Kirby: Triple Deluxe Review (3DS)

As always with games starring the pink vacuum, Kirby Triple Deluxe arrived in Europe with little fanfare. This is a really shame as it certainly is a game worth shouting about. Comprising of a platform adventure and a handful of mini game modes this is arguably Kirby’s best ever outing. It’s also one of the most fun games in the 3DS library.

The story goes that one night a giant bean stalk starts growing in dreamland. When Kirby wakes up he finds himself in the sky land of Floralia and that King Dedede has been kidnapped by weird creature by the name of Taranza. Kirby sets out to save the day and find out exactly what all this means for Dreamland.

Recently, each Kirby game has offered up its own unique gimmick. We had the small puzzle like sections in Mouse Attack and the multiple Kirbys in Mass Attack and now there is the super ultra-vacuum ability that sends Kirby rainbow coloured and allows him to consume just about everything in his path. Huge creatures, bits of the level and even energy bars are not safe as the super hoover sucks its path of destruction. 

This is the most traditional Kirby platformer for a while and there are now around twenty abilities to copy from swallowing enemies. These include the new beetle ability that lets you slam enemies into the ground and the return of the super speedy wheel. Throughout the game there are a number of sections which make use of certain abilities and it keeps things varied and fun throughout.

Though it does take a little while to find its stride the level design is excellent. Along with making use of the different abilities there are also puzzles to solve and a fair amount of use is made of functions such as tilting the 3DS. You won’t be tapping away at the screen but what is here is implemented well and never outstays its welcome. Triple Deluxe also displays some of the best 3D effects on the system with a host of things (including Kirby), flying in, out and around the screen at every opportunity. In fact, we would recommend keeping the 3D slider up as things come at you on different layers and it can be difficult to tell what’s dangerous to you without it on.

Aside from the exceptional use of the 3D effect the graphical look of the game is of a high standard throughout. It remains in the colourful Kirby style while also showcasing a range of environments in the new Dreamstalk world. The sound is equally excellent with the music setting the scene perfectly and there’s never any doubt you are firmly in a Kirby world.

Aside from simply completing the levels there are also a host of things to find. The most crucial of these are sunstones as a certain amount are required in each world to access the boss battle at the end. Though we generally hate being forced to replay levels there was only one occasion when we reached the end of the world without enough stones to unlock the boss. The other collectables are keyrings which depict various characters from the history of the series. They don’t do anything in terms of gameplay but if you are of an obsessive nature there are more than enough to collect to keep you busy.

Kirby games have never been known for their difficulty and there is no change here. It’s certainly not pathetically easy but we didn’t die that often during our journey through the six worlds. You’ll have to be careful and some of the bosses put up a decent fight but it won’t stop a seasoned player for long. This isn’t really a major issue as the game remains fun throughout and there are enough extras to keep you busy. Completing the game unlocks a mode where you can then speed run it with King Dedede for instance and a boss gauntlet also becomes available which offers up a tougher final boss and extra cut scene as reward for completion.

Aside from the main game and unlockables there are two mini games included to make up the Triple Deluxe package. Kirby fighters is a Smash Brothers-like game where different ability Kirbys fight each other in a series of one on one matches. The second is a rhythm action game called King Dedede’s Drum Dash. Here you have to hit buttons to the beat to make Dedede jump and clap to the rhythm of various Kirby tunes as he makes his way through a level. Both games are great fun and Drum Dash is dangerously addictive.

Overall, Kirby Triple Deluxe is an imaginative and fun package comprising of an excellent main adventure and some fun and inventive mini games. It’s always throwing something new at you and there are plenty of things to unlock and find. If you’ve never really got on with Kirby games before then this could well be the one to change your mind. If you don’t find yourself having fun with the great design and smiling at all the little touches of humour then there’s really no hope for you.

Overall 8/10

Retro 101's Top Ten Game Boy Games

Nintendo's classic system has a whole host of games worth your attention. Below are the ten games (in no particular order), we feel are the ones that every Game Boy owner should add to their collection.

Donkey Kong 94

  

Arguably the best game on the system is this reboot of Donkey Kong. Designed to make the most of the Super Game Boy add on it still plays brilliantly on the hand held. Tons of high quality levels await as Mario must make his way to a key needed to unlock the exit door in each level. Each area adds something new and it remains fun and inventive throughout.

Kirby’s Block Ball

Taking a simple block and ball game and adding Kirby shouldn’t have been anything special.   However, inventive level design and clever use of power ups end up creating one of the most enjoyable games on the system. Themed areas and the inclusion of enemies add another layer of fun as you fling Kirby around the screen to clear the blocks.

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Essentially a Manic Miner clone, this offers some of the best reflex based platforming action on the system. Simply make your way around the single screen levels picking up all the objects while avoiding the enemies. Once all the objects have been collected you need to make it back to your time machine to move onto the next level. Some levels can be completed in seconds which makes it perfect for gaming on the move.

Super Mario Land

It may be a little basic and short but the original Mario game will have you playing through again and again. The graphics are small but still clear and the level design remains strong throughout. This game also sees our hero taking to a submarine and plane for some side scrolling shoot’em up action.

Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Though a colour version is available the original still holds its charm. Link’s Awakening is many people’s favourite Zelda game and it’s easy to see why. The dungeons are among some of the best in the series and the small island hides more magic than most bigger games can manage. Filled with great moments and characters this remains as essential now as it was upon release.

Killer Instinct

It should be terrible but against all the odds Killer Instinct is an essential title. The graphics and speed still do a good job in getting the ethos of the game across and it is surprisingly easy to control. Holding down the kick or punch buttons for different amounts of time decide whether attacks are weak, medium or strong and even the fatalities are included. This is an amazingly ambitious conversation that remains a great portable fighting game.

Pokemon Blue/Red

The first Pokemon game that started it all is still potentially one of the best in the series. It’s hard to beat the simplicity of the combat system mixed with the charm and collecting game mechanic. Building your team and taking on the gym leaders is an epic quest still worth undertaking.

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

The first time Nintendo’s antihero takes centre stage is well worth the visit. Superior in many ways to Mario Land 2, the game adds new game mechanics and the ability to put on different hats to power up. There’s a ton of courses to get through and it represents a decent challenge for retro gaming fans. Good level design and inventive bosses help to keep the Mario magic going.

Tetris

The first and still the best version of Tetris you can play. The repetitive tune will get into your brain and you’ll be rotating blocks in your sleep. Simply create lines of four out of different shaped blocks as they fall from the top of the screen. As the speed picks up the panic of needing a ‘long block’ intensifies to unbearable levels. As a pure gaming experience it can’t be beaten and goes to show that simplicity and a good concept is sometimes all you need.

Castlevania 2:Belmont's Revenge

The other two Castlevania Game Boy games could do with some improvement but Castlevania 2 offers up some classic platforming action. It runs smoothly and each of the initial castles can be attempted in any order with passwords also available. It may be a little basic when compared to later Castlevania games but it’s certainly up there with the first NES title.

Kirby Squeak Squad (DS)

Kirby, Nintendos other character makes his second appearance on the DS. Unlike Power Paintbrush this Kirby title returns to the classic platform style games of the retro era with the second screen used as a display for Kirbys items. The story (and we use the term loosely) centres on a nice piece of strawberry shortcake. Kirby sits down enjoy this delight and before he can, it is snatched away by a group of thieving rodents named the Squeak Squad. There is only one thing to do and off Kirby goes across eight worlds to get his cake back.

Previous Kirby releases have never been the most challenging of titles and this one is no exception. As always the joy of a Kirby game comes from the inventive level design and the amount of different skills he can learn throughout the adventure. Through inhaling and then swallowing enemy creatures, Kirby can use different skills. When the enemy drops down to the bottom screen (Kirbys stomach), Kirby will extract whatever skill the enemy possessed. Thankfully any skills or food located throughout the levels (stored in bubbles) can be swallowed and stored for use later in the game. In order to activate the bubbles you have to hit them on the touch screen, which can be awkward amidst a tricky section or boss battle.

As well as the standard task of finding the exit to each level Kirby also has to collect the numerous treasure chests that are hidden throughout the lands. These chests harbour variety in the form of pieces of pictures, secret level keys and spray cans to change Kirbys colour. The chests come in two sizes; small ones just need to be swallowed and carried to the end of the level, while the larger chests initiate a chase sequence where one of the squeak squad will attempt to steal the chest before Kirby can make it to the exit. Should the rodents be successful, the chest is then placed in their hide out where our hero must infiltrate and overcome a mini boss encounter to get it back.

In total there are one hundred and twenty chests, with some of them requiring a fair amount of thought and use of various abilities to reach. The locating of the chests forms an entertaining part of the game, and if any are left after completion it is highly likely you will find yourself returning to find them. Upon collecting all the chests and completing the game two new modes are added. The boss rush mode has Kirby facing off against all eight bosses in a row on one life bar. The second mode is a timed mode that lets you play through the game again with the aim of collecting all the chests as quickly  as possible. Neither is a major addition but both are nice extras none the less.

The various worlds in the game look gorgeous, with each having a unique look. The style of the levels also ties in with the different skills you can use. For instance in the jungle, leaves can be cut down with the sword skill and in the levels filled with lava, platforms can be made by breathing ice onto it and thereby turning it into rock. It is these inventive touches that keep an otherwise familiar game fun and enjoyable from start to finish.

Overall Kirby Squeak Squad is undoubtedly a fun game. Anyone who has played a Kirby title before will not find anything particularly new here but everything is done in a very inventive and fun way. The main game will not put up too much of a challenge for most people but the sheer amount of things to find and skills to use, helps keep things fresh. It may not do anything overly ground breaking but it is hard to see anyone not having a good time with Kirby Squeak Squad and for that we can only commend it.

7/10