Inhale

Inhale is one of Kirby's signature moves ever since his debut in Kirby's Dream Land. It allows him to suck objects into his mouth like a vacuum, which stretches to fit large objects, up to a point. Kirby can then either swallow the object or enemy that is in his mouth to absorb it, or spit it out in the form of a Star Bullet. A few other characters, such as King Dedede, also have the ability to inhale, and it is also an ability used by the overall Kirby species.

Super Smash Bros. series
In the Super Smash Bros. series, Inhale (named Swallow in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee) is the neutral special move of both Kirby and King Dedede in each of their playable appearances. Inhaling creates a vacuum effect that draws in items and opponents (with the exception of Poké Balls, Master Balls, Cuccos, Mr. Saturns and Dragoon and Daybreak parts, which are collected instead). Certain items, such as the Metal Box and Timer, also give the player their standard effects in addition to healing damage. If Kirby or King Dedede inhale an explosive item, they take damage. Kirby's inhale heals him when using it on items, while King Dedede's inhale does not. King Dedede's inhale also has a longer range. Larger items such as Crates and Party Balls also take longer for Kirby to swallow, and he cannot perform any action until the item is swallowed. King Dedede can swallow these items within the same amount of time as any other item.

When inhaling a character, Kirby or King Dedede holds them in their mouth for a time before releasing them. Kirby or King Dedede can move slowly while their opponent has been inhaled, except in Super Smash Bros., where Kirby cannot move while he has an opponent inhaled. Kirby or King Dedede can spit them out as a Star Bullet to send them away. Any opponent who touches the Star Bullet takes damage, with King Dedede's dealing more damage. In addition, Kirby can swallow a opponent to receive a unique Copy Ability that grants Kirby his opponent's neutral special move and a trademark attribute of theirs (e.g. if Kirby swallows Mario, a Mario Cap appears on his head). After copying an opponent, Kirby can surrender the ability by taunting or by being attacked enough times.

Kirby and King Dedede both have their own sets of custom special moves for this attack. Kirby's first custom move is Ice Breath, one of the Ice ability's attacks in the Kirby franchise; Kirby exhales cold air which deals multiple hits of ice damage, pushing opponents back, and freezes at the end. The second move is Jumping Inhale, which has Kirby leap forward as he inhales, although the Star Bullet that he spits out does not deal damage. King Dedede's first variant is Dedede Storm, which draws in opponents, with the breath hitting them repeatedly before knocking them up into the air. His second is Taste Test, which inhales faster but instantly spits out opponents as a Star Bullet.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the inhaling sound effect from Kirby's Dream Land is used for whenever Kirby uses the move, whereas in previous Super Smash Bros. titles, a unique sound effect is used instead. Additionally, Inhale now allows for vacuuming in stronger projectiles, such as a fully charged Charge Shot.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, King Dedede can inhale his own Gordos and other projectiles and spit them back out.