The first player has t' be Kirby, but everyone can pick from other known Kirbyverse characters.

With few embarrassing exceptions like Kirby's Air Ride, the pink puff ball has always been a solo experience. that be merely an option in Kirby's Return t' Dreamland, the second Kirby game being released this year, 'n a game that may as well be called New Super Kirby Bros. Wii.

I had no idea Kirby's Return t' Dreamland be even announced at E3. I be paid t' know facts like this 'n didn't realize Nintendo had revealed two Kirby games until catching up on RSS feeds after the show. But Nintendo showed both t' me recently in San Francisco (read me impressions a Kirby Mass Attack over here), 'n ye can imagine me surprise when another Nintendo employee picked up a controller--'n a blue Kirby appeared. 'n then a yellow one. 'n another color I can't remember.

Four Kirby dudes at once! Madness. Playing as Kirby isn't yer only option either, so long as ye're the second, third or fourth player. Someone has t' play as Kirby, but anyone who joins in the game afterwards has the option a playing as several other characters, such as Meta Knight. If ye're not Kirby, however, ye lose access t' Kirby's unique ability t' acquire powers through cannibalism. I doubt Nintendo would approve a such terminology, but ye tell me what else Kirby's actually up t'.

Other playable characters include King Dedede 'n Waddle Dee, each with their own attacks. I can't figure why ye'd want t' play anyone other than Kirby, though; messing with the powers has been the general appeal behind the Kirby series forever. t' be fair, this defining bit wasn't even part a the original Kirby game, Kirby's Dream Land, released on the Game Boy in 1992.

By collecting a particular power-up, Kirby's powers be exponentially increased.

The four-player mania be a love-it-or-hate-it feature from New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Three people be the sweet spot for me, preventing the chaos from spilling into the realm a frustration, but I totally understood why most people had zero interest whatsoever. Platformers be about strict timing--it be a very personal affair. Kirby be not. There be platforming involved in playing this or any other Kirby game, but it be not front 'n center. Again, it be more about really messing cute dudes up with powers.

'n there be hella powers up in Kirby's Return t' Dreamland, powers way more powerful 'n screen-encompassing than anything else Kirby's had access t' before. There's even one that allowed Kirby t' create his own personal wave 'n surf across the damn screen. Surf.

All told, while I be thankful for what appears t' be two new quality Kirby games, I can't help but be a little remorseful Kirby's Epic Yarn appears t' have been a one-off when it comes t' Kirby's console appearances. Kirby's lacked a strong visual identity in 3D, an issue Kirby's Epic Yarn solved by running in the opposite direction 'n embracing something different. it be not t' say Kirby's Return t' Dreamland looks bad, but "well, it looks like another Kirby game" be hardly a compliment, either.

Fortunately, "it looks like another Kirby game" also means it be probably gonna be a pretty good game.