Image courtesy of Giant Bomb user hmmisee.

Kirby’s Dream Land 3 is one Kirby’s most fun and creative adventures
Kirby’s Dream Land 3 is one of the better entries in the long running series, but also one of the SNES’ most unique platformers.

Released in late fall of 1997, Kirby’s Dream Land 3 has the distinction of being Nintendo’s last published title on the SNES. The game was also overshadowed by the release of the Nintendo 64 and its ever growing library. Gamers were more interested in Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64 and GoldenEye 007 rather than what the little pink guy was copying.

The game was also unfavorably compared to the smash hit Kirby Super Star. While Super Star is a great game in its own right, Kirby’s Dream Land 3 gets the series back to its roots of straightforward platforming, while doing something new as well.

Kirby’s Dream Land 3 showcases the power of the SNES, not with cutting-edge effects, with the impressive color palate the system had. Gameplay is also as fun as ever, but introduces a good amount of elements to keep it fresh each level.

Colors, colors everywhere in Dream Land! Image courtesy of GameFAQs.

Consistently solid gameplay keeps Kirby’s Dream Land 3 interesting
Kirby’s Dream Land 3 uses the typical Kirby format. Jumping, flying around and getting opponents abilities. However, the addition of Kirby’s animal friends make things more interesting. Instead of three, there is now six. Rick, Coo and Kine all return from Kirby’s Dream Land 2. Nago the double jumping cat, Pitch the green bird and Chuchu the octopus wearing a bow all join the ranks of Kirby’s friends. The blue ball Gooey is along for the ride and can be used by player two.

Kirby and Gooey’s Excellent Adventure. Image courtesy of GameFAQs.

Kirby’s Dream Land 3 does not have the gimmick of being “six games in one” like Super Star, but has the same amount of variety. Not in game types, but in gameplay. It is also more streamlined to focus. It does not break down barriers, but keeps gameplay steady.

The amount of animal friends in Kirby’s Dream Land 3 for one is a great addition. Each of them will be helpful in finding secret passages in stages.

The sort of “missions” in each stage will allow for replayability. Kirby’s Dream Land 3 contains a side character in each stage. Some times its an original character. Other times its another Nintendo character. The character will ask Kirby break down a wall, bring back children or find a certain item. It is not the main goal of each stage, but it adds to Kirby’s Dream Land 3’s platforming. It’s a nice addition to make the game feel longer.

It’s random cameo time! Image courtesy of GameFAQs.

Kirby’s Dream Land 3 has the typical copy abilities such as cutter, spark and stone, among others. They aren’t particularly different, but it’s not an overwhelming selection. Each copy ability in Kirby’s Dream Land 3 is useful in its own right, and the player won’t ever feel like they got the short end of the stick. This is somewhat a rare feature, since every Kirby game has its selection of useless copy abilities and this one does not.

The franchise has always had fun, but simplistic, gameplay that keeps players coming back. Kirby’s Dream Land 3 will certainly delight longtime fans and even new comers.

Kirby’s Dream Land 3 boasts a great art style
Kirby’s Dream Land 3’s stylized sprites and backgrounds are absolute eye candy. Similar to Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, Kirby’s Dream Land 3 has a distinct hand drawn style. Outlines of characters will have scribbly lines and the game looks like it was drawn with pencil crayons. The Kirby series has been all about cute visuals, the graphics of Kirby’s Dream Land 3 exemplify this aspect perfectly. It does not display bright colors like Super Star did, but it at least has its own style.

The art style alone is great to look at. Image courtesy of GameFAQs.

One of Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures
Kirby’s Dream Land 3 came out at one of the worst times. A (then) second-tier Nintendo series being released at the very end of a last generation console, and  having to live up to an instant classic stacked the cards against the game.

If any Kirby fan or even someone looking for an addictive and clever platformer, than Kirby’s Dream Land 3 will be what the doctor ordered. The visuals alone make the game worth playing at least once, but the addition of several gameplay elements will keep gamers glued to the game. In some ways, it is just as good, if not better, than Super Star.

Kirby’s Dream Land 3 isn’t expensive to find on the SNES and it is available to download on the Virtual Console.