Kuru Kuru Kururin is a game that did not make the North American launch of Game Boy Advance. Still, despite its strange “space ducky-a-copter genre,” we still think is simply one of the most addictive GBA games period. We like it so much, we’ve even encouraged folks to import it. With a version in English just released as a GBA launch title in Europe, the language barrier is no longer an obstacle either!

But wait – are we sure that Kuru Kuru Kururin won’t make it to the U.S.? We just received this short email from a reader in Ireland, who found a small clue that suggests Kuru may pilot his ducky copter to the USA:

Kuru Kuru Kururin on its way to the USA??

Well as you know KKK was released in Europe on launch day and I got myself a copy. The point of the game is to rescue your brothers and sisters but that’s not too important. The main thing is, when it talks about their mother it is written as “Mom,” now this is an American word; in Europe it’s “Mum.” This may be nothing but it may be a sign that KKK will be released in the USA

MrPing1000, Belfast, Northern Ireland

As MrPing1000 suggests, it could very well be nothing. It could be a typo, and as video game typos go, substituting “u” for “o” is hardly worth noticing. But it is worth noticing, because we really want this game!

In the U.S., the abbreviation “KKK” tends to be associated with the unsavory racist group “Klu Klux Klan” which is one reason PGC jokingly thinks the American Release of “Kuru Kuru Kururin” mighta been delayed in North America. We don’t think it’s a legit reason, but we really don’t know why the game missed the U.S. GBA launch.

PGC has definitely done our best to let Nintendo know our desire to see Kuru Kuru Kururin spinning his way to U.S. shores. Whether or not they’re listening remains to be seen.

It doesn’t matter too much though; the Euro-version of the game is in English now and your GBA is region free. Any questions?

PGC hopes all our European readers are enjoying the game. We’re a bit jealous right now! Especially when I just got another email from the UK saying: “I really hope you will get Kuru Kuru Kururin over there, it's easily better than Tetris or even Chu Chu Rocket!”

Better than Tetris? Boyo, don’t doubt that ducky copter!

Last updated: 01/12/2001

Nintendo is describing Kuru Kuru Kuru Rin as the "simplest action game in the world" that has "depth of game play too." Along side this vague description, screenshots are available that provide further information on this interesting title.

Seems to be a mix between a puzzle and action games and despite its uncomplicated premise, some of the most addictive games are the most basic ones. Kuru Kuru Kuru Rin looks to follow in this tradition. "Kuru Kuru Kuru Rin" in Japanese roughly translated means "round and round," which seems to be a very accurate description of the gameplay.

Players control a giant stick that rotates in clockwise motion and must guide it successfully through a series of mazes. Hitting the side walls will cause damage, and too much damage will cause you to explode. Therefore, you'll have to time movements precisely to accommodate the position of your ever-rotating stick if you hope to succeed navigating each maze to advance to the next level.

Level backgrounds of the game seem very colorful and attractive without an abundance of detail. Apparently, the game's audio is nothing extraordinary either. However, despite its meek aesthetics, hands-on impressions indicate that the game is both addicting and challenging. It's simple, it's tricky and apparently it makes you want to keep coming back for more.

Kuru Kuru Kuru Rin will feature numerous levels for players to overcome and include the feature for four-player link ups. It is currently unknown how the multiplayer modes will work-maybe they'll some kind of stick whacking battle or a race to finish a level. We'll see.

Kuru Kuru Kuru Rin is set to launch alongside the Game Boy Advance in Japan on March 21, 2001. There's no word yet on whether or not this wacky title will be released in the US at all, though it seems like it would be a good addition.