Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

 Nintendo 64
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
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  1. Nintendojo
    73
    Definitely pick this game up for your younger brother or sister but not for yourself because you will get rather bored of this game much quicker than your sibling.
  2. CNET Gamecenter
    70
    Simple, enemy-inhaling fun that's accessible but won't hold your attention for very long.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Games Domain
    70
    Designed for and is aimed at young children. This isn't to say that it isn't a fun game, but the puzzles aren't going to be as challenging to an adult as they would be to your 5-year-old kid brother.
  5. GameSpot
    69
    While some might be initially put off by the youthful nature of "Kirby 64," the depth of the power combo system really brings a lot to what would otherwise be an average platformer.
  6. Da Gameboyz
    65
    Just don't expect the replay value to be very high, as most experienced gamers will likely not take too long to finish the entire game.
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Game Critics
    60
    The best things that Kirby's adventures are known for, such as interesting abilities and great boss fights, have been thoughtlessly removed. We are left with what looks and controls like a Kirby game, but lacks the attention to detail and fun that made the series classic.
  8. All Game Guide
    60
    Though Kirby's path is fairly well set and there isn't too much call for free-roaming exploration, there are lots of power-ups and hidden areas to keep the game interesting.

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best N64 Game of 2000
5
#5 Most Discussed N64 Game of 2000
9
#9 Most Shared N64 Game of 2000

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 130 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 130
  3. Negative: 5 out of 130
  1. zeta204
    Aug 16, 2012
    10
    Haters aside, a side-scroller Kirby game is one of the best games available for the N64. As someone with limited experience with the KirbyHaters aside, a side-scroller Kirby game is one of the best games available for the N64. As someone with limited experience with the Kirby franchise, I was really surprised by this game. The power-up system is pretty awesome and the game has decent graphics for a game on this platform. Over, this is an experience worth having.… Full Review »
  2. DylanTJ2001
    Oct 4, 2022
    8
    Fun and vibrant, like every kirby game. Absorbing powers and even combining them is fun but also means that everyone can approach the gameFun and vibrant, like every kirby game. Absorbing powers and even combining them is fun but also means that everyone can approach the game differently.

    The game is easy, in a relaxing, fun way. However, the final boss is quite a bit more challenging than any other part of the game, which might stop people newer to the gaming world from completing what is otherwise a simple and fun game.    … Full Review »
  3. FreedomFighters
    Mar 4, 2018
    7
    "Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards" is often seen as one of the greatest console "Kirby" games of all time. Being one of the few legitimate "Kirby""Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards" is often seen as one of the greatest console "Kirby" games of all time. Being one of the few legitimate "Kirby" platformer games on a home console, many look favorably at "Kirby 64" and have great memories with the game, loving its faithfulness to the series as well as the ability to copy two abilities at once, and they often consider it to be a great game. And, while I'm not crazy about the game, it was still good fun overall (remember, 7 out of 10 to me is "good," not "mixed).
    "Kirby 64" has a lot going for it: it's relatively fun overall, the visuals are still colorful and nice to look at, the music is amazing, and the controls are solid. There's quite a few things that work here, and the game as a whole is pretty well-crafted. To go along with that, there's even a decent bit of challenge here, making it feel pretty satisfying when you finally beat the game.
    Unfortunately, a few things work against the game: for starters, it's fairly short, and I can't imagine you'll really want to come back to play the game many times after your first play. On top of that, the game just starts to lose its luster after a while, and while you'll be loving it for the first few worlds, the game will get a bit boring after a while.
    All in all, though, "Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards" is a safe, good, fun little 2.5D platformer that's worth a good play through. Seeing that it's only $10 on the Wii U eShop, that's a great price for a nice, cute, relatively fun game.
    Final rating: 7 out of 10 "Good"    … Full Review »
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