Kirby Mass Attack Review for Nintendo DS (DS)

System: DS
Dev: HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Pub: Nintendo
Release: September 19, 2011
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: N/A	Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence

As you'd expect, the visuals in Kirby Mass Attack have a cutesy appeal, which hasn't changed much from past Kirby games. Kirby's still the same shade of pink, and the bold color palette of each world reflects its environment, from the lush green forests to the tropical blue seas and the orange and red shades of a rocky volcanic world. What it doesn't do though, is offer much variation. Each stage of Green Grounds has the same sylvan background, as do the islands of Dedede Resort, which after the fifth stage or so, just look redundant. It's not that the game looks rough or underdone, but when put beside the exemplary displays of Kirby: Canvas Curse and Kirby's Epic Yarn, it simply fails to impress.

Kirby Mass Attack Screenshot

The sounds and music are also what you'd expect, but this certainly isn't a bad thing, as the different Kirby sound effects and whimsical tunes have all carried well through the history of the series. There is disappointing omission of a couple classic compositions which usually show up in Kirby's games, but the new melodies will be quick to hold your ear, enough so that when you unlock the Music Player, you may find yourself using it more often than you'd expect.

It's hard to call Kirby a child's game, even though its aesthetic is obviously geared toward that demographic. The gameplay and charm has delighted many generations of gamers, and the series has become one that most gamers will never outgrow. Kirby Mass Attack may cause you some grief if you're aching for a perfect score of gold medals, but the span of the campaign far exceeds most platformers, and the few sparkling minigames are almost worth the purchase by themselves.

By Sean Engemann
CCC Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.4

Graphics
The visuals are good, but in a series that highlights bold colors and a lasting appeal, it falls short of its expectations.

3.0

Control
The simple controls do fine for completing each board, but mastering them requires a whole new level of patience.

4.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Aside from a few missing classic tunes, the score is memorable, and Kirby's high-pitched vocals are as endearing as ever.

4.3

Play Value
You may not be compelled to complete everything, but the lengthy campaign and solid collection of minigames will surely suck up many hours of your life.

3.8

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Use the stylus on the touchscreen to control a swarm of up to 10 Kirby characters at once. They can help you defeat enemies and find treasure. The number of Kirby characters under your control is important, as some challenges require a specific number of Kirby characters in order to be solved. When the number of Kirby characters is increased, you can gain the upper hand.

You can control each Kirby character in a variety of ways using a stylus on the touch screen. For example, a Kirby character can be launched into the air with a flick of the stylus, or you can make a swarm of Kirby characters dash to a given point by tapping on that spot on the touchscreen multiple times.

By collecting medals hidden throughout the various stages, you can unlock a wide variety of additional minigames, each with its own distinct challenges.