Kirby Star Allies Nintendo Switch Game Review

By: Max Cannon

Anyone that played through the eShop demo for Kirby Star Allies probably knows pretty well what the full game offers up. A simple platformer with pretty landscapes and cutesy characters, which is what we've always come to expect from the Kirby game series. While the game is sometimes disappointingly simple to play, Kirby Star Allies exudes the family-friendly charm that made Nintendo a known name. 

Simple but exciting set pieces are sprinkled throughout the short campagin.Courtesy of Nintendo

Playing At Planet Pop Star

Though we recently reviewed a Kirby game, it's been awhile since we've had a mainline Kirby game on one of Nintendo's more traditional consoles (since 2011's Return to Dreamland.) Kirby Star Allies for the Nintendo Switch mixes the traditional move-snatching-gameplay of the classic Kirby games with 4-player beat-em-up action. The story is straightforward. Some bad guys split up some dark hearts that turn the pleasant people of Dreamland into dangerous enemies. Our pink and puffy hero sleeps through the entire ordeal and wakes up with a new adventure ahead of him. 

Kirby Star Allies: Accolades Trailer - Nintendo Switch

Most of the Kirby games offer up some sort of gimmick and Star Allies is no different. The ability to throw hearts at most of the enemies you come across will bring them onto your team. Each of these allies can either be controlled by a player or CPU, though you're likely to have a better time if you're playing with friends. Each of these new allies only has a single move, unlike Kirby who can snatch up the abilities of others, but the power to combine weapons and elements leads to some interesting puzzles to solve. The first time you light your sword ablaze will really open your eyes to the possibility of mixing-and-matching moves to get that perfect combination.

Throwing hearts at enemies will turn them into allies.Courtesy of Nintendo

A Breeze and a Blast to Play

This isn't the first Kirby game to allow players to combine different moves, that milestone was achieved by Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. However the focus on multiplayer changes how you'll interact with these moves. Once I was kept away from a secret collectible by a flaming wall of fire, luckily I was able to turn on my stone attack while a player blasted me with ice to launch me through the wall. This moment was a cool chance to play cooperatively but the already easy difficulty sunk even lower when the AI essentially solved the puzzle for me, which is likely the largest problem with the game.

Adding multiple characters can definitely make the game feel overly chaotic.Courtesy of Nintendo

You're able to change the difficulty of the game but this mostly seems to impact the combat rather than those puzzles but the many collectibles aren't enough to pad the replay value of the short campaign. The combat, on the lower difficulties, will be easy enough for almost anyone to pass through regardless of skill level. But the potential for clever puzzles is so high that it's disappointing to see the late-game never demand much thought from the player. The ease doesn't mean things aren't fun, especially when playing with friends, but it would be nice to have seen a greater focus on using your head.

Mixing different powers together is an easy enough feat thanks to the helpful AI.Courtesy of Nintendo

Final Thoughts

You'll find throwbacks in every inch of Kirby Star Allies. I grinned from ear to hear when I heard my favorite tune from the Nintendo 64 Kirby game, beloved characters make a return, and the visuals are easy on the eyes. If this game wasn't so darn charming it would be difficult to look past its simplicity but something about this game's adorable atmosphere kept me interested. I don't know if Kirby can sustain this sort of gameplay for much longer but for the time being, I'd have no problem recommending Kirby Star Allies to younger gamers. I'd even go far enough as to say that every family with young gamers should have this game ready to roll on their Switch.

Combining powers will give you electric an electric yo-yo, frozen stones, or even the Sizzle Sword from above.Courtesy of Nintendo

Pros

• Charm
• Accessible to players of any age
• Co-Op

Cones

• Simple Puzzles
• Short Campaign

Kirby Star Allies Game Rating:

Kirby Star Allies Nintendo Switch Box ArtCourtesy of Nintendo

Available for Nintendo Switch

Have Your Say!

Would you consider yourself a super Kirby fan? Are you going to check out Kirby Star Allies or pass on the game? Comment below!