The Kirby series is one I haven’t had a lot of experience with. I remember playing a bit of The Crystal Shards on the N64 and Dream Land on the Game Boy, but that’s about it. It’s one series that people either love or have no interest in. This game is no exception, with many critics hating it and others loving it. So, what side am I on? Let’s find out in our Kirby Triple Deluxe review!
| Release Date | May 2, 2014 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Platforms | 3DS |
| Developer | HAL Laboratory |
| Price | $39.99 US |
| Players | 1-4 |
| ESRB Rating | Everyone |
Power-Ups
The premise of a Kirby game is that he can inhale enemies and assume their powers. In Kirby Triple Deluxe, Kirby has 26 different powers that he can utilize. Five of these powers are new to the series and include Circus, Sniper, Beetle, Hypernova, and Bell. The Hypernova power-up is the coolest new addition and can be obtained not from an enemy but by eating a Miracle Fruit. It’s an unstoppable power-up that allows Kirby to suck up whole bosses and significant portions of a level. It makes everything incredibly easy, but it doesn’t appear often enough to feel too overpowered.
Each of the 26 powers has a unique move-set. I can’t think of any other platformer with such a diverse character. Each power-up has strengths and weaknesses that might make one power more effective in a certain level than another. The good thing is that the power stays with you until you replace it, so you can take it to a level that may not have that power. If you can keep your power up, this brings a little strategy to each level. Getting hit by an enemy will make Kirby spit out the power-up, and you’ll have to inhale it again, or else you’ll lose it.
Gameplay
You won’t always have a power-up when playing. Sometimes, you’re just the pink blob himself. This isn’t any hindrance, as Kirby is just as strong as the power-ups. He can inhale most enemies and shoot them back out at others, has a slide maneuver, and a pound attack. The boss battles are where this matters most. With a power-up, you can attack the boss until he’s defeated. As a regular Kirby, you must wait until they shoot out a star you can inhale and shoot back at them. It adds a different dimension to the boss battle without making it impossible to beat at the same time.
Level Design
I liked the level design of Kirby Triple Deluxe. There are two different planes that Kirby can jump to at various times. Sometimes, you even have to figure out how to get to the background to get a collectible. Other times, you’ll have to jump to one to avoid an obstacle on another. It opens up a new way of platforming that is a bit of a change from traditional 2D platformers and makes excellent use of the 3D mode. It doesn’t hurt that the levels are vibrant and beautiful. The fact that there are dozens of keychains to collect throughout the story mode isn’t a bad thing, either.
Other Game Modes
As the title suggests, the Story Mode isn’t the only thing this game has to offer. Kirby Fighters Deluxe is also included, a Smash Bros game style. King Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe is the other game, and it’s a rhythm game. There’s even a different version of the game where you play as King Dedede himself. So, while the story mode only lasts around 6-10 hours (depending on if you’re trying to collect everything), there’s much more content on offer here.
Conclusion
There isn’t a lot more to say about Kirby Triple Deluxe. As I said at the start of the review, this is a love-it-or-hate-it type of game, and I love it. Some might think this game is too easy, but the difficulty ramps up near the end. Sometimes, it’s nice to have that relaxing game that doesn’t punish you every moment. There’s a lot of variety in the different power-ups you can obtain, and I found the game fun all the way through. I’d recommend this game to anyone who likes platformers, as this is one of the most enjoyable games in that genre on the 3DS.
