Kirby: Squeak Squad

Kirby: Squeak Squad, known in Europe as Kirby: Mouse Attack, is a platform video 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.

Kirby: Squeak Squad
North American box art
Developer(s)HAL Laboratory
Flagship
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)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

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 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 mini-games 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

Kirby's Squeak Squad received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of three eights and one seven for a total 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, 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]

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. Interestingly, the Australian eShop received the European release, despite not being given the PAL name change.

Notes
    ^ Known in Europe as Kirby: Mouse Attack (not Australia)
    ^ Known in South Korea as Byeol-ui Kirby: Dopang Ildang-ui Seupgyeok (별의 커비 도팡 일당의 습격; Byeol-ui Kirby: Dopang Ildang-ui Seupgyeok; lit.Kirby of the Stars: Dopang Gang's Attack)

    References
    1. Orry, James (23 May 2007). "Kirby wreaks revenge on mice this June". VideoGamer.
    2. Innes, Ruby (3 February 2023). "Newest Kirby Remake Gets Merry Magoland Mini-Game Park". Kotaku Australia.
    3. "Kirby: Squeak Squad for DS Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
    4. Fitch, Andrew (December 4, 2006). "Kirby Squeak Squad". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
    5. Edge staff (February 2007). "Kirby: Squeak Squad". Edge. No. 172. p. 84.
    6. EGM staff (January 2007). "Kirby Squeak Squad". Electronic Gaming Monthly. p. 111.
    7. Bramwell, Tom (June 22, 2007). "Kirby Mouse Attack". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    8. rawmeatcowboy (October 25, 2006). "A few Famitsu scores". GoNintendo. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    9. Miller, Matt (February 2007). "Kirby: Squeak Squad". Game Informer. No. 166. Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    10. Deuce Magnum (November 28, 2006). "Review: Kirby Squeak Squad". GamePro. Archived from the original on December 2, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    11. V. Djamgarov (January 5, 2007). "Kirby Squeak Squad Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    12. Navarro, Alex (December 5, 2006). "Kirby Squeak Squad Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    13. Theobald, Phil (December 11, 2006). "GameSpy: Kirby Squeak Squad". GameSpy. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    14. "Kirby Squeak Squad Review". GameTrailers. January 9, 2007. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    15. Harris, Craig (December 5, 2006). "Kirby: Squeak Squad Review". IGN. Archived from the original on April 2, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    16. "Kirby: Squeak Squad". Nintendo Power. Vol. 212. February 2007. p. 93.
    17. East, Tom (July 2007). "Kirby Mouse Attack Review". Official Nintendo Magazine: 84–85. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    18. Padilla, Raymond M. (January 24, 2007). "Kirby Squeak Squad Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    19. Hill, Jason (April 19, 2007). "Kirby Squeak Squad". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
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