A very fun, light game that is way too underappreciated. As soon as you start playing it, you're hooked.
As most of you may already know, in The Crystal Shards, you're able to take an ability you have already, and throw it at another enemy with an ability to combine them. This makes for great innovative and it's a blast to try out all the many different combos. The pairs of abilities are creative, and sometimes even humorous. The way the game gives you so much freedom with the powers, it's amazing.
The plot's witty as well. The cut scenes are hilarious, touching, and add to the experience, not take away. The interactions between the conflicting personalities of the party is a show itself. The characters themselves are highly creative, but then again, that's something you always know is going to be a Kirby game; memorable characters. Even the bosses are above par.
Gameplay is simple and addictive. Travel across the screen from left to right, dodging obstacles and swallowing enemies until you reach the end of the stage. In Crystal Shards, after defeating the boss of the current planet, you get unlock the next one, and so on, until you reach the end. The various puzzles in each of the stages are not a bore in the least, they're all wonderful. All the levels in all the different planets of Crystal Shards each have their own unique charm.
Overall, Kirby 64 and the Crystal Shards deserves so much more credit than it gets.