Kirby's Return to Dream Land

Kirby's Return to Dream Land is the Wii revival of the cancelled Kirby game for GameCube. Various concepts like a full 3D platformer were developed, but eventually the original 2.5D side-scroller concept was retained. The later-released Kirby 20th Anniversary compilation used the same engine for its challenge stages.

Debug Mode Remnants
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Although most debugging options were taken out, a hit-box viewer mode remains.

Unused Enemy
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A fully animated, pink plant enemy named Hearbell.

Alternate Enemy Design
The files for the turtle-like enemy Walf include textures for an alternate design. Compared to the final design, the early one is missing the blue cap on its head, has a lighter shell, and a simpler eye. There are no alternate facial expression textures to go with it. The early texture is named EmWalf00, while the final texture is named EmWalf.00.



Also included in the files is this eye texture. It appears to be an even earlier design for Walf's eye. The model is set up to use a single texture, so this eye cannot even be applied to it properly. The eye texture is named EmWalfEye.00

Super Spark
The only remnant of this lost ability is its copy-ability texture. Unfortunately, the rest of this ability's data was completely overwritten with files for the Ultra Sword. It is possible one of Magolor Soul's electrical attacks is related, as his attacks are variations of Kirby's super copy abilities.

Super Cutter
Several files related to the unused Super Cutter ability remain on the disc: the ability's icon, the HUD hat graphic, and the models for the hat and cutter weapon. It may have been scrapped because of its extreme similarity to the Ultra Sword ability.

Cut Songs

 * IUK_LP_DEDEDE3

This song is actually from the Japanese Super Famicom version of Kirby no Kirakira Kizzu, better known on the Game Boy as Kirby's Star Stacker. It was likely a candidate theme for the Dedede robot battle in Scope Shot.


 * fanfare_GCK

A leftover from the game's GameCube incarnation(s), it has an extremely noticeable Super Smash Bros. Melee and Kirby's Air Ride feel to it. This gives credence to the theory that Sakurai's team at HAL Labs was at one point in charge of this project. This theme was built upon and, as a result, other variations of the theme are used within the final.


 * KbyW_HEITI1

An extremely upbeat remix of Cactus1, this song is never played in-game.

Early Song Versions
Also present are earlier copies of songs that sound as if they are using a lower-quality soundfont, but offer a much more retro feel. It is likely these songs were the original compositions and were later remastered for the final release.


 * KbyW_CACTUS1


 * KbyW_CANYON1


 * KbyW_CAVE1


 * KbyW_COLD1_forstrm


 * KbyW_COLD2


 * KbyW_CONGA1


 * KbyW_FUNK1


 * KbyW_HEN1


 * KbyW_MINE1


 * KbyW_RAIN1


 * KbyW_REGG1


 * KbyW_ROCK1


 * KbyW_SAMBA1


 * KbyW_TECH1


 * KbyW_TOUT1


 * st_castle2

Other Notables:
 * Menu02 which is simply a quieter version of the menu theme with a tad bit more reverb.
 * Harukandora05 and harukandora07 are versions of the cutscene song used when Kirby and the gang leave for Halcandra. 05 is quieter while 07 is much louder and both lack the slight fade-in the final stream uses.
 * The ending Cutscene has an unused, quiter version, ending4.
 * The level cleared dance movie theme has a quiter version, cdance03.
 * The Chef Kawasaki robot theme has an alternate version, sub_kawasaki1, with a slightly different reverb.
 * The unlocked jingle has a quiter theme, unlock_fanf.
 * Staffroll_0614 and Staffroll_0616 are both unused versions of the credits theme. Much like harukandora, 0614 is quieter and 0616 is louder.
 * The theme that plays in in the cutscene where Magolor reveals his true intentions has a quieter version, mahoroayabou3.

Normal Copy-Ability Textures
Both of these textures represent the normal copy ability stars. These default stars are never used in-game, as it would be completely worthless to have a powerup that would return Kirby to normal.

GC Kirby Leftovers
Several of the GameCube incarnation's textures have been repurposed for use in this game, but certain textures remain unused.

Oddities

 * ST_KBYW_CACTUS1.brstm is an upbeat Western-themed song that would fit right in with the desert-themed levels. Strangely, it is only ever used in the fourth stage of White Wafers, the ice world.
 * Halberd.brstm is the theme used during the level in which you chase Magolor to the final battle. The famous Halberd is nowhere in the final game.
 * The files for the Halcandran version of the armored Waddle Dee enemy includes a bunch of random extra textures, such as a few ability stars, the HUD icon for Energy Spheres, and a few textures from inside the Lor Starcutter.