Kirby Tilt 'N' Tumble

What's the deal?

First, Nintendo created Game Boy carts that gave the system force feedback. Now, Nintendo brings us cartridges that can sense what direction you're moving the system. You know people who jerk their Game Boys in all directions while playing? (Does anyone really play like that?) Now that herky-jerky movement is part of the game. Tilt 'n' Tumble is similar to a game of Labyrinth-a wooden game board where you had to tilt the playfield to guide a marble around a maze filled with holes. Only instead of a marble, it's Nintendo's li'l pink power puff, and the levels are a lot more exciting than navigating a hole-filled maze. Guide Kirby through loads of areas, packed with secrets, mini-games and bosses to collect the stars stolen from Dream Land's night sky. To move him around, you tilt the Game Boy up, down, or side to side left or right. To make him jump, you quickly angle the Game Boy up, like you're flipping a pancake. Areas include a desert, cloud world, ghost-filled dungeons, forest and castle. Getting used to all that movement could be difficult--it'd be best to keep the Dramamine close by. And it'll require a sufficient amount of light since you'll have to tilt the screen away from direct view to move Kirby around. But whoever said new technologies wouldn't take some time to get used to?

So why Is It a must-get game?

In addition to using this supercool tilt technology, it's another game starring one of Nintendo's lesser-used characters. And since it's a first-party GBC game, you know it's going to be good.

Nintendo recently released Kirby, the Japanese version of what will be called Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble in the U.S. when it's released on Dec. 4. The tilt function of the cartridge works really well. Only problem is that it's a bit of a chore to keep it in direct light while moving around. Each level is divided into four sub-levels, ending with a boss. There are often multiple paths to take, some not-so obvious. You'll be forced to float through the air by inhaling balloons, steer rafts over river currents, and ride on moving clouds to get past the game's tough levels. Finding a large blue star hidden in each level gives you a chance to take on one of five mini-games, including a dancing game (top left) and hurdle race.