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Meta Knightmare
| Meta Knightmare | |
|---|---|
 Title screen for Meta Knightmare | |
| Details | |
| Type(s) | Time Attack - Solo |
| Levels | 7 |
| Players | 1 |
| Appears in | Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land |
Meta Knightmare is a Sub-Game that appears exclusively in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land. As the name implies, it stars the masked swordsman - Meta Knight, and has him race through all seven levels from the main game in one long time attack to defeat King Dedede at the end. To unlock this game, the player must complete both the Main Game and the Extra Game.
Meta Knightmare can be considered an Extra Mode due to being a more difficult version of the main game, though it is not officially counted as one. This is the first title of the "Meta Knightmare" time attack series, the later two being Meta Knightmare Ultra from Kirby Super Star Ultra and Meta Knightmare Returns from Kirby: Planet Robobot.
Gameplay differences[edit]
Meta Knightmare is the series' first "time attack" mode, where the player is challenged to complete the main game as quickly as possible. However, it bears some notable differences from later time attack modes: instead of being automatically taken from stage to stage, Meta Knight goes through the level hubs like normal, and there are no formal checkpoints where Meta Knight can rest (though the level hubs can be considered such). In addition, the timer also continues when the game is paused unlike in other similar time attack modes in later games.
Like in the Extra Game, Meta Knight only has three bars of health. His moveset is a modified version of the Sword moveset, with some unique attacks, and the ability to fly quickly using his wings, like the Wing ability in Kirby Super Star (though this does not damage enemies). In addition, Meta Knight's sword is capable of breaking metal blocks, pounding stakes and lighting fuses, allowing him to get past puzzles that Kirby would require Copy Abilities for. While the Big Switches along the way are still accessible, it is not necessary to press any of them, as all Sub-Games are locked. This, along with the Goal Game being skipped whenever Meta Knight completes a stage, makes it much more difficult to obtain 1-Ups. While the rooms containing the Warp Star Stations, Arenas, and Museums can still be accessed in this mode, their usefulness can be situational at best due to the time attack nature of this mode; the Museums are also not useful to Meta Knight since he cannot inhale and swallow enemies for their Copy Abilities.
Unlike later time attack modes, the player is not able to save any progress made in Meta Knightmare, so to complete the game, it will need to be done in a single sitting (getting a Game Over will still allow Meta Knight the option to continue in addition to quit). Meta Knight does not battle Nightmare, so the game will be complete after beating King Dedede. After doing so, the completion time will be displayed to the player.
Moveset[edit]
The following table lists all of Meta Knight's moves in Meta Knightmare. Save for his sliding attack and unique flapping hover, all of his moves can break hard blocks, pound stakes, and light fuses. Note that, as these moves have no known names, their in-game sprites are used where applicable.
| Meta Knight's playable moveset in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprite | Input | Description | Damage |
 |
B
|
Meta Knight quickly slashes in front of him with his sword. If the button is pressed again, Meta Knight follows up with an uppercut using his sword. | 6 (each hit)[1] |
N/A
|
Dash + B
|
Meta Knight does a relatively-slow, large swipe with his sword, moving forward with the momentum. | 6[1] |
 |
↓ + A/B
|
Meta Knight slides forward with his sword held close. | 2[1] |
 |
A in midair
|
Meta Knight flaps with his wings, traveling quickly upwards. | -[1] |
 |
↓ + B in midair
|
Meta Knight thrusts downward with his sword, dropping down at a quick pace. | 6[1] |
 |
↑ + B
|
Meta Knight performs a relatively-slow upward thrust with his sword. | 6[1] |
Trivia[edit]
- Amusingly, Meta Knight encounters himself in stages with the Meta-Knights (since Meta Knight summons them for battle). He also fights himself at the end of Orange Ocean.
- Future Meta Knightmare titles do not have Meta Knight battling himself, instead fighting a similar opponent (Galacta Knight in Meta Knightmare Ultra and Stock Mecha Knight in Meta Knightmare Returns). Meta Knight can fight himself as a Dream Friend in Kirby Star Allies, however.
Gallery[edit]
-
Meta Knight spots a 1-Up styled after himself. -
Meta Knight in a battle against himself. -
Meta Knight battles King Dedede. -
Completion screen
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | メタナイトでゴー！ Meta Naito de Gō! |
Go with Meta Knight! |
| English | Meta Knightmare | A portmanteau of "Meta Knight" and "Nightmare" |
| French | Meta Knightmare | - |
| German | Alptraumeta-Knight | Play on words on both "Meta-Knight" and Alptraum (the German word for "nightmare"). |
| Italian | Cavaliere Nero | Black Knight |
| Spanish | Meta Knight | - |
