Sword

Sword is a Copy Ability which grants Kirby a blade to wield against his foes. First appearing in Kirby's Adventure, this is one of Kirby's oldest and most essential abilities, and has since become one of the most ubiquitous and recognizable Copy Abilities in the series - often being among the first (if not the very first) seen. When utilizing it, Kirby adopts a green hat with a yellow brim and a pompom at its tip, which grants him a look similar to that of Link from the Legend of Zelda series. The most common way to obtain the Sword ability is by inhaling Sword Knight, Blade Knight, or, in some games, Heavy Knight. Sword is also notable for being one of the abilities that can be used underwater, making it very versatile. In Kirby's Return to Dream Land, there is a super version of this ability called Ultra Sword.

A recurring character, the sword-wielding Meta Knight, is prone to challenge Kirby to duels throughout the series. Prior to these battles, Meta Knight commonly throws Kirby a sword, which he can use to get the Sword ability as well. In most cases, Meta Knight refuses to battle Kirby if he is not equipped with this ability.

Kirby's Adventure/Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
The Sword ability was first introduced in Kirby's Adventure, where Kirby could copy the abilities of his foes for the first time. When sporting this ability, Kirby's sprite doesn't change, but he can be seen holding a sword. The sword can be swung by pressing the B Button, allowing Kirby to use two different attacks. If Kirby uses the sword while standing on the ground, he swings the blade in front of him, while he performs a cutting somersault when in mid-air or underwater. The Sword ability is also essential for the boss battle against Meta Knight in Orange Ocean.

Sword reappears in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, where it retains the same functions as in the original game. Due to the graphic update, Kirby also adopts his green cap when getting this ability.

Kirby Super Star/Kirby Super Star Ultra
Sword reappears as one of Kirby's regular copy abilities in Kirby Super Star and its remake Kirby Super Star Ultra. Since this game introduced the concept of Kirby wearing different hats after copying an opponent, this game is the first to show him with the signature green cap. Aside from the updated sprite, Kirby also has access to a whole pool of new sword techniques, which can be used to defeat foes more efficiently. When carrying a Sword, Kirby can also summon a Blade Knight and use him as a Helper in battle.

Additionally, in Meta Knightmare Ultra, Meta Knight can summon a Blade Knight (and sometimes, a Sword Knight) as his Helper.

Kirby Air Ride
"This ability allows you to automatically swing the sword whenever rivals or enemies approach!"

- Kirby Air Ride North American instruction booklet, page 39 Sword appears as an ability in this spin-off racing title. When acquired from Sword Knight, Kirby gains his familiar green hat and a sword with which he uses to swipe automatically at any enemies or opponents in his path. The ability lasts for only a short time before disappearing. Kirby uses the Sword ability in the opening cut-scene to defeat two Sword Knights in cinematic fashion before facing off against Meta Knight.

Meta Knight essentially has permanent access to the Sword Ability in this game.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
The Sword ability returns in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror in its usual function. Its move-set in this game is similar to Kirby's Adventure and Kirby's Nightmare in Dream Land. Additionally, Kirby can now chain his sword slashes together, which makes him able to attack very rapidly. Kirby is now also able to use Final Cutter against enemies, a technique which is usually exclusive to the Cutter ability. A more powerful version of the Sword ability is also featured in this game, called Master. Kirby obtains this special ability in the final boss battle, after picking up Meta Knight's sword.

Curiously, Kirby is depicted with the Sword ability on the box art of Kirby & The Amazing Mirror.

Kirby: Squeak Squad
Sword makes another appearance in the game Kirby: Squeak Squad, using the same move-set as Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. After obtaining the appropriate Ability Scroll, Kirby can infuse his sword with ice, fire, or lightning by combining its bubble with the appropriate elemental ability. While this does not change the move-set, it adds additional power to Kirby's sword swipes, and allows him to affect enemies and the environment in a similar manner to the element it is infused with. Notably, none of these elements can be used underwater, causing Kirby's sword to revert to normal while submerged.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land
Sword makes another appearance in Kirby's Return to Dream Land, with its usual functions and abilities. In addition, an super form of this ability has appeared, called the Ultra Sword, found in some stages, obtained when Kirby swallows a Super Blade Knight.

Meta Knight's move-set as a playable character has several similarities to the Sword ability.

Kirby's Dream Collection
Sword is one of the abilities that can be used in the sub-game New Challenge Stages. It has the exact same function and look as it does in Kirby's Return to Dream Land.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Sword makes a reappearance in Kirby: Triple Deluxe. Like most of the returning copy abilities, it is mostly unchanged since its appearance in Kirby's Return to Dream Land.

Starting here, Kirby gains an attack called 'Sky Energy Strike', which causes his sword to gain a projectile when raised in the air. This is a direct reference to the Skyward Strike from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Kirby: Planet Robobot
Sword returns in this installment, and can be combined with the Robobot Armor for new functionality. In addition, Kirby can obtain this ability if the player scans various amiibo of swordfighters (most notably Link). There is also a special Meta Knight variant of the ability that Kirby can use if the series Meta Knight amiibo is scanned in.

In addition, Sword regains a move called 'Hat Thrust' which causes Kirby to thrust his sword downward as he gently falls to the ground. This was last seen in Kirby Super Star Ultra.

Kirby Battle Royale
"Cool sword you've got there. Hope you're putting it to good use. Spin Slash is fairly unbeatable. Be sure to train every day!"

- Knuckle Joe's comment in Kirby Battle Royale Sword is one of the abilities available in this title, and is the one most prominently featured. With the Sword ability, Kirby can move smoothly through the battlefield and hit opponent Kirbys all around him with his Spin Slash. The Drill Stab move can also be performed both on the ground and in the air, though it doesn't travel as far in the air.

There are a number of different costumes for the Sword ability as well. Scanning the Kirby series Kirby amiibo grants a costume that represents the Ultra Sword ability.

Kirby Star Allies
Sword returns in this title, functioning much as it did in previous main series games. Here, like with the other abilities, Kirby can combine Sword with other powers to enchant it, which can include Sizzle, Blizzard and Zap fusions.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Sword Kirby makes an appearance as a collectible trophy.

Other abilities which resemble Sword
In addition to Sword proper, there are a number of other abilities and items in the series which resemble the Sword ability, but are not exactly the same. These are as follows:


 * Cutter - This ability gives Kirby access to unlimited sharp boomerangs. While these are primarily meant for throwing, Kirby can use them to swipe at opponents like a sword.
 * Ninja - This ability gives Kirby a katana which he uses for some of his attacks.
 * Final Cutter - When using this technique with the Smash ability or in the Super Smash Bros. games, Kirby pulls out a scimitar, which is another type of sword.
 * Rainbow Sword - Kirby gains access to this Final Weapon after collecting all of the Rainbow Drops in Kirby's Dream Land 2, and uses it to battle Dark Matter.
 * Burn-Cutter & Spark-Cutter - These two Power Combos from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards give Kirby elementally charged swords which can be used to attack enemies.
 * Galaxia - In Kirby: Right Back at Ya! and other minor appearances within the video games themselves, Kirby wields the legendary blade Galaxia, which is normally carried by Meta Knight.
 * Master - In Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, Kirby is given a powerful golden sword (which may or may not be Galaxia) by Meta Knight to battle Dark Mind with. If Kirby loses this sword during the battle, it will be given back to him by Shadow Kirby in the next phase.
 * Ultra Sword - This Super Ability from Kirby's Return to Dream Land resembles the standard Sword ability, but is massively powered-up. Kirby uses it to clear away big obstacles and defeat certain bosses, and also uses it as his Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
 * Sword Hero - This role in the Clash series of games is based on the Sword ability, but it has a few differences.
 * Wire - This Ravel Ability in is very similar to the Sword ability.

In Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
Sword makes an appearance in the anime series Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, being one of the first abilities to appear. When Kirby has this ability, he is able to fight like a master swordsman, using lightning-quick attacks to chop up monsters that oppose him. His signature technique when using the Sword ability is the powerful Sword Beam, which is capable of cutting clean through solid objects. Although not quite the same ability, Kirby can also wield the Galaxia.

Trivia

 * The Sword ability is a clear reference to Link from the Legend of Zelda series.
 * The cap Kirby wears looks similar to the one Link wears.
 * In Super Smash Bros. series, Kirby can inhale Link to get his cap. However, he only uses Link's Bow.
 * Kirby's Sword Beam and Spin Slash attacks are similar to Link's Sword Beam and Spin Attack maneuvers. In the case of the former, both the Kirby and Zelda forms of the attack can only be used when the user is at full health.