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3DS

Japan

Hoshi no Kirby: Triple Deluxe

by Danny Bivens - January 31, 2014, 1:47 am EST
Total comments: 2

8

Kirby is going to inhale your house if you get in his way.

The Kirby series has seen many kinds of genres, styles and gameplay patterns throughout its two decades of existence. With a few exceptions, the core titles in the series focus on numerous copy abilities and a cute friendly look that is clearly identifiable as Kirby. With Kirby: Triple Deluxe on the Nintendo 3DS, HAL Laboratory stays true to Kirby’s platforming roots both aesthetically and in its gameplay to deliver a fresh, yet familiar Kirby adventure. 

Controlling Kirby is as easy as it always has been. The copy ability still plays a huge part in his first 3DS outing with over 20 abilities including four new ones. It is very enjoyable to try out many of the returning and new abilities due to their simplicity and variety. However, it is a pity that they are not utilized in a more meaningful way, such as having the Fire ability cause more damage to Whispy, the tree like recurring boss in the Kirby series. To be fair, there are some instances of using them to reach collectibles or other areas in the level, such as cutting grass with the sword to reveal secrets or lighting a fuse with fire to propel Kirby out of a canon, but they are few and far between. Expanding upon this idea could have added a lot more depth and meaning to the power-ups, which in turn would make a more substantial experience.

Perhaps the most interesting addition is the Hypernova, which greatly enhances the already powerful pink puffball’s inhaling ability. While you are a bit limited to what you can interact with, generally speaking, after obtaining the Hypernova, there are many set piece like elements that Kirby can gobble up. Puzzle components, albeit simple ones, are also introduced and create more complex, interesting gameplay. Even small things like using the Hypernova’s inhale ability to drag the head of a snowman across the level while avoiding it getting melted by lava was charming and amusing. I mentioned in my previous set of impressions that I wasn’t really a huge fan of the Kirby series due to the general slow speed of the games - this still holds true here. Kirby is still a little slow even after double tapping the d-pad/circle pad. While suggesting that Kirby blaze through stages as fast as Sonic is a bit ridiculous, a slight bump in speed could benefit the overall flow of the game. 

Gyro controls are also used to some extent in Triple Deluxe. For example, Kirby can ride in small carts that are placed on tracks where you have to tilt the system to the left or right to advance through the level. Moving around the 3DS and keeping the stereoscopic 3D view with these kinds of control elements are usually an issue, but since they are somewhat subtle, it was generally not an issue. 

Visually, Triple Deluxe continues the bright and colorful aesthetic of the Kirby series. Also, as was evident in the previews leading up to the release of the game in Japan, the game makes full use of the stereoscopic 3D effect in a number of ways. The gameplay is enhanced somewhat by giving players different planes to play on in the levels. There are even times when you have to make Kirby interact with both planes at the same time. For example, there is a gameplay mechanic where Kirby can put on a hat that shoots mini canon balls toward the opposite plane, often times clearing out enemies that are trying to interrupt your progress on your current plane. It’s not necessary ground breaking, but it looks great with the 3D switch turned on. Triple Deluxe also has items, enemies and random background elements being launched toward the screen from time to time. I’ve always seen this as kind of a cheap gimmick to show off 3D, but in the context of Kirby it’s very fitting. It can be cute to see Kirby getting squashed like a pancake on the screen after flying towards you. 

Collectibles and extras are plentiful in Kirby’s latest adventure. The main items to collect in the game are Sun Stones. Once you collect enough and proceed through each world, you use them to unlock the boss stage. Generally, you only need a small handful to do this, but for more advanced players, collecting all of the stones in a world could unlock extra levels. Key Chains, or Key Holders as they are known in the Japanese version of the game, are the other main collectible scattered through the worlds. There are over 250 that are all based on characters from previous Kirby games. Each of them looks exactly as they did in their respective games and they are a great way to play on nostalgia of older gamers. The game also offers two separate playable modes from the start with Kirby Fighters and King Dedede’s Drum Dash (which I talked about in my impressions) as well as additional content after completing the game.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe is a solid game. The story mode is just about the right length, the collectible Key Chains are a fun trip down memory lane, the soundtrack is charming and the mini-games and post game extras help round out the experience. The addition of Supernova greatly changes the dynamic of the gameplay and lets players be a super-powered version of Kirby, which was very entertaining. Regardless of the slow nature of the gameplay, Kirby: Triple Deluxe is a charming, entertaining title that platforming fans should consider. 

Summary

Pros
  • Great use of 3D effect
  • Hypernova ability is awesome
  • Lots of returning abilities from previous games
  • Numerous collectibles and unlockables
Cons
  • Abilities not used in enough meaningful ways to enhance gameplay
  • Kirby is still slow

Talkback

Black JackalFebruary 06, 2014

I want your opinions on this everyone. Do you see it as a positive or negative that kirby games dont iterate or not.


The argument for no iterations is relatively fresh mechanics in near every game.


The argument against is that Kirby games don't build up on the improvements of past games i.e. no Amazing mirror map style/sequel.


Or another option do you feel that the base mechanics are good enough to stand on their own so it doesn't matter?

KhushrenadaFebruary 07, 2014

At this point, I think Kirby is their most versitile character second only to Mario for being able to fit and do so many different kinds of gameplay and explore new gameplay. However, a lot of the time it does seem to be a one and done type affair. Kirby's Dream Course, Kirby's Air Ride, Kirby's Tilt N Tumble, Kirby Pinball Land, Kirby: Canvas Curse, Kirby's Epic Yarn.

However, if you are talking about just the core Kirby style of games which would be his platformers with the copy ability mostly all shown in Kirby's Dream Collection, then yes, I do wish there would be more consistancy there. For me, Kirby Super Star is the ultimate Kirby game. Although, that game also features different styles of platforming. However, what I always liked about it was the variety of abilities and how many different moves each ability had. A lot of times, the Kirby games after that have reduced the moveset an ability has and so the games have felt like a regression for me because of that. Even the Dream Land games had introduced the Animal Friends and Gooey and I loved those characters and think more could have been done with them but they disappeared. The Crystal Shards greatly reduced the number of abilities available but then used the idea of mixing two abilities together to sort of bring the count back up. That also had some interesting potential and I'm not sure it was that fully realized in Kirby 64. I should really finish Return to DreamLand. I was trying to play the whole game multiplayer but then the friends I was playing with went to Japan and I've never been able to get others to play it with me. I wanted to play as Dedede and loved what I had seen from the first two worlds but I guess I should beat the game single player and see what it all contains. I've really liked the bit I've played of it.

I personally never liked the map system of Amazing Mirror and didn't think that was an improvement of any sort. Nor did I find the 3 other Kirby's running around of much benefit except to push a block here or there. Kirby Squeak Squad didn't do much with the item storing belly screen and was just a so-so game. There are times when the new ideas are sort of duds for sure which makes you disappointed they didn't stick or continue on with an idea from a previous game.

While I applaud the fact that developers keep finding new ideas and ways to use the pink puff, I definitely wish some stuff did carry over more in the series as it gives the franchise ups and downs in terms of quality or great games. In the end, most games are fun, breezy affairs so I'm still a fan of Kirby because of that atmosphere the games give. But I can't help but wonder how awesome a Kirby game would be if they went all out and had a whole stack of abilities with a bunch of moves as in Super Star along with the Animal Buddies and Gooey where you can also play as Dedede and Meta Knight in a planet hopping affair like Milky Way Wishes or Crystal Shards along with the urgency/mission/story type game style of Revenge of Meta Knight.

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3DS

Game Profile

Hoshi no Kirby: Triple Deluxe Box Art

Genre
Developer HAL Laboratory
Players1 - 4

Worldwide Releases

na: Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Release May 02, 2014
PublisherNintendo
RatingEveryone
jpn: Hoshi no Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Release Jan 11, 2014
PublisherNintendo
RatingAll Ages
eu: Kirby :Triple Deluxe
Release May 16, 2014
PublisherNintendo
Rating7+

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