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Kirby's Dream Collection

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Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition
North American box art
DeveloperHAL Laboratory
PublisherNintendo
Directors
Producers
Composers
SeriesKirby
PlatformWii
Release
  • JP: July 19, 2012
  • NA: September 16, 2012
GenrePlatform
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition[a] is a 2012 video game compilation developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is an anthology disc celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Kirby series, and includes six playable Kirby platform games originally released between 1992 and 2000, as well as additional special features. Along with the disc, the package also contains a soundtrack CD and a collectable booklet.

The compilation was released in Japan on July 19, 2012, and in North America on September 16, 2012. To promote its release, Nintendo organized the breaking of a Guinness World Record for the most people blowing a chewing gum bubble simultaneously. Kirby's Dream Collection was positively received, with praise for its content and as a celebration of Kirby. Critics compared the title to the Wii re-release of Super Mario All-Stars (1993), describing Kirby's Dream Collection as a better anniversary compilation.

Overview

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See also: Kirby (series) § Gameplay

Kirby's Dream Collection includes six playable Kirby platform games: the Game Boy games Kirby's Dream Land (1992) and Kirby's Dream Land 2 (1995), the NES game Kirby's Adventure (1993), the SNES games Kirby Super Star (1996) and Kirby's Dream Land 3 (1997), and the Nintendo 64 game Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2000).[1] All six games see the player controlling Kirby as he traverses through 2D levels and inhales enemies to defeat them, with later entries introducing the ability to absorb enemies' Copy Abilities and take on their powers.[2] In addition to the GameCube Controller and Classic Controller, all six games have been calibrated for use with the Wii Remote turned horizontally.[3][4] The game supports up to four players depending on which game is chosen.[5] Like the other four games in the collection, the Game Boy games (Kirby's Dream Land and Kirby's Dream Land 2) are emulated via the Wii's Virtual Console interface, complete with the "suspending play" and manual features, despite Game Boy titles never being released on the service via the Wii Shop Channel.[2] As a result, the console must be reset in order to switch games.[3] All six games had previously been released separately on the Virtual Console via the Wii Shop Channel and Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS, though Kirby's Dream Land 2 was not yet available in North America at the time of release.[2][6]

Kirby's Dream Collection also features new challenge stages based on those found in Kirby's Return to Dream Land (2011).[7] Each stage gives Kirby a specific Copy Ability, which he must use to clear the stage and achieve a high score, being awarded a medal based on the player's performance.[5] Completing challenges will unlock additional stages where Kirby must defeat Magolor in a race.[7] A museum section features video spotlights and 3D box art for every game in the Kirby series released through 2012, positioned in a timeline alongside real world historical events from each game's release year.[2][5] The museum also includes three viewable episodes from the anime television series Kirby: Right Back at Ya! ("Kirby Comes to Cappy Town", "Crusade for the Blade", and "Waddle While You Work").[5][7] In addition to the game disc, the package includes Kirby’s 20th Anniversary Celebration Book, a booklet highlighting Kirby's history and providing behind-the-scenes trivia about the series.[3] It also includes a 45-track soundtrack CD, containing 42 music tracks from past Kirby games and 3 new arrangements by the HAL Laboratory sound team.[7][8]

Release

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In April 2012, Scott Moffitt of Nintendo of America elaborated on Nintendo's plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Kirby series, including mention of a compilation game.[9] The compilation's title was first confirmed at E3 2012,[10] followed by the list of included games in an issue of CoroCoro Comic.[11] Further information was detailed during a Nintendo Direct presentation on June 21, 2012 by Satoru Iwata.[12] The game was released in Japan on July 19, 2012, and in North America on September 16, 2012.[1][13] It was not released in PAL regions,[14][15] and was the final first-party Wii game released in North America.[16]

To promote the compilation, Nintendo invited attendees at PAX Prime 2012 to help break a Guinness World Record for most simultaneous chewing gum bubbles blown at once.[17][18] The record was successfully broken with 536 bubbles, exceeding the previous record of 304 set in 2010, and participants received Kirby T-shirts.[19] Players who registered the game through the Club Nintendo rewards program were entered into a raffle to win special Kirby-themed playing cards,[20] with a limited edition medal also being offered.[21] In Japan, the game was also promoted on an episode of the Game Center CX television series.[12]

Reception

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Critical reception

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Kirby's Dream Collection received generally positive reviews according to the review aggregators Metacritic and GameRankings.[22][23] Critics praised the quality of the games and the amount of content included in the collection, though some criticized the awkward use of the Virtual Console interface when switching games.[2][3][25] Others lamented the absence of more obscure spinoff games like Kirby's Pinball Land and Kirby's Dream Course, which they felt would have added more variety and appeal.[6][7][26] Ray Carsillo of Electronic Gaming Monthly found the controls of each game "translate perfectly to the Wiimote", claiming Kirby 64 felt better with a Wii Remote than a Nintendo 64 controller.[24] Wired claimed it provided "undeniable fun for the whole family", serving as a nice tribute to the Kirby series.[27] Ben Reeves of Game Informer wrote "[n]early every game in this collection is worth playing", each with gameplay that "stands the test of time".[28] Katharine Byrne of Nintendojo considered it a "perfect package for any Kirby fan",[29] while Justin Cheng writing for Nintendo Power considered it a valuable package, but wished for some minor issues present in the included games to be fixed, such as slowdown present in Kirby's Adventure.[25] Winda Benedetti of NBC News stated the bonus material was fantastic,[30] with Jason Venter of HonestGamers highlighting the soundtrack CD as a valuable inclusion.[26] Matthew Osborne of Nintendo World Report found it interesting that real-world facts were displayed in the History of Kirby museum, such as Barack Obama being elected as President of the United States in 2008.[5] Kirby's Dream Collection was compared favorably by multiple press outlets to Nintendo's previous anniversary compilation, the 2010 Wii re-release of Super Mario All-Stars (1993).[7][8][31] Marty Sliva and Jeremy Parish, two writers for 1Up.com, considered the re-release a poor celebration of the Super Mario franchise's 25th anniversary,[32] with Parish comparing Kirby's Dream Collection to be "far, far better".[6]

Sales

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Kirby's Dream Collection sold over 100,000 copies in Japan during its first week of release. It topped the first position of the Japanese weekly sales charts, outperforming Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 and the newly released Rune Factory 4.[33][34] It remained on the Famitsu top 30 sales charts for eight consecutive weeks, selling a total of 225,772 copies in Japan.[35] It was Nintendo's second best-selling title on the Wii in 2012, selling less than Mario Party 9 in Japan.[36]

Notes

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  1. ^ Known in Japan as Hoshi no Kirby 20-shūnen Special Collection (星のカービィ 20周年スペシャルコレクション, Hoshi no Kābi Ni-ju-shūnen Supesharu Korekushon; lit. Kirby of the Stars 20th Anniversary Special Collection)

References

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  1. ^ a b Reilly, Jim (June 22, 2012). "Kirby's Dream Collection Release Date Announced". Game Informer. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Ronaghan, Neal (September 10, 2012). "Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e Dillard, Corbie (September 22, 2012). "Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition Review". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Bivens, Danny (June 17, 2012). "Kirby's Dream Collection Priced in Japan, Control Option Revealed". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on February 16, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e Osborne, Matthew (July 17, 2012). "Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition Hands-on Preview". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on August 26, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d Parish, Jeremy (September 12, 2012). "Kirby Dream Collection Review: A Perfect Anniversary Gift". 1Up.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Sterling, James Stephanie (September 19, 2012). "Review: Kirby's Dream Collection". Destructoid. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Bivens, Danny (July 5, 2012). "Kirby's Dream Collection Soundtrack Details Revealed for Japan". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  9. ^ Nunneley-Jackson, Stephany (April 21, 2012). "Kirby 20th anniversary collection heading to Wii". VG247. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  10. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (June 6, 2012). "E3 2012: Kirby's Anniversary Collection Gets a Name, Release Date". IGN. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  11. ^ Sahdev, Ishaan (June 12, 2012). "Kirby 20th Anniversary Compilation Covers Game Boy To Nintendo 64". Siliconera. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Thomas, Lucas M. (June 22, 2012). "Iwata Announces Kirby Collection Details". IGN. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  13. ^ "『星のカービィ 20周年スペシャルコレクション』20年の歴史が詰まった特別パッケージが登場" ["Kirby of the Stars 20th Anniversary Special Collection" special package packed with 20 years of history released]. Famitsu (in Japanese). July 6, 2012. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  14. ^ Phillips, Tom (June 22, 2012). "Nintendo quiet on Kirby Dream Collection UK launch". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  15. ^ Brown, Andrew (June 18, 2012). "'No Plans' for Kirby's Dream Collection in AU". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  16. ^ Green, Andy (November 20, 2012). "Nintendo Has No New Wii Games In The Pipeline". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  17. ^ Barnett, Patrick (August 25, 2012). "Nintendo Attempting Guinness World Record to Celebrate Kirby's 20th Anniversary". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  18. ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (August 28, 2012). "Nintendo to set bubblegum world record at PAX in honour of Kirby's 20th Anniversary". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on February 14, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  19. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (September 2, 2012). "Kirby Fans Suck Up World Record At Pax". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  20. ^ Berube, Justin (September 18, 2012). "Club Nintendo Members Can Win Kirby Playing Cards". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  21. ^ Berube, Justin (September 5, 2012). "Limited Edition Kirby Medal Now Redeemable on Club Nintendo". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition". GameRankings. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  23. ^ a b "Kirby's Dream Collection Wii Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  24. ^ a b Carsillo, Ray (September 10, 2012). "EGM Review: Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  25. ^ a b c Cheng, Justin (September 2012). "Kirby's Dream Collection". Nintendo Power. No. 282. Future US. p. 88.
  26. ^ a b c Venter, Jason (September 16, 2012). "Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition (Wii) review". HonestGamers. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  27. ^ Z (September 21, 2012). "The (Other) Hunger Games: Kirby's Dream Collection for Nintendo Wii". WIRED. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  28. ^ Reeves, Ben (September 16, 2012). "Should You Buy Kirby's Dream Collection?". Game Informer. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  29. ^ Byrne, Katharine (January 7, 2013). "The Best Wii Games of 2012". Nintendojo. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  30. ^ Benedetti, Winda (September 10, 2012). "With Kirby, Nintendo invites everyone to the game". NBC News. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  31. ^ Feit, Daniel (June 13, 2012). "Report: Kirby's Dream Collection Packs 6 Games, Bonus Features". WIRED. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  32. ^ Sliva, Marty (April 28, 2012). "Kirby's 20th Anniversary Could Potentially Begin Nintendo's Criterion Collection". 1Up.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  33. ^ Leo, Jon. "Big in Japan July 16-22: Kirby's Dream Collection". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  34. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (July 25, 2012). "Kirby's 20th Anniversary Collection Tops Japanese Charts". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  35. ^ "GID 5589 - Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition". Garaph (Famitsu). Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  36. ^ "Wii all through the week of 2013-02-04". Garaph. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
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