Overview

Kirby's Dream Land 3 was one of the last games to be released for the Super Nintendo. HAL Laboratories decided to return to Kirby's roots in this game after making a very successful spin-off, Kirby Super Star. Dream Land 3 marks the end of the Dream Land arc and features such series hallmarks as animal helpers and a secret ending triggered by completing certain conditions in every level. With a hand-drawn visual style and excellent level design, Kirby's Dream Land 3 provided the perfect ending for the arc. However, Kirby's Super Star was such a success that the fans wanted a sequel for it, so back to the basics was farthest from their minds. The good news is that Kirby's Dream Land 3 is an excellent game that showcases classic Kirby gameplay in every way.

Story

Kirby and his friend, Gooey, were relaxing on a warm afternoon, when suddenly, a black shape descended from outer space. Before anyone knew what was happening, the creature shot out tendrils of darkness and started stealing all the happiness from all over the planet! Kirby and Gooey jumped up and ran off to find their friends and return all the happiness to Dream Land.

Gameplay

Since Kirby's Dream Land 3 is part of the Dream Land series, it returns to the classic Kirby gameplay that characterizes that series. Kirby's innate moves consist of flying, sliding, inhaling objects, and spitting inhaled objects out as stars. However, if Kirby swallows certain enemies, he can absorb their power, and is then free to unleash it upon other enemies. Each power gives a single ability that replaces the ability to swallow enemies, and that power needs to be discarded before another power can be acquired. For example, if Kirby has the Ice power, he can encase enemies in blocks of ice, and then kick those blocks forward. However, if Kirby comes across a Parasol Waddle Dee and wants his Parasol ability, he will proceed to discard his Ice power, swallow the Parasol Waddle Dee, and take his Parasol power.

These are the eight base abilities:

Picture	Ability	Acquired from:
	Clean	Keke, Broom Hatter, Bukiset
	Cutter	Sir Kibble, Kapar, Bukiset
	Electricity	Sparky, Bukiset
	Fire	Bobo, Magoo, Galbo, Bukiset
	Ice	Chilly, Wappa, Bukiset
	Needle	Togezo, Tick, Boten, Bukiset
	Parasol	Sasuke, Klinko, Bukiset
	Stone	Rocky, Gansan, Bukiset

Helpers

The versatility of each of the base abilities is greatly increased when coupled with one of Kirby's animal helpers. When Kirby selects a helper, the effects of each of the powers change as long as he is using that particular helper. The six helpers are Rick the Hampster, Nago the Cat, Coo the Owl, Kine the Fish, Pitch the Bird, and ChuChu the Octopus. Taking the helpers into account, there are a total of 56 powers waiting to be unleashed.

Heart Stars

On his journey, Kirby will meet a person in every level who is unhappy. If Kirby can find a way to cheer them up again, then their happiness will return and produce a heart star in the process. The heart stars are the key to breaking Dark Matter's hold on Dream Land. If all the heart stars are collected from one world, then Kirby will be able to break the boss of that world away from Dark Matter's control. Collecting all the heart stars will unlock the final world and the true ending.

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