Kirby gets a new feature in this game called “mouthful mode”, which allows him to suck up and become inanimate objects like cars, cones, and even staircases. It really embodies the meme saying “they told me I could be anything, so I became a (insert ridiculous thing here)”.
One of my first games ever was this Kirby GBA game in japanese I begged my parents to buy for me while we were traveling in Taiwan for 2 weeks in 4th grade. Since then, I haven’t touched a Kirby game until now – 18 years later. And wow have I been underestimating Kirby all these years joking about the fact that he’s the most common playable character in all the Smash series for beginners due to his ridiculous adorableness.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a beautifully made 3D platformer that motivates you to explore every nook and cranny of each level to save all of the hidden Waddle Dees, who are the inhabitants of Kirby’s home, Planet Popstar. For anyone new to Kirby or video games — no I am not making up words. The terminology matches the adorableness of the game but doesn’t make it child’s play. (Even the main villain is low key cute—a penguin with a hammer called King Dedede [dee-dee-dee].) As a veteran gamer myself (self-proclaimed), even I had a bit of trouble with some of the hidden treasures and puzzles in the game.
Kirby is like Link in a sense. He never talks. That aside, there is very little dialogue in the game itself. It does have a decent plot though and I love that it takes you to various worlds—my favorite being the theme park one where you get to suck up and become a roller coaster car.
At the end of every level when he saves some Waddle Dees, or defeats a boss, Kirby always does a cute victory dance. It’s honestly pretty condescending if you think about it. You see the defeated boss in the back and Kirby’s just smiling, dancing, and gloating about his victory right in front of them.
Demeaning as it is, we all need to learn from Kirby.
The Life Lesson
You gotta celebrate the little wins. I mean this in every aspect of your life—receiving a good grade on a test, passing a certification, getting a high score at the arcade, getting to first base with a date, when you find a really pretty leaf on the ground, and just about every little thing that sparks joy (Marie Kondo fans let’s go).
It’s important to celebrate the little wins at work too! However, please do NOT get up on your desk and do a victory twerk at work every time you close a deal or finish a project. I’m not sure HR will understand “but this blog I follow told me to do this for my mental health!”
The little wins are important because not everyone can have ‘big’ wins all the time. Also screw a society that lets you only glorify things like getting married, having a baby or getting a promotion.
So what is considered a little win? It can really be anything. Some are more obvious, especially if they’re related to something quantifiable, a milestone, or a goal. Others may not stand out so much and can only be determined a little win by you. I always talk about the concept of taking baby steps to reach your goal. Progress is just as important as achievements. Sometimes you have to stop to smell the roses, look at how far you’ve come, and celebrate that progress. Here’s an easy example. You’re training for a half-marathon and you start at being able to run 2 miles continuously. 2 months later, you’re halfway there; you can do 6.5 miles continuously. That’s over 300% progress. Okay yes you still need more practice to reach your goal but that progress DESERVES A DANCE!!!
Now for the real talk questions. “What is considered a victory dance?” “I can’t dance!” “I’m embarrassed.” Well have no fear, because WATASHI GA KITA!!! For the non My Hero Academia weebs, that means “I am here”. I will lead the way and give you some shameless example victory dance moves you can use to release those happy chemicals.
I’m not saying you have to do with or in front of people. Just like how we have shower singers, we can also have backyard dancers. Put on some victory music (whether it’s some Taylor Swift, death metal, classic music, or the sound of Link opening a treasure chest), let your body take control, and start feeling like a bad ass.
And yes, you can totally feel like a bad ass for finding a really pretty leaf on the ground.
