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Shuttle Loop
Shuttle Loop is a reoccurring attack in the Kirby series. While it is primarily used by Kirby with the Wing Copy Ability, Meta Knight and similar bosses can also perform it. In the Super Smash Bros. series, Meta Knight uses Shuttle Loop as his up special move. Unlike some other attacks, Shuttle Loop's function remains consistent throughout the series.
Function[edit]
Shuttle Loop involves the user performing a quick loop through the air before dashing a short distance straight ahead, smashing through most enemies and blocks in the way. This attack can be used to hit enemies twice: once at the beginning of the loop and the second time during the subsequent dash forward. Notably, when Meta Knight uses this move, he can typically keep gliding after the initial dash and is able to glide upwards or downwards.
Game appearances[edit]
| Shuttle Loop's video game appearances | ||
|---|---|---|
| Game | User | Notes |
| Kirby series | ||
| Kirby Super Star | Wing Kirby | Part of Kirby's moveset with the Wing Copy Ability. |
| Kirby Super Star Ultra | Wing Kirby | Reprises its role in Kirby Super Star. |
| Kirby's Return to Dream Land / Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe | Wing Kirby, Meta Knight, Metal General | Meta Knight can use the attack when playable for the first time. Metal General uses a variant called Electro Shock Shuttle Loop. |
| Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition | Wing Kirby | Can be used only in New Challenge Stages. |
| Kirby: Triple Deluxe | Wing Kirby | |
| Kirby: Planet Robobot | Meta Knight, Security Force | Part of Meta Knight's moveset in Meta Knightmare Returns. Security Force uses a variant called Electro Shock Shuttle Loop, just like Metal General did. |
| Kirby Star Allies | Wing Kirby, Meta Knight, Morpho Knight, Parallel Meta Knight | Part of Meta Knight's moveset as a Dream Friend, and used during boss fights by Meta Knight, Morpho Knight and Parallel Meta Knight. |
| Kirby Fighters 2 | King Dedede & Meta Knight, Waning Crescent Masked Dedede & Waxing Crescent Masked Meta Knight | Used by Meta Knight and Waxing Crescent Masked Meta Knight in the attack Head Slide & Shuttle Loop. |
| Super Smash Bros. series | ||
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Meta Knight | Used as Meta Knight's up special move. |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U | Meta Knight | |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Meta Knight | |
Kirby Super Star / Kirby Super Star Ultra[edit]
Shuttle Loop makes its first appearance in Kirby Super Star, where it can be used only by Wing Kirby. The move can be performed by pressing B immediately after performing a Toss. It functions the exact same way in Kirby Super Star Ultra.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land / Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe[edit]
In Kirby's Return to Dream Land and its remake, Wing Kirby can once again perform Shuttle Loop by pressing the attack button after a Toss. Meta Knight can also perform Shuttle Loop, without having to perform another move first, by pressing ↓, ↑ and then the attack button.
In battle, Metal General and Metal General EX use a variant of Shuttle Loop titled Electro Shock Shuttle Loop.
Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition[edit]
In the New Challenge Stages of Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, Wing Kirby's moveset has Shuttle Loop, where it's performed in an identical fashion to Kirby's Return to Dream Land. As such, usage of Shuttle Loop can only be performed in challenge stages where Wing Kirby can be used; those being the Wing Challenge, Magolor Race 2, Magolor Race 3 and Magolor Race EX.
Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]
Shuttle Loop reappears as part of Wing Kirby's moveset in Kirby: Triple Deluxe, where it can be used by pressing B after a toss.
Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]
In Kirby: Planet Robobot, Meta Knight can use Shuttle Loop in the Extra Mode Meta Knightmare Returns by pressing ↓, ↑ and then B.
In battle, Security Force and Security Force 2.0 use a variant of Shuttle Loop titled Electro Shock Shuttle Loop.
Kirby Star Allies[edit]
Shuttle Loop serves its normal function in Kirby Star Allies as one of Wing Kirby's moves. It is also part of Meta Knight's moveset as a Dream Friend, and can be performed by pressing ↓ followed by ↑ and B simultaneously.
During their boss battles, Meta Knight and Morpho Knight use Shuttle Loop. Both Meta Knight and Parallel Meta Knight can also use a variant of Shuttle Loop when split into multiple copies, which involves two to four duplicates (depending on the number of players) performing three consecutive Shuttle Loops toward a given character's position. Unless only one player is fighting the boss, each duplicate will target a different player.
Kirby Fighters 2[edit]
In Kirby Fighters 2, the duo bosses King Dedede & Meta Knight and Waning Crescent Masked Dedede & Waxing Crescent Masked Meta Knight both use an attack wherein King Dedede performs a Head Slide while Meta Knight performs Shuttle Loop from above. This attack is possible across all chapters of Story Mode where Dedede and Meta Knight are encountered at the Buddy Fighters Tower's summit.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
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SmashWiki has more information about this subject here. |
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
Shuttle Loop appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as Meta Knight's up special move. It is often used as a finishing move, and can be used either in the air (resulting in greater vertical knockback) or on the ground (resulting in greater horizontal knockback and granting Meta Knight invincibility frames). In this title, the attack involves Meta Knight thrusting his sword upward, doing a very quick loop in midair, and finally thrusting forward before gliding back down to the ground.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[edit]
The attack reappears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, once again as Meta Knight's up special move. Here, the attack does more damage but does not conclude in a glide. Instead of gliding after performing Shuttle Loop, Meta Knight will thrust his sword upward a second time after completing the loop.
Additionally, there are two other variants of Shuttle Loop that can be applied as custom moves in place of the original once unlocked, called Blade Coaster and Lazy Shuttle Loop. These moves change the characteristics of the attack, with the former sending Meta Knight flying more horizontally than vertically while launching enemies to the side, and the latter has Meta Knight do a large, slow loop before the upwards slash.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Shuttle Loop retains its function from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
Profiles[edit]
Flavor text[edit]
| Image | Game | Flavor text |
|---|---|---|
|
Kirby Super Star | Amaze your friends! Toss your enemies into the air and throw them for the Shuttle loop. |
|
Kirby Super Star Ultra | Midair spins and shuttle loops! Spread your wings and fly, little Kirby! Doesn't that feel good? |
|
Kirby's Return to Dream Land | Do a Shuttle Loop! Flap, fight, and rule the skies! Let your spirit soar as you spread your wings and bask in the glory of flight! |
|
Kirby: Triple Deluxe | This tricky ability features a variety of high-flying moves! Soar through the air with Shuttle Loop, and attack your opponents from above! |
|
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe | Flap, fight, and rule the skies! Do a Shuttle Loop and let your spirit soar! The glory of flight is yours! |
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U trophy[edit]
| Image | Description |
|---|---|
|
"Kirby doesn't need to copy abilities to bop through the air, but actually having wings gives his aerial skills a definite boost. They even let him use some extra attacks, like the acrobatic Shuttle Loop and the mighty Condor Head. He can also fire at foes with his Feather Gun! Thought Kirby was just a squishy puffball? Surprise!" |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | シャトルループ shatorurūpu |
Shuttle Loop |
| Traditional Chinese | 翻轉穿梭 Fānzhuǎn chuānsuō |
Flip shuttle |
| Simplified Chinese | 翻转穿梭 Fānzhuǎn chuānsuō | |
| Dutch | Saltoslag Raketlooping[1] |
Somersault strike Rocket loop |
| Canadian French | Boucle express[1] | Express Loop |
| European French | Looping fusée Boucle Express[1] |
Rocket Looping Express Loop |
| German | Super-Looping Bogensprung[1] |
Super-Looping |
| Italian | Rotazione iperspaziale[1] | Hyperspace rotation |
| Korean | 셔틀 루프 syeoteul lupeu |
Shuttle Loop |
| Brazilian Portuguese | Golpe pirueta | Pirouette blow |
| Russian | Мертвая петля[1] Mertvaya petlya |
Dead loop The term refers to an aerobatic maneuver; this loop is also known in Russia as the Nesterov loop. |
| Spanish | Golpe pirueta Lanzadera[1] |
Pirouette blow |
References
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