When playing the game via Super Game Boy, there is much more to see.įor the uninitiated, the Super Game Boy was a peripheral for the Super Nintendo that allowed people to play Game Boy games on the home console. Every detail in Kirby’s Dream Land 2, from the areas our hero traverses to the enemies he encounters, is accounted for. While Kirby may not be the most complex video game protagonist, he is incredibly expressive through the small screen, adding to his likability.

Kirby’s Dream Land 2 is one of the many examples of a developer taking the limited hardware of the Game Boy and maximizing it. This further incentivizes players to experiment with various possibilities. Moreover, Kirby’s Copy Abilities carry over when partnering with his animal friends, allowing said abilities to be used in entirely new ways. For example, Rick moves fast on the surface and maintains traction on ice, Coo specializes in flying at rapid speeds, and Kine can swim in even the most treacherous waters. By defeating mid-level bosses or simply finding them in levels, Kirby can partner with any one of these three animal friends, each with their own strengths. Though there are only 7 abilities in total, one can argue this number is multiplied several times over thanks to Kirby’s animal friends, all of whom make their debuts in Kirby’s Dream Land 2.Īssisting Kirby in his quest for justice are Rick the Hamster, Coo the Owl, and Kine the Fish. Playing the game the first time, it’s interesting to see how different abilities function, in addition to the ways they can be used to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. This mechanic was introduced in Kirby’s Adventure and it made a welcome return in this second Game Boy romp. This provides Kirby’s Dream Land 2 with a less linear gameplay style, allowing the player to freely play and revisit levels at their leisure.įor the first time, on a handheld, Kirby can inhale enemies and copy many of their abilities. Furthermore, each island is its own hub, allowing Kirby to enter different levels through pathways. Kirby’s Dream Land 2 multiplies this severalfold, with 7 unique islands featuring multiple areas. The original Kirby’s Dream Land was broken up into 5 stages, and while they consisted of multiple areas each, the truth was that the experience was a relatively short one. Furthermore, depending on how much of the game is completed, the game opens up that much more. Kirby’s Dream Land 2 is no exception, and while its story may not be overly detailed, it’s buoyed by a cast of new characters, which we will get into later. Narratives in the Kirby series are known for being innocent and lighthearted on the surface, all the while presenting stakes that encourage the player to keep going. This time, however, he isn’t alone, as he is joined by a cast of animal friends that will help ensure the sanctity of Dream Land.

As Kirby, the player must traverse the islands in question, defeating threats and restoring the bridges. Rather, the main threat is Dark Matter, who stole the Rainbow Bridges, which help connect the seven Rainbow Islands in the game. The main antagonist of Kirby’s Dream Land 2 isn’t King Dedede, as was the case with the first Game Boy title. How does Kirby’s Dream Land 2 fare in 2021? Let’s take a deeper look. Kirby’s Dream Land 2 became one of the few examples, in gaming or otherwise, in which the follow-up proved superior to its predecessor. This wasn’t to say that everyone’s favorite pink puffball with an appetite was persona non grata – such titles as Kirby’s Pinball Land for the Game Boy and Kirby’s Dream Course for the Super Nintendo came out beforehand – but it was clear that a more traditional adventure was desired. This was a major Game Boy title at the time of its release. Kirby’s Dream Land 2 would release in 1995 worldwide. Enter Kirby’s Dream Land 2, developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. These would be brought over into the second Game Boy title in the series. Not only did it refine the mechanics established in Kirby’s Dream Land for the Game Boy but implemented its own concepts, many of which are used to this day.

This past June, on Last Word on Gaming, we took a look at Kirby’s Adventure for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Kirby’s Dream Land 2 – An Overview Return the Rainbow BridgesĪmong fans of the series, it’s a commonly shared sentiment that Kirby belongs on handhelds.

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