History YMMV / Kirby64TheCrystalShards

* ShipsThatPassInTheNight: Dedede x Fairy Queen is a rather popular ship amongst the fandom, despite the two never interacting in canon. It helps that both are clumsy royal figures who act as the ruler of their home planet [[spoiler: and both get possessed by Dark Matter at certain points]].

* ViewerPronunciationConfusion: [[spoiler:"Zero Two" (ゼロツー) is the official pronunciation of 0[[superscript:2]]]]'s name, although that hasn't stopped people from pronouncing it as [[spoiler:"Zero-Squared", "Oh-Two", "Oh-Squared"]], or even ''Oxygen'' (which is literally [[spoiler:O[[subscript:2]]]]). Though with later games like ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU Super Smash Bros. 4]]/[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate Ultimate]]'', this confusion may have died down at least a little bit.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcdGyC83trA&list=PL65674D59A772CAE2&index=44 The Neo Star Theme.]] It's about as badass as a Kirby game gets.
** The fast-paced [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWiztiajOtI&list=PL65674D59A772CAE2&index=35 Rock Star Theme.]]

** Shiver Star appears to be Earth (note the continents and moon), but it's completely covered in ice. And there are (man-made) robots who live in a (man-made) factory, but humans are nowhere to be seen... Though of course, there is a much happier possibility that it's just the Earth during Winter season. This coupled with the fact there's a toy stage strongly suggests it's Christmas time.

* SignatureScene: The TrueFinalBoss, [[spoiler:0[[superscript:2]]]], is easily one of the series' most iconic battles thanks to the [[EldritchLocation grim atmosphere]], [[AwesomeMusic/{{Kirby}} amazing music]], and the fact that it's [[spoiler:an AngelicAbomination that [[EyeScream bleeds from its eye]]]]).

* ViewerPronunciationConfusion: [[spoiler: "Zero Two" (ゼロツー) is the official pronunciation of 0[[superscript:2]]'s name, although that hasn't stopped people from pronouncing it as "Zero-Squared", "Oh-Two", "Oh-Squared", or even ''Oxygen'' (which is literally O[[subscript:2]])]]. Though with later games like ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU Super Smash Bros. 4]]/[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate Ultimate]]'', this confusion may have died down at least a little bit.

** The bad ending, when you realize [[spoiler:the queen is [[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou glaring at you, ''not'' Ribbon, ''YOU'', with evil eyes]], almost mocking the player for not getting all the shards]]. [[spoiler:Said glare is accompanied by a LastNoteNightmare, made even more effective by the rest of the ending playing out as if everything was fine beforehand]], giving no indication that you'd not completed the game before this point.

** The bad ending, when you realize [[spoiler:the queen is [[TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou glaring at you with evil eyes]]]]. [[spoiler:Said glare is accompanied by a LastNoteNightmare, made even more effective by the rest of the ending playing out as if everything was fine beforehand]], giving no indication that you'd not completed the game before this point.

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Spark+Cutter (the twin-bladed light saber), Cutter+Bomb (the exploding shuriken) and Cutter+Burning (the FlamingSword) tend to see the most use among players, as they are powerful abilities whose fast and stylistic attacks cover a wide range.

** The [[NoNameGiven queen]] is often called the [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Fairy Queen]]. Alternatively, some fans call her [[LordCountry Queen Ripple, after her homeland.]]

** Adeleine when possessed by the Dark Matter, along with the suspenseful sting near the end of the cutscene "Art Attack".

** Scarfy's transformed state. Especially considering that, in this game, all one has to do to get it to transform is ''look away from it.'' Much like Boos, but much, much scarier.
** King Dedede, in his boss fight when he exposes the Dark Matter.

* NightmareRetardant: [[spoiler:When fighting the TrueFinalBoss, the vulnerable locations are its blood-red eye (the bleeds more when you shoot it), its halo of power, the bandage covering where 0's eyeball ([[{{Fanon}} might have]]) first burst out from, and... [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking its cactus-butt]].]]

** Stage 3-4 takes place entirely underwater, where most copy abilities become downright impractical due to most of Kirby's non-swimming animations being slowed down. It also contains water currents that can make it easy to miss Crystal Shards or just screw with your movement in general. A pretty nasty GameBreakingBug made this stage even more difficult in the NSO version, but was quickly ironed out.

* VindicatedByHistory: This game was originally disliked for the same reason as its predecessor ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3'': the mere fact that [[ToughActToFollow it wasn't]] ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar''. Now, it's enjoyed for its TwoAndAHalfD presentation that averts PolygonCeiling, the unusual degree of challenge in the stage design, giving Kirby an ImpliedLoveInterest, and, once again, being SurpriseCreepy. However, the ''Kirby'' series switched back to ''Super Star''-style after that, due to the initial poor reception of these two games. Many fans are eager to see another game like them.

** 4-3 has a Crystal Shard that requires you to break blocks out of a group to recreate the shape of something Adeleine draws (a top hat, an umbrella or a pizza missing a slice). The problem is that the game doesn't give a good idea on the exact shape you need to go for and it's very easy to mess up (''especially'' the umbrella), forcing you to restart until you figure it out or just look it up.
** 4-4 has a Crystal Shard hidden under some hardened magma that requires any Ice ability in order to break it free. The problem is, the game doesn't make it clear that you need Ice specifically for this shard, since by now the player is used to the straightforward colored walls that explicitly hint the ability required to bypass them[[note]]the magma is dark with some red cracks, so it's easy to assume that Fire, Fire/Bomb, or Fire/Stone is needed[[/note]]. Not helping this is the fact that the stage does not feature any enemies that can provide the Ice power, so you're forced to get the ability somewhere else beforehand and carry it all the way to this specific section (the ''penultimate'' room in the whole stage), contributing to its obtuseness.
* ThatOneSidequest: There's a Crystal Shard in stage 4-2 that requires you to carry the Bomb + Stone ability all the way to the end of the stage (because nothing in 4-2 itself will give you that particular combination) to blow open a wall. It's widely regarded as the most annoying Shard in the game because Stone + Bomb is easily [[ScrappyWeapon one of the worst Copy Abilities]] and there's no way to replace it in the stage if you drop it. Add to this that there is an area where the platforms are rather difficult to stay on and you'll get a hair-pulling experience.

* ThatOneSidequest: There's a Crystal Shard in stage 4-2 that requires you to carry the Bomb + Stone ability all the way to the end of the stage (because nothing in 4-2 itself will give you that particular combination). It's widely regarded as the most annoying Shard in the game to get since Stone + Bomb is easily [[ScrappyWeapon one of the worst Copy Abilities in the game]], as it's unwieldy and capable of damaging Kirby. Add to this that there is an area where the platforms are rather difficult to stay on and you'll get a hair-pulling experience.

* VindicatedByHistory: This game was originally disliked for the same reason as its predecessor ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3'': the mere fact that [[ToughActToFollow it wasn't]] ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar''. Now, it's enjoyed for its 2.5D presentation that averts PolygonCeiling, the unusual degree of challenge in the stage design, giving Kirby an ImpliedLoveInterest, and, once again, being SurpriseCreepy. However, the ''Kirby'' series switched back to ''Super Star''-style after that, due to the initial poor reception of these two games. Many fans are eager to see another game like them.
* SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: Considering it's a late N64 game, the graphics are pretty dang impressive, with smoother polygons and a quicker framerate in the cutscenes, the latter of which wouldn't look out-of-place among in-game ''[=GameCube=]'' graphics.

** 4-4 has a Crystal Shard hidden under some hardened magma that requires any Ice ability in order to break it free. The problem is, the game doesn't make it clear that you need Ice specifically for this shard, since by now the player is used to the straightforward colored walls that explicitly hint the ability required to bypass them. Not helping this is the fact that the stage does not feature any enemies that can provide the Ice power, so you're forced to get the ability somewhere else beforehand and carry it all the way to this specific section (the ''penultimate'' room in the whole stage), contributing to its obtuseness.

** Stage 3-4 takes place entirely underwater, where most copy abilities become downright impractical due to most of Kirby's non-swimming animations being slowed down. It also contains water currents that can make it easy to miss Crystal Shards or just screw with your movement in general. This stage is even more difficult in the NSO version thanks to a pretty nasty GameBreakingBug.

* ShipsThatPassInTheNight: Dedede x Fairy Queen is a rather popular ship amongst the fandom, despite the two never interacting in canon. It helps that both are clumsy royal figures who act as the ruler of their home planet.

* PortingDisaster: As mentioned in the GameBreakingBug entry in the main page, the Nintendo Switch Online version has a glitch where getting hit by certain attacks underwater means that Kirby's rendered stuck in a hitstun animation while being completely invincible. Keep in mind that one of the boss battles (Acro) takes place completely underwater, forcing players to either NoDamageRun against him or constantly having to retry.

** The Waddle Dee that joins the main group is Bandanna Waddle Dee, who’s been a main crew member since ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'', minus the bandanna and spear. This was the first time a Waddle Dee joined on your side and in ''Star Allies'', we see Bandana Dee alongside Kirby, Dedede, and Adeleine and Ribbon when the latter were revealed to be in the game. That being said though, sometimes one of those interactions in-game could use a ''Parasol'' Waddle Dee instead.

* MemeticMutation: Kirby 64 is a Rated T Game[[labelnote:Explanation]]When the game got announced for Nintendo Switch Online, the first thing that showed in the trailer was the ESRB Rating as "T" for blood and violence (which applies to the service overall, not just Kirby 64, as the rating can only be as low as the highest individually rated game). This didn't stop people from joking how the game was more hardcore than [[VideoGame/KirbyAndTheForgottenLand ''Kirby and the Forgotten Land'']], which was also noticed for having a "Fear" warning on its rating.[[/labelnote]]

** An Adeleine puzzle in 2-4 requires Kirby to obtain the Bomb + Spark combo in order to brighten up a room to see her drawings, giving the combination to press the necessary buttons in the next room to obtain a shard. The Copy Ability combo is not difficult to get in said stage, but the player needs to figure out that there are hidden drawings in the first place -- something that can easily be missed due to the lack of any cues from Adeleine herself (she does nothing but merely stare at the wall) -- and the possibility of not even knowing how Bomb + Spark works.
** 4-4 has a room with Crystal Shard hidden under some hardened magma that requires any Ice ability in order to break it free. The problem is, the game doesn't make it clear that you need Ice specifically for this shard, since by now the player is used to the straightforward colored walls that explicitly hint the ability required to bypass them. Not helping this is the fact that the stage does not feature any enemies that can provide the Ice power, so you're forced to get the ability somewhere else beforehand and carry it all the way to this specific section (the ''penultimate'' room in the whole stage), contributing to its obtuseness.

** Stage 3-4 takes place entirely underwater, where most copy abilities become downright impractical due to being slowed down. It also contains water currents that can make it easy to miss Crystal Shards or just screw with your movement in general. This stage is even more difficult in the NSO version thanks to a pretty nasty GameBreakingBug.

** 4-3 has a Crystal Shard that requires you to break blocks out of a group to recreate the shape of something Adeleine draws (a top hat, an umbrella or a pizza without a slice). The problem is that the game doesn't give a good idea on the exact shape you need to go for and it's very easy to mess up (''especially'' the umbrella, arguably making this a LuckBasedMission), forcing you to restart until you figure it out or just look it up.
** Another Adeleine puzzle requires Kirby to obtain the Bomb+Spark combo in order to brighten up her drawings on some blackened panels in Stage 2-4 (so he can press the necessary buttons to obtain another shard). The combo is not difficult to get in said stage, but the player needs to figure out that there are hidden drawings in the first place, something that can easily fly over their head due to the lack of any cues from Adeleine herself (as she does nothing but merely stare at the wall).

** Stage 3-4 takes place entirely underwater, where most copy abilities become downright impractical due to being slowed down. It also contains water currents that can make it easy to miss Crystal Shards or just screw with your movement in general.

** 3-2, which inverts [[ScrappyMechanic the usual reputation of water levels]], by letting Kirby skim through the water on a fast boat, run down a waterfall, and fight back up with solid platforming.
** 5-2, which is a very colorful sky level where Kirby's floating is put to good use. The abundance of Ice powers and health make it much more forgiving than the other levels on Shiver Star, and the placement of the shards are very straightforward this time around.
** 5-3 is memorable for its unique shopping mall setting that you would otherwise not expect in a ''Kirby'' game. The idea ended up being revisited in ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheForgottenLand'', which has two mall levels.

* BreatherLevel: 6-1, the first level of Ripple Star, [[BookEnds is an actual carbon copy of the game's very first level]]. And it's just as easy save for a few tougher enemies. Probably for the best, as the previous factory level is [[ThatOneLevel one of the more difficult ones]], and the next two, while not that difficult, [[NightmareFuel are still unnerving]].

** Adeleine is the least prominent of Kirby's partners, as she only makes brief appearances across levels to give Kirby items, whereas the others are all playable during select level segments. However, she is massively popular, due to her cute design and being the TokenHuman of the series (making her stand out amongst the cast) as well as partly due to her expanded role in the webcomic ''Webcomic/BrawlInTheFamily''. She makes [[TheBusCameBack a grand reappearance]] and is PromotedToPlayable in ''VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies''.

** Shiver Star appears to be Earth (note the continents and moon), but it's completely covered in ice. And there are (man-made) robots who live in a (man-made) factory, but humans are nowhere to be seen... Though of course, there is a much happier possibility that it's just the Earth during Winter season. This coupled with the fact there's a toy level strongly suggests it's Christmas time.

** Burning + Burning basically turns Kirby into a huge comet that allows Kirby to soar for long distances, destroying everything in his path. He can also fly for much longer after Kirby has used his breath up, allowing him to soar for great distances past whole levels. You can't control your flight as the comet, but that's rarely a concern.

** Stone + Cutter turns Kirby into [[VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3 a stone form of one of his past companions]]. In stone form, Kirby is invincible, plowing through most enemies while at worst losing his stone skin if he hits a Gordo or other similar spiked item (without losing health or the power). Now, just mash B until you get Pitch (the small bird), who can fly almost indefinitely, and you'll pass through most levels easily. As a bonus, Kirby won't be affected by water currents in this stone form, which helps immensely in a [[ThatOneLevel certain water level]].

** Not only does Spark + Stone -- which lets Kirby throw a large boulder surrounded by an electrical field and tethered back to him with a long bolt of lightning -- look cool, but you can hit enemies from every angle if you [[HyperDestructiveBouncingBall let the rock bounce around on its electric cord]]. You can '' casually walk'' through some levels with this combo.

** Burning + Bomb. Kirby jumps, spins, and shoots fireworks all around him. Usable three times before you have to land, and gets bigger with each use. You keep all of your momentum and mobility when attacking, making it great for moving through levels quickly.

** Flutters, PrettyButterflies which appear in the first stage of the first and penultimate levels of the game, are listed as enemies. Come ''VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies'', [[spoiler:and a butterfly does become an [[BonusBoss enemy]].]]

* MemeticMutation: Kirby 64 is a Rated T Game[[labelnote:Explanation]]When the game got announced for Nintendo Switch Online, the first thing that showed was the ESRB Rating as "T" for blood and violence (which applies to the service overall, not just Kirby 64, as the rating can only be as low as the highest rated game). This didn't stop people from joking how the game was more hardcore than [[VideoGame/KirbyAndTheForgottenLand ''Kirby and the Forgotten Land'']], which was also noticed for having a "Fear" warning on its rating.[[/labelnote]]

** Sure, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=029GLL15qig Stage 6-2's theme]] is a bit creepy-sounding, but it doesn't sound so scary after you get used to it, right? Wrong. The simple chords won't let up, having to endure the same repetitive notes progressively assaults your ears until you're desperate to finish the level, if only to make it stop. This goes double for those playing for the first time, particularly for the target audience, and those who are unnerved enough by the level's [[DownTheDrain dark underwater caves and tunnels]] or [[InterfaceScrew areas hidden by the foreground]].

** 4-4 has a room with Crystal Shard hidden under some hardened magma that requires any Ice ability in order to break it free. The problem is, the game doesn't make it clear that you need Ice specifically for this shard, since by now the player is used to the straightforward colored walls that explicitly hint the ability required to bypass them. Not helping this is the fact that the level does not feature any enemies that can provide the Ice power, so you're forced to get the ability somewhere else beforehand and carry it all the way to this specific section (the ''penultimate'' room in the whole stage), contributing to its obtuseness.
* ThatOneSidequest: There's a Crystal Shard in level 4-2 that requires you to carry the Bomb + Stone powerup all the way to the end of the level (because nothing in 4-2 itself will give you that particular combination). It's widely regarded as the most annoying Shard in the game to get since Stone + Bomb is easily [[ScrappyWeapon one of the worst Copy Abilities in the game]], as it's unwieldy and capable of damaging Kirby. Add to this that there is an area where the platforms are rather difficult to stay on and you'll get a hair-pulling experience.

* VindicatedByHistory: This game was originally disliked for the same reason as its predecessor ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3'': the mere fact that [[ToughActToFollow it wasn't]] ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar''. Now, it's enjoyed for its 2.5D presentation that averts PolygonCeiling, the unusual degree of challenge in the level design, giving Kirby an ImpliedLoveInterest, and, once again, being SurpriseCreepy. However, the ''Kirby'' series switched back to ''Super Star''-style after that, due to the initial poor reception of these two games. Many fans are eager to see another game like them.

** 4-4 has a room with Crystal Shard hidden under some hardened magma that requires any Ice ability in order to break it free. The problem is, the game doesn't make it clear that you need Ice specifically for this shard, since by now the player is used to the straightforward colored walls that explicitly hint the ability required to bypass them. Not helping this is the fact that the level does not feature any enemies that can provide the Ice power, so you're forced to get the ability somewhere else beforehand and carry it all the way to this specific section (''which is nearly at the end''), contributing to its obtuseness.