"I expected something better than the GBA versions..."

This game has the same ups and downs as the old ones, and I had hoped it wouldn't. It seems that kirby developers aren't entirely sure about looking over past mistakes. And while this game is good, it could have done much, much better.

Storyline - 5/10

Like always, storyline isn't stretched a lot in this game. Basically, Kirby is about to enjoy a piece of strawberry cheesecake, when an unknown force whisks it away. He has no idea who did it, so he assumes it was King Deedeedee, so he goes after him. Later, the Squeak Squad is introduced (in a poor way, in my opinion) and you continue on you quest to get your cake. Very choppy, with a few plot holes. It doesn't really go together too well, so it just barely manages to satisfy.

Gameplay - 8/10

The gameplay has the original standards as the previous games, but it cleverly uses the DS's dual screens and touch screen to make it better. You can go around, swallow enemies, and use their powers to help you progress in the game, and find hidden items. Not only that, but items in bubbles can be stored in your belly on the bottom screen, allowing you to mix them together, or simply save them for later. The greatest perk, though, is when you can mix certain abilities to create all new ones, like mixing the Sword ability and the Fire ability to create the Fire Sword ability, which is cooler then it sounds. This new game engine builds up on the original, and is a definite improvement.

Controls - 8/10

Controls are very decent for this game. They're very responsive, and are easy to understand. Also, whenever you get a new copy ability, you can see all the button configurations so you'll know how to do it. Some abilities, though, have controls that can, at certain points, be difficult to get the hang of. But aside from that, the controls are very well done.

Music/Sound - 7/10

Music for the game was good. A lot of it was from previous games, also, so if you played the other ones for the GBA, you'll recognize them. But a lot of the music is used a lot, so it makes some places all feel the same. The sound is in the same boat. The sounds of you taking damage, getting an ability, and the beeping noise when you run low on health are all also the same as the other games. But sounds with new abilities are also improved, and makes it better then before.

Characters - 7/10

The characters here are both old and new. First, of course, we have Kirby, who is the main star, using his trademark ability of copy abilities and cool hats. Some characters include Kirby's longtime enemy, King Deedeedee, from Nightmare in Dreamland, and MetaKnight, from The Amazing Mirror. But the Squeak Squad is definetly the greatest aspect. A team of mice, balanced with strength, speed, brains, henchmen, and the superpowerful leader. These guys are very cool, and very well designed. They seem like the type to deserve their own game, in my opinion. They play a key role, but more cutscenes with them would have been much more welcome. But the addition of the Squeak Squad isn't really enough to help stimulate the unbalancement of the other characters, since the role they play in the plot can be confusing at times, considering they show up for one event, but never show up again for the rest.

Replay Value - 5/10

The good thing about this category is that there is much to unlock. You'll want to look through each level carefully to get the wide variety of spray cans, puzzle pieces, vitality, and my favorite, new copy scrolls that improve your abilities. The downside, though, is that you can probably get all the items in a stage in your first run through it. They aren't hidden very well, and the only real challenge to getting some is when the Squeak Squad manages to take a chest into their hideout, where you have to fight off lots of little mice henchmen and another member of the Squad to get it back. But otherwise, there isn't much of a challenge in it.

Final Word

This game had much potential. But it seems that the developers changed the levels and characters, and made it compatible with the DS and it's touch screen, but forgot to iron out the flaws that held back the other Kirby Games for the other handhelds. Like Nightmare in Dreamland, you can breeze through the game quickly, and like in The Amazing Mirror, the storyline may look like it can use improving. This game is pretty good, especially if you're a hard-core Kirby fan, but maybe next time the games will be better, because this one certainly could have been.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 12/08/06, Updated 12/11/06