"Kirby Re-Done on DS (The Right Way!)"

Introduction:
If you're like me, you've been an avid Kirby fan for well over a decade it seems. You think that nothing can live up to the glory that was Kirby Super Star for the SNES, and you play through each game just hoping that one will be nearly as good. If you liked Kirby Super Star, you will love this game.

If you're new to the genre of Kirby, this is a good place to start. The abilities are quite similar to previous games, so you won't feel like you've missed out on a lot, but I recommend playing the other games as well as this one.

Plot - (10/10) For a Kirby Game
The plot to Kirby Squeak Squad is fairly simple. Kirby is hanging out in peaceful dreamland and is ready for a delicious snack. He gets ready to take a bite into his delicious Strawberry Shortcake, but alas.... It's vanished.... Kirby's scrumptious treat is gone.... Who else to turn to but King DeeDeeDee... Kirby must adventure through Dream Land, find King DeeDeeDee and be reunited with his delicious snack!

After retrieving a secret chest from DeeDeeDee, the Squeak Squad (Kirby's new enemies) come by and snatch it. Kirby must fight through the Squeak Squad Gang in order to find the correct treasure chest in which his Shortcake is hiding.

Graphics - (10/10)
The DS Graphics don't disappoint, from different Kirby colors, to different touch-screen palettes, the graphics are wonderful, even though we all know you do not play a Kirby game for the graphics. It's not quite the art that was in Canvas Curse, but it is a visual beauty.

Sound: - (10/10)
The sound effects are classic Kirby style, which was a great relief to me. The music is upbeat (kinda childish, but when is Kirby ever not? Lord knows we don't need emo Kirby). You may recognize some of the music from previous games.

Controls: - (9/10)
If you've played a Kirby game, you know the controls. A jump, B eat. Simple.
Most of the moves are generally easy to control. The stylus implementation is quick and self-explanatory. Drag bubble items into eachother to make new items.

Game Play - (10/10)
You're Kirby, you walk up to a monster, you eat it, take its powers, and make it regret threatening you. Classic Kirby style. Although you will notice that some abilities are better than the rest (Sword, Ninja, and Fighter). The stylus makes itself known in this game. You can mix and match abilities and foods to create new ones. It's not the mixing that took place in Kirby 64, but it's more of, if you have 2 bad abilities, you can make one new good one. Same with food, 2 cherries can turn into a Max Tomato.

Each level has 0-3 Treasure Chests in it (Noted on the map) your goal is to go through each level and collect these treasure chests. There are 120 in all, and they unlock various options that will make your gameplay experience more enjoyable. On most levels, one of the treasure chests is guarded by a Squeak Squad member, who you must race to the chest, then defeat.

Multi-Player - (9/10)
A co-op mode, or a race against a friend to complete levels would have been ideal, but included in the game are 3 mini-games.

Speedy Teatime- Speedy Teatime puts you against the fat squeak squad guy and you have to race him to eat cake, you grab the cakes by touching them quicker than him on the touch screen

Smash Ride- You pilot Kirby on a star, you go around and crash into people, knocking them off and what not, It's basically bumper stars against the animal Squeak

Treasure Shot- You use the stylus to throw things at treasure chests to get the beneficial items you see on the top screen, Your goal is to beat the brainy Squeak

Replay Value - (9/10)
The game was short, but most Kirby games are, so it wouldn't be fair to rate it poorly because of that. There are options you can unlock after beating the game that will make you want to replay through each level. Getting 100% of the treasure chests and completing the collection room are fun. If the first play-through bored you though, there's not much for you.

Overall (9/10)
This game is so close to a perfect 10, there were just a couple of things that made it sour. The game overall is amazing, and if you're an avid Kirby fan you will love it.

Rend or Buy?
This Kirby game is a must have, definitely buy it for your collection

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/08/06