Kirby's Adventure Review

Summary:

This is where Kirby’s dreams really started.

Pros:

+ Makes great use of NES hardware

+ Solid mechanics and level design for a NES title

+ Hidden rooms add replay value

Cons:

- Sometimes levels are still a bit bland

- Very easy overall

- Some powers don't seem be much different aside from looks

Review:

[Originally written for TheHylia in February of 2007.]

Kirby’s Adventure is an NES that many didn’t get a chance to play. Why? Probably because it didn’t release until 1993—well into the SNES era. Kirby’s Adventure was one of the last licensed NES games, as a matter of fact. Many gamers who missed the boat back then will be able to find satisfaction with this charming title.

Kirby’s Adventure will seem familiar to anyone who has played Nightmare in Dreamland on the GBA, since that was a remake of this NES title. If you’ve played Kirby Super Star or even Kirby’s Dreamland 3, you know what to expect in this title. Of course, that’s because both of those titles built off of what this game started. The platforming roots and the sucking up objects are taken from the original Kirby’s Dreamland on the Gameboy; however, what is added in Kirby’s Adventure is the trademark revolution of copying enemy’s abilities. Despite that this is the first title where Kirby was able to do this, he can use a wealth of abilities—24 or so, in fact. Most are offensive skills, but a couple abilities serve puzzle-solving uses.

For example, you can use your flame breath to ignite fuses so you can launch yourself out a cannon. Hammer can break boxes, stone can press down wooden stakes…There’s a number of light puzzle elements thrown into the platforming action. It’s this element that sets it apart from most NES platforming games—and it’s these simple puzzles and the use of observation that will lead you to find all of the secret rooms in the game to get a 100% clear rate. The isn’t hard, but enjoyable all the same.

The platforming itself is very solid. The game engine purrs like a kitten with few hiccups to see, the controls are simple but acute, and Kirby's abilities are a joy to use. The game does ramp up in challenge later on, but only the less-experienced of gamers will truly have difficulty reaching the ending. Nevertheless, it feels smooth and plays as a quality, top-of-the line NES title should. Kirby's Adventure nails everything with flying colors.

Speaking of colors, yes: Kirby's very pink. This was the peak of the NES, and HAL Labs was able to squeeze everything they could from this machine, creating what is one of the best-looking NES games out there. The colors are cheery—they don’t try to mimic SNES colors, but utilize the NES color palette well. The sound also reflects the fact that this is a high-end NES game. You’ll recognize a lot of tunes if you’re a Kirby fan, since they were remixed in older games.

The game’s main flaw is that it isn’t as long or as large as one would hope—but when you take into account that this is an NES title, and only $5 on the VC, it’s a lot easier to forgive. This was Kirby’s identifying title, just as Super Mario Bros. set Mario’s place in the gaming universe, so did this title show us what Kirby was all about. For $5, you can own a classic that no Kirby fan (or NES enthusiast) should pass up.

Bottom Line:

Kirby’s Adventure was one of the highest-quality NES games to hit the system, and it’s clear when you put it side-by-side with most titles on the console that it takes full advantage of the hardware. It created Kirby’s defining personality of a pink fluff who copied powers. It’s a fun and simple game that can be enjoyed today for a few hours even if you never played it back in ’93 (like myself). For $5, it’s a worthy download, certainly one of the best available for the NES right now.