The Kirby Encyclopedia:References

This page is a guideline to help users decipher what is a reference and what is not. References are made quite frequently throughout different forms of media, be it literary, in a film, or in a game. The following content is designed to inform any and all users as to what will constitute a "reference" on this wiki.

Guidelines
Because Nintendo is commonly referenced as well, it can create some confusion as to what constitutes a "reference" to the Kirby franchise. To break it down simply, if one were to see a subject from the Kirby franchise in a game outside of the Kirby franchise, it would be considered a reference. If the subject plays a large role, either during a part or throughout the game, it counts as a guest appearance, such as Kirby's appearance as a fighter in the Super Smash Bros. series.

The Super Smash Bros. series contains subjects that did not originate within the Kirby franchise, and whose appearances outside of the Kirby franchise (including Super Smash Bros.) do not count as Kirby references. For example, Samus Aran originated in the Metroid franchise, has been in every Super Smash Bros. game, and has also made a cameo appearance in Kirby's Dream Land 3, all of which is covered by The Kirby Encyclopedia; however, her appearance in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is not covered because she is not a Kirby character nor is that a Kirby game. Similarly, Nintendo consoles or other devices that Kirby games were released on or accessories that they use do not count as being part of the Kirby franchise either. For example, if a Nintendo DS and/or a stylus appears in a game, it does not count as a reference.

What are references?

 * Any character that originated in the Kirby franchise, that has appeared or has been mentioned/referenced in some way in a game series outside of the Kirby franchise.
 * Any item that originated in the Kirby franchise that meet the above qualifications.
 * Any location that originated in the Kirby franchise that meet the above qualifications.
 * A physical resemblance that is close enough to a Kirby character, item, or location will also be considered a reference, just as long as the resemblance isn't too unseemly.

What aren't references?

 * Any character, item, or location that originated outside of the Kirby franchise that has appeared or has been mentioned/referenced in some way in a game series outside of the Kirby franchise''.
 * Any object originally manufactured by HAL Laboratory featured within or outside of the Kirby franchise. (This includes objects such as consoles, remotes, or other hard merchandise manufactured by Nintendo.)
 * A physical resemblance in a game outside of the Kirby franchise that is too unseemly. (To take an example from the Mario franchise, if a non-fictional mushroom were to appear in a game unrelated to the Kirby franchise, it would not constitute a reference. If a Mushroom from the Mario franchise appears, it could be considered a reference.)
 * A real life event that references the Kirby franchise. (This applies solely to personal experiences. For example, a license plate with "KIRBY" embossed on it does not count as a reference whatsoever.

References to other games and references in later games
The sections References to other games and References in later games are sections located in game articles, and describe references made to past Kirby games (or games in another series) and references made to the game in later Kirby games, respectively. The rules for deciding whether something is a reference to another Kirby game or not are:

What are references?

 * When a unique sprite, design, or music theme from a past game reappears. Example: a character's sprites and the design of ground blocks from Kirby's Dream Land are very recognizable if they appear in a more recent game.
 * A character, location or enemy that was notable exclusively in one game is brought back some way; a particularly strong reference would go so far as to mention the happenings from that earlier game.

What aren't references?

 * Any passing physical or gameplay resemblance where there is no actual proof that the purpose was to make a reference.
 * Follow-up games aren't references to the original ones. Example: Kirby's Dream Land 2 isn't a reference to Kirby's Dream Land.
 * When a commonly recurring character, location, object, enemy, or other subject reappears. Example: Waddle Dees appearing in Kirby Battle Royale are not a reference to their debut game, Kirby's Dream Land.