Latest Kirby: Star Allies Trailer Intros 8 New Kirby Pals

While Kirby: Star Allies isn't due out for the Nintendo Switch until March, hype for the franchises first entry on the console continues to live on, and so Nintendo has released a new trailer for the game showing off eight new foes-turned-friends. All of these new characters will be available to demo this week in Japan, at the World Hobby Fair Winter 2018 exhibition. Check out the trailer below, and scroll down for more details.

The trailer is completely in Japanese, but here's a rundown of the new characters and their Friend Abilities, which are special powers that assist Kirby in his various adventures throughout the game. This weekend's playable demo is likely to feature the game's multiplayer mode, which allows up to four players to form a party and take on enemies. The eight new enemies-turned-friends include: Poppy Bros. Jr. (with the ability to throw an ice bomb); Blade Knight (who can power-up his sword with electricity); Burning Leo (who has a cool explosive flame attack); Parasol Waddle Dee (who can protect the party with a big umbrella); Chilly (you guessed it -- ice attacks); Sir Kibble (oddly enough, an ice cutter); Gim (who attacks using fiery yo-yos); and Waddle Doo (who uses rattling electricity to attack).

The game's listing boasts plenty of cool features for Kirby's debut on the Nintendo Switch:

• Recruit up to three enemies as helpers by hitting them with hearts
• Returning copy abilities include, Sword, Fire, Water, Bomb, Broom and many more!
• Imbue copy abilities with different elements, such as wind, water, fire and electricity, by borrowing or giving them to helpers to add more attack power, unleash powerful attacks, or solve puzzles
• Up to 4 players can join in with the horizontal Joy-Con™ controller configuration, or 8 Joy-Con with 4 Joy-Con Grips

For now, the new character demo looks like it will only be available to try out at the show, so stateside players might have to wait just a bit longer before getting to explore the game.

Kirby: Star Allies releases for the Nintendo Switch on March 16th.