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Introduction to Kirby Speedrunning
The world of speedrunning is often associated with intense, high-stakes games that demand split-second precision. However, the charm of *Kirby* speedruns lies in their unique blend of pure fun and surprising technicality. *Kirby and the Forgotten Land* has brought a fresh wave of players into this niche, showcasing how even the most seemingly straightforward games can hide layers of optimization and skill. My own journey into speedrunning has always been about appreciating these cool runs and sharing that excitement. We aim to demystify the process, show off incredible feats of gameplay, and hopefully inspire you to pick up a controller and try it yourself. It’s a lot more accessible than you might think, and the community is incredibly welcoming!Why Forgotten Land is Perfect for Speedruns
What makes *Kirby and the Forgotten Land* such a great candidate for speedrunning? Several factors contribute to its appeal for the speedrunning community. * **Fluid Movement:** Kirby's core abilities, especially his hover and dash, are incredibly useful for covering ground quickly. Mastering these basic movements is the first step. * **Mouthful Mode Mechanics:** The introduction of Mouthful Mode adds a whole new dimension. Certain forms allow for unique traversal or combat advantages that speedrunners exploit. Think of the Cone Mouth for breaking through specific walls faster or the Car Mouth for covering large distances. * **Waddle Dee Population:** The main objective of freeing Waddle Dees, while seemingly a completionist task, often guides runners through levels in ways that can be optimized. Learning the fastest routes to hit objectives is key. * **Relatively Short Levels:** Compared to many other games, *Forgotten Land*'s individual levels are quite manageable in length, making them ideal for repeated practice and focused optimization.Essential Speedrun Techniques
To shave precious seconds off your time, you’ll need to master several core techniques. These aren't just about moving fast; they're about efficiency. * **Advanced Hovering:** Beyond the basic hover, learn how to cancel hover animations or chain them with dashes for continuous momentum. This is crucial for maintaining speed across open areas. * **Attack Canceling:** Many of Kirby's attacks can be canceled early by dodging or jumping. This allows you to perform the next action much faster, minimizing downtime. * **Wall Clipping (Intended/Unintended):** While not always a glitch, learning the precise angles and movements to slide along walls or clip through certain thin walls can save significant time. * **Optimal Copy Ability Usage:** Not all abilities are created equal for speed. Runners often identify the best abilities for clearing specific enemy encounters or environmental puzzles quickly. For instance, the Cutter ability can be great for hitting distant switches.In my runs, I found that mastering the timing of the 'drop-attack' immediately after a dash was crucial for maintaining momentum, especially on flat terrain. It's all about keeping Kirby airborne as much as possible without losing forward speed.
Major Skips and Glitches
Speedrunning wouldn't be the same without the discovery and exploitation of glitches and skips. While *Forgotten Land* is a fairly polished game, runners have found ways to break its intended path. * **Early Goal Skips:** In certain levels, specific maneuvers or out-of-bounds tricks can allow players to reach the end-of-level warp gate much earlier than intended, bypassing large sections. * **Sequence Breaks:** These are tricks that allow you to perform actions or reach areas out of the intended order. For example, using specific environmental interactions to gain height or cross gaps prematurely. * **RNG Manipulation (Limited):** While *Forgotten Land* has less exploitable RNG than some older titles, there are still elements, like enemy spawns or item drops, that can be influenced or reset by player actions to get a more favorable outcome.Category Differences: Any% vs. 100%
Like most speedgames, *Kirby and the Forgotten Land* has different categories, each appealing to a different type of runner. * **Any%:** This is the most popular category. The goal is simply to finish the game as quickly as possible, using any glitches or skips available. Time stops when the final cutscene begins. * **100%:** This category requires the player to complete every objective in every level, including freeing all Waddle Dees, finding all hidden treasures, and completing all optional challenges. As you can imagine, this takes significantly longer and requires a completely different set of strategies, focusing on efficiency across *all* content. Achieving a good 100% time requires immense knowledge and consistent execution. For those just starting out, I always recommend tackling Any% first. It allows you to focus on core movement and major skips without the pressure of finding every single collectible. The raw speed and technical execution in Any% runs are truly breathtaking.Optimizing Your Run: Practice and Mindset
Achieving a top-tier speedrun time isn't just about knowing the route; it's about execution and resilience. * **Segmented Practice:** Break the game down into smaller segments (individual levels or even sections within levels). Master each segment before attempting to link them together. * **Watch Top Runners:** Study the VODs and streams of world record holders. Pay close attention to their movement, their inputs during tricks, and their decision-making. Channels like Chris's (@LaxChris on YouTube) are invaluable resources for this. * **Mindset is Key:** Speedrunning can be frustrating. You'll fail tricks hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Develop a positive mindset, celebrate small victories, and don't get discouraged by bad runs. Every attempt is a learning opportunity. * **Consistency Over Speed (Initially):** When you're first learning a route, focus on executing each trick consistently, even if it's not the absolute fastest way. Once you can do it reliably, then start pushing for speed.The mental game is often harder than the physical execution. Learning to stay calm during a potential World Record pace run, especially when nearing the end, is a skill in itself. One small mistake can cost you everything.
Meet Some Top Runners
The *Kirby and the Forgotten Land* speedrunning community is vibrant and constantly evolving. While records change, some names consistently appear at the top. Watching their gameplay provides incredible insight into the cutting edge of optimization. Their dedication to finding new strats and shaving off fractions of a second is inspiring. You can often find these runners on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, sharing their runs and sometimes even their strategies. The community aspect is a huge part of speedrunning, and engaging with these players can be highly rewarding. If you're looking for a specific world record run to study, there are usually dedicated leaderboards on sites like speedrun.com where you can find the current fastest times and links to the runners' channels.Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Kirby and the Forgotten Land a difficult game to speedrun?
It has a moderate learning curve. The basic movement is easy to pick up, but mastering advanced techniques, glitches, and optimizing routes for the fastest times requires significant practice and dedication.
Q2: What is the most common category for speedrunning Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
The Any% category is the most popular, focusing on completing the game as quickly as possible, regardless of collectibles or objectives.
Q3: Do I need special equipment to speedrun?
No, you can speedrun with a standard console or PC setup. A stable internet connection is helpful for online leaderboards and community interaction, but not strictly required for running the game itself.
Q4: Where can I find the current world records?
Websites like speedrun.com maintain leaderboards for most games, including *Kirby and the Forgotten Land*, listing the current fastest times and linking to the runners' proof videos.
Q5: How long does a typical Any% speedrun of Kirby and the Forgotten Land take?
The Any% world record is currently under 2 hours, but a good personal best for a dedicated runner might be anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, depending on their mastery of the game's mechanics and glitches.
Ultimately, speedrunning *Kirby and the Forgotten Land* is a fantastic way to experience the game in a whole new light. It’s a challenge that combines technical skill, strategic thinking, and a good dose of patience. Whether you're aiming for a world record or just want to beat your personal best, the journey is incredibly rewarding. The adorable charm of Kirby, combined with the thrill of optimizing every single move, makes this a speedrunning experience unlike any other. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in, practice those techniques, and maybe you’ll be the next name on the leaderboards! Share your own experiences, tips, or favorite Kirby speedrun moments in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you and welcome you to the community!