Kirby: Squeak Squad Amateur Review

[santaman99]

KIRBY: SQUEAK SQUAD
Publisher: HAL Laboratory
Genre: Platformer
Rating: E for Everyone
Release Date: December 4, 2006
Platform: Nintendo DS
Number of Players: 1 Storyline, 4 Mini Game
Amateur Review By: santaman99

Introduction:
As kids, we all loved snack time. In Kirby's child-style personality, he does to. The plot begins as Kirby sits down to eat his strawberry shortcake. In the blink of an eye, a mouse swoops infront of him and runs away with it. As it turns out, a band of thieves name the Squeaks are out to take everybody's food and goodies. The simple plot unravels into an addicting platformer that keeps the gamer going.

Gameplay:
The simple platformer gameplay of Squeak Squad is very similar to other past Kirby games, especially Kirby's Adventure. However, having two screens has always effected gaming in a good way. The second screen has a "mix palette", which basically is Kirby's stomach. Powers that Kirby can wield and foods that he can use are stored in bubbles that he max and match for new better foods and power. For instance, Fire and Sword can be mixed to make Fire Sword. Some powers make a random power, because a Fire Sword is a lot easier to imagine than a Parasol Bubble. Two foods, such as two cherries or a cherry and a turkey leg can be mixed to make stronger foods, namely the Maxim Tomato. Kirby's copy power also is similar to previous game, being able to gain powers from most enemies. Kirby can also hold chests obtained by from beating a Squeak or finding them, which cannot be mixed. 120 chests can be obtained in the game, which have treasures inside such as new colors or secret maps.

Boss Battles are treated similar to those of the Mario series in that they are at the end of each world. Each boss has a HP meter in the bottom right corner of the top screen.

Some powers have out-of-battle uses, such as grass cutting.

Sounds:
Kirby has always been a "light" sort of game, filled with happy sounds and sound effects. It has no sounds that don't keep the gamer in a happy sort of mood, similar to the personality of Kirby himself. There is even a Sounds Player obtainable from a chest, along with a series of sound effects and music sequences that can be played on it.

Controls:
The controls in Squeak Squad are mostly with the regular buttons, using the touch screen only for the mix palette, the menu screens and the mini games.

Left and Right: Move Kirby
Down: Use Copied Power
B: Suck in Enemies or Bubbles
A: Jump
A Twice: Suck in air to float
A More than Twice: Flap arms to float longer
Up: Same as A
Y: Same as A and Up
Start: Pause
Start-Select: Exit Level
Touch Screen: Choose Bubble
Touch Screen Drag: Mix Bubbles

Both Screens

Graphics:
The graphics on Squeak Squad are beautiful for a platformer game. The character sprites are not thrown together at all, and the cut scenes have very smooth sort of anime style animations. However, as with the majority of handheld games, they are not as great as they could be on a stationed console. Still, the graphics may well surpass all previous Kirby games on a handheld platform, and some Kirby games on stationary platforms.

Replay Value:
Squeak Squad is one of those games meant to be replayed over and over again. One form of mini game is actually timing you to see how fast you can collect all 120 chests. It holds the gamer in place, though. The levels are not repetitive or boring, so the game can be beaten time and time again.

Negatives:
For as much replay value as this game holds, the short time to master it is disappointing. The mini games are also, in mini game tradition, are not very entertaining, and the gamer probably will play each one once before going back to Story mode. Though the gameplay is good, the storyline is half-hearted. Retrieving a piece of cake?

Conclusion/Final Scores:
Kirby: Squeak Squad is a very "classic" feeling game. It feels a lot like Kirby's Adventure. The storyline is not all it could be, but it totally make up for it in gameplay. Personally, I was very happy with it, as were all four of my friends who have beaten it.

Gameplay: 9.0
Graphics: 8.5
Sound: 8.0
Replay Value: 9.0
Controls: 9.0

FINAL SCORE: 43.5/50. Grade: B

Happy Gaming!

[fire fox]

Great review Santaman99 ^^

Your reviews are always going to be looked forward to, considering how they are looking now. My inly problems with the review are what seem to be a few typos and one score in perticular: replay value.

As you stated, there are quite a few treasure chests in the game, but the simplicity of getting them is, well just way to easy. One person could easily get all the treasure chests on their first time through the level, and once you get them all, there really isn't that much left to do.

Other then that, spectacular review ;D

[Chrono917]

I found this review really awesome. And this game should be good, because it was sold out everywhere for months! I still haven't even gotten it yet, but not because it's sold out, just because I'm too lazy. :rofl:

But still, this doesn't replace my favorite Kirby game of all time, Kirby and the Amazing the Mirror! That game owned so hard.

[fire fox]

Originally Posted by Chrono917

I found this review really awesome. And this game should be good, because it was sold out everywhere for months! I still haven't even gotten it yet, but not because it's sold out, just because I'm too lazy. :rofl:

But still, this doesn't replace my favorite Kirby game of all time, Kirby and the Amazing the Mirror! That game owned so hard.

That game was good, I would maybe even consider it to the best kirby game out there. It didn't leave you hanging with a lacking story, the graphics for its time were great, the copy abbilities rocked, and the level desgin was amazing.

[Chrono917]

Originally Posted by fire fox

That game was good, I would maybe even consider it to the best kirby game out there. It didn't leave you hanging with a lacking story, the graphics for its time were great, the copy abbilities rocked, and the level desgin was amazing.

(I think ur talking about the Amazing Mirror? If not then oh well I guess xD)

Exactly what I saw in it. Also, it was so awesome when me and my friends linked up. (4 friends linking) I mean, we would help each other beat the game by splitting up and taking on different levels at a time, finding spray paints and stuff. And of course, we always called each other when one of us got into a hard boss fight :)

[santaman99]

Originally Posted by fire fox

Great review Santaman99 ^^

Your reviews are always going to be looked forward to, considering how they are looking now. My inly problems with the review are what seem to be a few typos and one score in perticular: replay value.

As you stated, there are quite a few treasure chests in the game, but the simplicity of getting them is, well just way to easy. One person could easily get all the treasure chests on their first time through the level, and once you get them all, there really isn't that much left to do.

Other then that, spectacular review ;D

Some chests were you couldn't get the first time through. Some required you to defeat a certain enemy (the gold waddledees) and most of often the waddledees ran off a ledge before you could get them. Others you had to find a certain power (tornado, fire and animal come to mind) to get to. Still, you have a point, chests are relatively easy to get.

Thanks fire fox. All other criticism like this is accepted and appreciated.

[fire fox]

Originally Posted by santaman99

Some chests were you couldn't get the first time through. Some required you to defeat a certain enemy (the gold waddledees) and most of often the waddledees ran off a ledge before you could get them. Others you had to find a certain power (tornado, fire and animal come to mind) to get to. Still, you have a point, chests are relatively easy to get.

Thanks fire fox. All other criticism like this is accepted and appreciated.

That point is well taken, but if you have played a kirby game before and/or are just good at games like this, this being an exceptionally easy game of its type, then a person could easily breeze through the levels and atleast get around 2/3 of the treasure chests. Most people wont even put much thought to them after they copmplete the game sense they are such small things, unless they are a perfectionist like myself ;)

[yoshiman]

Awesome review Santaman.
This game was pretty fun, I never really played it that much, but it was okay.
I'll try to give you karmaz, but I'm 80% sure I have to spread.

[lPhela]

Good review, IMO that the touch screen function is a great idea.
And did you know that the developer, Flagship is same as the Amazing Mirror.
Also I think that Kirby Superstar is a little bit better then the GBA version.
Luckly there will be a remake of the SNES game coming to the DS.

[Smashchu]

Ehhh, not bad

The gameplay modes should probably look more at the schematics and how the game feels verses what you can do. It probably needs more depth.