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Mario is the leader of the Free Video Game World. He is the most commercially successful video game character of all time, and leads the best selling video game franchise of all time (including several different subseries set within the same universe, all equally best selling). And he has just been shown up a pink puff ball named Kirby.
In celebration for Kirby's 20th anniversary, Nintendo has published "Kirby's Dream Collection", an anthology of six Kirby games, including exclusive new content. At this point you are either a Kirby fan or not. If you don't like Kirby nothing here will change your mind. But for those Kirby fans this is a Godsend. Kirby was originally a stand in until the developers could come up with a more sophisticated character design when they made the first "Dream Land" game, but they got so attached to the little puff they decided to keep him. And that's Kirby's appeal for even the "mature" games. There is something irascibly attractive about the character.
In every way, shape, and form, "Kirby's Dream Collection" trumps the rather insipid "Super Mario 25th Anniversary Edition" Nintendo released in 2010 for the Wii. The "Super Mario" collection was simply the SNES ROM of "Super Mario All-Stars" thrown onto a Wii disk with no updates whatsoever. They didn't even update the SNES controllers represented graphically in the game itself and there's so much wasted storage space on that disk it should be criminal. I love "All-Stars" and bought the game, but as far as an Anniversary celebrating the biggest name in Video Gaming (and Nintendo's single most valuable character), the results were underwhelming to say the least. It's even better than the "Mega Man Collection" from 2004, released on the Gamecube, Playstation 2, and original XBOX. Unfortunately Nintendo did not issue a disk like this in celebration of "The Legend of Zelda" either. If they can put Gameboy titles on a Wii disk, then they can release the Oracle games! "Skyward Sword" did reference the twenty-fifth anniversary as did "Super Mario 3D Land" in level 5-3. Apparently Iwata and Miyamoto did not want to release a "Zelda" compilation because Mario had just gotten one, for whatever sense that makes.
NEW CONTENT: There are new challenge stages (13 in total), based on the Wii "Kirby's Return to Dreamland". These Challenge stages are just that: challenging and also quite fun. The Museum section details the various games released staring Kirby. There are also three episodes from the Kirby anime "Kirby: Right Back At Ya!" ("Waddle While you Work, Kirby Comes to Cappy Town, " and "Crusade for the Blade"). There is also a 48 page book included covering Kirby's history and is also an activity book. Note that one of the answers (Cupid Kirby) on the quiz on Page 28 in incorrect. Also some of the art work has been updated.
CONTROLS: You can play the anthology with the Wii Remote, a Gamecube Controller (with those who have the older model Wiis that support Gamecube Functionality) and the Wii Classic Controller. My recommendation is to use the Classic Controller for the SNES and 64 titles.
SOUNDTRACK: There are forty five tracks from 16 different Kirby games. Much, much better than the palty 28 minute CD included in the "Super Mario" Anniversary collection, which consisted of a handful of songs and a good deal of actual sound effects from the series.
As other reviewers have noted all games use save state technology, so if you decided to stop a game for whatever reason, you can return to it at the same spot later on. This is great news for the games that originally had no save functions.
The only real noticeable flaw is that of omission of one key title that should have been included. Notably, the collection is missing "Kirby and the Amazing Mirror", a Gameboy Advanced title currently available only to 3DS Ambassadors who bought their 3DS before the price cut. This is one of the best Kirby titles and quite extensive, being a "Metroidvania" type game. It's a real shame that they didn't include that game, as it's probably my favorite of the Kirby series. Although there are several spin-off games not included, "Kirby and the Amazing Mirror" is the most puzzling omission from the Collection, as it's easily one of Kirby's strongest games and is no longer available commercially. I'm actually docking the collection a star due to not including this game, it's that good!
At this point, I will go over the individual games, as well as the spin-off games that weren't included, and then end the review with the official tracklisting for the Soundtrack that's also included with the game and the 13 challenge levels. There's a lot of info there and the review is rather long, so if you want to skip those sections I understand. For Kirby fans they will already know the games. For new comers you may find the blurbs educational and helpful on informing your decision to purchase this or not.
Bottom line: Buy this for the Kirby fan in your life! And if you never played a Kirby game, pick this up and see what you've been missing all these years! For those looking for a great compilation this is the one to get! And it shows hope: maybe Nintendo is on the path and will figure out this Anniversary collection after all, given how badly they botched Mario's anniversary. With only one glaring omission (not including the Gameboy Advance "Kirby and the Amazing Mirror", arguably one of his best games), this collection does everything right that Mario got wrong.
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THE GAMES: Like any good anthology, the stars of the overall package are the games themselves, and here they are:
"Kirby's Dreamland": Kirby's debut, and probably the only Gameboy title ever available to play on the WIi itself. Rather basic compared to subsequent installments, "Kirby's Dreamland" is a rather charming platformer from the early 1990s. Although many of the series' conventions get their start right here, Kirby's famous copy ability doesn't show up until the next game. Originally there was no save in this title.
"Kirby's Adventure": released in May of 1993 (the penultimate year of the NES's lifespan), this platforming game is Kirby's only NES release and also the first appearance of the popular Metal Knight and Kirby's copy ability. The game features seven different worlds and several boss fights. Kirby must collect the seven fragments of the Star Rod to return order to the Fountain of Dreams so others may dream again. Graphically, this is one of the best NES titles, featuring quasi 3D backgrounds and parallax scrolling. The game was 6 megabytes, one of the largest NES titles ever released in terms of memory. As a late generation NES title, like "Little Samson", "Duck Tales 2" and "Little Nemo: Dream Master" this is one of the key titles from this era of the NES's lifespan. Unfortunately (myself included), many gamers missed this title when it was first released, having moved onto the SNES and Sega Genesis. The game has also been released back in 2007 on the Wii's Virtual Console. The game does have a save feature.
"Kirby's Dreamland 2": Kirby's second Gameboy appearance, this game builds on the previous two titles, as well as including three new playable animal characters (think of the four playable characters from the NES "Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse". Kirby can jump, swim, fly, and inhale his enemies for to shoot as projectiles or to eat and heal himself. The three new characters are Kine the Ocean Sunfish who carries Kirby on the swimming levels even against harsh currents (but isn't good, naturally, onland), Rick the Hampster who Kirby rides and who doesn't slip on the ice, Coo the Owl who navigates harsh winds and allows Kirby to inhale on the flying stages. The Super Gameboy version includes limited color and each stage has a specific color theme. The version on the disk is the regular Gameboy title.
"Kirby's Super Star": released in 1996, this was one of the last SNES titles released and also has had a DS remake called "Kirby's Super Star Ultra". The game comprises eight smaller games. "Spring Breeze" is a simplified remake of the original Gameboy "Dream Land". "Dyna Balde" is a four level platforming game where Kirby must battle a giant bird that is disrupting Dreamland's crops. "Gourmet Race" is a simple racing game (and probably the least substantial mini-game here). Kirby must collect treasures in a cave in the "The Great Cake Offensive" . Some of the treasures are winking nods to other Nintendo IPs, such as Captain Falcon's Helment, Mr. Saturn, the Screw Attack from Metroid, and the Triforce which is of course Zelda religious artifact pivotal to that series. Kirby must battle the Meta Knight's battleship in "Revenge of the Meta Knight" . "Milky Way Wishs" is the largest game in "Kirby Super Star", where Kirby must travel through nine different planets to battle evil. "The Arena" is an endurance challenge where Kirby must fight all the bosses from the various other games (a total of 26 boss battles spread across 19 stages).
"Kirby's Dreamland 3" is the second SNES title and third "Dream Land" tile, released within a year of "Super Star". Abandoning many of the game play conventions of "Super Star", "Dream Land 3" is based heavily on the first two "Dream Land" titles; as a result, critics were harsh on the game for not utilizing the conventions established in "Super Star". For those who like the original Gameboy titles and NES title you'll love this, though playing this after playing "Super Star" does make you feel that the series was regressing backwards. This was the last first party game released for the SNES.
"Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards": in the era of 3D obsession, "The Crystal Shards" along with "Yoshi's Story" is one of the very few 2D platformers (in this case, 2.5D) available for purchase on the N64. The game is rather short but fun while it lasts. This one is available for purchase on the Wii's Virtual Console and featuers three minigames in addition to the mian quest. These support up to four players with difficulty settings of "Easy, Medium, Hard, Intense".
THE SPIN-OFF GAMES NOT INCLUDED
There are seven games that are spin-offs and subgames of the Kirby series and not part of the lineage of the main series, and none of them are included. These are the following:
"Kirby's Pinball Land" which appears on Gameboy and the second title Kirby appears in, as it was released even before the NES game). Available on the 3DS Virtual Console.
"Kirby's Avalanche": an SNES puzzle game and a localization of the Japan exclusive "Super Puyo Puyo". The game was never released in Japan. The game uses sprites from the Sonic game "Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine". Available on the Wii Virtual Console.
"Kirby's Toybox": eight minigames broadcast over the Satellaview back in 1996. These games are not commercially available in any form whatsoever since the discontinuation of the Satellaview
"Kirby's Dream Course": An SNES golf game played form an isometric point of view, available on the Wii's Virtual Console.
"Kirby's Block Ball": a Breakout type puzzle game for the Gameboy, available on the 3DS Virtual Console.
"Kirby's Star Stacker": a Gameboy Puzzle game similar to "Dr. Mario" and "Tetris", released in 1997 and available on the 3DS Virtual Console. The game was remade as a Super Famicom exclusive called "Kirby no Kirakira Kizzu". This SNES version was never released outside of Japan, and is available on the Wii Virtual Console in Japan.
"Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble": a Gameboy Colour title, this one is built around motion controls and tilting and tumbling the Gameboy itself to control what is happening on the screen. Humourously enough, if you play this game on the Gameboy Player for the Gamecube, the only way to control what is happening on the screen is moving the Gamecube itself.
A List of the Challenge levels:
Happiness Hall:
Sword Challenge
Parasol Challenge
Spark Challenge
Magolor Race Level 1
Apricot Atrium:
Whip Challenge
Fighter Combat Chamber
Wing Challenge
Magolor Race Level 2
Last Land:
Smash Combat Chamber
Normal Challenge
Magolor Race Level 3
Smash Combat Chamber EX
Magolor Race EX
SOUNDTRACK:
Kirby's Dream Land
1. Welcome To Dream Land
2. Green Greens
Kirby's Adventure
3. Vegetable Valley
4. Grape Garden
Kirby's Dream Course
5. Iceberg Ocean
Kirby's Dream Land 2
6. Coo's Theme
7. Real Dark Matter
Kirby Super Star
8. Get Up and Go-urmet!
9. Havoc Aboard the Halberd
10. Meddlesome Marx
Kirby's Dream Land 3
11. Ripple Field: Ocean Waves
12. The Last Iceberg
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
13. Planet Popstar
14. Studying the Factory
15. 0² Battle
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
16. Rainbow Resort
17. Tower of Midbosses
Kirby Air Ride
18. Fantasy Meadows
19. Fountain of Dreams
20. City
Kirby & the Amazing Mirror
21. Forest/Nature Area
22. Boss Battle Theme
Kirby: Canvas Curse
23. Tiny Town
24. Canvas Canyon
25. Drawcia the Sorceress
Kirby: Squeak Squad
26. Prism Plains
27. Vocal Volcano
28. Squeak Squad Appears!
Kirby Super Star Ultra
29. The Masked King
30. Helper's Rest
31. The Greatest Warrior in the Galaxy
Kirby's Epic Yarn
32. Fountain Gardens
33. Greens Greens: Epic Yarn
34. Butter Building
Kirby Mass Attack
35. Meadow Breeze
36. Kirby Conflict
37. Piggy Enemy
38. Down To One
Kirby's Return to Dream Land
39. Cookie Country
40. Bring on the Super Ability
41. C-R-O-W-N-E-D
42. Returning to Dream Land
Bonus Tracks:
43. Electro Kirby
44. Gourmet Race to Green Greens: Chamber Music
45. Dream a New Dream for Tomorrow
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If you're like me at all, you picked up (and were disappointed by) the Mario 25th Anniversary edition--which was essentially a ROM of Super Mario All-Stars on a Wii disc. Nothing special. Nothing extra. Just a disc with a previously-released game, a CD soundtrack and an art book. many long-time Mario fans felt betrayed by how bare-bones the Mario collection was.Now this year marks 20 years since Kirby's Dream Land made its rounds across the globe on the Game Boy. Nintendo has decided to put out another anniversary collection, only this time they focused on the adorable little cream puff named Kirby. Did Nintendo learn anything from the Mario mess-up?
The answer is a resounding, triumphant YES! Upon loading the disc, we're given a very cute intro sequence, followed by a menu with three options: Bonus Challenges, Classic Games, and Kirby's History. That right there already makes the bundle worth it, because at this point we realize Nintendo isn't messing around with this collection.
The Bonus Challenges section is comprised of revised and revisited bonus stages from the last Kirby Wii title, Return to Dream Land. Here, the goal is to use Kirby's different copy abilities to complete stages with as many points as possible, earning a medal at the end depending on how well you played.
In Kirby's History, which is my favorite section of the entire disc, is extremely neat. A complete timeline from 1991 to 2012 is shown. Each year, we see trivia bits about world events (everything from Olympic events to Harry Potter is covered) and if it applies, we also take a look at Kirby's wide variety of games on different platforms. For each game, you can check out each game's box art (with full 360-degree viewing options) and a video of the game being played, even if it's not on the disc.
Another thing worth noting here, is their inclusion of three episodes of the Kirby anime, known here in the U.S. as "Kirby: Right Back At Ya!" Whether you enjoy/enjoyed the cartoon or not, these inclusions are an awesome way to show off more of Kirby's graceful history.
And speaking of games that are on disc, let's take a look at the Classic games section. Obviously, this is the section that makes up the core of this disc--six excellent Kirby titles, preserved in their original quality, and all playable with just a Wii Remote! Even the SNES and N64 titles play just fine without the Classic or GameCube controllers, though the options are there if you'd like to use those instead.
The game selection is either extremely awesome or disappointing, depending on how you look at it. For example, I already own all six of these titles, either in cartridge or Virtual Console form. While I originally thought this would be a waste of money as a result, the games are surprisingly more fun to play via this collection. The games included (with my score out of five next to each one) are:
Kirby's Dream Land (4/5)
Kirby's Adventure (5/5)
Kirby's Dream Land 2 (4/5)
Kirby Super Star (5/5)
Kirby's Dream Land 3 (2.5/5)
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (4/5)
If you average that out, the game selection in general is a good four out of five stars. However, the only game out of this collection I didn't like was Dream Land 3. While a very competent platformer in a lot of respects, it's a disappointing game in general. Maybe I'm being grouchy and need to play it some more on the Wii remote. Might make it easier at least. I personally wish they threw another one on here like Kirby's Dream Course, but I forgive them because this collection's excellent!
Anyways... if you're expecting anything more than a fun-filled collection of amazing Nintendo games, that's your own fault. Even with one sub-average game in the mix, Kirby's Dream Collection is a collection worth owning. Kudos to Nintendo for finally getting their collections right.
P.S. The soundtrack and art book are both awesome too!
Best Deals for Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition
This is a great, very fun collection of games. I suggest it the most to longtime Kirby or Nintendo fans. Other people might enjoy it too, but it is clearly designed for longtime fans. It even has a soudtrack CD with the best music out of Kirby's history. If you like Kirby, don't hesitate on buying it.Honest reviews on Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition
Unlike Super Mario All-Stars for Wii, which was just a copy of the Super Nintendo game on a Wii disc with a bonus CD and booklet thrown in, Nintendo has gone all-out for this Kirby classic compilation. The CD itself blows away the All-Stars CD, with over 40 great Kirby tunes from various Kirby games, and not just simple sound effects added on to a few tunes. There is also an art and information booklet, in addition to the game manual.But the real star, as it should be, is the game disc itself. While some may question putting two black and white gameboy games on the disc (although Kirby's Dreamland for the Game Boy was Kirby's first appearance), they're still great games, and there are four additional console games: NES Kirby's Adventure, SNES's Kirby Super Star and Kirby's Dreamland 3, and the N64 Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards. The reason you have to exit out of the game to start another one is because it uses the Virtual Console's capability of creating suspend points so you can continue where you left off. This is most noticable with Kirby 64, where you get the N64 logo for a few seconds when unsuspending your game.
The coolest addition is the interactive history museum, where you can get information on all of the Kirby games throughout the years, including fully rendered 3D box art and demo video of all of the Kirby games. Also, in the 2002 section, there are 3 episodes of the Kirby: Right Back at Ya! cartoon. I found these strangely enjoyable, although I'm not fond of King Dedede sounding like a cross between Foghorn Leghorn and an Army Drill Sargeant. And apparently Meta Knight is a good guy.
The bonus Return To Dreamland Challenge Stages are the icing on the cake, and give you a good perspective of how far game graphics have come (yes, even without HD.) You have the option of playing with just the Wii Remote, the Gamecube/ Wavebird Controller, or the Classic/ Pro controller. I'm glad more games late in the Wii's life are allowing these options, because games like Donkey Kong Country Returns and Metroid: Other M really could have used the extra buttons. I know most of you hated Other M so I won't even get into that (I personally liked it, however.)
One final note: if you put the CD (which, unfortunately, like any CD or DVD, cannot be played on the Wii) in your computer, all of the song titles but 3 of them are in Japanese, so it appears NOA left the CD untouched from the original Japanese version. (Edit: All of the song titles are listed on the last two pages of anniversary booklet, along with what game they are from!) That's a moot point, though, as this is a great addition to add to your other compilations of Super Mario All-Stars, Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition, and Metroid Prime Trilogy.
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