Software:Kirby's Dream Course

From HandWiki
Short description: 1994 video game
Kirby's Dream Course
North American cover art
Developer(s)HAL Laboratory
Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Takashi Saito
Producer(s)Satoru Iwata
Shigeru Miyamoto
Composer(s)Hirokazu Ando
SeriesKirby
Platform(s)Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Release
  • JP: September 21, 1994
  • NA: February 1, 1995
  • EU: August 24, 1995
Genre(s)Sports (mini golf)
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Kirby's Dream Course[lower-alpha 1] is a 1994 miniature golf video game developed by HAL Laboratory and Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). A spin-off of the Kirby series and the first released for the SNES, players control the pink spherical character Kirby through a series of courses by launching him towards the goal hole at the end. Kirby can hit enemies to collect power-ups that grant him unique abilities, such as those that allow him to destroy certain obstacles or fly around the level.

HAL Laboratory originally designed Dream Course as a standalone game called Special Tee Shot. Though it was previewed in several magazines and displayed on the packaging for the console, HAL replaced the game's original characters with those from the Kirby series following its popularity on the Game Boy. Special Tee Shot was later released for the Satellaview peripheral in Japan. Dream Course received favorable reviews, both at release and retrospectively, for its unique design and absurdity. Some were critical of its high difficulty level and controls. It has been re-released through the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console digital storefronts and the Super NES Classic Edition. A sequel for the Nintendo 64 was in development but later canceled.

Gameplay

The player character Kirby lines up with an enemy character Kabu on the first hole of the first course.

Kirby's Dream Course is a mini golf video game set at an isometric perspective, similar to games such as Marble Madness (1984).[1] Its plot involves Kirby's nemesis King Dedede stealing all of the stars in the night sky.[2] Kirby sets out to stop Dedede and return the stars to the sky.[2]

Players maneuver Kirby (or in the case of player two, a yellow Kirby look-alike named Keeby (キービィ, Kībī)) around a miniature golf course by deflecting him towards a specific area of the playfield.[2] Players must set the power, angle, and spin to connect with various enemies found throughout the levels, claiming a star.[3] When only one enemy remains, that enemy transforms into the goal hole (providing two stars).[2] In multiplayer, players compete for the most stars, and a player may connect with a star claimed by the other player for themself (turning pink to yellow and vice versa). Kirby/Keeby can knock himself into certain enemies to acquire a Copy ability, which can be used to clear courses in a faster period of time or hinder the other player.[4][5] These Copy abilities include Kirby/Keeby turning into a tornado, a sparking ball that can destroy certain obstacles, and a UFO that allows Kirby/Keeby to float and move at will for a short time.[2]

The game has eight single-player courses, with eight holes in each.[4] Completing courses awards the player with medals, which can be used to unlock extra features such as alternative versions of courses. The type of medal awarded is based on how well the player performed, with gold being the best.[2]

Development

Kirby's Dream Course began as a standalone game titled Special Tee Shot before it was reworked into a Kirby game.

Kirby's Dream Course was developed by HAL Laboratory and Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). HAL originally designed the game as a standalone title called Special Tee Shot in 1992, which featured its own original characters and art assets.[6] Though it received several previews from magazines and was displayed prominently on the packaging for the console, the company shelved the project following the success of its Kirby series on the Game Boy.[6][7] HAL later reworked Special Tee Shot into a Kirby game by replacing many of the original characters with those from the Kirby series, and implementing several mechanics to make it fit into the Kirby universe, such as the power-up system.[6][7]

Keeby, the yellow second player character, repurposes the initial proposition for Kirby's color made by game developer Shigeru Miyamoto, which was rejected by series creator Masahiro Sakurai in favor of pink by the time of development for Kirby's Adventure (1993).[8] The character's name is a portmanteau of 黄色 kīro "yellow" and カービィ Kābī "Kirby". Following the appearance of an unnamed yellow Kirby in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land (2002), a yellow color palette became a recurring colorization for additional players playing as a Kirby in the Kirby and Super Smash Bros. series (often as the second player). This palette was named once as "Keeby Yellow" in Kirby's Dream Buffet (2022).[9]

Kirby's Dream Course was released in Japan on September 21, 1994, as Kirby Ball.[10] It was released in North America on February 1, 1995,[11] and in Europe later in the year. Special Tee Shot was later re-released in 1996 for the Satellaview, a peripheral for the Super Famicom that played games via satellite broadcasts.[12] Dream Course was digitally re-released for the Wii Virtual Console in 2007, and the Wii U Virtual Console in Japan in 2013.[10] It is one of thirty games included in the Super NES Classic Edition miniconsole.[3]

In 1995, Nintendo and HAL began work on a sequel named Kirby Ball 64 for the then-upcoming Nintendo 64. It was shown off as a playable demo at Nintendo's annual Shoshinkai trade show, alongside Super Mario 64. Kirby Ball 64 was designed to take advantage of the system's analog stick to allow for more precise movement, in addition to utilizing gouraud shading for its graphics.[13] It also featured an additional gamemode where the player controlled Kirby on a snowboard.[14] The sequel was never released, though some of its concepts were later implemented into Kirby Air Ride (2003).[15]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings77%[16]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CVGStarStarStarStar[17]
GamePro4.5/5[18]
GameSpot7/10[4]
Hyper89%[19]
IGN7.5/10[5]
Mega Fun61%[20]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar[21]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[12]
Nintendo Power3.45/5[lower-alpha 2]
Total!89/100[24]
Video Games (DE)80%[25]
Nintendo Acción88/100[27]

Kirby's Dream Course received praise for its wacky nature and innovation.[18][21] GamePro writer Scary Larry claimed it was just as refined and fun to play as earlier games in the Kirby series.[18] A writer for Next Generation found its mini golf-inspired gameplay unique compared to other games, as did a reviewer from Electronic Gaming Monthly.[21][28] Next Generation and Larry also highlighted Dream Course's complexity, which was uncommon for a golf game at the time.[18][21] The game's colorful visuals were also praised for their offbeat design and sense of humor.[18][21][28] Electronic Gaming Monthly noted that the game's controls required time getting used to;[28] Larry added the accuracy of the player's shots were sometimes questionable and not well-refined.[18] Tom Guise of Computer and Video Games believed its originality made it one of the best SNES games,[17] which Electronic Gaming Monthly agreed with.[28] Javier Abad, a reviewer for Nintendo Acción, commented on the game's difference in design from other games in the series, but felt Kirby fans would enjoy it for the controls and graphical style.[27]

Retrospective commentary on Dream Course has also been favorable. Staff from Nintendo Life compared its silliness to Electronic Arts' Zany Golf (1988), and that it possessed fun gameplay and a balanced level of difficulty. They also believed its isometric perspective worked well, and its graphics were aesthetically-pleasing.[12] IGN's Lucas M. Thomas believed Dream Course's unique concept made it incomparable to other games.[5] Thomas and GameSpot's Frank Provo both enjoyed its power-ups for their usefulness and novelty.[4][5] USgamer writer Nadia Oxford applauded its abnormal level design and comical presentation, and said it offered a break from the more action-oriented games on the console: "Kirby's Dream Course isn't the most exciting game on the SNES Classic Edition, but it's cute, fuzzy, and fun – much like the big pink macaron who runs the course."[3] IGN ranked the game 38th on their "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time."[29]

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Kirby Ball (カービィボウル)
  2. ↑ Nintendo Power scored Kirby's Dream Course 3.2/5 for graphics/sound, 3.3/5 for play control, 3.6/5 for challenge, and 3.7/5 for theme/fun.[22]

References

  1. ↑ "Kirby's Dream Course". All Media Network. 1998. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7419. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Kirby's Dream Course instruction manual. USA: Nintendo. February 1, 1995. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Oxford, Nadia (January 23, 2019). "Super NES Retro Review: Kirby's Dream Course". Gamer Network. https://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-nes-classic-reviews-game-by-game-16-kirbys-dream-course. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Provo, Frank (September 4, 2007). "Kirby's Dream Course Review". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamespot.com/kirbys-dream-course/reviews/kirbys-dream-course-review-6178085/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Kirby's Dream Course". IGN. July 31, 2007. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/01/kirbys-dream-course-review. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lopes, Gonçalo (June 17, 2019). "A Forgotten (And Kirby-Free) HAL SNES Title Has Been Preserved For The Ages". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/a_forgotten_and_kirby-free_hal_snes_title_has_been_preserved_for_the_ages. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Wong, Alistar (June 15, 2019). "SNES Kirby's Dream Course Precursor Special Tee Shot Prototype Now Made Available". Curse, Inc.. https://www.siliconera.com/snes-kirbys-dream-course-precursor-special-tee-shot-prototype-now-made-available/. 
  8. ↑ Zablotny, Marc (September 10, 2012). "11 amazing Kirby facts and secrets". Official Nintendo Magazine. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/41729/11-amazing-kirby-facts-and-secrets/. 
  9. ↑ HAL Laboratory (2022) (in English). Kirby's Dream Buffet. Nintendo Switch. Nintendo. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "カービィボウル" (in ja). Famitsu (Kadokawa Corporation). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1863&redirect=no. Retrieved February 20, 2021. 
  11. ↑ "Kirby's 20th Anniversary Collection: What We Expect Out of It". June 2, 2012. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/30233/kirbys-20th-anniversary-collection-what-we-expect-out-of-it-spin-off-kirby-games-fab-four. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Kirby's Dream Course Review (SNES)". Gamer Network. June 30, 2007. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/snes/kirbys_dream_course. 
  13. ↑ "Prescreen64 – Kirby Bowl 64". Edge. Future Publishing. February 1996. p. 44. https://archive.org/details/edgeuk030/page/n35/mode/2up. 
  14. ↑ "Kirby Bowl 64". GamePro (International Data Group) (90): 23. March 1996. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_090_Volume_08_Number_03_1996-03_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n23/mode/2up. 
  15. ↑ Marrujo, Robert (November 29, 2018). "The History of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time". https://www.nintendojo.com/features/the-history-of-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time. 
  16. ↑ "Kirby's Dream Course Gamerankings Review Score". https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588427-kirbys-dream-course/index.html. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Guise, Tom (September 1996). "Review – Kirby's Dream Course". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. p. 81. https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_178_1996-09_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n79/mode/2up. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 Scary Larry (May 1995). "ProReview: Kirby's Dream Course". GamePro. IDG Communications. p. 80. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_070_May_1995/page/n81/mode/2up. 
  19. ↑ Mansill, Ben (August 1995). "Kirby's Dream Course". Hyper (21): 50–51. https://archive.org/details/hyper-021/page/50/mode/2up?q=%22Kirby%27s+Dream+Course%22. Retrieved June 29, 2021. 
  20. ↑ Björn (September 1996). "Kirby's Dream Course" (in de). Mega Fun: 83. https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1996-09.pdf&page=83. Retrieved June 29, 2021. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 "Rating SNES – Kirby's Dream Course". Next Generation. Imagine Media. May 1995. p. 102. https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-005/page/n103/mode/2up. 
  22. ↑ "Now Playing". Nintendo Power 69: 102–107. February 1995. https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20069%20February%201995/page/n109/mode/2up?q=%22Kirby%27s+Dream+Course%22. Retrieved June 29, 2021. 
  23. ↑ Bros, Majorie (April 1995). "Kirby's Dream Course" (in pt). Super GamePower (13): 30–31. https://archive.org/details/SuperGamePower_13_Abril_1995/page/30/mode/2up?q=%22Kirby%27s+Dream+Course%22. Retrieved June 29, 2021. 
  24. ↑ "Kirby's Dream Course". Total! (58): 54–55. October 1996. https://archive.org/details/total-58/page/n53/mode/2up?q=. Retrieved June 29, 2021. 
  25. ↑ "Kirby's Dream Course" (in de). :de:Video Games: 116. July 1995. https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=2424. Retrieved June 29, 2021. 
  26. ↑ Higgins, Geoff (May 1995). "Kirby's Dream Course". Video Games: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine (76): 69. https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_76_May_1995/page/n67/mode/2up?q=Spiderman. Retrieved July 1, 2021. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Abad, Javier (April 1996). "Super Stars – Kirby's Dream Course" (in es). Nintendo Acción. Axel Springer España. pp. 34–37. https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Accion_041/page/n35/mode/2up. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 "Super NES – Kirby's Tee Shot". Electronic Gaming Monthly. EGM Media. December 1994. pp. 278–279. https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_65/page/n305/mode/2up. 
  29. ↑ (in en) Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com, https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games, retrieved 2022-09-04 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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