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GBA

Japan

Kuru Kuru Kururin

by Billy Berghammer - March 22, 2001, 9:51 pm EST

The line game? Why the hell did Billy import that? Trust me, he'll tell you why in his First Impressions of Kuru Kuru Kururin. And it's a helicopter not a line!

This was the first GBA title I ever got my hands on at Space World. After playing a few minutes of Kuru Kuru Kururin, I put down the Purple/Orange GBA (which they still should have sold!), smiled, and said to the attendant, “I gotta have this”. Eighting and Nintendo have a very odd puzzle-ish, racer-esque game here. You’re just controlling a rotating line. For as advanced as the GBA is, it’s rather ironic that one of the launch titles is of such a basic concept.

Here’s a quick description of what the premise of the game is. You are piloting a Helicopter through these courses. The “line” that you are moving through these obstacles and tracks is actually your propeller. As basic as it looks…it’s really tricky, seriously addictive, and a whole lot of fun.

The gameplay is really simple. You maneuver the rotating stick through a track to get to a goal. You try to get to the Goal in the fastest amount of time. Touching the walls or any of the obstacles not only injures you, but it also adds three seconds to the time it takes you to finish the course. Your health is measured in hearts, which you have three of. If you hit a wall or an obstacle you lose a heart (plus adding three seconds to your time). If you hit something three times you explode (meaning death). In some of the longer courses there are heart re-charger stations. Trust me…you’ll need them.

The control scheme is also rather basic. The D-Pad moves your line. You can’t speed up or slow down the rotation of the line. That is always constant. You can however speed up how fast your line moves by pressing either A or B. Some levels you’ll come across some springs which you hit to change the direction that you rotate.

Did I mention that you have instant replays? You can see where you messed up, and how you can improve your time! Nifty!

For such a simple game, you don’t need to have that complex of graphics. Kuru Kuru Kururin definitely has more of the “cutesy” characters and environments. A bunch of baby birds and a Para trooping Bunny. Why birds need helicopters is beyond me. It reminds me aesthetically of Bust-A-Move (Bubble Bobble). Simple, cute, and happy. The voices, visuals, etc. Not that it’s a bad thing but Nintendo’s obviously not targeting adults with this game. Even though I think gamers of all ages would like this title. Personally I could care less because I’m playing it for the addictive gameplay. Overall the graphics suit Kuru Kuru Kururin for what it is. Simple, but pleasing.

Because it’s such a happy, cutesy game…the music and sound effects fall in the same category. I think the music is very good. It’s a cross between happy Mario music, Samba de Amigo (WORD!)and…um…bubble gum. It’s catchy. I say this as I hum the last song I just heard in the game. Not a lot of games have me humming their tunes.

The Japanese factor is a little heavier in this title than the rest of the games I imported. I would say the game is only 25% in English. With a little patience it's not to difficult to figure out. Personally, I felt it was well worth it!

Kuru Kuru Kururin is not for everyone. There will be a lot of people out there that probably won’t like this title just because it would fall under the category of “kiddie”. I am really hoping this title makes it over the US because I want people to see how much fun this game really is. Peel back that kiddie image and underneath is an amazing puzz..er…whatever-the-heck-it-is game.

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Genre Action
Developer Eighting
Players1 - 4

Worldwide Releases

jpn: Kuru Kuru Kururin
Release Mar 21, 2001
PublisherNintendo
RatingAll Ages
eu: Kuru Kuru Kururin
Release Jun 22, 2001
PublisherNintendo
Rating3+
aus: Kuru Kuru Kururin
Release Jun 22, 2001
PublisherNintendo
RatingGeneral

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