Kirby Mass Attack

Last updated
Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack cover.jpg
North American box art
Developer(s) HAL Laboratory
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Mari Shirakawa
Producer(s)
  • Masanobu Yamamoto
  • Yoichi Yamamoto
  • Yasushi Adachi
Designer(s) Yoshihisa Maeda
Programmer(s) Hiroyuki Hayashi
Composer(s) Shogo Sakai
Series Kirby
Platform(s) Nintendo DS
Release
  • JP: August 4, 2011
  • NA: September 19, 2011 [1]
  • AU: October 27, 2011 [2]
  • EU: October 28, 2011
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player

Kirby Mass Attack [lower-alpha 1] is a 2011 platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. Part of the Kirby series, it is the fourth and last game in the series to be released for the DS. The game was later released for the Wii U's Virtual Console.

Contents

Gameplay

Kirby Mass Attack is a platform game with elements similar to that of the Lemmings series. Like Kirby: Canvas Curse , the player does not directly play the game with a directional pad, face buttons, or shoulder buttons. Instead, the player only uses the stylus and touch screen on the DS to play the game. The game is played by using the stylus to command up to ten Kirbys on the screen. Tapping the screen creates a star that the Kirbys can follow or cling onto. By tapping enemies or obstacles on the screen, players can send multiple Kirbys to attack them, with the player also able to flick individual Kirbys as projectiles. By collecting pieces of fruit throughout the level, the player can gain up to ten controllable Kirbys, which allow players to tackle enemies and obstacles more easily than with one Kirby. Each level often requires a minimum number of Kirbys to enter, and some puzzles will require all ten Kirbys to solve. If a Kirby is hit by an enemy or obstacle, it will turn blue until the end of the level, or until the player finds a special gate which restores their health. If a blue Kirby is hit, he will turn grey and float away unless the player can drag him down and turn him blue again, with the game ending if the player runs out of Kirbys or fails a certain level objective. Hidden throughout each game are several medals, found either by exploring, solving puzzles or finding keys and treasure chests, which in turn unlock additional minigames and bonus features. Some levels also feature large lollipops that temporarily make all the Kirbys bigger, allowing them to break through barriers and reach new areas.[ citation needed ]

Plot

Kirby has travelled to the Popopo Islands, an archipelago in the south of Popstar, to explore. After Kirby falls asleep in a field, Necrodeus, the evil leader of the Skull Gang, appears from the sky. Using his magic staff, Necrodeus strikes Kirby, splitting him into ten tiny individual Kirbys, each with only a fraction of the original Kirby's power. After promptly defeating all but one of the ten Kirbys, the last Kirby notices a small star, which is his own heroic heart. After journeying through the Popopo Islands, he and the other 9 Kirbys defeat Necrodeus in space and use his staff's power to re-combine the 10 Kirbys into their original form.

Development and release

Under the direction of Mari Shirakawa and produced by Masanobu Yamamoto, Kirby Mass Attack was developed out of a desire from HAL Laboratories to integrate new, unique gameplay styles into the Kirby series; thus, focus was shifted away from Copy Abilities, which were typically a core aspect of Kirby games, and focused more on the idea of group management. While the team deeply considered including Copy Abilities as a mechanic, the development team decided to exclude it, after several talks with Nintendo and Senior Producer Kensuke Tanabe, in order to maintain focus on the game's new gameplay ideas, as well as avoid overcomplicating the use of multiple Kirby copies at once. Because of the nature of controlling several Kirby's at once, level design was kept simple in order to require less "athleticism" that is generally utilized in most platforming stages. High scores and collectible medals were used as features so that stages would be given more replayability and challenge, and also because the idea complimented the group management concept. [3]

Despite being released well after the reveal of the Nintendo 3DS, Kirby Mass Attack was still developed on the DS rather than being released on the newer console. According to Shirikawa, this was partially because the game would not have taken extensive advantage of the system's stereoscopic 3D capabilities, meaning that making it for the 3DS would have been pointless. [3]

Kirby Mass Attack was announced and shown at E3 2011. [4] [5] [6] It was released in Japan on August 4, 2011, in North America on September 19, 2011, and in PAL regions in October 2011. [7]

Media

A five volume manga of the series, titled Atsumete! Kirby (あつめて！カービィ, Atsumete! Kābī, lit. "Gather! Kirby") was written by Chisato Seki and illustrated by Yumi Tsukirino. It was published in Japan from 2016 by Asahi Production, serialized in the online social networking service based Facebook. In 2016, [8] Atsumete! Kirby ended 2016. Three special volumes of the manga came out in Japan called "Kirby MASTER" (カービィマスター, Kābī Masutā), which had all the pages for each manga in color and has brand-new stories.

Reception

Kirby Mass Attack received "generally favorable" reviews, according to Review aggregator Metacritic. [9] Destructoid said, "Cleverly designed, overwhelmingly cute, and devoted to fun, Kirby Mass Attack is a game that should become part of your handheld library without question." [11] 1UP.com said it was a "brilliant game". [10] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of all four nines for a total of 36 out of 40. [13]

During the 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Kirby Mass Attack for "Handheld Game of the Year". [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirby (character)</span> Protagonist in the Kirby series

Kirby is the titular character and protagonist of the Kirby series of video games developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. He first appeared in Kirby's Dream Land (1992), a platform game for the Game Boy. Since then, Kirby has appeared in over 50 games, ranging from action platformers to puzzle, racing, and even pinball, and has been featured as a playable character in every installment of the Super Smash Bros. series (1999–present). He has also starred in his own anime and manga series. Since 1999, he has been voiced by Makiko Ohmoto.

<i>Kirbys Dream Land</i> 1992 video game

Kirby's Dream Land is a 1992 action-platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. It is the first game in the Kirby series and marks the debut of Kirby. It introduced many conventions that would appear in later games in the series. The game follows Kirby as he goes through five levels to retrieve the Sparkling Stars and food of Dream Land from King Dedede.

<i>Kirby & the Amazing Mirror</i> 2004 video game

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror is a 2004 action-platform game developed by HAL Laboratory, Flagship and Dimps and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. The seventh mainline Kirby entry, the game is notable for its unique Metroidvania playstyle and being the first in the genre to support cooperative multiplayer, and follows Kirby as he goes on a journey through the Mirror Dimension to reassemble a mirror after Dark Meta Knight traps Meta Knight inside it.

<i>Kirbys Adventure</i> 1993 video game

Kirby's Adventure is a 1993 action-platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It is the second game in the Kirby series after Kirby's Dream Land (1992) on the Game Boy and the first to include the Copy Ability, which allows the main character Kirby to gain new powers by eating certain enemies. The game centers around Kirby traveling across Dream Land to repair the Star Rod after King Dedede breaks it apart and gives the pieces to his minions.

<i>Super Mario 64 DS</i> 2004 video game

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<i>Mario Kart DS</i> 2005 video game

Mario Kart DS is a 2005 kart racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It was released in November 2005 in North America, Europe, and Australia, and on December 8, 2005, in Japan. The game was re-released for the Wii U's Virtual Console in North America and PAL regions in April 2015 and in Japan in May 2016. The game is the fifth main entry in the Mario Kart series, and the first to be playable via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection online service. Like other games in the series, Mario Kart DS features characters from the Mario series and pits them against each other as they race in karts on tracks based on locations in the Mario series.

<i>Kirby Tilt n Tumble</i> 2000 video game

Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble is an action puzzle video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color handheld video game console. It was released in Japan on August 23, 2000, and in North America on April 9, 2001. Due to the cartridge having a built-in accelerometer, it has a unique shape, as well as a unique transparent pink color in reference to Kirby. The game received an official re-release on the Nintendo Switch Online service on June 5, 2023.

<i>Kirby: Canvas Curse</i> 2005 video game

Kirby: Canvas Curse, known in Europe as Kirby: Power Paintbrush, is a 2005 action-platform game developed by HAL Laboratory, published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. While Kirby: Canvas Curse is a platformer, it does not play like a traditional Kirby video game, as it solely requires the use of the stylus. A Wii U sequel, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, was released on January 22, 2015, in Japan, February 20, 2015, in North America, May 8, 2015, in Europe, and May 9, 2015, in Australia. The game was later re-released for the Wii U's Virtual Console in Europe and Australia in December 2015, in Japan in February 2016, and in North America in October 2016.

<i>New Super Mario Bros.</i> 2006 video game

New Super Mario Bros. is a 2006 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It was first released in May 2006 in North America and Japan, and in PAL regions in June 2006. It is the first installment in the New Super Mario Bros. subseries of the Super Mario series and follows Mario as he fights his way through Bowser's henchmen to rescue Princess Peach. Mario has access to several old and new power-ups that help him complete his quest, including the Super Mushroom, the Fire Flower, and the Super Star, each giving him unique abilities. While traveling through eight worlds with more than 80 levels, Mario has to defeat Bowser Jr. and Bowser before saving Princess Peach.

<i>Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards</i> 2000 platform video game by Nintendo

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is a 2000 action-platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 (N64). It is the first Kirby game to feature 3D computer graphics and follows Kirby as he attempts to reassemble a sacred crystal shattered by Dark Matter. Gameplay is viewed from a 2.5D perspective and is similar to previous Kirby titles; the player traverses levels and obtains powers by eating enemies. Kirby 64 introduces Power Combos, the ability to mix powers to create more powerful ones. In a multiplayer mode, up to four players can compete in three minigames.

<i>Kirbys Block Ball</i> 1995 video game

Kirby’s Block Ball, known in Japan as Kirby no Block Ball, is a video game developed by Tose and Nintendo and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. It is a spin-off of the Kirby video game series. It is a Breakout clone; the player controls paddles along the screen's edge to knock a bouncing ball, Kirby, into destructible bricks. The game's 55 levels include power-ups, bonus rounds, and minigames. The team spent half a year revising the gameplay to match Kirby's signature characteristics. Kirby's Block Ball was released in Japan on December 14, 1995, later in North America on May 13, 1996, and finally in Europe on August 29, 1996.

This is a list of characters from the Kirby franchise, who are featured in video games and other media across the franchise.

<i>Kirby</i> (series) Video game series

Kirby is an action-platform video game series developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. The series centers around the adventures of Kirby as he fights to protect and save his home on the distant Planet Popstar from a variety of threats. The majority of the games in the series are side-scrolling platformers with puzzle-solving and beat 'em up elements. Kirby has the ability to inhale enemies and objects into his mouth, spitting them out as a projectile or eating them. If he inhales certain enemies, he can gain the powers or properties of that enemy manifesting as a new weapon or power-up called a Copy Ability. The series is intended to be easy to pick up and play even for people unfamiliar with action games, while at the same time offering additional challenge and depth for more experienced players to come back to.

<i>Kirby Super Star Ultra</i> 2008 video game remake

Kirby Super Star Ultra is a 2008 anthology action-platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. The game is an enhanced remake of Kirby Super Star, originally released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1996, to commemorate the Kirby series' 15th anniversary. The remake retains all game modes found in the original, and adds four major new ones, along with adding updated visuals and full-motion video cutscenes.

<i>Kirbys Return to Dream Land</i> 2011 video game

Kirby's Return to Dream Land is a 2011 action-platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is the ninth mainline installment and the twenty-second game in the Kirby series. The game's plot follows Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Bandana Waddle Dee as they help an alien named Magolor recover the pieces of the Lor Starcutter so he can return home. While Kirby's Epic Yarn was released in 2010, Kirby's Return to Dream Land is the first traditional Kirby platforming home console game since Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, which was released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64. The title was released in North America on October 24, 2011, in Japan on October 27, 2011, in Europe on November 25, 2011, and in Australia on December 1, 2011.

<i>Kirbys Epic Yarn</i> 2010 video game

Kirby's Epic Yarn is a 2010 action-platform game developed by Good-Feel and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is an installment of the Kirby series and was released in October 2010 in Japan and North America and in February 2011 in Australia and Europe. It is the first entry in the Kirby series on a home video game console since 2003's Kirby Air Ride for the GameCube, and its first home console platform game since 2000's Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards for the Nintendo 64.

<i>Kirby: Planet Robobot</i> 2016 video game for the 3DS

Kirby: Planet Robobot is a 2016 action-platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. It is the eleventh mainline installment in the Kirby series and the spiritual sequel to Triple Deluxe. The story follows Kirby as he defends Planet Popstar from an alien corporation known as the Haltmann Works Company that wishes to mechanize the planet so that they can plunder its natural resources. New to the series in this game is Kirby's ability to utilize a mecha suit known as the Robobot Armor to solve puzzles and fight enemies.

<i>Kirby Battle Royale</i> 2017 video game

Kirby Battle Royale is a brawler multiplayer video game in the Kirby series. Developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo, the game was released on the Nintendo 3DS handheld game console in Europe and Japan in November 2017, and in North America in January 2018.

References

  1. ↑ Known is Japan as Atsumete! Kirby (あつめて！カービィ, Atsumete! Kābī, Gather! Kirby)
  1. ↑ Drake, Audrey (2011-08-23). "Kirby Returns to Dreamland This October". IGN. Archived from the original on 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  2. ↑ Daniel Vuckovic (October 20, 2011). "Nintendo Australia outlines Wii and DS line-up for the rest of 2011". Vooks. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "The Making of Kirby: Mass Attack". 20 September 2011. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  4. ↑ "E3 2011: Nintendo Teases More Games - UPDATE". 7 June 2011. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  5. ↑ "E3 2011: The Two Kinds and Ten Clones of Kirby". 9 June 2011. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  6. ↑ Gamespot Staff (June 14, 2011). "Kirby Mass Attack leads Nintendo release updates". GameSpot . Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Gangs of Kirby". 12 July 2011. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  8. ↑ Handie Nassop (June 7, 2016). "AtsumeteKirby ended in 2016. by hadie nassop". Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2016– via Facebook.
  9. 1 2 "Kirby: Mass Attack Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  10. 1 2 Jose Otero (September 20, 2011). "Review: Kirby Mass Attack is One of the Last Great DS Games". 1UP.com . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  11. 1 2 Jim Sterling (September 16, 2011). "Review: Kirby Mass Attack". Destructoid . ModernMethod. Archived from the original on August 23, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  12. ↑ Tom Phillips (December 22, 2011). "Kirby Mass Attack Review". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  13. 1 2 rawmeatcowboy (July 27, 2011). "Famitsu - full review scores". GoNintendo. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  14. ↑ Dan Ryckert (September 19, 2011). "Kirby: Mass Attack: Kirby Divides And Conquers". Game Informer . GameStop Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  15. ↑ McKinley Noble (September 19, 2011). "Review: Kirby Mass Attack (DS)". GamePro . Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  16. ↑ Nathan Meunier (September 19, 2011). "Kirby: Mass Attack Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Kirby Mass Attack review". GamesRadar+. 17 September 2011. Archived from the original on 7 December 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Kirby Mass Attack Review". GameTrailers. September 26, 2011. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  19. ↑ Audrey Drake (September 16, 2011). "Kirby: Mass Attack Review". IGN. Archived from the original on March 31, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  20. ↑ Griffin McElroy (September 19, 2011). "Kirby: Mass Attack review: Pink, puffy and preposterous". Engadget (Joystiq). Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Kirby Mass Attack review". Nintendo Life. 19 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Kirby Mass Attack". Nintendo Power . Vol. 271. September 2011. p. 76.
  23. ↑ "Kirby Mass Attack for Nintendo DS review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  24. ↑ "2012 Awards Category Details Handheld Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
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