Software:Kirby: Squeak Squad

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Short description: 2006 video game
Kirby: Squeak Squad
North American box art
Developer(s)HAL Laboratory
Flagship
Natsume
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Takashi Hamamura
Producer(s)Yasushi Adachi
Masayoshi Tanimura
Kensuke Tanabe
Composer(s)Hirokazu Ando
Jun Ishikawa
Tadashi Ikegami
Shogo Sakai
SeriesKirby
Platform(s)Nintendo DS
Release
  • JP: November 2, 2006
  • NA: December 4, 2006
  • UK: December 8, 2006
  • AU: March 1, 2007
  • EU: June 22, 2007
  • KOR: September 13, 2007
Genre(s)Action, platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Lua error in Module:Lang/utilities at line 332: attempt to call field '_transl' (a nil value).[lower-alpha 1] is a 2006 action-platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and Flagship and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It is one of the mainline installment entries of the Kirby series and the second Kirby game released for the system. The game was released in Japan and North America in 2006 and in Europe, Australia, and South Korea in 2007. The game was later re-released for the Wii U's Virtual Console on June 25, 2015.

Gameplay

As in most of his games, Kirby is able to copy the abilities of certain enemies by inhaling and swallowing them. There are also interactive environments, with obstacles that are passable with copy abilities. Kirby is also able to collect and store copy abilities and items in his stomach, which is represented on the touch screen. Only five items can be stored at a time. The player can combine certain abilities, similar to Software:Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards. Mixing abilities is achieved by dragging one ability over another with the stylus. If the two are compatible with each other, they will combine and produce a new ability. This can only be done if the scroll for a certain ability is found. However, if they are not compatible, they will combine to create a random bubble. The game also introduces Copy Scrolls, which power-up any Copy Ability that Kirby has when chosen.

Each level contains one or more treasure chests, with the contents being awarded when the player successfully completes the level with that chest. The player will need to make sure they have enough space in Kirby's stomach to store the chests. The larger chests are generally more difficult to obtain, and require Kirby to face a member of the Squeaks in a mini-challenge.

The game supports multiplayer for three special minigames based on the Squeak Squad. These minigames are Treasure Shot, Speedy Teatime, and Smash Ride,[1] the latter of which appeared in Merry Magoland in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe.[2]

Plot

One day in Dream Land, Kirby attempts to eat a slice of strawberry shortcake. Before he can, however, it is suddenly snatched away by an unseen presence. Kirby immediately suspects King Dedede of committing the same crime again, so he leaves to go confront him. Finding Dedede at his castle in Prism Plains, Kirby defeats him in battle, but soon discovers Dedede was not responsible. Immediately after, a group of treasure-thieving mice known as the Squeaks appear. They reveal they were behind Kirby's shortcake being taken. As they flee with Dedede's belongings, an angered Dedede grabs Kirby and hurls him at the Squeaks. Kirby then chases the Squeaks across Dream Land, eventually reaching their hideout at Ice Island.

At Ice Island, a battle ensues between Kirby and the leader of the Squeaks, Daroach. Kirby wins the battle, and is about to get the treasure chest supposedly containing his cake when Meta Knight swoops in and snatches the chest away. Meta Knight escapes to the Secret Sea, and Kirby chases after him. Kirby catches up to Meta Knight, and they fight on the Halberd, which flies into space. Meta Knight is defeated and Kirby goes to the treasure chest. Before he can open it, though, Daroach flies in and grabs it from him. Daroach opens it, but the chest does not contain Kirby's cake. Instead, a dark-colored cloud emerges, possessing Daroach, who flies off to the distant Gamble Galaxy.

Concerned, Kirby follows, eventually encountering and fighting the possessed Daroach. Once beaten, the darkness lets go of Daroach and floats away in the form of a small, black-colored star. Kirby follows the star, which eventually transforms into its true form - a Dark Matter entity and the ruler of the Underworld, Dark Nebula. It is revealed that the chest was Dark Nebula's prison, and Meta Knight was only trying to keep anyone from opening the chest and releasing Dark Nebula. Kirby defeats Dark Nebula and heads back to Dream Land. In a post-credits scene, the Squeaks send Kirby back his cake, making him happy at last as he begins to eat it.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic71/100[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comB−[4]
Edge7/10[5]
EGM6.67/10[6]
Eurogamer6/10[7]
Famitsu31/40[8]
Game Informer7.75/10[9]
GameProStarStarStarStar[10]
GameRevolutionC[11]
GameSpot7.7/10[12]
GameSpyStarStarStarHalf star[13]
GameTrailers6.5/10[14]
IGN7.8/10[15]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[20]
Nintendo Power7.5/10[16]
ONM70%[17]
X-PlayStarStarStar[18]
The Sydney Morning HeraldStarStarStarHalf star[19]

Kirby: Squeak Squad received "mixed or average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] In Japan, four critics from Famitsu gave the game a total score of 31 out of 40.[8]

Criticisms concerned the lack of originality in the title when compared to the previous Kirby game on the Nintendo DS, Software:Kirby: Canvas Curse.[7][4] Television show X-Play criticized the game for weak minigames and unnecessary use of the touchscreen.[18] The British Official Nintendo Magazine gave the game, on its European release, a score of 70%.[17]

IGN said that the game is "nothing spectacular if you look at it as a creative new way to experience the classic Kirby gameplay".[15]

Rerelease

The game was later released on the Wii U's Virtual Console service in Europe on June 25, 2015; in Australia on June 26, 2015; in North America on July 30, 2015; and in Japan on September 9, 2015. The Australian eShop received the European release, despite not being given the PAL name change.

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Europe as Kirby: Mouse Attack
^ Known in Europe as Kirby: Mouse Attack (not Australia)

References

  1. ↑ Orry, James (23 May 2007). "Kirby wreaks revenge on mice this June". https://www.videogamer.com/news/kirby-wreaks-revenge-on-mice-this-june/. 
  2. ↑ Innes, Ruby (3 February 2023). "Newest Kirby Remake Gets Merry Magoland Mini-Game Park". https://www.kotaku.com.au/2023/02/newest-kirby-remake-gets-merry-magoland-mini-game-park/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Kirby: Squeak Squad for DS Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/kirby-squeak-squad/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fitch, Andrew (December 4, 2006). "Kirby Squeak Squad". http://www.1up.com/reviews/kirby-squeak-squad. 
  5. ↑ Edge staff (February 2007). "Kirby: Squeak Squad". Edge (172): 84. 
  6. ↑ EGM staff (January 2007). "Kirby Squeak Squad". Electronic Gaming Monthly: 111. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bramwell, Tom (June 22, 2007). "Kirby Mouse Attack". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/kirby-mouse-attack-review. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 rawmeatcowboy (October 25, 2006). "A few Famitsu scores". GoNintendo. http://www.gonintendo.com/stories/19705-a-few-famitsu-scores. 
  9. ↑ Miller, Matt (February 2007). "Kirby: Squeak Squad". Game Informer (166). http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/C37A8E24-7369-42BE-A1DF-063E6B927DBE.htm?. Retrieved October 8, 2016. 
  10. ↑ Deuce Magnum (November 28, 2006). "Review: Kirby Squeak Squad". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/87748.shtml. Retrieved October 8, 2016. 
  11. ↑ V. Djamgarov (January 5, 2007). "Kirby Squeak Squad Review". GameRevolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/kirby-squeak-squad. 
  12. ↑ Navarro, Alex (December 5, 2006). "Kirby Squeak Squad Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kirby-squeak-squad/1900-6162752/. 
  13. ↑ Theobald, Phil (December 11, 2006). "GameSpy: Kirby Squeak Squad". GameSpy. http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/kirby-ds/750315p1.html. 
  14. ↑ "Kirby Squeak Squad Review". January 9, 2007. http://gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=3363. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Harris, Craig (December 5, 2006). "Kirby: Squeak Squad Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/06/kirby-squeak-squad-review. 
  16. ↑ "Kirby: Squeak Squad". Nintendo Power 212: 93. February 2007. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 East, Tom (July 2007). "Kirby Mouse Attack Review". Official Nintendo Magazine: 84–85. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/2272/reviews/kirby-mouse-attack-review/. Retrieved October 8, 2016. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Padilla, Raymond M. (January 24, 2007). "Kirby Squeak Squad Review". http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1377/Kirby_Squeak_Squad.html. 
  19. ↑ Hill, Jason (April 19, 2007). "Kirby Squeak Squad". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/game-reviews/kirby-squeak-squad/2007/04/18/1176696844610.html. 
  20. ↑ Olimar, Brody (March 26, 2009). "Kirby Squeak Squad Review". Nintendo Life. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/ds/kirby_squeak_squad. 

Booklets

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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