History VideoGame / KirbySqueakSquad

* AntagonistTitle: ''Squeak Squad'' refers to the antagonistic group of mice called the Squeaks.

** Nature Notch is this too, [[HailfirePeaks combined with]] UndergroundLevel.

Throughout Kirby's journey to get his cake back, he'll often encounter the Squeaks; they usually appear where there's [[InexplicableTreasureChests a large treasure chest]], and if they steal one, Kirby has to enter one of their hideouts to take it back from them.

One day, Kirby was about to eat a delicious slice of strawberry cake when suddenly, it was stolen! Kirby assumes that King Dedede did it, [[NotMeThisTime but he's innocent this time]]. Who took the cake? This must be the work of Daroach and his gang! Kirby goes after the rogue rodents, only to find that they're after something more important than cake...

Throughout Kirby's journey to get his cake back, he'll often encounter the Squeaks, a QuirkyMinibossSquad with the habit of stealing treasure chests wherever they go. They usually appear where there's [[InexplicableTreasureChests a large treasure chest]], and if they steal one, Kirby has to enter one of their hideouts to take it back from them.

* ExcusePlot: The plot is driven by Kirby trying to get his slice of cake back. It only gets far worse from here.

* SpeedRun: After beating the game, there is a mode unlocked where you have to beat the whole game again at 100% as fast as possible.

* BreakingOldTrends: This is the only main-series ''Kirby'' game where [[WhenTreesAttack Whispy Woods]] (or [[RecurringBossTemplate an equivalent]]) is not fought. He instead makes a cameo on the title screen.

One day, Kirby was about to eat a delicious slice of strawberry cake when suddenly, it was stolen! Kirby assumes that King Dedede did it, but he's innocent this time. Who took the cake? This must be the work of Daroach and his gang! Kirby goes after the rogue rodents, only to find that they're after something more important than cake...

* HeelFaceTurn: [[spoiler:At the end of the game, once the confusion with Dark Nebula is sorted out, the Squeaks stop antagonizing Kirby, and they even send him a spare strawberry shortcake in return (if you managed to collect all the treasure chests).]]

* ShaggyDogStory: Kirby chases the Squeaks all across the planet, and even into ''space'', under the assumption that not only did they steal his cake, but that they ''still have it'' and are keeping it inside a particular treasure chest. In the end, [[spoiler:he fails to get his nubs on the chest, finds out that it actually contains a SealedEvilInACan, defeats said evil, and then goes home empty-handed. He never does find out what happened to his cake, [[GoldenEnding although the Squeaks send him a replacement as a peace offering.]]]]

* AdvancingBossOfDoom: Yadgaine, a giant hermit crab mech piloted by Doc.

** Fighter: He imitates [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu's idle animation]], while occasionally shooting, wiping something off his nonexistent nose, and making a "[[BringIt bring it on]]" gesture.

* DubNameChange: Dorocche to Daroach, Spin to Spinni, Stron to Storo, Chūrin to Squeakers, Treasure Shoot to Treasure Shot, Nature Navel to Nature Notch, Creamy Cloud to Cushy Cloud, Voice Volcano to Vocal Volcano, Island Ice to Ice Island, and [[spoiler:Dark Zero to Dark Nebula]].

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: This is the only game where the real, [[GrandTheftMe unpossessed]] Meta Knight himself doesn't throw Kirby a sword before he and Kirby battle each other (though there is still a Sword bubble in the room before his boss room). [[spoiler:This is a hint towards Meta Knight's true motivation behind stealing the chest from Kirby before he could get a chance to open it, since he's not taking chances this time.[[note]]He could also fight an unarmed Kirby if his time is wasted in ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'', even though his ship was rapidly sinking in that situation.[[/note]]]]

* SealedEvilInACan: [[spoiler:As it turns out, Dark Nebula was inside the stolen treasure chest the entire time. Though one has to wonder on why a Dark Matter-ish being would be imprisoned in a chest the first place.]]

* MusicalSpoiler: Subverted; Mecha-Kracko uses the boss theme specifically for for the Squeaks, spoiling the fact that it's actually a [[RobotMe robot]] piloted by Doc. However, it's the first boss you fight that uses the Squeak boss theme, meaning you have no reason to associate it with them before that point.

* WeaksauceWeakness: Ghost Kirby, like U.F.O., cannot climb ladders.

Gameplay remains similar to previous installments (namely ''[[VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror Amazing Mirror]]'', minus the {{Metroidvania}} gameplay), with the addition of the touch screen (representing Kirby's [[StomachOfHolding stomach]]) acting as the inventory for the titular pink puffball to store items in. In addition, new Copy Abilities are introduced: [[TunnelKing Animal]], [[BubbleGun Bubble]], [[ExtraOreDinary Metal]], and [[OurGhostsAreDifferent Ghost]][[note]]only unlockable if you managed to get all parts of the mysterious Ghost Medal, which summons a midboss so you can inhale it for the ability[[/note]]. Some Copy Abilities also interact with the environment (for example, Fire burns down tall grass), and some abilities (namely Sword or Bomb) can be [[ElementalWeapon combined with various elements]] (for example, Fire Sword and Ice Bomb).

** Triple Star is supposed to be this game's InfinityPlusOneSword, but is horribly outclassed by many other abilities. It can't even be used effectively in Boss Endurance, as the ability suffers in the air, so you'll likely lose to Mecha-Kracko. Tornado is the ideal ability for bosses, while UFO is the best for unrestricted movement and wiping out enemies -- and unlike previous games, Kirby won't lose it between stages.

* AntagonistTitle: ''Squeak Squad'' refers to the antagonistic group of mice, called the Squeaks.

** Triple Star is supposed to be this game's InfinityPlusOneSword, but is horribly outclassed by many other abilities. It can't even be used effectively in Boss Endurance, as Kirby will end up suffering YetAnotherStupidDeath against Mecha-Kracko. In particular, Kirby won't lose the UFO ability between levels, and it's just as overpowered as it's ever been.

* BigBad: Daroach, the Squeaks' leader, is this [[spoiler:at first.]]

** Triple Star is supposed to be this game's InfinityPlusOneSword, but is horribly outclassed by many other abilities. In particular, Kirby won't lose the UFO ability between levels, and it's just as overpowered as it's ever been.

** Both Sword and Bomb [[ElementalWeapon can be combined with either Fire, Ice or Spark]] (except Fire Bomb, as that would just be redundant) once you obtain their scrolls.

** Magic: A miniature Kirby opens up a hidden door in the top hat, peeks outside and bounces once on the edge of the hat and immediately back in. The actual Kirby also reacts to the mini Kirby above.

* IWasToldThereWouldBeCake: Kirby thinks there is cake somewhere in all the treasure chests he races the squeaks for, and in Dedede's castle, and on Meta Knight's repaired ship... [[spoiler:and in the end, he gets another slice of strawberry shortcake from the Squeaks after defeating Dark Nebula]].

* MagiciansAreWizards: The Magic ability returns from ''Amazing Mirror'' with tweaks: Kirby can throw out various things out of his hat, like flying doves, cutting cards or smashing clown heads. With the Magic Scroll, Kirby can do the original Magic's function: a RandomEffectSpell that gives Kirby either full health, an extra life, a random ability or big firework explosions that cover the screen and damages all enemies.

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: This is the only game where the real, [[GrandTheftMe unpossessed]] Meta Knight himself doesn't throw Kirby a sword before he and Kirby battle each other (though there is still a Sword bubble in the room before his boss room). [[spoiler:This is a hint towards Meta Knight's true motivation behind stealing the chest from Kirby before he could get a chance to opening it, since he's not taking chances this time.[[note]]He could also fight an unarmed Kirby if his time is wasted in ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'', even though his ship was rapidly sinking in that situation.[[/note]]]]

* SelfDamagingAttackBackfire: The second boss, Mrs. Moley, has an attack where she jumps high from the background and then tries to land onto you in the foreground. If she misses you and hits the ground instead, it'll deal a few damage to herself; it's possible for her to kill herself that way if her health is low enough.

* SpeedRun: After beating the game there is a mode unlocked where you have to beat the whole game again at 100% as fast as possible.

* WhiteAndGreyMorality: Kirby is the white, obviously, and the Squeaks are the grey. [[spoiler:They didn't know the chest had Kirby's cake ''or'' [[SealedEvilInACan Dark Nebula]] inside it; they only knew that the treasure contained "the ultimate power". They no longer have a grudge with Kirby by the end of the game, and they even send Kirby a second cake to make up for his trouble]].

* FreezeFrameBonus: Pausing the intro at just right time reveals that Kirby's cake was actually stolen by a simple Waddle Dee, not a member of the Squeaks.

** A new Copy Ability named "Animal" allows Kirby to dig through patches of dirt and similar things. The Copy Scroll for said ability allows it to perform a [[ThisIsADrill drill attack]].

* AdvancingBossOfDoom: Yadogaine, a giant hermit crab mech piloted by Doc.

* BlindIdiotTranslation: In the cutscene where [[spoiler:the treasure chest Meta Knight stole is opened]], Daroach is referred to as "The Squeaks". This is because his gang of thieves was named after him in the Japanese version, so the translator must have mixed up the two out of context.

* CollapsingCeilingBoss: Big Metalun and Yadogaine.

* DemotedToExtra: King Dedede is only in this game for World 1.
* DistaffCounterpart: Mrs. Moley, the boss of Nature Notch, is this to her husband Moley.

* EyePatchOfPower: Worn by Storo, the largest member of the Squeak Squad.

* SpaceZone: Gamble Galaxy is set in space. Kirby is willing to travel across the universe to retrieve his stolen cake!

* RuleOfThree: Collect three Star Bullets and you can combine them into a huge Blaster Bullet (equivalent of inhaling three nemies at once and spitting them). Collect three mini Kirby bubbles and combine them for a OneUp.

* MagicStaff: Daroach wields the Triple Star cane, which he uses to shoot 3 [[PinballProjectile ricocheting stars]] at Kirby. [[spoiler:After you defeat Dark Daroach and Dark Nebula is freed, you can obtain the cane as an EleventhHourSuperpower that lets Kirby shoot strong stars at multiple directions and solve many puzzles in the game.]]

Gameplay remains similar to previous installments (namely ''[[VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror Amazing Mirror]]'', minus the {{Metroidvania}} gameplay), with the addition of the touch screen (aka Kirby's [[StomachOfHolding stomach]]) acting as the inventory for the titular pink puffball to store items in. In addition, new Copy Abilities are introduced. Those being [[TunnelKing Animal]], [[BubbleGun Bubble]], [[ExtraOreDinary Metal]] and [[OurGhostsAreDifferent Ghost]][[note]] only unlockable if you managed to get all parts of the mysterious Ghost Medal, which summons a midboss so you can inhale it for the ability[[/note]]. Some Copy Abilities also interact with the environment (for example, Fire burns down tall grass), and some abilities (namely Sword or Bomb) can be [[ElementalWeapon combined with various elements]] (for example, Fire Sword and Ice Bomb).

Throughout Kirby's journey to get his cake back, he'll often encounter the Squeaks, a QuirkyMinibossSquad with the habit of stealing treasure chests wherever they go. They usually appear where there's [[InexplicableTreasureChests a large chest]], and if they steal one, Kirby has to enter one of their hideouts to take it back from them.

** The Ghost ability can only be unlocked by assembling the Ghost Medallion and allows Kirby to control any {{Mook}} in the game. However, the enemies you can possess are all horribly outclassed in terms of mobility, power and durability even by regular Kirby. Even worse, Ghost Kirby is worthless against bosses and can't even go down ladders.
** The Triple Star Rod is supposed to be this game's InfinityPlusOneSword, but is horribly outclassed by many other abilities. In particular, Kirby won't lose the UFO ability between levels, and it's just as overpowered as it's ever been.

* FreezeFrameBonus: Pausing the game right after the thief steals Kirby's cake in the intro reveals that the thief is actually a simple Waddle Dee, not a member of the Squeaks.

* HeelFaceTurn: [[spoiler:At the end of the game, after being possessed by Dark Nebula, Daroach and his gang become good, and they offered Kirby a spare strawberry shortcake in return (if you managed to collect all the treasure chests).]]

* LostFoodGrievance: The whole game happens because Kirby lost his cake to someone and he wanted it back.

* MagicStaff: Daroach wields the Triple Star Cane, which he uses to shoot 3 [[PinballProjectile ricocheting stars]] at Kirby. [[spoiler:After you defeat Dark Daroach and Dark Nebula is freed, you can obtain the cane as an EleventhHourSuperpower that lets Kirby shoot strong stars at multiple directions and solve many puzzles in the game.]]

* MinorCrimeRevealsMajorPlot: [[LostFoodGrievance Kirby's cake being stolen]] → a plot by the Squeaks to attain [[MacGuffin a chest that is said to grant ultimate power]] -- which, unbeknownst to anyone ([[PoorCommunicationKills besides Meta Knight]]), [[spoiler:contains an ancient EldritchAbomination]].
* MissionPackSequel: The core gameplay is virtually identical to its predecessors ''Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land'' and ''Kirby and the Amazing Mirror'', aside from the new touch screen mechanics.
* MistakenForThief: When Kirby's strawberry shortcake gets stolen, he thinks Dedede did it. Then, when the Squeak Squad (a group of thieving mice) show up, he thinks they did it. Dedede is innocent from the start, [[spoiler:and it's later revealed that the Squeaks are innocent, too]].

** One of the spray paints used to change Kirby's skin color is Shadow. This is obviously referring to Shadow Kirby, a character from ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror''.

* RuleOfThree: Collect 3 Star Bullets and you can combine them into a huge Star Bullet (equivalent of inhaling 3 enemies at once and spitting them). Collect 3 mini Kirby bubbles and combine them for a OneUp.

* SelfDamagingAttackBackfire: The 2nd boss, Mrs. Moley, has an attack where she jumps high from the background and then tries to land onto you in the foreground. If she misses you and hits the ground instead, it'll deal a few damage to herself; it's possible for her to kill herself that way if her health is low enough.

* SpeedRun: After beating the game there is a mode unlocked where you have to beat the whole game again at 100% the fastest possible.
* SpeedSmartsAndStrength: Besides Daroach of the Squeaks, there's Spinni, the fast and agile {{Ninja}}, Storo, the huge DumbMuscle, and Doc, the Squeaks' brainy GadgeteerGenius.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: The [[ExtraOreDinary Metal ability]] is one for Stone ability, as [[ElementalShapeshifter Kirby becomes metallic]] and is able to smash things from above. Unlike Stone, however, he is permanently in metal form; he can move, and small enemies are hurt when Kirby walks onto them, but he also becomes very slow.

* WhiteAndGreyMorality: Kirby is the white, obviously, and the Squeaks are the grey. [[spoiler:They didn't know the chest had Kirby's cake ''or'' [[SealedEvilInACan Dark Nebula]] inside it; they just assumed it was their treasure. They no longer have a grudge with Kirby by the end of the game, and they even send Kirby a second cake to make up for his trouble]].