Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
From Kirbypedia
| |
| English Name: | Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards |
| Japanese Name: | 星のカービィ 64 Hoshi no Kaabii 64 Kirby of the Stars 64 |
| JPN Release Date: | March 24th, 2000 |
| US Release Date: | June 26th, 2000 |
| System: | Nintendo 64 |
| Players: | 1-4 |
| Genre: | Action |
Go to the KRR page for this game! [1]
Kirby's only game on the Nintendo 64 (Super Smash Bros. aside) is the sequel to Kirby's Dream Land 3, with Dark Matter returning to wreak havoc once again. Kirby ventures across the planets in Pop Star's solar system to collect 72 crystal shards scattered throughout various locations.
Kirby 64 is perhaps best known for its combination copy abilities. Also of note is that it is (to date) the last game to feature Dark Matter. Unlike in Kirby's Dream Land 3, Kirby's Animal Friends do not play a prominent role, though he does receive help from a different group of friends.
Contents |
Story
The story begins on Ripple Star, one of Pop Star's neighbor planets. The calm reverie of a peaceful day is broken when the fairies on the planet notice an ominous dark cloud overhead. The fairies are sent into a panic as the dark cloud engulfs the planet.
Dark Matter has come for the fairies' magical treasure-- their Crystal. A fairy by the name of Ribbon attempts to protect the Crystal by flying off of Ripple Star with it in possession. She is pursued by three orbs of Dark Matter, and after some evasive maneuvers she and the Crystal are struck by them. The Crystal shatters and Ribbon falls to a planet below.
On Pop Star, Kirby's stargazing is interrupted when he is struck on the head by a falling Ribbon. After the two gather their respective bearings, Ribbon explains her plight to Kirby. Kirby agrees to help her, and the two set off to locate all of the Crystal shards.
Features and Game Play
The core game play of Kirby 64 is similar to that of most of Kirby's other side-scrollers. He can still inhale, fly, and use copy abilities, though he can no longer fly indefinitely. He can also now move while inhaling, as well as inhale when underwater.
Kirby also can take objects (or, more commonly, enemies) out of his mouth and lift them over his head. If he has an ability then he will instead life an ability star over his head. If Kirby is carrying an enemy or ability star then he can throw it straight ahead (though some enemies fly in different trajectories than others) or straight upwards.
Combo Abilities
Only seven basic copy abilities are featured in Kirby 64: Bomb, Burning, Cutter, Ice, Needle, Spark, and Stone. However, it is possible to combine any two to produce a new combination copy ability. If Kirby throws or spits an ability star or ability-yielding enemy at another ability-yielding enemy, then a combination ability star is formed. The combination copy abilities are all typically more powerful than any singular ability.
Ascribed to each simple ability is a certain color that is determined by the color of the ability's icon and ability star. Throughout the levels there are some colored barriers that can only be broken by using a copy ability that is correspondent in terms of color. Some barriers are homochromatic, in which case only the singular correspondent copy ability is needed, while others are two-toned, in which case the appropriate combo ability is necessary.
Friends
Though Kirby's friends are not as central to the game play as the animal friends from Dream Land 2 and 3, they still do have a slight impact on it. In certain parts of the game Kirby receives aid from each of them, whether it be support or simply getting through part of a stage. They are all found on Pop Star, and excluding Ribbon they all become possessed by Dark Matter and must be defeated to be recruited.
- Ribbon
- The first friend that Kirby makes. She collects the Crystal shards that Kirby finds and aids him in the final fight.
- Waddle Dee
- The most frequently seen enemy in the Kirby series appears in this game as an ally. Waddle Dee occasionally appears to help Kirby through a stage while riding on some form of transportation (such as a raft, mine cart, or sled).
- Adeleine
- A painter who can bring her creations to life. She is sometimes found in stages near a painting or series of paintings, which hint towards how to obtain a Crystal shard in that level. Other times she is found near a blank canvas; in this case she will paint a power-up (either a Maxim Tomato or 1UP) for Kirby.
- King Dedede
- Kirby's archrival appears in this game to, surprisingly enough, help him in certain stages. When Dedede is found in a stage, he will have Kirby jump on his back. The player then controls Dedede for a short time. He can swing his hammer to smash enemies as well as destroy walls and rocks.
Levels
- Pop Star
- Boss- Whispy Woods
- Kirby's home planet is the first level explored. Pop Star is not restricted to one type of biome, though plains and forests feature prominently in the stages.
- Rock Star
- Boss- Pix
- A planet with rocky terrain and hot deserts. The planet itself appears to be composed of multiple smaller masses of earth.
- Aqua Star
- Boss- Acro
- A planet that features beaches, large oceans, and much aquatic life. It is shaped like a drop of water.
- Neo Star
- Boss- Magman
- An apparently recently-formed planet. Neo Star is characterized by its thick jungles, large canyons, and plentiful volcanoes.
- Shiver Star
- Boss- HR-H
- A vaguely familiar planet cloaked in frost. In addition to snowy regions, factories can be found here. A noticeable satellite orbits this planet.
- Ripple Star
- Boss- Miracle Matter
- Ribbon's home planet. It is a heart-shaped planet that has been overrun by Dark Matter. Ripple Star, like Pop Star, does not prominently feature any specific biome.
- Dark Star
- Boss- 0²
- This planet forms in the center of the solar system after all of the Dark Matter is purged from Ripple Star. The planet only has one brief stage, with a somewhat familiar foe at the end.
Version Differences
Differences between Japanese and American versions. (Box art, names, etc.)
Trivia
- Original screen shots of game play showed King Dedede, Adeleine, and Waddle Dee as fully playable characters in the platforming sections of the main game and not just as other players in the mini-games. This extended player option was removed before the game was released.
Related Info
External Links
| Kirby Games: | |
| Dream Land - Adventure - Pinball Land - Dream Course - Avalanche - Dream Land 2 - Block Ball - Toy Box - Super Star - Star Stacker - Dream Land 3 - KiraKira Kids - 64: The Crystal Shards - Tilt 'n' Tumble - Nightmare in Dream Land - Air Ride - Amazing Mirror - Canvas Curse - Squeak Squad - Super Star Ultra | |
| Upcoming Games: | |
| Kirby Wii (Untitled) | |
