, and are as follows:

• Wispy-Woods Land features aBreakout-style mini-game where enemies and items move along the top of a series of breakable blocks. This would appear to serve as a precursor toKirby's Block Ball.
• Poppy Brothers' Land features a game where Kirby has to punt himself into a goal on a soccer-themed course with aSquishy acting as the goalie.
• Kracko Land features a game where Kirby has to bounce food items up to a copy of himself on a cloud deck who will eat them for points.

Kirby's Dream Land 2[edit]

Main article:Bonus Chance

Kirby's Dream Land 2, in addition to its Goal Game, also has extra Sub-Games that can be played once by re-visiting theBosses of each level (exceptKing Dedede), referred to as aBonus Chance. Instead of fighting the boss as usual, Kirby and/or his animal friends will instead play a bonus game with them, the rules of which vary with each boss.

Kirby's Block Ball[edit]

Kirby can play one of these if he touches aWarp Star found in the stages. The games are as follows:

• Air Hockey
• Star Catcher
• Up Cloud
• Up Down

Kirby Super Star[edit]

WhileKirby Super Star is comprised of several individually selectable main story modes, there are a number of other smaller games, which do not follow the same gameplay as the others, and don't have a story. All Sub-Games are available from the start. These games are as follows:

• Megaton Punch
• Samurai Kirby

Kirby's Dream Land 3[edit]

Main article:MG-5

Each third stage in the main levels ofKirby's Dream Land 3 has a mini-game which involves guessing between various objects/sounds. Completing these is necessary to obtain theHeart Stars in the stages they appear in.

Once the game is complete, these minigames can be played in sequence in the menu, collectively calledMG5. Completing this with a perfect score unlocks another game calledJumping, which is a challenge based on theGoal Game, having Kirby try to land as many times as possible without getting hit by aTick.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards[edit]

There are three Sub-Games in this title, which are played completely separate to the main game, and support up to 4 players. They are:

• 100-Yard Hop
• Bumper Crop Bump
• Checkerboard Chase

Players in each of these games can choose between playing as Kirby,Adeleine,King Dedede, orWaddle Dee.

Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble[edit]

InKirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, if Kirby collects aBlue Star then completes the stage, he'll be taken to the "Bonus Star!" sub-game gallery where he can choose to play any of the following sub-games:

• Kirby's Burst-A-Balloon
• Kirby's Hurdle Race
• Do The Kirby
• Kirby's Roll-O-Rama
• Kirby's Chicken Race

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land[edit]

InKirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, the Sub-Game structure works much like inKirby's Adventure, now with the additional option to play the Sub-Games separately. The Sub-Games themselves are almost entirely different, and can be played with up to 4 players. They are:

• Quick Draw (styled afterSamurai Kirby)
• Bomb Rally
• Kirby's Air Grind

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror[edit]

Like withKirby 64: The Crystal Shards, the Sub-Games present in this title are completely separate from the main game. They are:

• Speed Eaters
• Crackity Hack
• Kirby Wave Ride

These are also multiplayer-supported, with each player playing as a differently-colored Kirby.

Kirby: Canvas Curse[edit]

Main article:Boss Game

The Sub-Games inKirby: Canvas Curse are unlocked by completing the second level of each in the Boss fights in the main game, and are similar to the Boss fights in question. Unlike in most games, Kirby will lose lives or get aGame Over if he fails these Sub-Games. They are as follows:

• Block Attack
• Cart Run
• Paint Panic

Kirby: Squeak Squad[edit]

The Sub-Games inKirby: Squeak Squad are separate from the main game, and accessible from the main menu. They are:

• Speedy Teatime
• Smash Ride
• Treasure Shot

Kirby Super Star Ultra[edit]

Much likeKirby Super Star,Kirby Super Star Ultra features several Sub-Games in addition to the various main modes. The three new Sub-Games are available from the start, while the two from the originalKirby Super Star are unlockable. The Sub-Games are:

• Kirby Card Swipe
• Kirby on the Draw
• Snack Tracks
• Megaton Punch (unlocked after clearing 19 rounds inThe Arena)
• Samurai Kirby (unlocked after clearingMeta Knightmare Ultra)

Kirby's Epic Yarn[edit]

InKirby's Epic Yarn andKirby's Extra Epic Yarn, there are a total of five unlockable Sub-Games that can be unlocked as more tenants are attracted toQuilty Court.Kirby may talk to a tenant to begin a Sub-Game with them. These Sub-Games are variations on regular stages, requiring the player to complete specific conditions.

The Sub-Games forKirby's Epic Yarn are as follows:

• Zeke's Hide-and-Seek
• Beadrix's Run
• Carrie's Transport
• Buster's Training
• Mara's Race

Kirby Mass Attack[edit]

The Sub-Games inKirby Mass Attack are unlocked in a separate menu by collecting medals and earning achievements. There are several, though some are smaller than others:

• Field Frenzy
• Kirby Brawlball
• Kirby Curtain Call
• Dash Course
• Strato Patrol EOS
• Kirby Quest
• Survival Rush

Kirby's Return to Dream Land[edit]

There are two primary Sub-Games inKirby's Return to Dream Land, which can be played either from the main menu or from inside theLor Starcutter. To unlock them from either location, Kirby and his friends must collect enoughEnergy Spheres to unlock each door. Playing the Sub-Games from the Lor Starcutter rewards Kirby with1-Ups, thus functioning similarly toKirby: Nightmare in Dream Land.

The games are as follows, and can be played with up to 4 players:

• Ninja Dojo
• Scope Shot

In addition, there are a number of single-playerChallenge Stages that are also unlocked using Energy Spheres, accessible only from inside the Lor, which task Kirby with using a certainCopy Ability (or items) to complete an obstacle course with as high a score as possible.

Completing these Sub-Games is a requirement for100% completion, but not to complete the main game.

Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition[edit]

Main article:New Challenge Stages

TheNew Challenge Stages Sub-Game can be considered to be an expansion of the concept fromKirby's Return to Dream Land, and comes with its own little side-story and credits roll. In addition to the usual stages, Kirby can also raceMagolor at the end of each level.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]

There are two primary Sub-Games featured in this title, and completely separate from the main game. They are as follows:

• Dedede's Drum Dash
• Kirby Fighters

Both of these titles must be completed to a certain satisfaction in order to achieve 100% completion of the game. These two Sub-Games were also used as the base to create the standalone spin-off titles,Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe, andKirby Fighters Deluxe.

• 
  The main menu of Dedede's Drum Dash.
• 
  The main menu of Kirby Fighters.

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse[edit]

Main article:Challenge Mode

InKirby and the Rainbow Curse, a set of 48 distinct extra stages can be played, which are unlocked by meeting various objectives throughout the game. These stages feature a set of single rooms where the goal is to collect aTreasure Chest in 15 seconds or less. Most stages consist of four such rooms in sequence, referred to as One-Minute Challenges due to the combined maximum length of the rooms in these stages. The remainder are Survival Challenges where 12 rooms need to be played in sequence and failing to get a chest in time at any point forces a full restart of the stage. After completing (or failing) a stage, aMedal is awarded for that stage based on how well the player did, from none to Gold.

Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]

LikeTriple Deluxe, there are two primary Sub-Games featured in this title, and are completely separate from the main game. They are as follows:

• Team Kirby Clash
• Kirby 3D Rumble

Both of these titles must be completed to a certain satisfaction in order to achieve 100% completion of the game. These two Sub-Games were also used as the base to create the standalone spin-off titles,Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, andKirby's Blowout Blast.

• 
  The main menu of Team Kirby Clash.
• 
  The main menu of Kirby 3D Rumble.

Kirby Star Allies[edit]

This title features two very small Sub-Games, unlike its 3DS predecessors. They are as follows:

• Chop Champs
• Star Slam Heroes

Both of these need to have the third difficulty level completed to earn100% completion inKirby Star Allies.

In addition, Version 4.0.0 of the game adds a new more challenging adventure calledHeroes in Another Dimension. This plays much like an Extra Mode, but features totally unique stages to the main story mode.

Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn[edit]

In addition to the Quilty Court tenants' Sub-Games,Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn includes two additional Sub-Games, featuringKing Dedede andMeta Knight, respectively. They are accessible from the main menu and are now required for100% completion. They are as follows:

• Dedede Gogogo
• Slash & Bead

Kirby and the Forgotten Land[edit]

This title features three small Sub-Games. Due toWaddle Dee Town acting as the game's main menu, Kirby can freely walk up to and play them, provided he has already unlocked them. They are as follows:

• Waddle Dee Café: Help Wanted!
• Tilt-and-Roll Kirby
• Flash Fishing

Completing these Sub-Games at least once is required to earn100% completion inKirby and the Forgotten Land, which includes completing the Frenzy Gig inWaddle Dee Café: Help Wanted!, completing all three difficulties inTilt-and-Roll Kirby at least once, and catching the BlingBlipper inFlash Fishing.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[edit]

InKirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Ninja Dojo from the original game returns alongside seven other Sub-Games from previous games and three new ones. The sub-games are available withinMerry Magoland and are as follows:

New Sub-Games[edit]

• Magolor's Tome Trackers
• Booming Blasters
• Samurai Kirby 100

Returning Sub-Games[edit]

• Egg Catcher
• Samurai Kirby
• Checkerboard Chase
• Bomb Rally
• Crackity Hack
• Smash Ride
• Kirby on the Draw
• Ninja Dojo

All Sub-Games besides Samurai Kirby 100 can be unlocked and played on the Lor Starcutter and have local multiplayer functionality, and all besides Egg Catcher and Ninja Dojo necessarily includeCPUs if there are fewer than 4 players.

Notably, Scope Shot is absent in this game, likely due to its cooperative nature as opposed to Merry Magoland's competitiveness. It has a spiritual successor in Booming Blasters, which has a similar Japanese name, uses the same motifs in its music, and bears some resemblance to Scope Shot in terms of theming. Additionally, Kirby on the Draw has very similar aim-and-shoot gameplay to Scope Shot.

Finally, two new Challenge Stages can be unlocked on the Lor Starcutter, corresponding to the newly introduced abilities:Sand andMecha.

Recurring modes not considered to be Sub-Games[edit]

Extra Mode[edit]

Main article:Extra Mode

An Extra Mode may be considered to be a Sub-Game by some standards, but is effectively a re-playing of the main game with new rules and/or challenges. The first game to employ an Extra Mode wasKirby's Dream Land (then named "Extra Game"), which added more enemies to the game, reducedKirby's maximumhealth, and gave theBosses new attack patterns to increase the challenge.

Other forms of Extra Modes include time trials of the main story, most notably the series ofMeta Knightmare modes that appear in three distinctKirby titles, where the objective is to play through the main game asMeta Knight and win as quickly as possible.

Goal Game[edit]

Main article:Goal Game

TheGoal Game is a Sub-Game of sorts that appears in numerousKirby titles, starting withKirby's Adventure. The Goal Game is effectively a mini game that is played at the end of each stage, where bonus points, 1-Ups, or other items can be earned. This typically involves having Kirby use a trampoline, cannon, or simply a jump and timing to land on the best space possible.

The Arena & other Boss Endurance Modes[edit]

Main articles:Boss Endurance,The Arena,The True Arena,Helper to Hero,Survival Rush,The Ultimate Choice andColosseum

While technically Sub-Games, these modes are typically treated with more importance than typical Sub-Games are in the series. Each of these modes pit Kirby or another character against all of the Bosses in the game in question, one after another, with various restrictions usually involving limited-to-no recovery items in-between.

Names in other languages[edit]

References

• Sub-Games

• Articles which list Japanese names
• Articles which list Chinese names
• Articles which list French names
• Articles which list German names
• Articles which list Italian names
• Articles which list Korean names
• Articles which list Portuguese names
• Articles which list Russian names
• Articles which list Spanish names