The Kirby video game series, developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo, is a beloved franchise known for its colorful, whimsical world and the eponymous pink puffball protagonist, Kirby. Since its inception in 1992 with "Kirby's Dream Land" for the Game Boy, the series has become renowned for its innovative gameplay mechanics, such as Kirby's ability to inhale enemies and copy their abilities. The franchise's strengths lie in its broad appeal to all ages, consistently charming character design, and its simple yet engaging gameplay that has evolved across numerous platforms. Kirby has achieved a high level of global brand awareness, becoming one of Nintendo's iconic characters alongside Mario and Link, with a strong presence in merchandising, media, and crossover appearances in games like the Super Smash Bros. series.