Kirby Super Star was a huge part of my childhood. I grew up on Super Nintendo. The postcard-perfect scene was nearly Rockwellian, as far as gaming memories go: There I was, 10 or so, sitting cross-legged on the floor next to my little brother or a school buddy, in front of the 12-inch, rabbit-eared TV my parents allowed in my room. Usually a box of Cheez-Its was involved. It was awesome.
Looking back, it was all very wholesome, especially considering that the Kirby series – which debuted in Japan 20 years ago, on Apr. 27, 1992 – often hinged on cuteness and cooperative play.
But what else played into the longevity of this innocuous, gum-ball-like parent-pleaser? How has he maintained a spot in the Nintendo pantheon, alongside certain Italian-American plumbers and Hyrulian elves? Let’s break down the puff’s popularity. (Click through the gallery above to track Kirby’s evolution over the past two decades.)
Broad Appeal
Like any mascot, Kirby’s purpose is to pull in as many consumers as possible and fashion a recognizable brand. His way of doing that? By being unbearably cute. See: his high-pitched cheers, a Madonna-sized stockpile of costumes for each power Kirby steals after inhaling an enemy, etc.
Developed in the late ’80s by a crackerjack 19-year-old budding designer named Masahiro Sakurai, Kirby’s appearance is likely a product of Japan’s historical love for cuteness. But even the most precious of critters need that X-factor to really break through.
“Japanese consumers don’t just see cute characters and go bananas. This country is crawling with cute. So for a character to really hit it big, it needs something to stand out,” says Osaka-based writer Brian Ashcraft.
“Kirby is an interesting character, because the character’s first game was designed for beginner players,” he says. “I think the character’s design reflects it, and you get a non-threatening, kid-friendly hero.”