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Home >
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> Results: Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
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by Dr. Matt J. Carlson
April 08, 2005
Get out your cell phones. You and your three copy-cat friends are headed into the looking glass!
Reviewed for GBA.
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Scroll down for our Kid Factor.
Kirby is back! That loveable, round, pink Nintendo character who loves to copy everyone else's secret combat moves has returned. He and his three color-coded friends leap into the mirror world in order to save it from the shadow invasion. This brightly-colored game is a worthy Kirby title. It's fun for young and old, with a fair mix of puzzles and exploration.
The main game is a standard two dimensional platform adventure where Kirby hops into and out of mirrors as he explores the Mirror Kingdom. Each level has several different possible routes that lead to boss encounters or open up other areas of exploration. The areas can link together in somewhat complex ways, so it helps to find the level map in order to explore every nook and cranny. Most encounters aren't too difficult but the boss battles and some of the puzzles are challenging enough to provide a sense of accomplishment. Even so, the game is a tad on the easy side. Kirby has a wide array of abilities he can copy from enemies or special ability-bestowing locations. Most puzzles consist of determining which abilities will allow Kirby to access hidden or otherwise blocked areas.
One feature of the game is Kirby's ability to call his three friends (one of each color) to help out with sticky situations. Using a charge on his cell phone, Kirby can call in his friends. As every Kirby can copy an enemy power, it is quite fun to watch four Kirbys with four different powers take on a level boss. Unfortunately, the computer Kirbys aren't that smart. However an excellent feature allows multiple players with their own cartridges can all link their Game Boy Advances together. In this way, up to four people can all explore the mirror world together. Each player is allowed to roam freely, and if anyone runs into trouble, they can use their cell phone to instantly summon the others to their side. If you only have one copy of the game, some simple multiplayer games can also be played. Unfortunately the single-cart multiplayer games are pretty simple, along the lines of simple Mario Party-type fare.
Kirby and the Amazing Mirror is a solid platform title. For someone who might be able to use the four-player, four-cartridge part of the game, it can be an excellent multiplayer experience. As a solo game, it is a decent title, if a tad easy. Fun graphics and animations make the exploration of the myriad links of the mirror world a worthwhile trip.
This is a fun game that isn't too hard for the younger set. There is some Mario-style cartoon violence, but no bloodshed or any other problems. With the many branching paths of the story, some kids may get frustrated trying to reach every area, but the main plot line is usually easy to follow. Finding the maps of each realm also help. Playing with multiple game packs can be a blast as you can call each other up for help with the tough baddies. Solo play can be a bit more difficult for kids against bosses as the AI for spare Kirbys isn't that great.
Kid Factor by Dr. Matt J. Carlson
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> Results: Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
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