
Kirby's stars have been replaced by shiny, multicolored Dedede logos. Key Dees run faster than usual and have a different fur color. As mentioned above, the levels have been edited to remove things that Dedede cannot accomplish without the Hypernova ability. These are the same ones Kirby will be fighting in The True Arena later on. This adds more difficulty to each battle, whether by being faster, harder hitting, or having different attacks added on. As another part of the difficulty boost, every boss and mid-boss is in its DX form, and a few of the normal enemies have the ability to move quicker, hit harder, or just become larger. There are very few, and there are only Maxim Tomatoes before bosses, and in some of the harder stages. As a separate feature to the time attack, there is also a difficulty boost in the form of a lack of health items. If they were not hidden in a separate room, and are in the direct path of the level, the Sun Stone is replaced by a 1UP, which is the most common. The Warp Holes from previous Kirby levels return for this, and can be found in some of the locations that originally contained Sun Stones. Players who enable StreetPass for the game will be able to share these times with other players. The time attack also adds shortcuts, which allow players to skip to later levels in the world, or a later segment if one is found in a longer stage. All the levels in a single world (minus the Hypernova segments) are compiled together into one level, excluding the EX levels, which are compiled into Level 6.
The first is the addition of a time attack, which counts up through the levels. There are several added features to this mode. The Hammer Spin is also intact, and uses a wind effect to put out flame blocks. He can also use the Hammer Twirl to melt ice.
For melting ice, the Hammer Flip is still intact from every other version of this power. This is assumed to be the same red effect as the shock wave attack, which is used when using the hammer on the ground at full health.
When released, will send out a laser-like red arrow attack. For cutting ropes and hitting distanced enemies with an aimed attack, he must simply charge his hammer. Since he cannot use Copy Abilities, he has added attacks and slightly more power. King Dedede plays with a modified hammer ability.