A Strong, Strong, Strong, Strong, Strong Start
It's his first Smash outing and Kirby's come out swinging. He's one of the smallest and lightest fighters in the game, giving him impressive speed and surprising range for his size. Kirby's primary special attacks are his swallow and copy abilities, giving him the ability to immobilize, damage, and steal the powers of his opponent all in one. Of the original 12 fighters in Smash 64, Kirby is ranked in second place due to his exceptional attack speed, powerful midair attacks, and high combo potential. However, Kirby isn't a without his flaws. His small size can be exploited with a well-timed throw or horozontal attack and once he's thrown off the stage it can be very difficult to recover. Kirby's strengths greatly outweigh his weaknesses, however, and he's a consistent top pick for competitive and casual Smash 64 players.
Unfortunately, Kirby's extreme viability wouldn't last into the next Smash titles, with 2nd being his highest tier placement throughout the series as a whole. While still remaining a solid choice in future games, his speed and versatility will be vastly outshined by other fighters. However, another character from the Kirby series would come to dominate the competitive scene by a wide margin just a few years down the line. Smash 64 offers the least amount of alternate appearances for its fighters and Kirby is no exception. His simple palette swaps include turning him blue, green or red, with no other cosmetic changes whatsoever.