Kirby's Blowout Blast

 3DS
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Video Chums
    Jul 10, 2017
    36
    Although it's set in the delightful Kirby universe, there's no denying that Blowout Blast is little more than a bare-bones and unchallenging experience. That being said, if you want to teach a toddler how to play video games then this is a solid entry point.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

?
  1. Vice
    Jul 10, 2017
    It's a game that makes the most of its conscious limitations, in other words—and while the enemies and bosses are all familiar, finding the most efficient ways to beat them means they're an entertainingly different kind of challenge here.

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best 3DS Game of 2017
24
#24 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2017
20
#20 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 30
  3. Negative: 6 out of 30
  1. sitebender
    Apr 19, 2019
    9
    For the cheaper price, this was a fantastic game full of color and life, even if it's not too long. I was still able to replay it and haveFor the cheaper price, this was a fantastic game full of color and life, even if it's not too long. I was still able to replay it and have fun. The major downfall is the fact that this is some overhead, basic and easy game rather than the sidescroller we all know Kirby to be.… Full Review »
  2. FateForWindows
    Jul 14, 2017
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Here's my review of Kirby's Blowout Blast, taken and modified from PNM's Discord chat.

    Kirby's Blowout Blast is a 3D platforming game by Nintendo which is based on a subgame in Kirby: Planet Robobot. It remains a bit too faithful to the subgame, but it also takes a lot of inspiration from Dream Land.

    Overall, the level desing is pretty boring and uninteresting, mostly featuring sections where you can get blaster bullets, shoot them at enemies for a better score, and extremely simple sections which usually require a single jump to get past. Most of the game is also comprised of non-optional sections involving you having to try to defeat all of the enemies before you can either progress or backtrack, where some enemies go away after a while if you choose not to defeat them, thus ridding you of a bonus for defeating all enemies. The time limits are also pretty short, but they're not bad, though the time required to get the time bonuses can be a bit tough.

    The whole "Blaster Bullet" gimmick is rather poorly executed, and the boss fights aren't very interesting aside from Kracko. The enemy AIs are also great for the transition to 3D, but the bosses just aren't that creative. You fight Lololo twice (independantly in Green Greens and then with Lalala in Castle Lololo) and you tend to fight the bosses multiple times. And I'm not even counting the EX levels or the Secret Path. Counting those, you actually fight Lololo 5 times. Kracko and Kracko Jr. share most of the attacks too. The only boss that's really unique is King Dedede and his giant counterparts, as well as Giant Masked Dedede.

    There's also no copy abilities. Considering the fact that this game took heavy inspiration from the first Dream Land, this makes sense, but there's so much potential for 3D copy abilities. And I'm not talking about the 2.5D games. I mean copy abilities that work on a 3D plane. Kracko is rather interesting just because of one attack where his eyeball seperates and he creates a storm throughout the whole stadium. Even if they had added items from Dream Land, I would've been a lot happier.

    The soundtrack is pretty good despite most of the soundtrack just being Kirby's Dream Land and Adventure remixes.

    The controls are also very smooth, and although Kirby can fly, I only ever used it during the Lololo and Lalala fights and the only part where it was really needed was to get a single out-of-reach food item. Kirby IS missing a few moves from later games, like guarding and sliding, but the only use I'd have for guarding are the bosses. Some boss attacks are hard to dodge, but overall, the bosses are easy, though the EX counterparts are more difficult.

    Also: there's no plot! Kirby games are known for their introductory sequences too, and the fact that this has no story whatsoever feels like Kirby's adventure in Squeak Squad to get his shortcake back and beat up King Dedede, except forget the shortcake, and make it so that Kirby's just trying to clobbah King Dedede! Yeah, that's just about all the plot you'll get here. You'd expect a secret final boss with something possessing King Dedede. The game page doesn't even have any plot at all, just talking about how fun it is.

    Kirby's Blowout Blast has a lot of room for potential, but it definitely needs to be executed better. Lack of plot, barren stages, and annoying mechanics, as well as how repetitive the game is even before you finish it, definitely ruins the experience. Kirby in 3D has so much potential, and although this game isn't great, this game shows that if Nintendo invests into 3D Kirby games, the games could become very successful. The game also has some redeeming qualities like it's good soundtrack, and smooth controls, but there's just not enough to make a good Kirby game.

    I'd rate this 4/10.    … Full Review »
  3. Altendo
    Dec 1, 2021
    10
    A god-tier game. Better than Mario. I don't believe why anyone doesn't like Kirby
See all user reviews »