Each Kirby game generally features an array of bonus games, whether it’s the fun quick-draw battles from Kirby’s Adventure or the pinball game from Kirby Mass Attack. The recent 3DS release, Kirby: Triple Deluxe featured a bonus rhythm game that has been expanded into a full 3DS eShop release as Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe.

The mechanics are simple. You don’t need to follow songs note-for-note; rather, you just need to move around to the beat, which is laid out with clear visual cues as Dedede hops around. You move with the D-pad and bounce off of drum pads with the press of a button, earning higher jumps with properly timed presses. When you’re in the air, you want to move around to collect coins and avoid enemies. If you’re really good, you can press A on every backbeat (i.e. when you are at the apex of your jump) and increase your score.

That’s part of where Drum Dash Deluxe succeeds. Nearly any player can jump in and play through each level while totally ignoring the backbeats and collectables. For players looking for something harder, they can try to perfectly hit all the backbeats and earn massive points, eventually unlocking a bonus stage and some in-game trophies. Unfortunately, even as an eShop title, it seems light on content, offering only two variations on eight different songs. The songs come from Triple Deluxe but also from a few earlier games such as Air Ride and Return to Dream Land.

Regardless of skill level, a straight playthrough takes about 30 minutes. With no online leaderboards, the only carrot at the end of the stick is to unlock one ultra-hard stage and compete against your own scores. Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe is a short ride, but an entertaining one. There are certainly better rhythm games out on 3DS, but it is fun while it lasts.