- As seen in this image
◊, many of the stone transformations are Call Backs to other characters and elements of the series, with some of the forms like the block with the gold star, the weight, and the bodybuilder coming directly from Kirby Super Star and the Master Hand transformation being a reference to Super Smash Bros., with him previously appearing in Kirby & the Amazing Mirror. - Many riffs from Kirby Super Star appear in several endgame tracks, including the ever-present "Kirby's Triumphant Return."
- The sudden SHMUP level before the final boss is reminiscent of the Nova sequence from Milky Way Wishes.
- As mentioned below, Magolor's final form is referred to as Magolor Soul in Extra Mode and The True Arena, a nod to Drawcia and Marx. In addition, Magolor's first form is reminiscent of Nightmare, and Magolor Soul's mouth forms a large eye similar to Dark Matter and Zero. His second form in Main mode has one too, although it's a lot less noticeable, only visible in certain attacks.
- Magolor's battle music also contains a couple of Call Backs to previous bosses. His first form has a loose variation of Dark Matter's theme from Dream Land 3, while Magolor Soul's music is reminiscent of Nightmare's, and around the 1:50 mark contains "Green Greens" and "Kirby's Triumphant Fanfare".
- There are some Recurring Riffs that are heard in the credits. "Kirby's Triumphant Return" and "Road to Victory" can be heard in it near the end, and are sprinkled throughout the song.
- You also get to hear the latter tune in some of the boss battles in The Arena and The True Arena, which first appeared in the GameCube game's E3 2005 trailer.
- The song that plays on the stage select screen for Dangerous Dinner starts as a remix of Miracle Matter's theme.
- Both The Arena and The True Arena return from Kirby Super Star and Kirby Super Star Ultra.
- In Extra Mode, the credits are adorned with small images of Kirby in various jobs, identically to Milky Way Wishes' end credits.
- Stage 5 of Nutty Noon is a miniboss tower like the one in Kirby's Adventure, including the secret harder route hidden behind a barred door. Dedede's theme plays in the background like the one in the Nightmare in Dream Land remake. It also has elements from the miniboss tower from Kirby's Dream Land 3, where you must copy the miniboss's ability in order to get the next Plot Coupon.
- The end-of-stage goal game is based on the one in Kirby's Adventure.
- Collectible stars for extra lives return from Dream Land 2, Dream Land 3 and 64, although they require one hundred of them now.
- They were also in Canvas Curse, with the requirement for an extra life being 100 stars.
- The Item Challenge and the secret HAL rooms hit you with an arrangement of Green Greens.
- As you traverse the last few resting areas in The True Arena—BAM! Kirby's Dream Land 3's Iceberg stage select theme out of nowhere!
- HR-D3 is modeled after the Dedede Robot in the unproduced GameCube game.
- The original did appear as the final boss of Chapter 2 of the Kirby Quest sub-game in Kirby Mass Attack, though it had King Dedede's insignia on its chestplate and generally resembles him; this version doesn't.
- Its name is also a reference to HR-E/HR-H, the boss of Shiver Star in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards.
- One of the Grand Doomer's last few attacks when you first fight him vaguely resembles an attack found in the final battle against Drawcia Soul in Kirby: Canvas Curse.
- King Doo's EX form resembles the Dark Matter Trilogy Big Bad, Zero.
- The tune that plays when the game is selected on the Wii Menu is a shortened form of the title screen music from the original game, Kirby's Dream Land.
- The map for Cookie Country is very similar to Vegetable Valley.
- Fatty Puffer's name references Fatty Whale, a similarly large aquatic boss from Kirby Super Star (although Puffer is based on a fish and Whale on, obviously, a mammal).
- Whispy Woods EX is purple-themed, like his "Revenge" form in Kirby Super Star Ultra and several attacks of his are the same (the poisoned apples and tornado spitting). Also, as a very obscure retro callback to the original Kirby's Dream Land game, his pointy nose does damage if you touch it, which was an Early-Installment Weirdness thing he had.
- If Kirby jumps into an enemy from directly below them, the enemy will be hurt, similarly to Kirby's Dream Land 3 and Kirby 64.
- If Mike Kirby's last attack is charged up, he yells "Chesto!"note in an incredibly deep voice, similarly to Mike Kirby's last attack in Super Star.
- Stone form cameos in this game include Wham Bam Rock, Marx, and the mask, wings, and sword of Galacta Knight next to Meta Knight's. Marx briefly appears in person on the 100% screen, and Galacta Knight is one of the two Bonus Bosses.
- Most of the bosses make nods to something in the series.
- Whispy Woods: ...Well, what do you think? Whispy Woods EX references Whispy's Revenge in Super Star Ultra, though.
- Mr. Dooter: Wiz and Squashini, who in turn nod to Paint Roller.
- Fatty Puffer: Fatty Whale in name only.
- Goriath: Averted; he's a walking Shout-Out instead of a Continuity Nod.
- Grand Doomer: Marx and Canvas Curse's Drawcia.
- Metal General: Meta Knight.
- HR-D3: HR-H/E
- Landia: Great Dragon and Dyna Blade
- Lor Starcutter: Kabula, Nightmare's Power Orb, Dark Matter, and Zero.
- Magolor/Magolor Soul: Nightmare and Marx.
- Galacta Knight: Meta Knight and his previous appearance in Super Star Ultra.
- While a miniboss, Dubior has similarities to Kracko, who is strangely absent.
- A rather subtle example, but in one of the stages where you use the Snow Bowl Super Ability, you need Kirby to complete a snowman. After the snowman is completed, it explodes to reveal the portal to the pocket dimension. Guess what other Kirby game featured an exploding snowman?
- Beyond that, the Snow Bowl Super Ability is reminiscent of the double Ice ability in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, which turned you into a snowball.
- You can also find Marx among the audience members of the "Kirby Master!" video. Blink and you'll miss it.
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