Kirby's Dream Course

Infobox VG| title = Kirby's Dream Course


developer = HAL Laboratory, Inc.
publisher = Nintendo
designer =
engine =
released = flagicon|JPN September 21, 1994
flagicon|USA February 1, 1995
flagicon|EU August 24, 1996
genre = Sports (Golf)
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: Kids to Adults (K-A)
platforms = Super Famicom / SNES, Virtual Console
media = Cartridge
requirements =
input =

"Kirby's Dream Course" (nihongo|"Kirby Bowl"|カービィボウル|Kābī Bōru in Japan) is a golf video game developed by HAL Laboratory, Inc. and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game console. It was first released in Japan on September 21, 1994, in North America on February 1, 1995, and in Europe on August 24, 1996. It is one of four "Kirby" video games released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was re-released to the Wii's Virtual Console in Japan, Europe and North America in 2007.

Gameplay

"Dream Course" is a golf video game which is viewed from an isometric perspective. Instead of a ball, the player tries to hit Kirby around the course and into the hole at the end. Players must set the power, angle, and spin to connect with various enemies found throughout the levels. Once all but one enemy remains, that enemy will transform into the hole. The different abilities that Kirby can obtain from many of the enemies make up a large part of the game, often being required for completion of a hole. These abilities include Kirby turning into a tornado (that can be steered), a sparkly ball (that can destroy certain obstacles), and a UFO (which allows Kirby to float and move at will for a short time). Other abilities include Kirby being able to slow down / float with a parasol, as well as stop completely as a stone.

The game has eight single player courses, with eight holes on each. There is a high score board for each level, with medals to be won on each of them. The player can unlock extra features (such as alternative versions of the courses) by winning the medals. There are Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals to be won, which are awarded to Kirby at the end of the course. There are also four two-player courses (again with eight holes).

Kirby loses one of his health points (shown as tomatoes) every time he makes a shot, and gains one every time he hits an enemy or lands in a hole. In the two-player mode, two health points are awarded for landing in the hole first, and two health points can also be lost if one player's Kirby is "attacked" by the other player's by using an ability (such as the tornado or the stone). In the single-player mode, Kirby loses one life when all his health points are gone; when Kirby runs out of lives, the game will end. Afterwards, the player can either continue from the beginning of the course or exit it. In the two-player mode, the loss of all health points causes that player to miss a turn, as their Kirby falls asleep.

Development

In the beginning, the game was not going to be a "Kirby" title. Rather, it was intended to be a miniature golf game entitled "Special Tee Shot". It was only midway through development that the developers retooled it with elements from the "Kirby" series. "Special Tee Shot" was eventually released in Japan only on the Satellaview add-on.

External links

* [http://www.classicgaming.com/kirby/games/dreamcourse/ Kirby's Dream Course] at [http://www.classicgaming.com/kirby/ Kirby's Rainbow Resort]
*moby game|id=/kirbys-dream-course|name="Kirby's Dream Course"