Super Kirby Clash
© 2019 Nintendo of America, Inc.
Kirby -- Nintendo's tiny pink superhero -- makes his next debut on the Nintendo Switch. First introduced in 1993, this modern Kirby is an updated version of Team Kirby Clash Deluxe (2017 for the 3DS). The game is "Free-to-Start" meaning you can jump in and start playing for no charge, but inevitably will find progress difficult without paying as much as $40 for Gem Apples. Whether you do or not, there's at least a few hours of great fun to be had. This is multiplayer game, so you can gang up on the various bosses with up to three friends locally or over the internet as long as you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. You get to choose among four roles: Blade Hero, Hammer Lord, Doctor Healmore or Beam Mage. Each has unique equipment and moves which complement and support one another in battle. Super Kirby Clash is generous with its rewards at first, providing you with enough Gem Apples to buy new items, stickers and quests with regularity. Within a few hours though, you run into price hikes and a dire shortage of Gem Apples. This is too bad because the core Kirby gameplay is very fun, especially with friends. But don't expect to get to the end without paying real money. We noticed a few bouts of slowdown and disconnection during online play available in the game's Party Quest mode, but most of the time sessions ran smoothly. Super Kirby Clash does not skimp out on typical Nintendo polish, and Kirby fans may find the game enjoyable in short bursts, but under the surface it's an unpleasant indicator that even Nintendo's Kirby is not exempt from manipulative design practices. Developed by HAL Laboratory & Published by Nintendo.
$-40, Nintendo Switch
Teaches: co-operation, twitch reflexes, team strategy, role management,
CTR Rating: 70%