Won't You Touch My Pink Ball?

Publisher: Nintendo Developer: HAL Laboratory Genre: Action Release: June 20, 2000 Buy Now 

Could we please have the envelope for most underrated game of 2000? Thank you. *opens envelope* The winner is Nintendo's Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. I'll admit I was very excite about this game due to its simply action oriented nature. I couldn't wait to see the colorful worlds that Kenichirou Kita, lead artist, created for this title. I was understandably relieved when the game turned out to be the surrealistic adventure I had come to expect from Nintendo. Although this game was intended for a younger audience it was still quite challenging to find all of the missing crystal pieces and proved a fruitful quest. That didn't stop me and my friends from finding drinking games to accompany Kirby's multiplayer mode! Drinking aside this game has AMAZING music and enchanting scenery complete with a very original battle system. Sit the hell down, grab some milk and listen closely little boy for I am about to tell you of a great game. One that must be played through to the end to truly respect.

Graphics

If you're familiar with Super Smash Bros. then you know what to expect here. Richly colored characters and backgrounds make for a very elaborate trip through Kirby's world. The game moves through a fully 3D world on a 2D plain. This means you move left and right in what appears to be a  vast inhabited world. At first this sounds ridiculous but it is the best way to play Kirby. The camera will adjust to map the movement of Kirby as he rotates through winding levels giving the game a pseudo 3D feel. The framerate never slows and is always very fluid a la Smash Bros. No complaints here I just wished we got more games like this from Nintendo. (Metroid?)

Sound

Typical cutesy sound effects are attached to this game to entertain the eleven year olds. Kirby spits out little phrases of gibberish that make me want to say, "Aw." What is cool is the music. Although not every track is up to par with the rest I give you my word that these are some really nostalgic tunes. Some tracks even sound like they're right out of a Final Fantasy game. Others are very melodic while others are fast and complex. Too bad Nintendo doesn't put out huge soundtracks of their games here.

Gameplay

Like most Nintendo games this is where Kirby 64 truly shines. This hands down is the most innovative battle system that I've ever played with. Kirby can suck up a certain enemy and gain his ability such as a fireball attack. What gets really intense is when you combine that fireball attack with another enemy with say the cutter ability, which gives Kirby a giant flaming sword. This is only an example as the game has several combinations that you will spend most of your time with experimenting and toying. The game consist of many worlds that are split up into four levels each. Three main platform levels and one boss battle make for one world. Formulaic but enjoyable. I urge all who passed this game up because of its "E" rating to give it a try. Let yourself go and enter the world of Kirby.

Longevity

Drinking games. Whoever gets 1st or 4th place has to chug a beer or take a shot. 2nd and 3rd place take a break. It's that simply. How is this accomplished you ask? Multiplayer mini-games my friend. Kirby has three addictively simple party games in the vein of Mario Party. There could have been more but I'll take what I get. It would've been cool if they included the air board surfing game as an extra. Kirby 64 was originally planned to be a air board racing game but got scrapped and redesigned. There is always next time right? Well I'm not complaining because simply put Kirby 64 is a great game that ends too soon. Great content but not enough. All I have to say is play again and you'll appreciate it all the more.

Overall: 85%

-Clay Withrow