Standard Edition
StandardIn the box
- Nintendo 64 cartridge
- Cardboard box with cover art
- Instruction booklet
Nintendo 64
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is a 2000 platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 (N64). It is the first Kirby game to feature 3D computer graphics and follows Kirby as he attempts to reassemble a sacred crystal shattered by Dark Matter.
PlatformAdventure
- Update patch
- No patch
- Time to beat
- about 3.9 hours
- Plays offline
- Yes
Overview
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is a 2000 platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 (N64). It is the first Kirby game to feature 3D computer graphics and follows Kirby as he attempts to reassemble a sacred crystal shattered by Dark Matter. Gameplay is viewed from a 2.5D perspective and is similar to previous Kirby titles; the player traverses levels and obtains powers by eating enemies. Kirby 64 introduces Power Combos, the ability to mix powers to create more powerful ones. In a multiplayer mode, up to four players can compete in three minigames.
Development began in September 1997. The game was intended for the N64's 64DD add-on, but became a standard N64 title after the add-on failed. HAL initially planned to use the N64 controller's analog stick for Kirby 64, but switched to the D-pad about a year before release.
The game received mainly positive reviews, with praise directed at its colorful visuals and classic style of gameplay, but criticism towards its underwhelming low difficulty and short length. The game was rereleased for the Virtual Console on the Wii in 2008, Wii U in 2015, and the Nintendo Classics service in 2022. The game was also included in the Wii compilation Kirby's Dream Collection (2012). Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards was the last traditional Kirby game for home consoles until Kirby's Return to Dream Land (2011).
Official trailer
Trailer. Watch on YouTube
Gameplay
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards - N64 Gameplay, N64guide. Watch on YouTube
Screenshots
Game details
- Genres
- Platform, Adventure
- Developer
- HAL Laboratory
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Series
- Kirby
- Platforms
- Wii, Nintendo 64, Wii U
- Age rating
- ESRB E
- Modes
- Single player
- Yes
- Local multiplayer
- Yes
- Online multiplayer
- No
- Co op
- Yes
- Age ratings
- CERO
- A
- PEGI
- 3
- ESRB
- E
Release dates
| Platform | Region | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo 64 | Japan | 2000-03-24 |
| Nintendo 64 | North America | 2000-06-27 |
| Nintendo 64 | Europe / PAL | 2001-06-22 |
Editions
Standard Edition
StandardIn the box
- Nintendo 64 cartridge
- Cardboard box with cover art
Hoshi no Kirby 64
In the box
- Nintendo 64 cartridge
- Box with cover art
Space and patches
Update patchNo patch
DLC
No DLC. Nintendo 64 games had no downloadable content.
Playable today
Playable offline todayYes
No online features; every mode works today. The cartridge runs on any Nintendo 64, and the game is on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Ever released on disc | Yes, on Nintendo 64 cartridge |
| Ever released in the store | Yes, 25 February 2008 On the Wii Virtual Console. Later on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2015 and in the Nintendo 64 library of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack in 2022. |
| In the store to buy today | No The Wii and Wii U shops have closed. Playable with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. |
| Can be downloaded again if you already bought it | Yes Wii and Wii U Virtual Console purchases can still be downloaded again. The Nintendo Switch Online version needs an active Expansion Pack membership. |
| Disc runs with no patch | Yes |
| Disc runs with the final patch | Does not exist No patch was ever released. |
| Has online features | No |
| Online servers running today | Does not exist |
| Playable offline today: campaign | Yes |
| Playable offline today: local multiplayer | Yes Up to four players in three minigames. |
| Playable offline today: online multiplayer | Does not exist No online play. |
| Playable offline today: DLC | Does not exist No DLC. |
Online
Plays offlineYes
Reception
- Aggregates
Outlet Platform Score Scale Metacritic Nintendo 64 77 100 - Critics
Outlet Score Scale Famitsu 32 40 Nintendo Power 8.1 10 IGN 7.9 10 GameSpot 6.9 10 Edge 5 10 GameFan 90 100 Hyper 85 100 N64 Magazine 72 100
Staff and cast
- Staff
Role Name Developer HAL Laboratory Publisher Nintendo Director Shinichi Shimomura Producers Masayoshi Tanimura, Hiroaki Suga, Kenji Miki Programmer Teruyuki Gunji Composers Jun Ishikawa, Hirokazu Ando
Notes for collectors
- Power Combos let Kirby mix two copied abilities into a new one.
- Up to four players can play its three minigames.
- Started out as a 64DD game before moving to a cartridge.
- Also included in Kirby's Dream Collection on Wii in 2012.
Credits
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Developer
- HAL Laboratory
- Director
- Shinichi Shimomura
- Released
- 2000-06-27
- Age rating
- ESRB E
- Region
- US
- Time to beat
- about 3.9 hours
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