Random Series Director Discusses The Mystery Behind Kirby’s Feet
Overview of the Mystery
The mystery behind Kirby’s feet has been around since his inception in 1992 as the star of Nintendo’s Kirby’s Dream Land. A beloved character in the classic platforming franchise, design director Masahiro Sakurai left unanswered questions regarding Kirby’s feet when asked by Nintendo Power magazine during an interview. The article stated that, “Kirby clearly has two ‘feet,’ yet he is still able to stand upright without ever falling over. How is this possible?” This one simple question would go on to spark decades of speculation and debate among fans of the series, as many are still left wondering just how it is that this pink puffball manages to defy gravity with his oddly-shaped rods.
The Designers Explanation
Fortunately for all those seeking answers, Masahiro Sakurai has come forward and finally revealed the reasoning behind it. According to Sakurai, “It was a matter of game design – by giving him two ‘feet’ rather than one set of legs, we could give him more stability when standing on narrow platforms or ledges and make it easier for players to control him when playing platforming games,”. This makes perfect sense from a gameplay point of view; while having two separate feet could make it difficult for a character to balance on narrow surfaces such as ledges or ropes in classic 8-bit style side scrolling platformers like Mario Bros., with two sticks instead of two separate soles Kirby can easily navigate them without slipping off or falling into an enemy attack below.
Kirby’s Impact
Kirby’s influence on gaming culture has been monumental since his introduction nearly three decades ago. He has become an iconic character with