Kirby Super Star Ultra Review
A Review - By Ben Salter
Kirby has a reputation for untimely releases. The pink puffball is one of Nintendo’s most lovable characters, yet many gamers are most familiar with him from the Super Smash Brothers series, to which he contributes many of the items. Kirby Super Star was originally released for the Super Nintendo in 1996, but like many of the games in the series it slipped under the radar due to the console nearing the end of it’s lifespan and the juggernaut that is Super Mario 64 being released the following week. Fortunately for those who missed out the first time Nintendo have seen enough life in the game yet to give it an overhaul and release it for the DS as Kirby Super Star Ultra.
Kirby Super Star Ultra has been described as a compilation of 10 games in one, however this does not do the title any favours as it gives the illusion that this is a collection of mini-games when it is in fact far from the truth. These main games are more like a collection of short stories, rather than one long adventure for your hard earned cash you are receiving a range of shorter ones. This actually works extremely well on the portable system, as you can easily play through an hour or so of Kirby action and finish one of the games rather than constantly being interrupted during one long adventure. The game has been updated for the Nintendo DS, but doesn’t bring anything new to the series. New main games along with some half-hearted mini-games have been added although these are almost identical to the games originally on offer. While bosses are plentiful you’ll see them reused again and again during the different games. However the newer additions add some much needed difficulty and offer a reason for veterans of the game to go back and play again if they found it too simple the first time around.
Kirby does away with the laws of traditional run & jump platforming, through the use of his unique abilities. Kirby is infamous for being able to inhale his enemies and swallow them in order to absorb their abilities. By puffing himself up he is able to hover and fly through levels at the expense of his bad guy gobbling powers. You are greeted with the original six SNES main games, with only the first, Spring Breeze, being unlocked. As you progress through the games you’ll notice they are all based on the same underlying Kirby platforming principles, but have slight variations in gameplay. Each game varies in difficulty but is relatively easy to master, and it only takes a matter of hours to unlock each of them. Fortunately Nintendo have included an additional four games to be unlocked once the initial six have been completed. These are considerably harder and will actually force you to consider preserving health, rather than running into everything button mashing like crazy.
The games are all relatively similar, each contain a number of stages which require you to make use of Kirby’s eating skills and various talents in order to reach the final boss. Throughout all of the original titles these bosses are extremely easy, and can be beaten in a matter of seconds. Each title offers a slight variation in the gameplay, The Great Cave Offensive for example requires you to go beyond straight forward left to right platforming. You are required to find hidden treasure along the journey to complete the stage which will slow down the process and give you time to explore and appreciate the levels. There are 60 treasure chests hidden through out the stages, often in obscure places that require you to do some searching. Other games such as Gourmet Race see you racing against King Decade in a bid to eat the most and cross the finish line first. Both games featured the same basic gameplay elements but the former had a much greater depth, which was a much more enjoyable experience.
Nintendo have given the title a complete visual overhaul, most noticeably with the high quality cut-scene videos between games. Rather than risk a transition into 3D Hal Laboratories have stuck with vibrant 2D graphics. Everything from the background to the characters is crystal-clear and looks fantastic. The game is jammed packed with delightful Kirby tunes. The chirpy upbeat music contributes to the happy mood the Kirby games are renowned for. There’s a decent mix of music here, although if you played day in day out they would eventually begin to drive you a little insane.
Kirby Super Star Ultra really shines when played with a friend. You can play through the main games in 2 player co-op as Kirby spawns a sidekick when he relinquishes one of his absorbed abilities. If you’re playing it alone this character is controlled by the computer. Nintendo have also included a range of mini or sub-games that are available from the get go. These touch controlled games add some replay value in terms of multiplayer, but feel a little tacked on and by no means make excellent use of the DS’s touch capabilities. These seem like they have been added just so something is using the touch screen controls when it really wasn’t necessary.
Super Star Ultra is by no means perfect. As with most Kirby games it is a little too easy, you’ll breeze through the original games in no time. Once you reach the final game The True Arena the difficulty suddenly takes a giant swing, this is seriously hard. I had no problems reaching this point, but I cannot beat this. The difficulty swinging from super easy to near impossible seemed unbalanced, it would have assisted the player if there was a gradual progression of difficultly, rather than unexpectedly throwing them into the deep end.
Summary
Kirby Super Star Ultra is a solid platformer and compilation of short games which are perfect for life on the go. While most of the games are simple they offer an addictive leisurely style of play. The multiplayer takes the game to another level and works great as you battle through the levels with a mate at your side.
Gameplay
8.5/10
Great easy fun, each level has the right balance of length and variations in objectives. The short games compliment the portable nature of the DS.
Graphics
8.5/10
Crystal-clear crisp graphics which are topped off nicely with high quality introduction/conclusion videos for each game.
Sound
8.0/10
The usual chirpy Kirby music sets the games mood, there’s a decent amount of tunes here but after extended play they may begin to get on your nerves.
Replay Value
8.0/10
You’ll finish off the original six games reasonably fast, but the additional four games offer a harder challenge. The Arena games are a lot harder and will take you a while to get through. The co-op multiplayer gives you a good reason to go back and play through it all again with a friend.
Overall
8.6/10