Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards Review

I've never played this one so I'll have to download it when we Europeans do get it. Does this one have the classic traditional Kirby music as well? i really love the music from the previous games.

I really hope we get this next week! I never got around to playing it on my N64, and I love the 2D Kirby games, so this will be a must once we get it.

This is a surprise! Finally,another classic Kirby game for the Virtual Console!

Yes,it does have traditonal Kirby music. But it has great new music too.

This game is so great! It was my first N64 game, and I definitely recommend it to everybody who has a Wii! A bargain for $10!

Just the kind of N64 game I needed, keep it up with the classics Nintendo!
By the way, get a better video for this page, all it is is the intro

its coming out monday im so excited!

Rock on, rock on! Monday can't come soon enough now; Kirby 64 release at last! Fantastic game and one I was actually daydreaming about coming out on the VC just earlier this week. Mayhaps I need to daydream more games onto the VC. ^_~

Sweet! I never played this one before. Thank god for the Vc. I never plaed any Kirby games before getting my Wii.

Drake, you must have gone nutso; either that or that Maker's Mark hangover is just getting you down. Everyone knows the "worst" [platformer] Kirby game is still Kirby's Dream Land 3 and even that's a very enjoyable game. Not a single Kirby platformer drops below the 3 1/2 star level and Kirby 64 is certainly amongst the better of all Kirby titles. It's no Superstar... but nothing is. The Crystal Shards is a terrific game and nothing shall defuse my enthusiasm for its release this Monday morning.

Stop treading on our nostalgic dreams.

I've not been a fan of the latest new Kirby games on DS actually...

i'm getting this when it gets released in europe, not matter what the reviews say

I thought this game was awesome. I almost got 100% in the game too but my sister deleted the file......man was I angry, but at least the game was fun enough to play again. Also, it should be noted that the game had some pretty decent minigames in it as well. The puddle one was very unique.

One of the best kirby games imo.
But i expect the review to give it 3/4 stars.

@ Serpent They rate the game out of 5 stars. i am expecting them to give it a 3/5.

I know that, i ment to say 3 or 4 stars, Not 3 out of 4.

Kirby 64 has plenty of good and bad points, but I'm happy to say that overall the good outweighs the bad.
Fair cop, it's looks ropey even by 2001 standards, has an almost incomprehensible plotline and is perhaps a touch easy for a hardened platform fan's liking.

BUT!

In this instance, the easiest way to judge any VC game is to ask yourself whether or not you'd object to paying the asking price for it. As far as Kirby 64 is concerned, I wouldn't have to hesitate (if I didn't already have it). A hugely playable game thats hard to find here in Scotland for N64 - be happy it's coming out again.

BUT!

It's a toss-up between this and Yoshi's Story for the mantle of 'Wost N64 Game On VC Until Cruisin' USA Comes Out'.

I didn't think they'd release this before the SNES Kirby games. Oh well. I have the original N64 cartridge for this game so I'm passing on it. If anyone else thinks it's interesting though then you're right. This game is really cool. It's filled with secrets and fun moments. It's really cool how you can merge two abilities in this game. There's plenty of combinations for some great attacks, although theres only one attack per ability like in Kirby's Adventure. The worlds you explore are also designed to perfection. There's so many wonderful places to behold and loads of nooks and crannies to find. Did I mention bobsledding? Also, this game has some great multiplayer mini games even though there's only three. Think of it as quality over quanity. They're a lot better than the multiplayer mini games in Kirby Super Star. Anyways, it's not perfect since other Kirby games outweigh it in ability systems and content, but still plenty of fun if you try it. It's not quite as advanced as say Kirby Super Star or Kirby & The Squeak Squad for Nintendo DS. This game is better compared to Kirby's Adventure or Kirby's Dream Land 1, 2, or 3. I'd say 3 out of five since I enjoy the Super Star style games better.

I love to combine abilities. My favorite is the flaming sword

Oh my i am sooooo jelous right now.. From the videos ive seen it combines the classic kirby games and puts the gloss of the N64 over it.. I cannot wait until the EU release.. 1000 points saved for this!

Only 3 stars? Maybe I won't get it after all...

I agree with Elk810. This game is probably my favorite Kirby game. While I think Kirby's Adventure is a good game, I like Kirby 64 a lot better. This game is better than 3 stars.

I'd much rather have Kirby Super Star.

I'll probably get this sometime, but I''d rather have Dream Land 3.

i agree with you drake i do like this game but found it very dissapointing when i first played it i still have the cart

Now I don't know wether I should buy this or not >=O! I never did play Kirby 64 and to put $10 out is a lot to risk.

As much as I like this game, I'm not sure about paying the 1000 points for it. It's the sort of game you only play through once, maybe twice, then get bored of. Granted I wouldn't mind playing it again having been such a long time since I last did, but I'll instead wait for Superstar.

i dunno about this game... looks kinda bad.

I was watching some vids at youtub the other day and i found the final boss battle. It must've been the worst final battle ever... i tought "if the last boss is that lame, than how bad can the game be..."

Well, im still hoping for Smash Bros or SNES mario kart one of these days

Wow! Only 3 stars? This game atleast deserves a 4 and maybe even a 5.

So should i give it a try?, i'm not a big Kirby fan(even if my avatar says other wise) but i enjoyed the Game boy games and Kirby Super Star.

While I agree this game isn't as good as Super Star I do think it's better than Kirby's Adventure on the NES which got a higher score than this.

@Fulgor_Astral

Which final boss ? the stupid one (miracle matter) or the very cool one (02)... the real final boss battle is far from the worst final battle ever. Play New Adventure Island, you'll see what is a lame final battle.

Kirby 64 is definately much better than Kirby's Adventure (which is also available on VC and got 5 Stars here).

It has double the content and triple the secrets,
so when Kirby's Adventure is worth 500 points,
this one is worth 1000 points,

and Kirby Super Star / Fun Pak is worth 2000 points, but will be 800.
Yeah!

It may not be as good as most of the other Kirby games, but Kirby 64 is still a game that I hold very dear to me. It is still an excellent game at it's core, and the graphical lift to the N64 is an artistic endeavor in it of itself. Yeah, it's not as good as the other Kirby games, but Kirby games are ALL excellent.

Kirby 64 wasn't a bad game. It did have a great soundtrack (Zero Two is one of the best video game themes ever) and the combining powers thing was really creative. It's a shame they haven't used that in any other Kirby games since.

But yeah, Kirby Superstar this isn't. I'll pass on downloading this seeing as I still have the actual cart.

I didn't think Kirby 64 was the worst game in the series, but I enjoyed it. I used to own the original N64 cartridge and played it so much, but sadly I gave it away several years ago. For once, Kirby had the ability to combine his powers to make new attacks which I liked. I gained 100% completion after figuring out the remaining crystals to nab. Not a bad Kirby game, but I'll keep my memories intact by not downloading it...

Nothing is like Kirby superstar, but there is nothing wrong with this game. I will DL it soon. When you are a fan of a series, you play them all!!!!

I might get this. Even though i have it for my N64.

I am really stuck on if i should get this when it comes to EU now.. some says its good but the rest dont..

Just downloaded it. It plays really well. I don't know why there are disclaimers about the game's difficulty. Kirby games really aren't the sort of game you pick up because you want difficulty. Its just a fun playing experience. This was the first time playing this for me, and it certainly was better than some of the other Kirby games.

Its a great game! It should have at least gotten 4 stars!

Worst Kirby there is?! Hey, Drake! Ever played Kirby Air Ride?

I think Nintendo perfectly translated Kirby from 2D to 3D. He has that side-scrolling gameplay and innovataive features that made his games successful.

I didn't care much for this game. I thought it was amusing but a total breeze. The graphics and audio were well done but the platforming itself is generally simple and there's not a whole lot of depth to this game. Although it is fun finding new power combo's by mixing enemy powers together.

im really glad they allow you to use the gcn controller analog stick
on the n64 you had to use the Dpad
so im very happy for that :]

zomg this is one of my favorite games of all time
high replay value, the funnest multiplayer minigame ever (the falling block one) AND you can mix powers! i love mixing powers! hurray for kirby the fridgerator (ice plus electric)^.
highly recommended for everyone who loves nintendo
(oh, and BJ, Kirby air ride is super awesome! there are so many checkboxes to unlock that it's... it's just crazy good! and i admit the other two modes are awkward but city trial is awesome)

You know what? This game would probably be better with the Classic Controller since it's a side scroller. It always felt awkward to me using the d-pad to play the game on the N64.

As stated in the review there are mini-games which up to 4 players can take part in.

I agree, Marioman 64! but I just didn't like it as much as other Kirby games, that's all. Sorry, I should have been more clear.

i agree with banbarr

This game is alittle slow but it rocks.

how much storage does this game take up?

The game took up 149 blocks on my Wii. If you don't already have it, i would recommend it, unless you specifically hate platformers or Kirby. The graphics are nice, the cutscenes are impressive for tis time and the levels are well done and varied. And the minigames are decent too. I give it 4 stars. Its short-ish, of course.
Edit: If you download it now, or you "update" it, it now takes up 153 blocks. I saw no differences...

I remember this game being very intertaining. (no it wasn't as good as the previous kirbys, but It was still a great game.) I would recommend this to any kirby fan.

It was okay. It was cool to mix 2 weapons for an even better weapon, but most of the levels are easy to complete. The final boss was a pain in the neck using the right power up to damage it. I'm just glad that I have it on my N64 and not spending my Wii points on this.

Very good game, I must say. Does deserve a little more than a 3 and definitly not the worst kirby game.

I'm getting this. It's short, yet fun. Perfect for the wait for Brawl.

I just beat the first world (Pop Star) and I must say I'm enjoying this game quite a bit. The graphics are clean and easy on the eyes, the music is very nice (Love the boss theme!) and I oddly enjoy the cute characters. It's a bit unfair to compare this game to Superstar. It's a very different game, and a very enjoyable game at that.

i recon that there should be a thing telling us how many blocks a game takes up as part of the specs for games (nummber of players, controller etc)

Man, I just put this back in my 64 again (own the cart) and I can't believe how much fun it is. Even I passed it up halfway through the first time I played it feeling like it wasn't 'fun' enough for a Kirby game, but now that I'm older and more appreciative of what a fun game can be, this game is just downright 2 1/2D greatness. With the kind of games that come out now adyas every 2 YEARS, I'd kill for a game like this to come out once in a while just to beef up the DS and Wiis library.

No, this isn't going to win any awards for being the next Mario Galaxy, Smash Bros Brawl or even Kirby's Adventure/Super Star, but its definitely worth 4 stars by your rating system.

I agree with the Amazing Raccoon. That would be a helpful feature of this site.

A hint about the size of a download is usually given in the shoping-channel right before downloading, showing curent space/space used/expected space after download. But actually, If your space is not sufficient, it doesn't tell you how much actually is needed, or am I mistaken?

Anyway, a direct info about space could help both the shoping- channel and this site... and the channel could do with the possibility to enlarge the screenshots by clicking on the pictures in the description, the vids on this page are so much more help than nintendos mini-pix >_<

BTW, I just dowloaded it and it said 149 blocks. Used one block less though...

Humm.. is it 10 dollar for the game in USA? I have to pay 100 Swedish Kronor for Kirby... Its 15,60 Dollar!!! Humm..

downloaded the game the first day on Wii and its well worth the price. but how can it be rated only 3 stars! that cant be. this game is no less than 5 stars!*****

@Hangover: Disadvantages of inflation, the dollar falters, a $ is currently 0,75€

Humm... If Sweden gets euro instead i only pay 93.47 Swedish Kronor . And if it was in dollar i only pay 61 Swedish Kronor... And not 100 Swedish Kronor that its today.. =P OK.. The Diesel cost 13.15 Swedish Kronor Or 2.16 Dollar/litre here in Sweden soo... Everything cost.. =P We have 25% in taxes and.. Humm.. Its not gonna work.. =P

This is Virtual Console, not An Introduction To Contemporary Economic Issues!

Well, Kirby 64 is a little weak in some places, but it's not a bad game, but it isn't the best Kirby game either... Still, I bought it and HAL has proven that a game can be a joy to play even if it could have been better.

I think game is fairly good. I'd give it a 4 star.

crappiest kirby game ive ever played.
even the dude who played it in this preview clip seems bored lol
run suck blow run suck blow run suck blow

YOU CAN'T PRESS Z TO MAKE KIRBY SAY HI!!!

Was this fixed with the last update?

I love this game. Not the best game on Vc but it's above average. I'd give it a 4 1/2. Maybe I find it so good because It's my first Kirby game, who knows. Actually I've played kirbys adventure, and I think this one is better

This game was pretty fun, but not as good as adventure for the point cost. The game was easy but got really hard about 2/3rds through.

I managed to download this and its pretty cool

While this is not as good as Kirby Superstar or Kirby Adventure(both of them are perfect games Imo.) I think this still deserves at least 4 out of 5. Only thing that I didn't like in this game was that it felt a little slow. other than that it sure was good.

Yeah, I downloaded it today - other than the instant death bits (getting squashed), it is pretty easy. Still enjoyable though; more so than Yoshi's Story I think. 4/5

Maybe a bit short, but who expects a full length game for 10 bucks? The 30+ abilities are awesome. I give a 9/10

uhhh douche bag its only rated out of 5.
and this game is rubbish compared to SSB, Dk 64, or Golden Eye. why wont Nintendo release these games before the mediocre ones?!?!?!

@ Kingston -
9/10 makes no sense for this site.
and about the full length comment......DUH
Mario 64, Zelda, sin&punishment, to name a few
it's a waste of 10 bucks if u ask me. ill download the rom AND beat it faster than u can load up the wiiShop channel and download it

@NintendoNerd -
It's because Nintendo now puts money before their fans. They want everyone to focus their attention on new software instead. once the software dies down, they will release good vc games again. they arem oney grubbers also because mario kart wii will appeal to casual/new gamers instead of hardcore/oldschool fans. why? BECAUSE THEY WANT MORE PPL TO BUY IT

im losing faith in nintendo, and putting more into the PS3

Geez, sounds like we have a few Nintendo-haters on here. Don't know what you guys are doing on here, but sure... In Kingston's defence, there's no rule to how one should rate a game. If anything, the 1-10 rating is more common than the 1-5 stars. And guys, just because they released a game you didn't like doesn't mean you should go mouthing off at Nintendo, claiming the company is corrupt and uncaring and what not. Heck, I don't care. Go join Sony and have fun. I better stop before this so called "NintendoNerd" calls me a bad name. Middle school names always tend to insult me.

Anyways, I really came on here to ask if anybody knows what the update did for this game. I recently checked the wii shop channel and saw the update sign above this Kirby game. Anybody know what it did?

@ Virus-
you know what "Virus" i would call you a bad name but i wont or else I'll get another friggin' e-mail and an account suspension but i will say that Nintendo is with out a doubt the best video game manufacturer out there but it really makes me MAD when out of all those awesome N64 classics they give us horrible, horrible games. And whats the deal with all the racing games, THATS ENOF!!! they should of stopped at Mario kart and F-zero x. We want adventure games... ADVENTURE GAMES!, ADVENTURE GAMES!, ADVENTURE GAAAAMES!!!!!!... or Super Smash Bros.

Okay, I understand your position now. Although I must admit I have a biased disliking towards shoot-em-ups and racing games, I have to point out Nintendo has allowed those two categories to grow a bit too much for the VC. Still, I can't help but like the VC no matter how many crappy weeks of games it throws at us.

Still, does anyone know what that update did?

@ Virus
The update made the game less glitchy and crappy

@ Virus
The update made the game less glitchy and crappy

@ Virus
The update made the game less glitchy and less crappy

@ Virus
The update made the game less glitchy and less crappy

@ Virus
The update made the game less glitchy and less crappy

@ Virus
The update made the game less glitchy and less crappy

@ Virus
The update made the game less glitchy and less crappy

@ Virus
The update made the game less glitchy and less crappy

@ arobo21
Heck yeah roms rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been playing the game and it's not that bad nor too easy. The game it's short comparison to the other one released for the VC, the Nintendo Kirby, 4 stages plus including the boss stages thats 5 per world, and the fact that Dazza stated that's "...feel like a chore.", in the first version, it's a pain to find all secret stages for the real ending, in here you must figure out what mix of power you need to get the crystal(some hints are givin, they have a block painted in the colors of the 2 powers you need to break the block), they wont let you see the ending that easy on the first get go. Some stages lets you play as King Dedede or sometimes you go on a wheelcart with Waddle Dee, the powers are great, Refrigerator(Freeze+Spark) throws food as projectile if they dont hit the wall you can eat them, what the geeks call it? is it Doublelightsaber?(Cutter+Spark), Statue(Cutter+Stone) which has about 4 friends you can transform into from Kirby's Adventure 3 two of them being most useful(one can climb walls, other can fly really fast), Homing Missiles(Bomb+Bomb), Snowball(Ice+Ice) which is a slower version of Wheel, etc. Not a bad adventure game.

Forgot to add... 4/5 overall. 5/5 for it's soundtrack.

I've gotten farther in the ame, and it's still good. I've been re trying most of the levels because i want to find all of the crystal shards, but it's actually a big challenge trying to get all of em.

And nintendonerd, there's a reson you got a suspention, take a hint.

Is that all the update did, make it "less glitchy and crappy"? I heard someone say you could press Z in the original to make Kirby say "hi." That would alomost be worth the update time (which i did) but I dont think you can.

I loved kirby's adventure so much that I accidentally bought it twice like an idiot

I'm glad it stayed 2-D I should pick this up

What a damn boring video!!!!
He didn't even used a power!!!!!

An average game at best.

I love Kirby but this one was just 'meh'.

Still kinda fun but no where near Kirby's Adventure - download that NES classic before this boring sequel.

It´s an entertaining game, the transformations of Kirby are great, and some scenarios and landscapes are really beautiful, but there are a lot of games that I would dowload before.

I remember this game from when I was little. 'Twas the first Kirby game I ever played. I loved the ability to combine powers. Long live Fridge Kirby and the yellow Darth Maul sabre! I'd definitely take the ability mixing over multiple moves for each ability. And the only useless one is Ice & Burn. That's right, Kirby turns into an ice-cube and melts.

As for the graphics, the game does a much better job setting the mood for the areas than the previous 2D games. The only problem with the change to 3D is, yes, the enemies look mundane and lifeless and the game has been slowed down quite a bit when compared to the other games.

I would not agree that this game is a disappointment. Maybe it's not quite as good as Super Star, but still a great game.

This is extremely late, but, NintendoNerd, if you haven't already been banned from this site, you're really upsetting a lot of people... I've noticed you feuding with at least a half a dozen people, and calling me a douche bag for using 9/10 is just pointless on so many levels... However, you are in luck. I will grant your wish and rate this game with 4.5/5

Oh, and by the way, Luigi's mansion sucks.

Kingston, you just read my mind.Thank you.

Oh, and this game is awesome. 9.2/10, and I'm not changing to a five-point scale.

I have played nearly all of the kirby games, but I think this one is one of the best kirby games out there. The levels were fun to play and having you try and find all of the crystal pieces was fun and challenging. What I like most about this game was being able to combine two different powers into a new one, which makes you sit there and try to figure out the best combo that would get you out of the level in one piece. Another thing that added to the fun in this game, besides the multiplayer games, which are uniquely fun, was having the game let you play as king dedede so you can get though some parts. I would recommend this to people who are looking for a nice platformer and/or a good kirby game to play. 5/5

Kingston, I couldn't agree w/ you more. Luigi's Mansion sucks ass. I played it at Best Buy once and didn't get it at all.

As for you, Nintendonerd, I can't believe some of your comments are still on there, especially since your response to Virus was reposted 7 FRICKIN' TIMES. You're hoggin' up server space, asshole.

And Adobo, PS3 iz shit on a stick that only geeks and otaku want.
360 ftw! ...and wii too.

Oh, uh, maybe I should say something about Kirby 64. I played it at my orthodontist's office before (he has a game corner. Cool eh?) and it's OK, but I'll stick to Kirby's Adventure, thank you very much.

@Kingston and MrCheez I agree with you on all counts except...Luigi's Mansion...does not suck. It's not the greatest game, it's pretty slow (the main fault) but it's still a 4/5 IMO (and many others, methinks)

I don't get the criticism for this game. Not enough variety? If you do the math, there are 35 modes and combos (not counting certain enemies that help you if you held them on your head). Not all the combos were great (with fire+ice ranking as the most useless), but most were useful. This is definitely one of Kirby's best outings.

EDIT: Mr. Cheez, my orthodontist has one of those too! He's had F-Zero X there, but last time I went there there was Banjo-Tooie. Top that!

this game is good, but really easy

I always liked this game's concept of 3D graphics, with side-scrolling style gameplay. (Sometimes twisting things a bit with multiple camera angles.) And the ability to mix 2 powers to create a new one was great. Like most Kirby games, it's not a very challenging title, but alot of fun. And it has nice music for some levels. (Including a remix of the Butter building stages from Kirby's Adventure.)
Trying to get all of the enemy cards from the end-of-level minigames, and finding all the crystal shards adds replay value to the game. (When you get all of the crystal shards, you'll get to play the game's final stage, and see the real ending.)
Also it's nice to finally have a Kirby game where you can play as King Dedede, and dish out mallet justice.

This was a good game but after "beating" it i havent touched it. Need to go back and get all the shards sometime though...

I'm actually a pretty decent Kirby fan. I bought this the first day it came out (never having played it before) for both me and the wife. We both tried it, played it for a few days and now...

Now its been deleted from out channels to make more room for other games. We have yet to finish it. I wouldn't say its a bad game- just, there's no real spark.

I already have this game - and beat it - on N64, but I hopelessly lost the cartridge years ago. So I decided to download it, and I'm glad I did. The gameplay still has a strangely relaxing quality to it; even though I've played the levels dozens of times, they never seem to get old.