Next month Kirby returns to the DS in a remake of the Super Nintendo game, Kirby Super Star. The Ultra version adds wireless multiplayer and co-op play and adapts some of the controls for the touch screen. On offer are six short platform adventures and three multiplayer-focused mini-games. We've played through the first platformer, Spring Breeze, and the mini-games.
"Breeze" is right -- we beat this one in about ten minutes. Of course, it's meant to ease the player into Kirby Super Star. There are four short stages, each lasting a couple minutes: Green Greens, Float Islands, Bubbly Clouds, and Mt. Dedede. Action unfolds on the top screen while the bottom displays your energy level, remaining lives, and the current stage. Double jumping allows Kirby to float, and the L and R buttons block attacks. Our hero can go underwater, and when he does he snorkels with a face mask and breathing tube. Little details like these give Kirby Super Star Ultra a lot of character.
As always, Kirby can suck in enemies and learn their abilities. There is a huge variety of different attacks he can learn. Some of them are pretty interesting, like a microphone that Kirby actually grunts death metal growls into, killing all enemies on screen.
Enemies can also be enlisted as helpers. After you've swallowed a bad guy, pressing the X button will eject it and it will follow you around, attacking anything in its way. Helpers have their own health bar that can be replenished by finding fruit. With a helper in tow, Kirby can still swallow more enemies. This allows players to, effectively, possess two abilities. At any time, Kirby's power can be transferred to his helper.
Co-op play is available for a friend to control your helper. We haven't gotten a chance to try it out, though, so it isn't clear what your buddy is supposed to do when you don't have help.
Levels include hidden paths waiting to be discovered. Sometimes you'll have to gain a particular ability in order to access the area. For instance, the fire ability will light a fuse to a cannon that might launch you to a new location.
The final battle in Spring Breeze against King Dedede takes place in a boxing/wrestling ring. After defeating him, you'll unlock three more platform games: Dyna Blade, The Great Cave Offensive, and Gourmet Race. Hopefully they will all be longer and include more aggressive enemies. The final two games, Revenge of Metaknight and Milky Way Wishes, are unlocked later. Cut scenes with CG animation bookend each self-contained game.
The three sub-games are Kirby Card Swipe, Kirby on the Draw, and Snack Tracks. The game describes them as "simple but deep," but they're pretty heavy on the simple side. They're all multiplayer-centric, although they can be played (in an unsatisfying manner) against the computer. In Card Swipe several cards are displayed on the bottom screen. A matching card is flipped over on top, and the first player to tap the right card wins. On the Draw is a tapping gallery where targets pop up on the touch screen. Snack Tracks puts each player at the end of a conveyer belt feeding them snacks, but you have to watch out for bombs and bugs. Tapping them will send the bombs over to an opponent's belt. All three are very shallow and seem intended for younger players.
Look for our full review of Kirby Super Star Ultra next month.
