The moment I got my hands on my own Nintendo 3DS, I couldn't wait to dive into one of its classic gems: “Kirby: Planet Robobot.” Having only experienced a handful of Kirby adventures before, including the fantastic "Kirby and the Forgotten Land" on the Nintendo Switch, I was instantly hooked. Each Kirby game I played radiated a delightful charm, overflowing with simplicity and unadulterated fun. And let me tell you, Planet Robobot did not disappoint! With its familiar concepts and thrilling new twists that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, I couldn't help but wonder: where does this thrilling installment rank among the legendary Kirby series?
When the enigmatic spacecraft known as the Access Ark launches a thrilling invasion on Planet Popstar, an epic adventure unfolds as Kirby takes action! Determined to unravel the mystery behind this cosmic upheaval, Kirby embarks on a journey through vibrant and perilous landscapes. Along the way, he discovers that an alien named Susie is in league with a sinister CEO lurking aboard the spacecraft, plotting something diabolical. To thwart this menace, Kirby must harness his incredible new powers and the capabilities of an advanced robotic mech suit. Kirby must gear up to confront the ultimate enemy and save his beloved planet from imminent doom!
The Story thrives on simplicity, which is a common trait in most Kirby games. While it includes epic and adventurous moments, the majority of the game maintains a cute and light-hearted tone, only taking itself seriously when absolutely necessary. There are significant threats and a villain with a scheme that could doom both Planet Popstar and the entire universe. It incorporates all the classic Kirby plot elements, but it presents them in a way that feels fresh and engaging, almost as if you are witnessing this story for the first time.
The Characters, much like the story, are simple yet effective. Nintendo is well-known for creating memorable characters with straightforward personalities and minimal character growth. Kirby, for instance, is not famous for undergoing a three-act structure of character development, but he remains charming due to his cute demeanor and courageous traits. Other notable characters from the Kirby universe, such as Meta Knight and King Dedede, make cameo appearances. Newer characters, like Susie, exhibit a bit more character development, but they do not undergo significant transformations that change who they are from the beginning. The simplicity of Kirby's characters is key to their enduring popularity since their inception, and this game continues that tradition with great success.
The Gameplay reaches new heights by combining familiar mechanics found in most Kirby games and adding them with exciting new features. Kirby, in his normal state, can float in the air and inhale enemies to gain their powers, which helps him overcome obstacles and defeat other foes. A notable new mechanic involves Kirby utilizing armored robotic suits that can lift heavy blocks and break through massive barriers that would otherwise be impassable. As a bonus, the robot suit can be upgraded based on the enemy it scans, allowing it to adopt the enemy's power-up and enhance its capabilities. Each level's objective is to reach the end while collecting code cubes by solving puzzles. These cubes are essential for unlocking new game areas, and accumulating a specific number will unlock the final boss at the end of each world. Stickers are another popular collectible in the game, primarily used to customize your robot suit with unique decals. At the end of each level, you'll participate in a bonus game where you must time the movement of an energy bar. If you time it correctly, you’ll be blasted out of a cannon, earning additional bonuses based on the distance Kirby travels through the air. I have one minor criticism of the gameplay, specifically during the final boss battle. Without revealing too much, the boss fight feels excessively long. Just when you think you've reached the end, the developers throw another boss at you, complete with a full health bar. While I generally appreciate this mechanic in video games— as it can catch players off guard— this game takes it too far. Most games typically use this trick a maximum of three times, but here, it happens six times. As a result, the surprises feel less exciting and more frustrating. Although the final boss battle is excessively long, the overall gameplay is fun and addictive. Every puzzle solve and challenging platforming segment feels rewarding. The combination of cuteness and epic adventure excitement in Kirby games never ceases to amaze me.
The Graphics in the game surprisingly hold up remarkably well almost a decade later. Despite being a handheld Nintendo 3DS game, the colors really pop, and the character models are expressive and full of personality. Each world in the game has a specific theme, and the level design encourages players to explore every nook and cranny to find hidden collectibles. Kirby ventures through many different environments, including scorching deserts, lively casinos, and technologically advanced factories. It’s particularly exciting to see the robot suit in action, especially when it acquires new power-ups that change its appearance to match the power of the enemy it just scanned. It’s impressive that a small game on a portable device can deliver such visual splendor, proving that even on small screens, Kirby knows how to engage players with colorful visuals that enchant and excite.
The Music for the game was composed by Hirokazu Ando and Jun Ishikawa. While opinions may vary on whether the music is truly memorable—apart from the recurring main Kirby theme and the end-of-level melodies—it remains a joy to listen to. The upbeat tunes effectively enhance the gameplay experience, encouraging players to continue until the game's conclusion. Although there may be other Kirby games with even better soundtracks, the music in this game still accomplishes its purpose well.
“Kirby: Planet Robobot” may be a bit easy for more experienced players, but there is no doubt that this game is another winner for the Kirby franchise. It features fun gameplay, a simple story, and endearing characters, both old and new. I'm still figuring out where this game ranks among other Kirby titles, as I am just beginning to appreciate all that this pink fluffball has to offer through the various games he has been a part of for Nintendo. Overall, I can confidently say that this is a solid addition to the Kirby series, and I would recommend it to gamers of all experience levels to try at least once.
(Final Grade: A-)