Kirby's Star Stacker Game by NIntendo/Hal Labs Reviewed by The Avardancer Size: 4 megabits Save: Battery, 1 slot Released: 1997 Works with: Any version of Game Boy, Super Game Boy enchanced. **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: I found this game for $9.99 at a local Wal-Mart and being the complete "perfectionist" freak that I am... I had to get it. Why? Because it was the only Kirby game I didn't have. (Yeah, that's pretty bad... isn't it.) Anyways, I sat down with this title to give it a serious and lengthy review. Why? Don't ask questions... questioning leads to worry, worry leads to fear, fear leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering. Okay.. you won't be stacking those types of stars.. I just had to sneak in a Star Wars: Episode 1 reference. ;) Damn, man. Look at the stars. The stars, man. The stars are beautiful tonight. (Insert Mya's incessant drone..) So is this game money? Or just another scrub puzzle game? Don't be silly. I'll get jiggy with this inter- galactic title with hopes and dreams far beyond the ghetto slums. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: Okay. Here the deal. You have to destroy a certain amount of stars to earn points, progress in levels, etc. To get rid of the stars; you must "sandwich" them between two of the same "animal buddies". You can also set off chain reactions that cause Kirby to throw out more stars and destroy even more stars! Hmm.. it sounds original. And it is. It plays a bit like the earlier game "Mario and Yoshi" for Game Boy; except with the added "fun" of matching stuff sideways. Unfortunately... something has gone very, very wrong. The game has the right amount of modes: A Time Attack, level clear, a two- player VS mode with the Game Link, a challenge mode, and a tutorial. A very standard amount of options for a puzzle game. The Time Attack is interesting and the "Round Clear" (Level Clear) game is fairly decent. And the game does keep treack of high scores. The two-player game is also decent.. so... what went wrong? I can sum up the game in three words: "Too damn easy". Even for those who are NOT puzzle game veterens like I am. I can also sum it up in one word: "Boring". The game doesn't have enough challenge or interesting goals to make it interesting enough to warrent playing it more. Sad to say; the game is innovative; but stale. The game offers little in the way of replay. :( An innovative sub-par puzzle game. Liked: It's original! Hated: It's not much fun. :( **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The graphics are nice and clear. There are little interludes in the "action" that are usually funny. Nice and easy to see. The Super Game Boy Border is nice. The animation is pretty good. There are still scenes as rewards for beating the Round Clear stages. Not too shabby. The animation is Kirbyish. Liked: Decent clarity, nice animation. Hated: When you're almost losing... King Dee Dee Dee has this VERY disturbing animation.... he shakes violently and has this weird look on his face. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: Umm... the music is sampled from the other games and so are the sounds. :( It isn't original; but it does the job. Liked: Deja Vu. Hated: Deja Vu. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: The Play Control is accurate; and the game is original. But the game lacks any type of "hook" to keep you coming back. It also gets mundane. The Tutorial was a nice touch. Liked: Original design. Hated: Gets boring. **************************************************************************** Improve: Just ditch the game engine. It's too easy. RIYL: Puzzle games. Okay, I would just borrow this title. **************************************************************************** Final Words: It isn't memorable; nor does it allow you to reach the zen-like state that Tetris does. Sadly, Kirby should stay in the platforms. Buy it if you feel like trying it. It isn't bad; but it isn't anything special either. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: **** Graphics: **** Sound/Music: *** Play Control/Game Design: ** Personal Opinion: **** Total: 17 out of 25 Final Score: 68% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: None.