Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

The pink ball that swallows enemies and steals their abilities was given a surprisingly clever idea on the Nintendo 64. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards took the time-tested ability-copying mechanic and added a layer that turned it into a little playground of experimentation. The result is a platformer that looks cute but hides a surprisingly inventive system.

The foundation remains Kirby's ability to inhale an enemy and take over their power, whether it be fire, ice, needles or, say, stone. The novelty is the option to combine two abilities together and create an entirely new effect from them. Merging fire and needles, ice and spark or other pairings leads to unexpected results, and the game outright entices you to try them all. This playfulness gives an otherwise classic platformer its own identity.

Visually the game relies on a technique where the characters and environments appear voluminous and rounded, even though the world remains largely on a 2D plane. The resulting style is soft, colorful and friendly, fully in the spirit of the whole series. The pace is calmer than in more aggressive platformers, which makes Kirby an ideal title for younger players as well as for those who want to relax, while at the same time it offers plenty of collectible elements for those craving one hundred percent completion.

The scattered crystal shards that give the game its name serve as the main motivation for exploration. Finding them all means returning to levels with different abilities and searching for hidden nooks, so beneath the undemanding surface hides a reason for more attentive play. Added to this are relaxing multiplayer minigames, which also make the title a pleasant bit of social entertainment.

Kirby 64 is proof that the series can stay true to its friendly spirit while still offering an idea that refreshes the gameplay. It isn't the console's most demanding platformer, but it is one of the most endearing, and combining abilities makes it an experience players are happy to return to.

Why play it: For a cute, laid-back platformer whose combining of inhaled abilities adds a refreshing creative spark to the classic formula.