Does anyone not like Kirby?
This is a serious question. Perhaps the Pink Puffball isn’t as universal as Mario or Zelda, but his mass appeal is undeniable. Yes, despite what North American boxarts tell you, Kirby is perhaps the anti-thesis of “hardcore” or “badass.” Still, I defy you not to absolutely love the little pink bastard.
Kirby Triple Deluxe is the first Kirby platformed offered for the 3DS, and after playing through just one level, the game seems like a portable echo of Kirby: Return to Dreamland for Wii. Animations, copy abilities, enemies, and even the general design is almost mirrored from the Wii platformer, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, Return to Dreamland was a mighty strong offering. You could make an argument that the design team “phoned it in.” I certainly won’t.
Level design was the first strak contrast to other Kirby games you’ll find. Many past Kirby games run together, sharing abilities, world designs, and even bosses. While Triple Deluxe had faint nods to characters like Whispy Woods and Kracko, every single level and boss felt fresh. The depths offered by the game’s use of the 3D certainly assisted in this.
So yes. It looks incredibly different. It plays a little different. But there’s nothing here that’s terribly new. And as I’ve stated before, that’s not a terrible thing.
New abilities such as Circus and Beetle were welcome additions, and allowed Kirby to do things that he’s never been able to do before. Collecting the nearly countless keychains throughout levels I figured would be a chore, ended up being one of my favorite parts of the game. Icons from across the Kirby universe–both past and present–are hidden throughout levels for you to find.
As a dedicated fan since Superstar, I will say with great conviction that level design in Triple Deluxe is the best in Kirby’s history. Fighting words perhaps, but as far as the looks, challenge, and playability, I don’t think Triple Deluxe can be beat.
Which brings us to the challenge.
Surprise: there isn’t one. Sure, you’ll probably die once or even twice if you’re a weenie like me, but seasoned gamers won’t have too much trouble getting through the game. Again, nobody plays Kirby for the challenge, they play it for the experience.
And what an experience it is! Even if it’s the 3D’s only Kirby experience, outside of the Virtual Console. If you like Kirby, you’ll love Triple Deluxe. If you don’t like Kirby: what’s wrong with you? Get on the bandwagon, unless you (pun heavily intended) really want to suck.
Buy: Kirby Triple Deluxe, Kirby Plush