How Kirby Lets Players Define Fun
Written by: AJ Ryan
Kirby is hailed as one of, if not, THE best game series to introduce new gamers to the platformer genre. Kirby’s ability to float indefinitely along with a generous amount of hit points are two game mechanics that can ease the learning curve of this genre. It’s no surprise, then, that the Kirby series has a reputation of being an easy series of games.
So what challenge can experts at the platforming genre get out of the Kirby series? Are there ways to lessen the challenge for newcomers? To answer both of these questions, I’d like to analyze the game that started it all, Kirby’s Dream Land for Nintendo GameBoy.
Like almost any 8-bit platformer of the era, Kirby’s Dream Land begins with a title screen that does not present any options to the player other than PRESS START. After pressing start and being transported to Kirby’s dream land, it becomes immediately apparent that Kirby’s abilities rule this world. Kirby can float over any obstacle, and any enemy minion that stands in Kirby’s way will quickly find themselves eaten. Progression is easy to understand, and Kirby only slows down when fighting a boss. The final boss, King DeDeDe, puts up a fight (he has a massive pool of hit points), but can be taken down with patience. With the end of King DeDeDe’s reign over dream land, Kirby saves the day without breaking a sweat. The reward? A cheat code that unlocks a new adventure, activated by pressing UP+A+SELECT at the title screen.
After resetting the Nintendo GameBoy (the game does not progress past the reward screen), the title screen appears once again. Armed with knowledge, enter the extra game code, and you’ll be presented with “EXTRA GAME.”
Extra Game is one of, if not THE hardest adventure Kirby has faced to date. Kirby takes double damage from physical contact with enemies. Enemies now look scarier and have new moves, in addition to dynamically reacting to Kirby’s every move. Bosses have new attacks and patterns, making every battle challenging. Floating can mean the difference between life and death, therefore normal jumping becomes a vital tactic in Kirby’s playbook. The levels themselves are the same, but vitality and enemy changes raise the level of challenge exponentially. However, with tight controls and infinite continues on Kirby’s side, victory is possible with enough practice. Once Kirby saves dream land from this nightmare, another reward presents itself. This time, another cheat code that unlocks config mode, activated by pressing DOWN+B+SELECT at the title screen.
Another reset of the Nintendo GameBoy is required, but once the title screen presents itself, enter the new config mode code, and you’ll be taken to the configuration screen.
Config mode is where the player can define their own challenge. Here, one can change Kirby’s vitality from six, all the way down to one. The number of initial lives can also be increased, decreasing the challenge and amount of continues needed. Despite having infinite lives, this is still helpful, as continuing takes Kirby back to the beginning of the level. There’s also sound test, which is great because Kirby’s soundtrack is incredible.
After configuring the game, the title screen appears once again.The extra game cheat code will activate if entered, and will stack with the config mode cheat code. This opens up gameplay options such as one hit point one life in Normal Game or six hit points nine lives in Extra Game. The config mode allows everyone to make the game as easy or difficult as they desire.
In game accessibility, a variety of options to change parameters in a game are crucial to allow gamers of all abilities to have fun playing games. Kirby’s Dream Land is one of the best examples of this practice. Newcomers can increase their lives in Normal Game and experts can decrease their hit points in Extra Game. Kirby’s Dream Land does not have a save battery, so both codes can be activated without any prerequisites.
“... Kirby can be one of Nintendo’s most challenging franchises.”
The Kirby series as a whole has moved away from allowing players to directly change parameters, but unlockable game modes and co-op options have allowed players to continue to define their own fun. The Kirby series has a reputation of being an easy series because initially, Kirby games are easy. Stick around though and you’ll find that Kirby can be one of Nintendo’s most challenging franchises. Above all, Kirby always manages to be fun.
