Space World 2001: Kirby Tilt
'n' Tumble 2 announced
Miyamoto discusses a new Kirby
game for the GameCube.
As part of his presentation at
Space World 2001, legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto revealed
the GameCube sequel to Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble for the Game Boy
Color. Miyamoto used Tilt 'n' Tumble 2 to demonstrate the
interconnectivity features of the Game Boy Advance and the
GameCube. The game plays similarly to the original game, but
with several new gameplay elements that focus on the interaction
between the GameCube and the GBA.
Miyamoto
demonstrated this by plugging a Game Boy Advance into a GameCube
and using the handheld with a special tilt sensor game pack as
the console's controller. The game, that is, Kirby specifically,
moves back and forth from the screen of the GameCube to that of
the Game Boy Advance. So depending on what area of any given
level you're in, you'll need to look at either your TV's screen
or your handheld's screen. During his demonstration, Miyamoto
caused Kirby to fall off a ledge from the large TV screen onto
his Game Boy Advance, and then he promptly jumped him back up
onto the TV. Miyamoto also stated that you'll be able to write
"programs" onto the game cartridge itself, such as minigames and
the like, but he didn't elaborate.
Kirby Tilt 'n'
Tumble 2 will be available for the GameCube in Japan sometime in
May 2002 under the name Koro Koro Kirby 2.
December 04, 2001 - In the
midst of its Space World 2001 exposition, Nintendo pulled a
surprise rabbit out of its hat. In an effort to demonstrate
how Game Boy Advance could be used as a controller for
GameCube, the company unveiled Koro Koro Kirby, known
to those who speak English as Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble.
While plans for the title seemed premature it certainly
proved that, with enough imagination, the GBA could indeed
be cleverly used in union with GameCube.
Use a proprietary link cable to connect GBA and
GameCube via the controller port
Gameplay
At the Space World 2001 demonstration, famed game creator
Shigeru Miyamoto was quick to show off just how the Game Boy
Advance could be utilized as a controller for GameCube.
Prepared to demonstrate the technology himself, the
legendary designer pulled the small GBA from his pocket and
in it was a pink double-sized GBA cartridge. He explained
that they had adapted the technology seen in the Game Boy
Color version of Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble to work with GameCube.
Pointing to the large projection screen that stood tall
in the center of the room, Miyamoto-san began the
demonstration. The fluffy pink mascot fell onto the first
stage and Miyamoto-san got things rolling -- literally -- by
tilting the Game Boy Advance forward. In a responsive manner
the level, which Kirby sat atop, tilted forward and
according to the laws of
videogame gravity Kirby followed, tumbling
forward into an almost pinball-like stage. Bumpers and
enemies lined the floor and, of course, there were plenty of
yellow stars to collect. Miyamoto continued for a short
time, but eventually insisted his assistant demonstrate the
game because he was better at it. We think Mr. Miyamoto was
just too nervous, but indeed his assistant demonstrated the
game well. Taking us down slides, past spiked creatures, and
even solving a puzzle we got to see what Kirby Tilt 'n'
Tumble is all about.
Really, it's a lot like it was on the Game Boy Color,
only in 3D. However this time around it seems Nintendo
intends to create more than just the Marble Madness type
environments and include some puzzles. The main puzzle we
saw involved a sequence where Kirby multiplied himself on a
special bumper and proceeded to roll around to an area above
where he could lock himself to the ground. At this point the
player controls the leftover Kirby duplicates and must
attempt to position four of them in small circular dips in
the ground. Once completed a bridge will magically appear
allowing Kirby to complete the level.
It should be noted that while rolling through the levels
there are certain points where Kirby drops down through the
clouds into the palm of your hand on your GBA. Here the
player will control Kirby just the same, only in 2D and on a
non-backlit screen. This is where Kirby takes a tumble
(pardon the pun). Outside of being a novelty there's little
reason to force players to squint their eyes and try to
enjoy Kirby on the Game Boy Advance. We hope Nintendo
considers that some people enjoy playing games at night and
others quite prefer the more gorgeous 3D worlds as opposed
to 32-bit 2D worlds.
As a controller, however, the Game Boy Advance is very
useful. Using a special cartridge that uses motion sensor
technology players can tilt and turn their GBA to send Kirby
rolling in all directions. For this the little handheld is
really quit ingenious. An interesting fact is that this
cartridge is blank. It's just a motion sensor and a ROM --
no game. Data is sent down the link cable from the GameCube
optical disc to the special GBA cart. Nintendo has still not
indicated how it will market a GameCube title that uses a
blank GBA cartridge. We expect that they will be bundled
together.
Graphics
Kirby's Tilt 'n' Tumble, despite being a GameCube title, is
very simplistic looking. It's like staring at a cartoon-ized
pinball machine with slides, ramps, and enemies at every
turn. On the bright side it features a very clean and
vibrant look that goes well with the style of the game. We
expect graphical improvements as development progresses, but
Kirby's Tilt 'n' Tumble is definitely not intended to be a
visual knockout.
Outlook
The premise behind Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble is suspiciously
gimmicky. The GBA is firstly being used as the motion
sensor, which could just as easily be a clip that fits onto
the
GameCube controller. Secondly, the GBA cartridge
is useful for storing game data so you can play the title on
your GBA. Again, we feel it's more of a novelty than
anything to play an inferior 2D version of a more impressive
3D game, especially on the very dim GBA. If Nintendo intends
to use the GBA for anything we hope that it allows you to
take Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble on the road. A feature such as
this is far more valuable using the handheld in the presence
of your GBA.
All things considered, Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble reminds us a
lot of the recently released Super Monkey Ball and
age old arcade classic Marble Madness, but Nintendo's
characteristic use of puzzles and overall style could set
the unique title apart. No release date is currently set in
either the US or Japan, so it looks like we're in for a
fairly long wait.
