Knuckle Joe

"Gonna be the top fighter anywhere!"

- Knuckle Joe

Knuckle Joe is an enemy in the Kirby series, debuting in Kirby Super Star. He gives the Fighter ability when inhaled. He is also a recurring and semi-important character in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!.

Kirby Super Star / Kirby Super Star Ultra
In Kirby Super Star, Knuckle Joe makes his debut appearance, and is the only regular enemy who grants the Fighter Copy Ability. As an enemy, Knuckle Joe has several attacks. He may unleash a flurry of Vulcan Jabs, charge up and launch a Smash Punch, or dash forward with three swift punches. If Kirby is above Knuckle Joe, the enemy may jump upward with a Rising Break in an attempt to hit Kirby. He is weak to the Blizzard element. As a Helper, Knuckle Joe can use all of the same techniques as Fighter Kirby can, except for Judo Throw. He can also perform Smash Punch underwater, albeit with a much shorter range.

In Kirby Super Star Ultra, a Knuckle Joe with a red outfit appears in Helper to Hero.

Kirby Mass Attack
In Kirby Mass Attack, Knuckle Joe cameos in Kirby Brawlball as part of Marx's black hole attack.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land
In Kirby's Return to Dream Land, Knuckle Joe behaves the same as in Kirby Super Star, and is a very uncommon enemy who only appears in a few stages.

Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
In Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, Knuckle Joe appears in Fighter Combat Chamber.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe
In Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Knuckle Joe sports all the attacks that he had in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. Additionally, he can leap between the background to the foreground.

Kirby: Planet Robobot
In Kirby: Planet Robobot, Knuckle Joe retains his usual behavior from Kirby: Triple Deluxe, but can no longer jump between the foreground and background.

Kirby Star Allies
In Kirby Star Allies, Knuckle Joe appears as an enemy and a friend for the Fighter ability.

Kirby no Kirakira Kizzu
In Kirby no Kirakira Kizzu, Knuckle Joe fights Kirby over a star piece. He first beats up Kirby and his friends before the match begins. After being defeated, Knuckle Joe is carted off in bandages by Waddle Dee.

Kirby Battle Royale
In Kirby Battle Royale, Knuckle Joe appears as an NPC to talk to in The Cake Royale. He mostly says things relating to the current Copy Ability that Kirby has equipped. For some Abilities, he gives minor tips on using them to defeat foes. In most game modes, Knuckle Joes are audience members.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Knuckle Joe appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as both an Assist Trophy and a regular collectible trophy. In this role he attacks opponents by using Vulcan Jab, followed by either a Smash Punch or a Rising Break after being summoned—with both attacks being noted by him shouting their names upon using them. The last two attacks mentioned are basically to instantly KO enemies who happen to be in his way, which more than likely will connect as his fast-paced Vulcan Jab allows little to no time to escape. Knuckle Joe may occasionally fall off the stage and self-destruct without managing to do any damage at all if there are no enemies in close-enough vicinity.

Appearance-wise, this Knuckle Joe wears a blue jumpsuit, which is identical to Kirby Super Star's Helper version. He also has a very high-pitched voice.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Knuckle Joe returns as an Assist Trophy, serving the same purpose as in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In both games, there is a trophy of Knuckle Joe. In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the trophy is unlockable, and can be done by beating Classic Mode on 9.0 intensity without any customizations.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, aside from returning as an Assist Trophy, Knuckle Joe appears as a primary, Ace-class attack spirit as well. When applied to a fighter, their fist attacks increase.

Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
A Knuckle Joe character is featured in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!.

Quotes
"Cut the gab. Where's the Star Warrior? I know he's here. Where is he?"

- Knuckle Joe inquiring about his Star Warrior target's whereabouts

"I told ya... I'm not a monster."

- Knuckle Joe after Kirby snaps him back to his senses

"It took a long time to plan, but it was worth it. I'm a monster hunter now, and I wanted to bag one of the big ones. That meant going after Masher!"

- Knuckle Joe revealing the truth about why he had Nightmare Enterprises appoint him as Monster Manager and purchased Masher

"I hate to tell you this, Meta Knight, but I got some bad news for ya. Three Destroyas got through. They're headed your way!"

- Knuckle Joe

"I hope they had time to... get away."

- Knuckle Joe as Kirby and the Halberd's crew escape from Nightmare's Fortress

"Leave it to me!"

- Knuckle Joe

"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

Physical appearance
Knuckle Joe is a small humanoid creature with pointy ears, spiky yellow hair, and eyes similar to those of Kirby. Knuckle Joe wears a blue jumpsuit, white gloves, blue shoes, and a white headband with a red jewel set in it. He is also shown to have two small red shoulder pads, although these are not present in all of Knuckle Joe's appearances.

Profiles
"A martial artist known for amazing attacks like the Vulcan Jab. With his bandana, he looks and fights the part of a Muay Thai boxer. When Kirby copies Knuckle Joe, he gains the fighting techniques of a hand-to-hand-combat expert. Knuckle Joe also engages in friendly block-breaking competitions with Kirby. His other famous techniques are the Smash Punch and Rising Break."

- Trophy description

"A martial-arts master, Knuckle Joe can be inhaled by Kirby and his Fighter ability copied. If you summon him, he'll leap toward the enemy nearest you and unleash his powerful Vulcan Jab attack. He'll then finish off his target with a devastating Smash Punch or Rising Break."

- Trophy description

"A fighter sporting a bandanna. After a rapid-fire attack, Knuckle Joe will unleash Smash Punch or Rising Break, both very powerful moves."

- Tips

"This spiky hair is full of fiery style. Great for going out and grabbing victory!"

- Headgear description

"He’s eager to prove himself in a legendary tournament and sets off at full speed to find it…wherever it is! He’s up for any battle, no matter how tough!"

- Guest Star ???? Star Allies Go! description

"The ultimate fighter, Knuckle Joe can devastate foes with a barrage of powerful punches and wrestling moves, and can even hurl nearby friends at enemies!"

- Choose your buddy

"Opens with a Vulcan Jab, and then unleashes Smash Punch or Rising Break."

- Training Mode

"A fighter sporting a bandana. After a rapid-fire attack, Knuckle Joe will unleash Smash Punch or Rising Break, both very powerful moves."

- Assist Trophy: Knuckle Joe

Trivia

 * Knuckle Joe's appearance in Helper to Hero is the same as it is in Megaton Punch: Blonde hair, like a helper, but red clothing, like an enemy.
 * Along with his father, Knuckle Joe is the only humanoid character with visible ears in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!.
 * Knuckle Joe's trophy description in Super Smash Bros. Brawl states that "with it's bandana, it looks and fights the part of a Muay Thai boxer". It's currently unknown whether it's true or just additional information.
 * The monster Knuckle Joe transforms into in the anime shares many similarities with Togeira, with several of the same physical characteristics, changing form due to built-up rage, and even giving Kirby the same Copy Ability.
 * In Kirby Fighters Deluxe, Knuckle Joe's headband is used for Fighter's alternate costume.
 * In Kirby Battle Royale, not only does Kirby wear Knuckle Joe's headband as one of his alternative headgear, but it also comes with Knuckle Joe's hair.
 * In the anime, Knuckle Joe is one of the characters least often animated with CGI, the only instance being in Masher 2.0.