Nintendo's little pink guy has been around since the days of the original Nintendo and in Kirby's newest game, he is back to his classic 2D action/platforming roots.  And for fans of Kirby, that is hardly a bad thing.  However not all is the same as Kirby's Return to Dreamland has some fun new additions.  

 

 

The game begins with an alien ship crashing and into Dreamland and pieces of it scatter around.  Unfortunately the alien visitor needs those pieces to fly home so Kirby decides to help him.  Kirby isn't alone this time though because mainstay characters of the series: Meta Knight, Waddle Dee, and King Dedede decide to hop along for the adventure.  This makes for some fun and hectic four-player co-op which is the main addition to Return to Dreamland.  Each of Kirby's three friends have a different weapon and play style so they're all worth checking out but all four players may play as Kirby as well if they so wish.

 

Aside from the addition of two players, Kirby's Return to Dreamland mostly follows the basic formula. All levels are in 2D and players traverse the lands destroying baddies with all sorts of different powers and floating or jumping across gaps.  There are plenty of bosses and lots of different powers to mix things up.  Kirby has a few new powers to use this time such as leaf and spear which are very welcome as the new powers are fun to use.  Also this time, Kirby has some super abilities available for use such as the giant sword and others.  These powers are only used during certain portions of the game as the only the special glowing baddies provide them.  The controls are mostly basic for Kirby with little added motion controls which are used while inhaling to be able to inhale many and/or large objects(as well your co-op partners!)

 

 

The main story is a blast but it is very easy and quite short(about 6-8 hours or so).  But there are gears spread the levels which are used for unlockables so there is plenty reason to replay them for completionists.  There are a few mini games to unlock such as the ninja one which is fun distraction, throwing shurikens to hits targets by aiming and flinging the wiimote.  There also some time trials for a good number of the power ups in the game which are fun to play through and compete with scores with your couch buds.  

 

And beating the game which will be very easy most players aside from beginners, a tougher story mode is unlocked.  It would have been nice if it was available from the start because for most advanced and even intermediate players, the tough mode will probably be more fun.  It would have been for me if I didn't play through the whole game to unlock it as not much is different other than having a smaller health bar and stronger bosses.

 

 

In the end for fans of Kirby, Kirby's Return to Dreamland is sure to be a blast. The basic gameplay is back and four co-op makes it much sweeter.  However the game is short and really easy, even with the unlockables and it would have been nice hard mode was able to played from the start.  This game is great for fans and also a great entry point for anyone wanting to try a Kirby game.