This is why it bothers me when people call Bandana Dee "a Goomba with a hat." He's basically the Luigi of the Kirby franchise.

It will forever break my heart Bandana Dee didn’t get to join his friends in Smash Bros. Ultimate.

18:26 sure, Bandee has the Waddle Copter, but you missed the most important part: the hops "Kirby and Dedede can fly because they have mastered the power of inhalation. Meta Knight can fly because he has wings. Waddle Dee can fly because he really wants it. He just wants it more, so he just jumps off of nothing." - medibot

Bandee’s arc is one of the best in the series especially if you consider the Kirby 64 Dee as the same character, going from a nervous Waddle Dee who seemed to idolize Kirby to one of the main protagonists in the series he’s arguably the biggest break out character in the series aside from Magolor who debuted in the same game as when Bandee became a full on hero.

I had no idea the Kirby Café seats you with a waddle dee if you dine alone, oml mah heart.

Only in Kirby could the defacto worst basic enemy creature in video games also be the best bar none. Love these little beans, can't wait to see how they show up in the next game!

Thank you for putting the respect on Waddle Dee that they deserve! I love these guys so much, and always get so frustrated by people that try to put them down for being "generic enemies" (mostly because of Smash discourse). They are legitimately the most important asset to any Kirby game, second only to Kirby himself, and this video highlights why perfectly!

Waddle Dees are probably my favorite enemy creature in any video game ever in terms of design. They are so cute but can be put in so many situations and just work. I love them in Triple Deluxe because they are in the background so often doing stuff like chopping down trees and shooting you in tanks. The developers said this was to make the player feel more comfortable at these obstacles which later are replaced with versions that are by either natural objects or Sectonians. I love them so much!!!

Bandana Waddle Dee truly is an anomoly. A Waddle Dee willing to go out into perilous danger even with the knowledge of his general species skills (or lack there of) he's even proved better than Dedede and Meta Knight in some aspects avoiding getting taken out of commision and getting possessed. The fact he even gets to be a main character is astonishing. Almost no Kirby characters are reocurring, with it mostly being the main 3 making appearances in everything. Bandee sliding his way into games where one of the two isn't like in the case of Triple Deluxe with Meta Knight is a true feat. This little guy has gone from being a slightly more important Waddle Dee to a true hero who has followed and even helped Kirby defeat some incredible foes because of his desire to get stronger (and some spear training that allows him to occasionally turn it into a helicopter). A salute to you "Goomba with a hat", you waddled right into my heart.

10:05 Sailor Waddle Dee makes cameos in other games like Super Kirby Clash. The boy is alive!

If only bandana dee could have been in smash. Complete the quartet!

Bandee was the first Kirby character ive ever played as, (my first game was Forgotten land and even then I was player 2), so the little boy is very VERY important to me. So im proud to admit this video made me scream when it showed up in my recommended :D

Waddle dees are both the Goombas and the Toads of Kirby. And they nail both.

You are very good at taking something I don't know much about but everyone else seems to love, and at the end of the video getting me to say, "I get it, now."

Bandana Dee is the best Smash Bros DLC fighter _in my heart._ He has no dramatic magic backstory, he has no interdimensional powers. He has nothing but bravery and determination. And a spear. And a best friend he babysits who slays gods. I love him.

Bandanas = Cool. Dragoons = Cool. Loyalty = Cool. SQWOOSHABLE CHEEKS = Priceless. Yeah he's sick dude.

I genuinely felt my heart strings rip straight out of my body when I found out that the Kirby Cafe staff will send a Waddle Dee over to eat with you if you go by yourself

Waddle Dee: Shaped like a friend

I have a Headcanon that the Waddle Dee who helped Kirby in Crystal Shards is Bandana Dee, who after all that adventure, became confident and enlisted in DeDeDe's army and trained a lot until obtaining a prominent position

5:30 Seriously tho This is why I consider Kirby to hardly even need the gimmick of the game to defeat the final boss. Kirby is doing this for FUN. He wants to bring his world back to peace, but this is something new, and Kirby is there for every second of it. Obviously, in game, we need the gimmick to progress sometimes, but Kirby just wants to ride a mech, or eat a weird berry. It's all about the experience.

The Kirby franchise gets better with the character development over the years, especially with King Dedede. If the penguin went from a Bowser wannabe to one of the allies and a best friend to Kirby, then the Waddle Dees are equivalent to the Goombas in the Kirby universe, but they went on to become the Toads in terms of loyalty. Bandana Dee is the best boy. Period.

All Kirby lore falls under 2 categories. A. Daww that's adorable that is a certified little duder. Maybe there is hope for humanity after all ^-^. B. YOGSATHOTH HAS COME FOR YOUR SOUL HE EATS 90 BILLIONS SOULS A DAY AND WAS SPAWNED BY MORTAL SINS THE END IS NIGH And I love every fucking jnch of this series

Waddle Dees embody what I love about this series almost as much as the pink marshmallow. They aren't deep or intricate, but they are massively charming "enemies" with a lot to like about them in spite of how simple they are. Plus if you peel back the layers just a bit, there's more than you would've ever thought about them.

The Waddle Dees need their own minigame collection. They're fun to watch and play as.

This is probably one of my favorite videos on the channel- it perfectly captures everything I love about Waddle Dees as a species and Bandana Dee as a character to the point where I genuinely started tearing up watching it. Thank you for showing the heart that's at the core of the Kirby series once again, and helping to show the purity of its nature.

First the kirby lore video, than the dedede one, now we even get one for bandee and the dees, you never ever miss, thank you so so much for these essays

I'm so happy youre giving waddle dee the love he deserves I know hes been gaining popularity in the last couple of years but waddle dee (bandanna dee included) has always been a cute and fun character. So thanks for the proper retrospective that he deserves!

“A king is no match for the boy who slays gods.”

This is truly a certified Waddle Dee Moment. Okay, in all seriousness, it's nice to have yet another video where these guys get the appreciation they deserve. Bandana Waddle Dee included, of course.

Finally the best Nintendo character himself. Also awesome video.

It's weird how charming characters are without mouths.

I hope we get a Waddle Dee Week

Waddle Dees are the unsung heroes of gaming history! They're so inept you can't even fault them for getting in your way, but they do get clever in later stages. And Bandana Dee is honesty a good mascot for the Dees as a whole. A stout warrior among a species of beings who seem pretty passive is a pretty solid character origin, in my opinion

Funny story, Waddle Dee is actually the source of my fear of weird stuff happening with eyes. My first Kirby game as a kid was Kirby 64, and when Dee turned into Doo I had no damn prior context for any of this so I freaked out! ... and then both the anime and the GBA remake of Adventure happened and not only did I learn there were Way More of these lil guys, but Waddle Doo wasn't even as freaky as I thought from that cutscene jumpscare (and dw I wasn't too freaked out at that time to beat the really easy Waddle Doo """boss""" fight even as a smol child hehe)

I unironically have celebrated Waddle Dee Wednesday for like a year now. My favourite holiday, it's every week! (In all seriousness, a weekly dose of serotonin in the form of exchanging Waddle Dee gifs with friends is very healthy for you.)

I'm crying. 😢 That little guy has the heart of a champio

Incredible video. I've been following the Kirby series for over a decade, and as the years passed by, Bandee just grew on my so much. I think what I like the most is basically what you outlined, that he tries anyway despite being a Waddle Dee, which is such an inspirational thing. I think Waddle Dees in general represent that: if you try hard enough, you really can do anything.

21:23 Bandana waddle dee is a shonen protagonist with a cute exterior, Change my mind.

Yes! A well deserved character analysis of our precious little Bandanna Dee! Say, I’d think it’d be a great idea if you could do a video like this on Magolor sometime. He legit has some of the best character development in this series since RTDL Deluxe came out, he’s perfect 💕

Its important to remember that Waddle Dees and many of the other enemies common in the Kirby games are not the always chaotic evil mooks you see in other games sure you fight members of a lot of species but their are just as many who want to live in piece.... that said now you've got me really hoping for a designing entry on Dark Matter... it's always been such a sinister presence in the games and is a great foil for Kirby in many ways.

Aww 🤎 I do think Bandee is my favorite character. I absolutely understand getting "hat Goomba" vibes from him (my favorite analogy I've read compared him to playing an Avengers game as an Iron Legion drone). But I dunno, that he's so understated is part of the charm for me. I just get this sense out of him that I do from a really good neighbor, one you're always happy to run into and spend 10 minutes catching up with. Modern Kirby's adventures always make it feel like he's randomly intersecting with Bandee's life, but Bandee's such a kind soul that he'll drop whatever he's doing to be Kirby's Player 2. Plus, while I don't love Spear overall as an ability, some of the specific tweaks to the ability in Bandee's kit make his moveset one of my absolute favorites in the series. Love love love being able to lob spears midair while gliding backwards. I think the essence of Kirby as a series is in how the Waddle Dees are used. The highlights always comes from the deep lore, but the minute to minute is seeing the friendly, playful characters of Dream Land living their idyllic lives. Waddle Dee Town is a big part of why I loved Forgotten Land. Usher Waddle Dee absolutely insisted that they set up a movie theater in town right away, even before establishing basic residential, economic, and social infrastructures, and all the other Waddle Dees couldn't find any reason to disagree. I love all the silly little people working their silly little jobs.

Star Allies even implies Bandana Dee is the same Waddle Dee from Crystal Shards- including him on the menu screen with Adeline/Ribbon and Dedede

This was precious. Thank you for this.

This 24:32 😢 This right here is what we need more of. Just a real moment to reflect on the morals of all these characters and stories we hold dear. We love video games simply because they're relatable.

I somehow feel like there's more energy than usual in this vid and I'm all for it!

I love Waddle Dees so much they are everything and I love this video too!!

Waddle dee is my favorite character so whenever there is a video completely focus on them I would feel so happy!

I like to think that Sailor Waddle Dee retired after the ship crashed and became a normal waddle dee again, helped in Kirby 64 and then became Bandana Dee

Phenomenal video as always, D4! These Kirby videos are always a highlight of this channel and each on ends up putting a giant grin on my face. Also, I’ve been playing RtDL for over a decade, and yet had no idea that Bandee had more health than Meta Knight. That was an interesting new thing to learn.

As a long time Bandee fan, this video's given me so much happiness and joy. The editing is top notch, and you really did your research on the character and his species. Thank you so much.

There should be a boss called Demon Dee that is just a waddle dee but super fast and with a lot of heath and the ability to get Kirby to spit him out. And give him angy eyes for good measure.

You know, it's funny. Growing up, I didn't play as much Kirby as I'd liked. Now, as an adult, I see his games for what they are: kindness simulators that remind you that you're not alone, and there are reasons to smile. Huh. Maybe I should have played more of these when I was a kid.

I legitimately cried when I saw this the first time. You really do capture the wonderful things Waddle Dees bring to the Kirby franchise, and more than that, you show that these adorable little round bois have a personality that we all should aspire to have. This video inspired me to write a poem about what it's like to be a Waddle Dee for someone else. It's too long for a comment, so I'll summarize: A Waddle Dee is a fiercely loyal friend who will never leave your side. A Waddle Dee is someone who is always willing to cheer you up. Everyone needs a Waddle Dee in their life, so we should be Waddle Dees for those we love.

My condolences for the loss of your great great grandmother may she Rest In Peace

OMG FINALLY, THE WADDLE DEES

Thank you very much for to making this video you are a real one pal Keep going "But take a rest first, you deserve it" -King Dedede

I just saw someone who had posted on the Kirby subreddit asking why people love Waddle Dee. I will be linking this video in the comments shortly because this man needs to *learn*

I've seen your Kirby video, your King Dedede video, and this one, and I love them all! I randomly happened upon Team Kirby Clash Deluxe years ago and I slowly but surely fell in love with the characters and the lore and have played more of the games, and these videos are just so good! I'd love to see one on Meta Knight!! 💙

Alright! Bandana Waddle Dee is born. More importantly out of all of the Waddle Dees Bandana Waddle Dee is a recurring character and hero and he's a token good teammate. Best of all Bandana Waddle Dee may not be as iconic as Kirby, Meta Knight, and King Dedede but he's iconic in his own right and he appeared in 12 games.

Bandana Waddle Dee enabled 4 player Kirby. And the channel is De(e)signing *Four*. Coincideence? I deeclare deeoubtful!

Clearly the best character in all of kirby lore.

The way you talk about Kirby and the characters within is so loving and infectious! It absolutely warms my heart :’) thank you so much for these videos, I cherish them

And the saga continues

I'm crying, they are just so cute and nice!!

Love these little guys. Any game I play where the Waddle Dees are enemies, I always go out of my way to avoid KOing them if I can help it. Ends up making the games a bit more challenging!

Vídeos about the friends of Kirby always makes me cry

I’m telling you, you never *ever* miss with these Kirby videos. It’s always your platinum work. One day, BWD will have the privilege of fighting alongside his best buddies in the smash bros roster. Or…right now, if you’re into Super Smash Flash 2.

I'm crying so bad for the waddle dee's 😭I LOVE THEM

Love your videos, can’t wait to see what other Kirby characters you will cover next. Also just learned about the apple juice song from here and it is so cute 🥰

I didn't think I would ever need an essay about Waddle Dees, but here I am.

I had a big smile on my face throughout the entire video. Bandana Dee is one of my favorite Kirby characters (please put him in Smash 6), and the games would feel incomplete without some representative there (which is why every game to date has had at least one). It did an excellent job accentuating what makes species and its standout members so special.

It seems I’ve wandered into another well made video!

Bandana Waddle Dee is the essence of dedication and devotion

When I got Forgotten Land... one of the things I started doing the more Waddle Dees with tasks showed up??? I Started Naming Them. Individualizing them into characters of their own, even giving names to past notable Waddle Dees I knew of! Sailor Waddle Dee became Verne, The one running the copy shop became Gadget! I nicknamed Bandana to Benny/Bandee! And many more. I have a list of names on my phone that I continue to update ^^

Okay, so now we've had videos on Kirby, King Dedede, and good ol' Waldie, also Karl for some reason, so I'm guessing the next Kirby-related video will be on Have You Ever

Hey man, I’ve been watching your videos for quite a while and I just wanna say you are hands-down my favorite video game commentary channel out there. I love your videos and the enthusiasm you have about them - even for topics or games I’ve never heard of before. Keep up the amazing work ❤

This video is the best 25 minutes I had in a really long time

it's so sad that bandan is the only of the core 4 kirby friends to not be in smash, but even despite that, i desperately hope that the next time we get a kirby game, we have another bandana dee boss fight.

Hey! It's the Waddle Dee episode you were talking about on the Design Dorks podcast! Glad to see it! Bandanna Dee and the Waddle Dees in general are some of THE MOST underrated and wholesome characters in the Kirby franchise - glad to see them get their own episode!

Waddle dees can’t be in smash, they’re too sweet and loyal to hurt a friend

Waddle Dee, what an incredibly in depth enemy

Your videos are so well written! I already liked waddle dees but now I have a new appreciation for the little guys.

The nova explosion music is always funny to me

0:26 roll credits!

14:54 this actually made me cry

Bandee is adorable!! I love him so much!!!

Minions:*Random gibberish* Waddle Dee: I'm you but better!😎

Bandana blue like the king dededede he follows

Bandana Waddle Dee is one of my favorite characters of Kirby. The first thing that I did when I saw him, I started to draw him. Hooray for the Waddle Dee!

Waddle Dee: I'm weaker than the goombas! The Badnicks in Sonic Forces: Hold my "I couldn't even hurt Sonic at all"!

Fell in love with dees during my youngest years watching kirby right back at ya Didnt have a console till the 64. And we only owned a couple games. Then gamecube a few games. When the Wii came out we started getting more games. But Dees are my favorite creatures in kirby universe

Imma be honest here, that moment in Forgotten Land almost made me cry... it's so *BEAUTIFUL!!!*

A Waddle Dee would be the best pet ever SO ADORABLE And loyal!

This video gave me a heart palpitation…….. thanks.

it inst a evolution neither a devolution, it is a waddle deevolution

I love Bandee. I kinda wish he got a chance to be in Smash, in hindsight.

I am shooketh by the implication that Sailor Waddle Dee just straight up died on the ship. Like, I never even considered the fact he never escaped. We just had his heart pounding and that's the last we see of him. Although, story about my life, I was a kid that considered briefly that Meta-Knight killed him, for no reason other than the fact Super Star was my only exposure to kirby at the time, and I thought Meta-Knight as only a bad guy. That was quickly abandoned when I was exposed to Kirby; Right back at Ya! So I rationalized that and his appearance in Meta Knight's Revenge as him... doing something for the greater good, but not the immediate good, so Kirby stops him? I didn't even play any of the dark matter games, so I never even considered possession. But at the same time, I completely forgot about Sailor Dee. May he find peace wrapped within the wings of The Halberd.

HECK YEAH IT'S THE BEST NINTENDO CHARACTER HIMSELF!!!!!!

Bandanna Waddle Dee is my favorite Kirby character!

Except those waddle dees that stalk you in DL2. Jesus, those ones are out for *BLOOD.*