Kirby Mass Attack Review

Over the course of video game history, we've seen Kirby's round, pink figure float into our hearts. We remember fondly when he inhaled his first enemy and magically, donning a similar hat, adopt the same capabilities. The most recent title…

Over the course of video game history, we've seen Kirby's round, pink figure float into our hearts. We remember fondly when he inhaled his first enemy and magically, donning a similar hat, adopt the same capabilities. The most recent title for the Nintendo DS reveals a side of Kirby we never knew existed.

What Is It?

Kirby Mass Attack immediately reveals what to expect from our lovable hero. The story behind this chapter starts with Kirby napping in a field on the Popopo Islands, enjoying his visit to the southern area of Pop Star. The leader of the Skull Gang, Necrodeus, appears and zaps Kirby with his magic staff. This splits Kirby into ten smaller versions of himself, each with a tenth of Kirby's full power. In their weakened state, Necrodeus finishes off all the Kirbys, but one. All of a sudden, one of the classic stars appears above the lone Kirby, claiming itself to be the contents of Kirby’s heart. It whisks him away from danger and together, the adventure begins to defeat Necrodeus and return Kirby to his complete self again.

Why Should I Care?

There are already many Kirby titles released for both home console and portable alike, but Nintendo keeps gamers on their toes by developing this title for the DS. With its touch-screen capabilities, players will control Kirby in a way completely foreign to them. With a group of multiple heroes, one must use the stylus to direct, assign and protect the squad throughout the adventure.

To attack an enemy, simply poke them and the group feverishly advances. For airborne foes, flick single Kirbys into the air like torpedoes. Encounter a high ledge the team can't possibly reach? Simply hold down the stylus on the group and they'll gather into a contained mass that can be directed up to the top via floating for a short time. Like other touch-controlled games, Nintendo has effectively adapted the feature to match the needs of Kirby's game play style.

Like previous titles in the series, Kirby Mass Attack includes mini-games and checklists for the player to focus on outside the traditional "reaching the end of the level" goal. There are medals in each level to be found and perfect, "no damage" challenges to be met. With so many extra activities, this title promises multiple hours of fun and devotion.

Every aspect of Kirby’s personality is expressed in both the visuals and music of this title. Like many titles before it, the game is filled with bright colors and pastels. With the primary focus of the game being on touch-screen controls and effective use of multiple Kirbys, the graphics are more in line with those used in Game Boy Advance games. The music is composed by Shogo Sakai, who has also worked on previous Kirby titles as well as the music for the Super Smash Bros. franchise.

What Makes It Worth My Time And Money?

This title has a great deal of replay value with all the extras there are to discover and unlock. The levels of each area have multiple directions and hidden rooms, which will require dedication and return visits if the player seeks to find everything.

With its new mechanics, this title introduces a new take on how Kirby can be seen and played. It provides a level playing field between gamers old and new, which can allow Kirby to float into the hearts of new fans and remind us veterans why he is still in ours.