The End – Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The End has all the time in the world. He sits back and snipes you quickly and quietly. But each time you find him, a new stage of the battle begins. It is a battle of attrition, slowly wearing him down and cornering him. He is a fantastic boss, so the variety in the battle is fantastic, especially near the end when things begin to heat up. Furthermore, he consistently shifts his location and uses camouflage to take you down.

Mirroring his flexible form, Nintendo has had the tuff pink puff frontline in a ton of titles ranging from brick breaker clone, ‘Kirby Block Ball’ to the touch screen driven ‘Canvas Curse’. While his return to consoles and his platforming roots only happened rather recently with ‘Return to Dream Land’, ‘Kirby Triple Deluxe’ ups the ante on the formula introduced in the Wii title and polishes it to a mirror shine, resulting in a truly fantastic experience no 3DS owner should miss.

Kirby has never demanded a lot from its players, and the story sets itself up just enough before stepping out of the way of the fun. One fine Dream Land morning, Kirby wakes up to find his home surprisingly lifted to the clouds, and he soon finds the castle of King Dedede further up the Dreamstalk. After Kirby walks in on a strange spider-like creature abducting the bumbling royalty, he races off in pursuit.

This simple setup does all it needs to do as an excuse to dive into the fantastically designed, adorable worlds of Triple Deluxe. The bouncy, colourful worlds Kirby journeys through up the Dreamstalk follow basic platformer tropes, yet they all vary widely within each world and every level either introduces or iterates on a unique mechanic. You’ll do anything from avoiding the cannon fire of a distant tank to relying on the reflections in a mirror to show you the true nature of a platform that isn’t really there. No matter what gets thrown at Kirby, every level is given an identity of its own.

"The interplay between layers lends the whole game a fresh three dimensional look and feeling, despite Kirby remaining on a two dimensional axis the whole time. "

New to Triple Deluxe are the shift stars, which are located throughout each level and open up whole new approaches to level design. Multiple tiers pile over each other through the background and foreground, making levels play more akin to newer Donkey Kong titles than say, LittleBigPlanet. While Kirby’s only interaction between the stacked levels is using these stars to move between them, enemies and bosses, as well as level elements take full advantage of them, bombarding Kirby with fire from the background or opening steel blocks on one plane with a bomb block or giant pole on another. The interplay between layers lends the whole game a fresh three dimensional look and feeling, despite Kirby remaining on a two dimensional axis the whole time.

3D effects play into this multi-tiered design fantastically and reveal tricks like off center enemies, that without the extra dimension would hide the fact that you could pass safely. The gyro sensor is also smartly leveraged for the occasional tilting to move a lift or aim a missile to open a new path, fitting the feature in naturally instead of becoming overbearing.

Bosses in particular use the background layers and 3D to great effect, whether making attacks barreling towards you more obvious to facilitate easier dodging, or singeing the screen to obstruct your vision. The bosses highlight the best of the mechanics and transform them from standard punch ups to memorable exhibitions.

Several new copy abilities are introduced to Triple Deluxe such as the hawk-eyed ‘Archer’ or the tumbling ‘Circus’. Even though not all the new abilities hit the mark, and some are a better fit for the game and generally more fun to use than others, all copy abilities new and old are more flexible than ever with a variety of moves to a single ability. This decision to lend far more utility to each one lets more of them shine on their own merits instead of being weights to hold onto for puzzle solving, and maintains their prime function of challenging you to change up your play style over just being standard power-ups.

"You’ll manipulate wrecking balls, and pull blocks to crush hapless foes below in one instance...and each time always feels distinct and gives the feeling of commanding amazing power. "

Of particular note is the Hypernova ability, an extension of the super abilities and hyper-powered sucking seen previously. Specialized sections grant you the wildly visual power up and challenge you to manipulate the environment and solve basic puzzles, frequently choosing to use it smartly instead of simply falling back on basic rampaging.

While plenty of time with Hypernova is allotted to mowing over your foes using the superior suction, including a memorable late game boss mauling, you’ll also manipulate wrecking balls, and pull blocks to crush hapless foes below in one instance, while in the next you’ll manipulate snowmen heads onto the proper body and move a laser to melt ice in the next. Each time always feels distinct and gives the feeling of commanding amazing power.

Collectable sun stones throughout each level facilitate progression, and while bosses do demand a modest number collected before they’ll reveal themselves, collecting them all in a world unlocks a special, and usually difficult EX level. The stones aren’t terribly difficult to find; an adventurous player with an inquisitive mind will stumble into more than enough to finish the main quest, and the EX levels offer suitable reward for those dedicated enough to hunt each down. The game also includes keychains to collect as a secondary objective, and while there’s no benefit to doing so, they offer a brief museum of Kirby friends and foes past should you pursue (or spend play coins on) them.

Extra modes are always on the menu for Kirby, and Triple Deluxe doesn’t disappoint on this front either. The primary multiplayer mode in the game, and worth special attention is Kirby Fighters, which plays something like a Smash Bros lite on stages inspired by past Kirby titles. Though it only has ten abilities on display, omitting several obvious exclusions and a few disappointing cuts, the mode leverages the enhanced function of the abilities it does offer to create a fun distraction alone, and a hilarious brawl with buddies. The direct confrontation utilizes things like guarding that might not come up as much in the story mode, yet could mean the difference between victory and defeat, even in the ‘Smash Bros’ Classic mode reminiscent single player ‘gauntlet’.

"The primary multiplayer mode in the game, and worth special attention is Kirby Fighters, which plays something like a Smash Bros lite on stages inspired by past Kirby titles. "

Dedede’s Drum Dash alternatively offers rhythmic platforming action vaguely relatable to HarmoKnight. The mode remixes a few classic tracks from the series, and asks you to maneuver the massive king across floating drums. A perfect run will follow the beat, but it’s not strictly necessary to hit each note to make it through. Though the songs in the mode can be counted on a single hand, should it be to your liking it can take a while to master each tune for that perfect run. Following the completion of the story, two more modes unlock for your score chasing pleasure, including a boss rush and an extra special run I would hate to spoil here. Let’s just say it’s a meaty mode that will add several more ticks to your activity log.

Kirby Triple Deluxe has really been one of the most pleasant surprises of the year, and on the 3DS period. The few complaints that can be levied against Kirby are so much noise among the pleasant environments, nuanced level design, smartly implemented system features and deep bonus modes. The collectables balance perfectly, never being too in the way of progression and encouraging exploration, while rewarding completionists for their time in tracking down all of them.

Powers new and old are satisfying to use and bosses highlight the best of the mechanics, becoming some of the best in the series. By remembering where it comes from and catapulting itself off its predecessors and the hardware it’s on to launch itself to something greater than ever, Kirby Triple Deluxe earns its spot on the best of 3DS shortlist and is not one to miss.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo 3DS.

Game Overview:

In Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Kirby is sleeping when all of a sudden a giant beanstalk called the Dreamstalk starts to grow under Dream Land. Due to this Kirby’s house and King Dedede’s castle are all launched into the sky. When Kirby wakes up, he finds himself in a new land called Floralia.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe is developed by HAL Laboratory. It is published by Nintendo. The game is now available for the Nintendo 3DS.

Check out the video walkthrough of Kirby: Triple Deluxe below and let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

For video game guides, tips and wikis, check out our gaming portal here.

Today at Nintendo Direct, Nintendo ended up dating several major 3DS games, while also giving us new extended looks at these games in the process.

The first of these was Yoshi’s New Island, which already has a release date for March. Next up were Kirby Triple Deluxe and Mario Golf World Tour, both releasing on May 2. Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy was announced for later this month for North American shored (the rest of the world already has it), and soccer RPG Inazuma Eleven was announced to be releasing today for North America exclusively on the Nintendo eShop.

A new game that was announced today was Pokemon Battle Trozei, which looked like a rather addictive and neat mix of Candy Crush and Puzzles and Dragons, but with a Pokemon flavor. Yes, this is going to sell millions, especially since it looks loads better than the mediocre DS game.

A new Nintendo Direct presentation is in-bound as Nintendo has announced that it will hold the same tomorrow at 5 PM EST. The show can be accessed through both the US and UK site.

So what will be on offer? Nintendo will be discussing Wii U and 3DS titles that will be launching by Spring end. One of those games will undoubtedly be Mario Kart 8, which is heading to the Wii U in May 2014. Perhaps we’ll be getting an update on the next Super Smash Bros. as well? With the frequency of details that have been coming out, one can certainly hope.

Other games we expect to see revealed include Yoshi’s New Island along with details regarding the Western version of Kirby Triple Deluxe which will head to North America and Europe either in Q2 or Q3 of this year.
What are you hoping to see at tomorrow’s Nintendo Direct? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Nintendo’s investor briefing did more than reveal a release month for Mario Kart 8 and plans for more Wii U GamePad titles. The company also revealed several first and third party titles releasing in 2014 for the 3DS. Some games still lack a definitive release date but they will be out this year – and some, like Kirby: Triple Deluxe, are already out in Japan. Check them out below.

First party

• Bravely Default (Feb. 7)
• Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy (Feb. 28)
• Yoshi’s New Island (March 24)
• Disney Magical World (April 11)
• Super Smash Bros. (2014)
• Kirby: Triple Deluxe  (2014)
• Mario Golf: World Tour (2014)

Third party

• Cut the Rope: Triple Treat
• The Amazing Spider-Man 2
• Conception II: Children of the Seven Star
• Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return
• Siesta Fiesta
• One Piece: Romance Dawn
• 1001 Spikes
• Moon Chronicles
• Retro City Rampage
• The Lego Movie Videogame
• Lego The Hobbit

Which game are you most looking forward to and why? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Though the week before that featured some new entries, this week’s Japanese software sales remained relatively the same as far as the top 10 goes. According to Media Create, Kirby Triple Deluxe remained on top for the period between January 13th to 19th in Japan, selling 81,069 units in the process (while notching up 295,276 units over its lifetime).

Puzzle & Dragons Z remained in second place with more than 1.2 million lifetime sales, selling 48,788 units in the past week. Pokemon X/Y managed to sell 23,600 units and is roughly 107,000 units away from reaching 4 million units sold in Japan. Youkai Watch is at number 4 with 19,039 units sold (lifetime sales of 327,985 units) while Zelda: A Link Between Worlds sold 17,897 units for lifetime sales of 341,398 units.

Both Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster versions failed to generate big business, with 14,026 units and 12,805 units sold for the PS3 and PS Vita platforms respectively. Super Mario 3D World is still hanging on in the top 10 with 10,500 units sold and 463,020 lifetime sales.

Nintendo’s Kirby Triple Deluxe debuted in Japan on the 3DS for the week between January 6th to 12th and managed to net the top spot. It sold 214,208 units according to the latest charts from Media Create.

Puzzle & Dragons Z meanwhile sold 52,880 units for a lifetime total of 1,216,421 units, as Pokemon X/Y remained at third and inched ever closer to the 4 million mark with 34,179 units sold this week. Zelda: A Link Between Worlds managed to sell 26,286 units, which is fairly lower than its debut total, and managed a lifetime total of 323,502 units.

Monster Hunter 4 sold 19,497 units with lifetime sales of 3,179,551, while Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster on the PS3 sold 16,286 units for a lifetime total of 241,733 units. The Vita version fared worse with 12,237 units sold for a lifetime total of 194,407 units. Super Mario 3D World managed to remain in the charts with 13,079 units sold this week but the lifetime total of 452,521 units still looks kind of sad.

What are your thoughts? Let us know below.

Earlier today an extended teaser gameplay trailer for the just-released Kirby Triple Deluxe video was uploaded onto YouTube, giving us our best yet look at the Japan-exclusive release title. Kirby Triple Deluxe represents the first actual Kirby title in quite some time, with most of Kirby’s recent appearances being in Nintendo games such as Super Smash Bros.

The video itself is full-on game play and takes us through the initial start screen all the way through the game’s actual levels. Once we’re into the opening cinematic, we are treated to some non-dialogue exposition featuring Kirby, King Dedede and more. Past that point we see the level selection map, as well as the actual in-game levels.

The video gives us our best-yet look at Kirby Triple Deluxe, and acts as a teaser for further Kirby titles which are planned for release across the rest of the world. What are your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments.

Nintendo Direct today was a full fledged blowout for many upcoming games hitting Nintendo’s platforms, including the 3DS, which finally gets its first mainline Kirby adventure early next year.

Entitled Kirby: Triple Deluxe, this sidescrolling platformer takes a leaf out of Renegade Kid’s Mutant Mudds, by having Kirby move between the foreground and background to avoid enemies and solve puzzles. In addition, Kirby gets a new Hypernova ability, which lets him literally suck everything in his path, and over 20 new copy abilities, four of which debut with Triple Deluxe.

There are also two new game modes- Kirby Fighters, which lets players choose a copy ability and then duke it out in battle to see which ability is the most effective, and Dedede’s Drum Dash, which offers a rhythm based minigame mode.

The game is slated for a 2014 release exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS line of systems. Stay tuned for more coverage.