Here at PAX East 2016 there are a lot of video games with robot suits. Hulking space marines and patchwork exoskeletons seem to be the newest fad that everyone wants to get in on. I found myself growing tired of the super suit, until I got a hands-on look at Kirby: Planet Robobot .
Nintendo’s newest adventure for everyone’s favorite pink blob has Kirby returning to the original Kirby formula of flying and eating stuff. Gone are the gimmicks that have been rampant in Kirby’s most recent games, like Kirby’s Epic Yarn. It’s the same Kirby you grew up with; you suck up every little cyclops and minion you see and gain their powers. It’s simple, but really fun.
Every Nintendo game needs at least one gimmick, and Kirby Planet Robobot has Kirby riding a robot suit. Your first reaction is most likely “why does Kirby need a super suit?” When you play the game, you realize he doesn’t need it, but it’s awesome to have. The Kirby formula is already perfect; its platforming is simple to learn and addictive to play, but robots do help.
When you add a mech suit, it gets even more fun. Kirby gains new powers from classic enemies when he’s in his super suit. Instead of eating enemies, Kirby scans them and absorbs their powers. Classic enemies like the cutter and the cyclops give the mech new powers inspired by the originals, like a saw blade and a plasma ball. The mech also allows you to interact with the environment around you in new ways. There are screws to turn and levers to pull that open new pathways and doors.
Kirby: Planet Robobot is a callback to Kirby games of old, like Kirby Adventure . The levels I played had me jumping around a wooded area and fighting a robot version of the tree from Kirby’s Dream Land . Waddle Dees are your friends now, though I’m not sure why. They throw you power ups from the background and cheer you on. On the 3DS this world looks great, filled with vibrant color and personality.
