The Kirby franchise has been known for its Copy Ability mechanic since Kirby's Adventure in 1993. Unlike fellow Nintendo platformer mascot Mario, Kirby gets his abilities by eating enemies with various powers as an extension of the suction mechanic introduced in Kirby's Dream Land. HAL Laboratory later designed hats to represent each Copy Ability, and the power-swapping has been implemented into various spin-offs like Kirby's Dream Buffet.
Arguably the best-known example of Kirby's Copy Abilities outside his main adventures is Super Smash Bros., where the pink puffball can steal the neutral-B attack from any opposing fighter. Spin-offs like the golf-themed Kirby's Dream Course and racing game Kirby Air Ride have incorporated Copy Abilities like Tornado and Sword to great effect, and the Kirby Fighters subseries uses them as stand-ins for alternate characters in a traditional fighting game. Kirby's Dream Buffet uses its eight Copy Abilities differently depending on the game mode, either like items in Mario Kart or elimination tools in a battle royale setting.
Burning
Burning is one of the more interesting Copy Abilities in the Kirby canon. It was one of the original Kirby's Adventure powers, but got absorbed into more complex movesets for Fire after the DS title Kirby: Canvas Curse. The Burning Pepper in Dream Buffet represents a return for this solo Copy Ability, which appears in races, battle royale matches, and minigames so players can defeat enemies and knock away rival racers with a burst of fiery speed.
Drill
Drill is a more recent Copy Ability introduced in Dream Buffet's predecessor: Kirby and the Forgotten Land. In its original iteration Drill allowed Kirby to burrow under gated walls or pick up buried items, and players could draw a circle around enemies or objects to create damaging ruptures. As Dream Buffet's iteration only appears in the battle royale mode, combative underground attacks are all it gets.
Hi-Jump
Hi-Jump is one of the least-used recurring Copy Abilities, having made its debut in Kirby's Adventure before appearing in the remake Nightmare in Dream Land, as well as Squeak Squad and Return to Dream Land. Whereas Hi-Jump in these 2D platformers served as a faster way to ascend vertical levels, Dream Buffet's gummy candy is akin to Hi-Jump from Kirby's Dream Course in that players can bounce in the air to instantly move further down the racetrack.
Jelly
Jelly stands as the only unique Copy Ability introduced in Kirby's Dream Buffet. At any point after receiving a Jiggly Jelly power-up in race or battle royale matches, players can activate the ability to become a blob that phases through walls and enemies. This is particularly useful in races, as it allows Kirby to bypass the cookie walls that act as an equalizer for each racer.
Needle
Needle is another popular ability introduced in Kirby's Adventure that has appeared in multiple mainline games and spin-offs, including Dream Course and Kirby Air Ride. It's treated differently across appearances, sometimes having Kirby stand still to become an invincible spike trap or attack with a pointed needle in one direction. Other times Kirby becomes a rolling ball that catches foes like in Katamari Damacy. Dream Buffet's Needle Candy only appears in battle royale matches, adding a risk-reward element of deciding whether to roll into an opponent or let them roll into the spike ball.
Stone
Stone is another battle royale-exclusive Copy Ability that originated in Kirby's Adventure but has become more popular in different iterations. Starting in Kirby Super Star, most versions of Stone have the chance to turn Kirby into a variety of forms - including other Nintendo characters like Mario, Samus Aran, or Tom Nook. It's also Kirby's down-B attack in Super Smash Bros. Dream Buffet's version just turns Kirby into the same chocolate bar every time, but it does have an added shockwave effect to catch opponents off-guard.
Tornado
Tornado Frosting can appear in general races and battle royale matches. It's unique among Dream Buffet's Copy Abilities because it serves both an offensive and defensive purpose, damaging enemies who touch the tornado but also sucking in strawberries to give Kirby a better chance at victory. Tornado has consistently been one of the most simple techniques in Kirby's arsenal, allowing him to move quickly (if more erratic) with invincibility frames. However, there has been some iteration on the idea, such as Kirby: Squeak Squad adding elemental vortexes if players pass through fire, ice, or lightning.
Wheel
Wheel is available in all game modes throughout Kirby's Dream Buffet, though its presence makes the most sense in races. It's similar to Burning in execution, but lasts a lot longer and gives players a bit more control on how they maneuver while in Wheel form. This is another Copy Ability originating in Kirby's Adventure, though in most 2D platformers it exclusively lets Kirby move quickly in one direction. Dream Buffet is Wheel's first appearance since Kirby: Planet Robobot in 2016.
Kirby's Dream Buffet is available now on Nintendo Switch.