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  1. Games
  2. Platformer
  3. Kirby

"Deluxe" is an accurate way to describe Kirby Triple Deluxe

Features
By Justin Towell published 28 March 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

*Insert obligatory 'it obviously sucks' joke here*

*Insert obligatory 'it obviously sucks' joke here*

Dont let the Disney Jnr colour palette fool you: Kirby is badass. He turns into a ninja and combo-slices his foes, punishes them with a lion tamers whip even flattens three particularly cute ones with a massive stone block soon after the game begins. He is so gleefully evil, while looking like butter wouldnt melt if he inhaled it with his massive vacuum mouth. It probably wouldnt. It would probably turn him into a cowboy. But that just means--from what Ive played so far--this ostensibly kiddy platformer is a lot of fun for us grown-ups too.

Levels see you taking on the abilities of enemies by ingesting them, which continuously freshens up the otherwise standard platform action. Using these abilities, you'll find Sun Stones hidden in all the main levels, which are equivalent to New Super Mario Bros.' Gold Coins. Collect all of them in one world and you unlock a secret level. Nice. There are also key chains to collect, some of which can be unlocked with Play Coins. Loads to do, then.

Nintendo has clearly perfected its techniques for 3D display. Everything is sumptuously presented, with solid 3D platforms and faux depth-of-field foreground blurring all adding up to one of the most magical-looking worlds yet seen on the handheld. Kirbys movement is 'arcade chunky' (I just made that phrase up and I'm keeping it) and assured, although the frequent need to run with a double direction tap does mean its easier to control on the D-pad, even if your thumb gravitates toward the circle pad by default.

Besides the main story, there is a rhythm action minigame called Dededes Drum Dash and a rather ace Smash Bros. clone called Kirby Fighters. The latter uses Kirbys various power-up states as its character roster and even supports 4-player link-up, with support for download play. That's a massive bonus on top of the already enjoyable platform action.

You've probably guessed I like what I've seen so far. You can see more too, by clicking through for more screenshots and info.

Page 1 of 23
Page 1 of 23
The 2.5D action has hazards in the background and foreground

The 2.5D action has hazards in the background and foreground

Page 2 of 23
Page 2 of 23
Here's Kirby as an archer. You can charge up a super shot too

Here's Kirby as an archer. You can charge up a super shot too

Page 3 of 23
Page 3 of 23
That star will carry you into the background platform layer

That star will carry you into the background platform layer

Page 4 of 23
Page 4 of 23
Kirby was always my favourite Beetle. Wait...

Kirby was always my favourite Beetle. Wait...

Page 5 of 23
Page 5 of 23
This is the first boss. I won't spoil his amazing defense trick here

This is the first boss. I won't spoil his amazing defense trick here

Page 6 of 23
Page 6 of 23
Oh, he's been smashed into the camera. Kirby is mean!

Oh, he's been smashed into the camera. Kirby is mean!

Page 7 of 23
Page 7 of 23
This world is made out of sugary goodness. Looks delicious!

This world is made out of sugary goodness. Looks delicious!

Page 8 of 23
Page 8 of 23
Clearly a homage to CJ's Elephant Antics

Clearly a homage to CJ's Elephant Antics

Page 9 of 23
Page 9 of 23
Two scenes from Dedede's rhythm action minigame

Two scenes from Dedede's rhythm action minigame

Page 10 of 23
Page 10 of 23
And some more. Tap A on the bounce and the backbeat to win

And some more. Tap A on the bounce and the backbeat to win

Page 11 of 23
Page 11 of 23
Kirby's a fighter, not a lover

Kirby's a fighter, not a lover

Page 12 of 23
Page 12 of 23
This is the awesome Smash Bros.-style side-game

This is the awesome Smash Bros.-style side-game

Page 13 of 23
Page 13 of 23
Icy objects can be sucked over flames to melt them

Icy objects can be sucked over flames to melt them

Page 14 of 23
Page 14 of 23
Flowery Woods is an early boss. Feels mean to hurt him

Flowery Woods is an early boss. Feels mean to hurt him

Page 15 of 23
Page 15 of 23
That silver thing is a keychain. Collect 'em all!

That silver thing is a keychain. Collect 'em all!

Page 16 of 23
Page 16 of 23
Kirby Fighters is multiplayer, but has a solo mode too

Kirby Fighters is multiplayer, but has a solo mode too

Page 17 of 23
Page 17 of 23
That's a sun stone. Collect enough and you unlock the world's boss

That's a sun stone. Collect enough and you unlock the world's boss

Page 18 of 23
Page 18 of 23
Occasionally, you'll have to tilt the 3DS to solve puzzles...

Occasionally, you'll have to tilt the 3DS to solve puzzles...

Page 19 of 23
Page 19 of 23
...like this block with a lit fuse running over it

...like this block with a lit fuse running over it

Page 20 of 23
Page 20 of 23
Hypernova Kirby can swallow practically anything

Hypernova Kirby can swallow practically anything

Page 21 of 23
Page 21 of 23
Some forms give Kirby special abilities, like rolling at high speed

Some forms give Kirby special abilities, like rolling at high speed

Page 22 of 23
Page 22 of 23
But basically all he wants to do is this

But basically all he wants to do is this

Page 23 of 23
Page 23 of 23
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Platforms
Justin Towell
Justin Towell
Social Links Navigation

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.

See more Nintendo Features
Read more
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Star-Crossed World screenshot of Kirby looking up at a little starry character with Astronomer Waddle Dee (who wears a beret with star decals) and the blue chinchilla-like companion Elfilin
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Kirby Air Riders director Masahiro Sakurai says those who haven't already played the GameCube racer might ask themselves "if it's basically Mario Kart," and, uh, yeah, "it basically is like Mario Kart"
Racers ride over a stone paved corner in Kirby Air Riders, while Chef Kawasaki blasts Gooey and Meta-Knight drifts to the side, with the GamesRadar+ Autumn Preview frame
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Kirby rides a jet-powered warp star in the announcement teaser for Kirby Air Riders, over a lush green race course
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A screenshot from the Kirby Air Riders reveal trailer, showing Kirby waving to the camera.
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