Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

 Nintendo 64
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
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  1. Fragasnap
    Nov 20, 2011
    6
    Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards can provide reasonable challenge to practiced gamers with its nearly mean-spirited hiding places for the titular crystal shards, but the levels themselves tend towards the easy side, perfect for younger gamers. Ultimately, Kirby's ability to combine his copy-powers and the puzzles to solve for crystal shards will only vaguely distract from the slow, floatyKirby 64: The Crystal Shards can provide reasonable challenge to practiced gamers with its nearly mean-spirited hiding places for the titular crystal shards, but the levels themselves tend towards the easy side, perfect for younger gamers. Ultimately, Kirby's ability to combine his copy-powers and the puzzles to solve for crystal shards will only vaguely distract from the slow, floaty controls and the short playtime.… Expand
  2. 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" 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."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"    … Expand
  3. gdiego135
    Aug 11, 2016
    7
    This game is pretty short, but might take a while because of frustration, I rage quit a few times, but i finally beat it and im happy. Game play is nice i guess, i havent played every kirby but the other ones i have feel better, Kirby is really slow in this game even when you sprint and fly it takes ages, and can be really annoying especially boss fights. Graphics although old, still lookThis game is pretty short, but might take a while because of frustration, I rage quit a few times, but i finally beat it and im happy. Game play is nice i guess, i havent played every kirby but the other ones i have feel better, Kirby is really slow in this game even when you sprint and fly it takes ages, and can be really annoying especially boss fights. Graphics although old, still look good today, matter a fact i'd much rather look at this then gta4 because man does that game have some hideous graphics. The soundtrack is great, it goes from peaceful, and catchy, to bad ass and intense in some boss fights. Story isn't much it's just a fun game. you just go from world to world boss fight at the end of each, and thats it. but man do some get hard. I think games should also be rated by their difficulty as well, because this is E for everyone but kids will probably stop playing once they reach the 2nd boss, this should be like E 10 and up or something, but no little kid is going to beat this, well some will, but most won't. There's also 3 minigames you can play with friends which are pretty fun, overall a nice light hearted game.… Expand
  4. ImraanTest
    Dec 31, 2021
    7
    Kirby 64 is a decent game. It is a great pick up for younger gamers but I don't see many people over the age of 16 picking this game up after it's short campaign. The music is solid, and graphically it's one of the system's best looking games. I just wish there was more to this game. More difficulty or replay value would have done wonders.
  5. Bill
    Jun 23, 2007
    7
    Brilliant music...but the game in general is a little easy and going back for every crystal shard is a bit of a hassle.
  6. NathanJones
    Sep 12, 2013
    7
    To be honest, this is the only Kirby game I have ever played aside Kirby's Adventure. Kirby 64 can be difficult at times, but it is enjoyable for everyone. Score: 4/5.
  7. thealexmott
    Mar 27, 2017
    6
    Kirby games are often quite easy, as they are meant for all ages to enjoy. But this one is REALLY easy. It's hard to enjoy a game like this without a decent amount of challenge. This makes Lego games feel like Dark Souls.
  8. ChesterField
    May 1, 2020
    7
    Platform game that despite having the quality of a nintendo game becomes quite monotonous during its short duration. 10 soundtrack.
  9. neojotic
    Aug 27, 2020
    7
    For me it's a 7.5 and to me that's good. It's a standard Kirby game with appropriate graphics for the time it was released. There's nothing over the top about it when compared to other games from the same time but there's nothing disappointing about it at all.

    What you see is exactly what you get. You'll have fun playing this but it won't be as many hours as a DK64, Conker's Bad Fur Day    For me it's a 7.5 and to me that's good. It's a standard Kirby game with appropriate graphics for the time it was released. There's nothing over the top about it when compared to other games from the same time but there's nothing disappointing about it at all.

    What you see is exactly what you get. You'll have fun playing this but it won't be as many hours as a DK64, Conker's Bad Fur Day or a Zelda game.    … Expand
  10. GDsReviews
    Jun 9, 2022
    5
    This game is a two sided beast due to the collection of the Crystal Shards of the game's title. If you aim to beat it without collecting all the crystal shards it is quite fun and enjoyable. But if you aim to collect all the crystal shards, the game becomes a brutal grind that can burn you out since the requirements to collect some crystal shards involve combos not available in the actualThis game is a two sided beast due to the collection of the Crystal Shards of the game's title. If you aim to beat it without collecting all the crystal shards it is quite fun and enjoyable. But if you aim to collect all the crystal shards, the game becomes a brutal grind that can burn you out since the requirements to collect some crystal shards involve combos not available in the actual level the shard is in, and the true final boss is locked behind collecting all the shards. Soundtrack is fantastic though.… Expand
  11. Yojimbo2015
    Jan 26, 2023
    6
    Kirby gets the polygonal treatment but the third dimension is purely cosmetic. It plays just like the earlier games - which is no bad thing - and the special powers are varied and fun. Unfortunately the lack of any real challenge means there's not much in the way of longevity, but it's enjoyable while it lasts

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. CheckOut
    80
    The only knock on the game is that it is not particularly lengthy when compared to a behemoth like "DK64."
  2. Nintendorks
    80
    Whatever the reasons may be, just rent Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, ignore any qualms about difficulty or length and for the few days you have it proceed to bask in the glow of great fun emanating from your TV screen.
  3. CNET Gamecenter
    70
    Simple, enemy-inhaling fun that's accessible but won't hold your attention for very long.
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