Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

About Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror arrived on Game Boy Advance in 2004 after developer Dimps shifted from pure porting duties to original creation. This title sends Kirby and three clones into the fractured Mirror World to hunt down eight mirror shards before evil takes over. You control four distinct versions of the pink hero, each sporting different colors and abilities like swordplay or fire breathing. The game supports split-screen multiplayer so friends can join the fray immediately. It later found homes on Wii U, Wii, and 3DS via Virtual Console. This platformer stands out by forcing you to manage a squad rather than just one character. You navigate large maps with interconnected zones instead of linear stages.

Gameplay

Sessions involve splitting your party into four separate paths that weave through the same map simultaneously. You swap control instantly between characters or group them up to tackle specific puzzles. Combat relies on copy abilities where you absorb enemy traits to gain new attacks like arrows or melee strikes. The level design demands constant coordination because one character might need to reach a high ledge while another holds down a switch below. Side games like Crackity Hack and Speed Eaters break up the main quest with quick skill checks. Multiplayer mode lets local players take turns or cooperate on split screens. Movement feels floaty yet responsive, letting you hover briefly in midair to cross gaps. You constantly rotate leaders to solve environmental obstacles that require different powers.

What Players Think

Players on PlayPile rate this title highly with an IGDB score of 83.9 out of 100 based on 103 ratings. The average playtime sits around 8 hours for a standard run, though completionists spend nearly double that time hunting every mirror shard and side game trophy. Community moods lean heavily toward nostalgic appreciation, with users frequently citing the unique multiplayer split-screen as the defining feature. Review snippets highlight how the four-character mechanic solves many platforming puzzles better than single-player entries. Critics note the 103 ratings suggest a steady cult following rather than mainstream explosion. Completion rates show most players reach the final boss but only a fraction finish all subgames without dying.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth your time if you want a challenging platformer that demands coordination over simple reflexes. The split-screen multiplayer offers genuine replay value since four people can actually play together on one device. Price varies by platform, but the 3DS and Wii U versions often appear cheap in digital stores. There are no significant achievement hurdles preventing you from seeing the end credits, yet finding all mirror fragments remains a tough task for solo players. Shadows Kirby serves as a memorable ally rather than an enemy at the conclusion. Skip this only if you dislike managing multiple characters or need to finish games quickly.

Storyline

There is a Mirror World that exists in the skies of Dream Land where any wish reflected in the mirror will come true. However, one day it copies the mind of a mysterious figure and creates a reflected world of evil. Meta Knight notices this and flies up to save the Mirror World. Meanwhile, Kirby is taking a walk when Dark Meta Knight appears. Before Kirby can react, Dark Meta Knight slices Kirby in four and Kirby becomes four different colored Kirbys. They chase after Dark Meta Knight on a Warp Star simultaneously and enter the Mirror World. It is revealed that the two Meta Knights fought each other until the real Meta Knight was defeated. He was then knocked into the mirror, which was in turn cut into eight fragments by Dark Meta Knight and scattered across the Mirror World, prompting the Kirbys to save Meta Knight and the Mirror World. After collecting all eight mirror fragments, Kirby enters the Mirror World and battles Dark Meta Knight. After defeating him, a vortex appears and sucks Kirby in, who is given Meta Knight's sword. Kirby then proceeds to fight Dark Mind, the true mastermind behind the Mirror World's corruption, multiple times. Upon defeat, the Mirror World is saved, and Shadow Kirby (the Mirror World counterpart of Kirby who is believed to be an enemy, but is now an ally) waves his goodbyes to the four Kirbys as they all exit the Mirror World one by one. Meta Knight also drops his Master sword before leaving the Mirror World, marking it as a symbol for the Mirror World's protection.