Kirby's Return to Dream Land/Any% Main Mode
From SDA Knowledge Base
Current Fastest Time
Route
The Any% route is very straightforward and simple, because Wing is the best overall ability in this game for speedrunning purposes, due to it having the best horizontal mobility in the game, second best vertical speed, excellent downward speed, much invincibility, amazing maneuverability, and excellent DPS for defeating bosses and minibosses.
Level 1-1
- Cutter - First Sir Kibble in first room
- Fire - First Hot Head in second room
- Wing - Mix from three Sir Kibbles in third room, past the Ultra Sword Knight
Note: If the player does not wish to mix, then the player can keep Fire until Level 1-4, then obtain Wing from the hidden HAL room.
From here on out, the player should ideally keep Wing for the rest of the game. To keep it through Grand Doomer and Magolor, the Ultra Sword Animation Skip needs to be used.
Due to how overpowered Wing is, and the simplistic nature of any%, it may seem like it is very easy to keep wing the entire game. It is surprisingly difficult to do so, seeing as a small mistake can cost the player the Wing ability, and in the midst of races, the player should have back-up strats.
If Wing is lost, the next best abilities for speedrunning include:
- Fire - The best after wing for horizontal movement. Lacks in vertical, but fire spin is an option if there are walls. Inferno and Spinning Fire Breath are good for bosses.
- Tornado - Also very good for horizontal movement and boss fights. It has a lot more invincibility than fire, but less horizontal speed. Use hyper tornado and tornado dash depending on how much distance you need.
- Water - Really good for grounded horizontal movement, with plenty of invincibility. However, really lacks in any form of aerial mobility.
- Hi-Jump - One of the best for upward movement, and reasonable for horizontal. Provides lots of invincibility, but lacks in boss fights.
- Parasol - Good horizontal mobility on ground, somewhat limited in air. However, there's a lot of hitlag if you hit enemies with Parasol Drill.
This is not set in stone, and varies depending on the level you are in. For example, if much aerial movement is needed, then water is near useless. Again, this requires extensive knowledge of level layouts and what abilities are available.
Also, know where there are mixing opportunities; this is especially more useful in races.
