Year Released: 1995 (SNES)

Number of Players: 1-2 Simultaneous

Nightmare has returned, turning all but six friends against Kirby. He (and Gooey, should another player join in) must free Pop Star from Nightmare's grip.

Graphics: The graphics in this game will remind you of crayonning and features fidgety animation to boot. All this adds to the game's "cute" look, a look I can't say doesn't befit Kirby.

Play Control: Not bad. Some of the powers can be awkward using, but that's part of mastering the game.

Sound: Nothing really sticks out. There are some good Kirby remixes, though.

Challenge: Getting to Dedede is one thing. Getting to Nightmare is another. Basically, one can zoom through the game, regardless of Heart Stars (each stage's extra achievement), and the game will be easy. However, in order to beat the game 100%, one must get a Heart Star in each stage, then beat all five bosses again. Getting the Heart Stars is a tough feat--unlike Kirby's Adventure, some stages may take a while to get Heart Stars in. Chimes sound to tell you when a Heart Star condition may be met in that room and others sound when you have met that achievement, and this helps a lot.

Game Play: There are only a few Kirby powers around this time, but in order to get the game's fullest variety, one must try each power with each animal. This makes it a lot harder to pick out one power that you like and stick with it, because there are two factors in this cart. Plus, when playing two-player, only one player may use an animal. Also, rather than having two powers that can break tough blocks, every power has its own block to break, meaning you may be stuck with an uncomfortable power just for one block. Of course, this all invalidates the Mix ability. This all is bad, but there is some good. The bosses require more strategy than before. Also, when one is able to achieve a comfortable power or animal, as in almost any Kirby game, one has fun. As for the heart of the game, the stages themselves, they are pretty sturdy, although you'll be seeing some puzzles that get boring and stages without much of anything to them.

The Bottom Line: This game is great, but I think that the stages missed the heart of Kirby a bit. Rest assured, Kirby 64 fans will like Kirby's Dream Land 3.

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