Retro Corner: Kirby's Dream Land (Game Boy) Review · 1:06pm Mar 29th, 2023
A new edition of Retro Corner Reviews is up, and we tackle another NSO Game Boy game called Kirby’s Dream Land. It isn’t a surprise to see Kirby be added as one of the first titles on GB NSO. He, among Mario, Wario and Link, is quite recognizable even when certain gamers haven’t touched any games from this series. It is a perfect way to have them try Kirby for the first time especially when having his earlier titles from the 90s available on this service. The first entry can also show where he began his adventure rather than through the modern releases. There is no doubt Star Stacker for GB as well as Nightmare in Dream Land for the GBA will eventually get added. However, having the Pink Wonder’s debut title available for these gamers to try is always a good thing. It is also a good thing to experience where some of the familiar mechanics originate from.
Now, his debut title along with Kirby’s Adventure on the NES is considered sleeper hits. Meaning, Nintendo did advertise the Game Boy release with a short animated commercial showing you don’t have to look like an action hero to take the role. While the second entry on NES came out during the system Twilight Years in 1993 when people were too busy with the 16-bit consoles. The mechanics here are often considered simplistic akin to Super Mario Land. However, when has anyone heard of a character that uses his mouth to suck enemies up and spit them out as if he was a vacuum? In a sea of copycat mascots — Aero the Acrobat and Bubsy to name some — Kirby was able to set himself apart from even the successful ones. Sometimes having a character with an outlandish appearance and ability from the usual is what’s needed. The theme of the original game is about Kirby trying to stop King DeDeDe from hoarding all the food of Dream Land for himself. So how good does the Star Warrior’s first outing stand the test of time?
