BACK TO THE BASICS – NOT KIRBY ’S RETURN TO THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT! DREAM LAND By Sean Cooper

etro is hip these days at crash-lands, breaking apart into several als and abilities. Kirby still possesses his Nintendo. After the success of pieces across Dream World. The alien uncanny ability to inhale enemies at a R Donkey Kong Country Returns introduces himself as Magolar. Kirby, whim and borrow their powers. Kirby has and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, being the friendly guy that he is, offers to 20 copy abilities at his disposal and all Nintendo has gone to the well once help the intergalactic traveler retrieve the the classics like fire breathing and sword again, as everyone’s favorite pink puffball missing pieces of his ship, the Lor wielding are available for your amuse - (sorry, Jigglypuff) returns to his roots in Starcutter, so Magolar can return home. ment. the first side-scrolling Kirby adventure on Easier said than done – the pieces are the home console in a decade. Kirby’s hidden throughout the game’s many lev - last adventure was a lot of fun – Kirby’s els. It will take teamwork with Kirby and Super abilities Epic Yarn tried something new without his friends to help send the extraterrestri - equal super fun straying too much from the traditional al home safely. gameplay we’ve come to love. Does For the first time ever, Kirby can gain Dream Land live up to its predecessor or Classic Kirby action super abilities by inhaling special glowing is it just another forgettable rehash? enemies. As the name suggests, super abilities deal substantial damage, taking Although Kirby’s last adventure was a out every enemy in sight. Kirby has five Kirby to the hoot, longtime Kirby fans will be glad to super abilities at his disposal – the Ultra see the pudgy pink balloon going back to Sword (a giant sword that takes up near - rescue! his origins. Dream Land is the classic 2D ly the entire screen) and the Snow Bowl side-scrolling Kirby adventure we’ve been One day Kirby is having a midafter - to name a couple. Super abilities are waiting for years. Similar to the new noon snack when an alien ship mysteri - especially satisfying to unleash, especial - Donkey Kong and Mario games, classic ously appears in the sky. Before Kirby ly in boss battles; they are incorporated gameplay has been mixed with new visu - and his friends can do anything, the ship seamlessly into the gameplay. However,

10 PLATFORM: PRICE: ESRB RATING Wii $49.99 E PUBLISHER: AGE: RATING Nintendo 10 + ####

They say the pen is mightier than Whispy Woods is no match the sword – this proves that there’s for Kirby and his friends! an exception to every rule!

super abilities can get tiresome. They three of your friends can play together in a fun new challenge and it’s a lot better remind me of the Mega Mushroom co-op mode. Co-op mode is similar to the than going on fetch missions to collect power-up in New Super Mario Bros. for drop-in co-op mode found in New Super hidden coins (no offense, Mario). If you the Nintendo DS. Sure, they’re cool at Mario Bros. Wii. It’s a blast playing along - don’t feel like going through the levels first, but they appear so infrequently that side your friends, although it can get a bit again, you can play arena mode where they’re just a minor part of the gameplay. hectic at times. We do have a minor you’ll battle the toughest Kirby bosses. The Nintendo Wii may not be the most quibble with the co-op mode: your friends This is similar to a gauntlet match – you’ll powerful home console, but developers seem to have an unlimited number of battle enemies until Kirby runs out of HAL Laboratory makes good use of the lives, while if you run out of lives, it’s health. It’s a nice challenge and offers a system’s capabilities. Dream Land has game over. This encourages Player One break from the main gameplay. the cutesy, colorful graphics you’d to hang back in tougher levels and boss expect, along with the happy, cheerful battles, while your friends do all the grunt Kirby music we’ve come to know and work. This isn’t a big deal though since Travel to Dream love. Levels are ingenuously designed. Kirby games have never been too diffi - Land today! You’ll want to replay levels carefully as cult, but it’s a minor flaw in a nearly per - there are plenty of hidden areas to fect game. Whether you’re a Kirby fanatic or this unlock. is your first Kirby game, Dream Land is a Dream Land offers Kirby veterans great game. It offers fun gameplay for Enjoy Kirby with up additional replay value. Once you beat players of all ages, while giving Kirby vet - the game on the first go around you’ll erans a run for their money. Pick up to three friends unlock a special super hard mode. In Dream Land today and join your friends super hard mode you’ll replay the same in the fun-filled balloon action! Kirby has always been a single player levels, but Kirby will have less health, adventure – until now. You and up to while your foes will be more powerful. It’s

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