Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

"The pink puff ball is better than ever!"

For a Game Boy Advance game, you don't expect very long games, but still some qualities that save the essence of a classic series. This game knows how to do exactly that, and proves that size doesn't matter with the colorful and astonishing gameplay piled in. Difficulty is just as well, but you don't need any experience from any other Kirby games to get started.

Features
9/10
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From a large quality, but an all around shorter gaming series, this title is just big enough to fit in a GBA game pak. There are great fun and entertaining extra mini games that can keep you happy with adding time to master. Along with multiplayer, there are many combinations of fun to have with other people. One player mode is a great meal for gamers that love hidden chapters in a level or devastating enemies with retrievable powers. There are many things to choose as a favorite, but nothing I can spoil.

Graphics and Sound
10/10
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A major step up from the other previous Game Boy versions, this one has a resolution of watching a cartoon's animation. Very detailed bits of background and those memorable shouts and power sounds are there like you predicted. You should be able to clearly see where you're going and any trap that's avoidable, not to mention that the camera follows Kirby's every action.

Gameplay
8/10
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Even with every other influence from other games that include cherishing powers and abilities, this game still hasn't perfected laying out the just-right match for each favorite. You will soon notice that every power has at least one major flaw and you could lose it just with one hit from any nearby enemy. As for acquiring them, some enemies are just plain cheap and are nearly impossible to steal a power from without getting barraged by one of his buddies helping him. Puffing up air is agreeably quick and helpful in tight situations, but maybe larger areas should be placed to max out the feel of actually floating in the air. Fights with bosses are easy to learn to win and just as fun as fighting tougher, smaller enemies. The Sub Games have basically nothing to do with the One Player mode and have almost no way to gain experience at. Either you're good at them or you're not. Period.

Overall
9/10
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Out of all smaller versions of Kirby, this one is my pick for best because of it's likeable ease to have fun while passing difficult levels. As far as group play goes, I don't think there are enough Kirby fans to resurrect the link cable phenomenon. A great game for anybody that enjoys having POWER!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/12/03, Updated 01/12/03