Kirby's Pinball Land drops realistic physics in favour of a more cohesive universe--and to a certain extent it succeeds.

User Rating: 7 | Kirby's Pinball Land GB

The Good: Excellent IP use, raising production values

The Bad: Physics steer a bit too much from realism

Pinballs probably make the only genre where 'arcade-ish' means less arcadey in the literal sense. Under that light, 'soft' pinballs can lean towards one of two (generally opposite) directions: simulation or fantasy. The first one prioritizes some 'right' feel and behaviour with the tables and controls--which means more realism for purists; but on the other hand fantasy ones can ba absolutely free to dare pretty much anything not attainable in real life. Kirby's Pinball Land picks the second for IP's sake, but goes further than that.

Franchise wise the decision to make things feel 'fluffy' was an interesting one, but not without its shortcomings: things are harder to hit due to meagre hitboxes overlapping each other. Something alike could be said about boss fights: such couldn't be realized in electro-mechanical real-life tables, and per se they'll always represent fresh air to the genre, but here (again, favoring the character's setting) they hit you back with a sudden physics change that happens when Kirby shows his real (with arms and legs, that is) form in the fight.

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Problems aside the game's overall balance is perfect, with every little improvement (reaching a higher screen within a tabel, for instance) meaning a proportional raise in score rates. And the creativity route really shines throughout the terrific bonus levels hidden inside each table.

Another serious improvement Kirby's IP has lent the game was with its presentation. Sprites are among the most beautiful and lively ever on the Game Boy and music/SFXs aren't that behind too.

If straight-forward fun makes you itch more than realism, than Kirby's Pinball Land may be the perfect GB pinball for you. if not, it can still be worth a look for the universe alone.