Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

 Game Boy Advance
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
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  1. Gamezilla!
    91
    Kirby & The Amazing Mirror may star a cute little ball of fluff and his doppelgangers, but it's still a fantastic game following in the footsteps of such classics as the Mario and Zelda adventures.
  2. Weekly Famitsu
    90
    9 / 10 / 9 / 8 - 36 platinum [Vol 798; 2 Apr 2004]
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  3. NintendoWorldReport
    90
    With its all charm, highly polished design, and uncharacteristic longevity, Kirby's newest adventure should appeal to anyone who isn't afraid of the cuteness.
  5. Nintendojo
    86
    The gameplay is fun and addictive, making it well worth your time even if the cute visuals aren't your thing. It could have been a bit longer, but all-in-all, it's a great addition to anyone's library.
  6. eToychest
    85
    The gameplay is solid, and even players who might otherwise be turned off by the game's cute style and cartoonish presentation could find themselves falling in love with the pink marauder and his band multicolored friends.
  7. Nintendo Insider
    85
    It is easily one of the best platformers on GBA.
  8. Computer and Video Games
    83
    It's a shame that the bosses require little more thought than simply chucking back what they throw at you, and it hardly qualifies as a platformer at times when you can just fly everywhere.
  9. Nintendophiles
    83
    Granted, Hal Laboratories and Flagship tried to shake things up with a multiplayer concept that ended up making it less accessible for lonely GBA owners, but it's still a great Kirby game.
  10. GameSpot
    82
    If you're looking for pure platforming action with plenty of variety, Kirby's latest adventure most certainly fits the bill.
  11. IGN
    80
    A solid adventure that keeps the Kirby gameplay legacy going and definitely gives the little dude an opportunity to bounce back after his last appearance in the bland GameCube racer, "Kirby's Air Ride."
  12. Nintendo Power
    80
    The game's puzzles, massive areas and new copy abilities create a Kirby-filled experience that's as fun as it is challening. [Dec 2004, p.142]
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  13. GameSpy
    80
    Tack on the extravagant multiplayer mode, and you have one of the best original side-scrollers to come along in a while. If you can cope with the backtracking, you'll have a blast.
  14. 1UP
    80
    It's nice to see such an ambitious world presented with beautifully-animated 2D graphics and in such an uncomplicated manner: no tutorials or cinemas or dialogue, just pure platforming and exploration.
  15. Cheat Code Central
    80
    Although all players must have a GBA and a separate copy of the game it's one of the best game multi-player designs that I've ever seen for the Link cable.
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  16. Times Online
    80
    The graphics are pretty impressive for the Game Boy and it's worth playing just to watch those crazy critters float about the clouds. It's hard not to envy the lunatic who dreamed them up. This is a fun and imaginative game.
  17. Game Informer
    78
    A good time for sure, but nothing to rock the average person's socks right off their stinky little feet. [Oct 2004, p.146]
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  18. Siliconera
    76
    Each of the levels can be completed without much thought. Even though Kirby: The Magic Mirror may be fun for people of all ages it's designed for kids. The simplistic gameplay, lack of challenge and short game length suggests that this was Hal's intention all along.
  19. PALGN
    75
    Possibly the best Kirby game ever. Platformer fans need this in their collection.
  20. Play Magazine
    75
    The four Kirbys apsect is also a decent idea: I don't see the need for the forced CPU-controlled allies in single-player mode, but having a multiplayer option is indeed cool. [Dec 2004, p.100]
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  21. Inside Gamer Online
    74
    There are a handful of abilities and items waiting to be discovered along with a little surprise to be earned after completing the game. Add that to the fact that the game's Four Kirby formula works, and you have a unique title.
  22. GMR Magazine
    70
    Has Kirby on the right track and, for the first time in years, starts to evolve the series. It just doesn't quite live up to its ambitions. [Nov 2004, p.118]
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  23. games(TM)
    70
    It's no Super Mario World, but compared to its predecessors this game is huge...finally, Kirby has a game he can be proud of. [June 2004, p.122]
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  24. GamerFeed
    70
    Kirby fans are going to love Kirby & The Amazing Mirror, as it's a typical pink puffball adventure with a neat twist thrown in to keep things interesting.
  25. G4 TV
    60
    A nice diversion, but its clunky progression scheme makes tedious what has been natural for far too long.

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
9
#9 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
14
#14 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 88 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 88
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 88
  3. Negative: 2 out of 88
  1. Luigibarqs
    Jan 15, 2012
    5
    Kirby and the Amazing Mirror is a Kirby platformer that applies the "Four Swords" formula to its gameplay with four Kirbys in action at onceKirby and the Amazing Mirror is a Kirby platformer that applies the "Four Swords" formula to its gameplay with four Kirbys in action at once attempting to save the mirror world but you only control the main one. How does this game fare today? Sadly, not very well at all. On the plus side, the game world is a giant labyrinth similar to what you would see in Metroid or Castlevania and quite possibly a direct sequel to "The Great Cave Offensive" that was a part of Kirby Superstar (SNES)/Kirby Superstar Ultra (DS). other good things are minigames, multiplayer support, the great audio and visuals, the abilbity to call the warp star to return you to the lobby or your partners to help out, and finally the large amount of treasures to collect and use. On the negative aspect of things, single player is incredibly bad. A good chunk of areas in the game are tight to navigate and leave you with little to no room for error in avoiding danger and taking damage, You drop your power with only a single hit and with a certain power needed to access certain areas, if you lose it you have to make a tedious trek back to get it again and return to where you needed it without losing it again which gets rather irritating and fast, the respawn rate for enemies in certain areas is kind of absurd and can lead you to getting unfairly sneak attacked or swarmed, the AI partners are completely useless they will either stand by you and do nothing if nothing is on screen, or clumsily chase the nearest enemy in their programmed field of vision taking as much damage from them and terrain hazards as possible in the process, they with rarely ever help you move large boulders by inhaling it with you and they can sometimes push you into traps, terrain hazards, enemies or bottomless holes if you aren't careful or paying enough attention, the large labyrinth-like structure of the levels doesn't lend itself well to a mere six health points per life, even with the large amount of food/lives items and your mostly useless partners you will notice quickly that it does become a noticeable problem especially in more trickier portions of the levels later on. I know I'm probably going to get a lot of hate for this but I honestly don't think this game is that great, there was good intentions and ideas here but some questionable execution of these said ideas lead to just as much benefits as it does problems. There are far better Kirby platforming experiences for portable Nintendo systems out there in my opinion, I'd recommend trying Kirby Superster Ultra and Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland instead of this or try out the brand new Kirby Mass Attack which utilizes the multiple Kirby system in a far more effective and enjoyable manner.… Full Review »
  2. TheKirby^^
    Jul 14, 2004
    10
    THE BEST KIRBY GAME ON GBA! It's funny to play with the 3 other kirby's.
  3. wegie125
    Dec 10, 2017
    10
    I have been trying not to give out perfect scores as much for games because I realize how important it is for average scores to be given outI have been trying not to give out perfect scores as much for games because I realize how important it is for average scores to be given out and I want those perfect games to be recognized. This game is one of those games. This game is unbelievable especially for being on the gameboy. It adds so many fun levels and music, the characters are fun, the powerups are amazing, but by far the greatest addition in this game was the addition of multiplayer. They managed to make an open world game for up to 4 people who can travel to different parts of the maps and explore, you can call your buddies in case you need help and they can come assist you. You can fight bosses together. I remember playing this with my brothers and it is still by far one of the greatest experiences I have ever had playing any game… Full Review »
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