Knuckle Joe and Kirby fighting side by side.
Helpers are characters that appear in Kirby Super Star and its remake, Kirby Super Star Ultra. They physically appear to be regular enemies (and occasionally mid-bosses) that have different color palettes than their enemy equivalents and are summoned by Kirby to help him instead of hurt him. By sacrificing his ability, Kirby can create a Helper. Helpers are normally CPU-controlled, but can also be controlled by another player. Each Copy Ability has a corresponding Helper, excluding the limited-use abilities Crash, Mike, Paint, Cook, and Sleep. If the player wants to change out the Helper for another one, he or she can throw an item representing Kirby's current ability to it. Upon touching the item, the Helper will change to the character that corresponds to the ability represented by the item. Using the Normal Beam (originally called the Suppin Beam) on a Helper will call it back, transforming it into its respective item.
Unlike Kirby, Helpers can repeatedly double-jump in midair, and so do not have to inflate themselves to fly. This allows Helpers to attack in midair, as they do not have to spit out air beforehand.
In Kirby Super Star Ultra, Helpers have a significant role in Helper to Hero, a sub-game where both the first and second players can play as a Helper with the goal of defeating a series bosses, thus proving the Helper to be a true hero rather than just a side character.
Games
Kirby Super Star and Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby sacrifices his Beam ability to generate Waddle Doo as his Helper.
Kirby gets rid of his Waddle Doo helper.
Kirby throwing his ability hat (specifically, a Cutter hat) at Waddle Doo. When Waddle Doo touches it, he becomes Sir Kibble.
The roster of Helpers is identical in both Kirby Super Star and its remake, with the exception of Capsule J, who was replaced by Capsule J2 in the remake, and Sword Knight, who was added in Meta Knightmare Ultra. Helpers with alternate colors appear in Helper to Hero as well.
| Enemy / Helper | Copy ability |
|---|---|
| Bio Spark | Ninja |
| Birdon | Wing |
| Blade Knight | Sword |
| Bonkers | Hammer |
| Bugzzy | Suplex |
| Burning Leo | Fire |
| Capsule J/2 | Jet |
| Chilly | Ice |
| Gim | Yo-Yo |
| Knuckle Joe | Fighter |
| Parasol Waddle Dee | Parasol |
| Plasma Wisp | Plasma |
| Poppy Bros. Jr. | Bomb |
| Rocky | Stone |
| Simirror | Mirror |
| Sir Kibble | Cutter |
| Starship (helper) | Starship |
| Sword Knight | Also Sword, but with Meta Knight's Upward Thrust (Helper to Hero Exclusive) |
| Tac | Copy |
| Waddle Doo | Beam |
Kirby GCN
| This section is about an unreleased or cancelled game | |
Helpers were slated to appear in the cancelled Kirby GCN. In this game, up to three Helpers could be created at once. They could then be controlled by up to three players or by the computer. A stacking system had been revealed in which Kirby and his Helpers could ride on each other's backs (possibly creating new attacks). Looking at screenshots, it is discernible that the Helpers created by the player would have been yellow, green, or blue color variations of their respective enemies. These color variations would have denoted different players. Presumably, yellow denoted Player 2, blue denoted Player 3, and green denoted Player 4. These exact colors were later used to denote multiple Kirbys in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. New Helpers which have not been named due to the game's cancellation would have appeared as well.
Heat Phanphan, Bonkers, and Golem, all helpers in Kirby GCN
| Enemy | Copy Ability |
|---|---|
| Blade Knight | Sword |
| Broom Hatter | Clean |
| Bonkers | Hammer |
| Chilly | Ice |
| Flappy | Wing |
| Golem | Stone |
| Heat Phanphan | Fire |
| Knuckle Joe | Fighter |
| Parasol Waddle Dee | Parasol |
| Sir Kibble | Cutter |
| Waddle Doo | Beam |
| Wheelie Bike | Wheel |
| Plasma Wisp | Plasma |
| New Bomb enemy | Bomb |
| New Tornado enemy | Tornado |
| Pluid | Water/Bubble |
Trivia
- Although the Hi-Jump ability is not available in Kirby Super Star or its remake, if Kirby jumps on top of a helper and presses up on the +Control Pad, he will use the helper like a trampoline and jump up, similarly to Hi-Jump in the sense that he is invincible until he starts falling.
- Although Kirby GCN was revised as Kirby's Return to Dream Land, the latter removed the Helper system, replacing Helpers with King Dedede, Meta Knight, Waddle Dee, and Kirbys of various colors
- In Kirby Super Star and its remake, if a helper loses all health and catches fire, it will become the helper form of any enemy it touches. This will fully restore the helper's HP.
