LADYDRAGON.COM - KERBY 64: THE CRYSTAL SHARDS

In 1992 the first Kirby's game made is appearance, it was on the Game Boy and was called Kirby's Dream Land. Now Kirby is better then before but his time on the Nintendo 64.

Kirby is a little cute pink puffball that looks like the The Scotties mascot that offered to help the fairy Ribbon. Ribbon is a fairy that lives on the Planet Ripple Star where a cloud called Dark Matter was trying to steal their Crystals so Ribbon took them and fled away but got attacked by it and the fairies' crystal fell on all the planets on the solar system into tiny shards.

On the Rock Star planet

So when you start your game, you will choose a planet where you will be Kirby and your goal is to recover the Crystals for the Fairies. Along your quest you will face enemies and obstacles but you will have the help of your friends.

Like Ribbon the fairy, Waddle Dee his pal, Adelaine an artist and King Dedede long time rival that will even help.

Among the enemies to watch for are Bronto Burt, Gordo, Sparky, N-Z, Kacti, Blowfish, Hack, Bouncy, Sir Kibble, Scarfy, Bumber and Cairn.

Kirby also has a lot of abilities that will help him defeat those enemies. Kirby can walk, fly, jump, dash, climb, slide, lift, throw, swim, swallow, exhale and copy.

The Copy Ability is the coolest one of all though. It will allow you after you swallowed an enemy with Special Powers to copy his ability then use his own power. There is 7 Special Powers called Burn, Stone, Ice, Needle, Bomb, Spark and Cutter. Like if you get the Stone Power you become a Rock.

Found some secret at the bottom of the waterfall

Meet Kirby

But the most fun of all is that you can do Combos which are the combination of 2 power together. Because of this more then many Powers can be created and are possible.

You also have mini- games that you can play with up to 4 friend.

You also have Bonus games after each stage you succeed.

You will notice that the graphics are not extraordinary but the levels are well design. Also the game is too short and can be finished a bit to easily. Also more animations would have been welcome when Kirby is not transforming. The control can take a little while to get use to because they are unusual.

Easy interface

The gameplay is where Kirby excels. Since he has a lot of actions and movements to perform, combine with the Special Powers and combos the game in that way has a lot of depth. Which will surely be popular among the younger crowd.

It will also create interest because of the need to think on how to kill the boss and which Power to use because some are better then other for some enemies. The effects and the sounds are well done when Kirby's transform and the interface is very clear to understand.

Kirby is an other cute character in the Nintendo family that will surely attract the attention of the younger crowd for many hours.

Companies

Developer
Hal Laboratories

Publisher
Nintendo

Category
Adventure

Notes

Originality:84 %
Gameplay: 85%
Interest: 83%
Graphic: 78%
Control:79 %
Sound: 80%

TOTAL: 82%

Requirements

Console
Nintendo 64

Rumble Pak
Compatible

Expansion Pak
Non Compatible

Multiplayer
1-4 Players

Rated by ESRB
"E" Everyone

Julie Meyer

Golden Lion