Kirby's Dream Course#Development

File:SNES Kirby's Dream Course (Kirby Bowl).png lines up with an enemy character Kabu on the first hole of the first course.]]

Kirby's Dream Course is a mini golf video game set at an isometric perspective, similar to games such as Marble Madness (1984).{{cite web |author1=Brett Alan Weiss |title=Kirby's Dream Course |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7419 |website=Allgame |publisher=All Media Network |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114112434/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7419 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |date=1998}} Its plot involves Kirby's nemesis King Dedede stealing all of the stars in the night sky. Kirby sets out to stop Dedede and return the stars to the sky.

In single-player, players maneuver Kirby around a miniature golf course by deflecting him towards a specific area of the playfield within a limited number of strokes. Players must set the power, angle, and spin to connect with various enemies found throughout the levels, claiming a star for each enemy defeated. When only one enemy remains, that enemy transforms into the goal hole.{{cite book |title=Kirby's Dream Course instruction manual |date=February 1, 1995 |publisher=Nintendo |location=USA}} Kirby can knock himself into certain enemies to acquire a Copy ability, which can be used to clear courses in a faster period of time. These Copy abilities include Kirby turning into a tornado, a sparking ball that can destroy certain obstacles, and a UFO that allows Kirby to float and move at will for a short time.

The game has eight single-player courses, with eight holes in each. Completing courses awards the player with medals, which can be used to unlock extra features such as alternative versions of courses. The type of medal awarded is based on how well the player performed, with gold being the best.

In multiplayer, players take turns and compete for the most stars in unique courses. The second player controls a yellow palette swap of Kirby named {{nihongo|Keeby|キービィ|Kībī}}, who shares all of Kirby's abilities. Connecting with a star causes it to take the player's color (either pink or yellow), and players can "steal" stars from each other by connecting with them to change their color. The players can attack each other using Copy abilities, potentially forcing one player to skip their turn. The goal hole is worth two stars; when one player reaches the goal, the round ends and both players' stars are tallied. The winner is the player with the most stars at the end of eight rounds.

File:SNES Special Tee Shot.png

Kirby's Dream Course was developed by HAL Laboratory and Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). HAL originally designed the game as a standalone title called Special Tee Shot in 1992, which featured its own original characters and art assets.{{cite web |last1=Lopes |first1=Gonçalo |title=A Forgotten (And Kirby-Free) HAL SNES Title Has Been Preserved For The Ages |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/a_forgotten_and_kirby-free_hal_snes_title_has_been_preserved_for_the_ages |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107224058/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/a_forgotten_and_kirby-free_hal_snes_title_has_been_preserved_for_the_ages |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |date=June 17, 2019}} Though it received several previews from magazines and was displayed prominently on the packaging for the console, the company shelved the project following the success of its Kirby series on the Game Boy.{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Alistar |title=SNES Kirby's Dream Course Precursor Special Tee Shot Prototype Now Made Available |url=https://www.siliconera.com/snes-kirbys-dream-course-precursor-special-tee-shot-prototype-now-made-available/ |website=Siliconera |publisher=Curse, Inc. |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231614/https://www.siliconera.com/snes-kirbys-dream-course-precursor-special-tee-shot-prototype-now-made-available/ |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |date=June 15, 2019}} HAL later reworked Special Tee Shot into a Kirby game by replacing many of the original characters with those from the Kirby series, and implementing several mechanics to make it fit into the Kirby universe, such as the power-up system.

While Kirby was always intended to be pink, Shigeru Miyamoto assumed during development of Kirby's Dream Land that Kirby was yellow, as there was no color artwork of Kirby available at the time.{{cite web|url=http://shmuplations.com/kirbysadventure/|title=Kirby's Adventure – 1993 Developer Interview|access-date=August 3, 2021|publisher=shmuplations.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731153327/http://shmuplations.com/kirbysadventure/|archive-date=July 31, 2021|url-status=live}} In reference to this, the developers of Kirby's Dream Course repurposed Miyamoto's color choice as the second player's character, a yellow version of Kirby nicknamed "Keeby". The character's name is a portmanteau of 黄色 kīro "yellow" and カービィ Kābī "Kirby".{{cite book |title=Kirby's 20th Anniversary Celebration Book |date=September 16, 2012 |publisher=Nintendo |location=USA}} Following the appearance of an unnamed yellow Kirby in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2000), a yellow color palette became a recurring colorization for additional players playing as a Kirby in the Kirby and Super Smash Bros. series (often as the second player). This palette was named once as "Keeby Yellow" in Kirby's Dream Buffet (2022).{{cite video game |title=Kirby's Dream Buffet |developer=HAL Laboratory |publisher=Nintendo |date=2022 |platform=Nintendo Switch |language=English}}

Kirby's Dream Course was released in Japan on September 21, 1994, as Kirby Ball.{{cite magazine |title=カービィボウル |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1863&redirect=no |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Kadokawa Corporation |access-date=February 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220211725/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1863&redirect=no |archive-date=February 20, 2021 |language=ja}} It was released in North America on February 1, 1995,{{cite web |title=Kirby's 20th Anniversary Collection: What We Expect Out of It |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/30233/kirbys-20th-anniversary-collection-what-we-expect-out-of-it-spin-off-kirby-games-fab-four |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106021558/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/30233/kirbys-20th-anniversary-collection-what-we-expect-out-of-it-spin-off-kirby-games-fab-four |archive-date=January 6, 2020 |date=June 2, 2012}} and in Europe later in the year. Special Tee Shot was later re-released in 1996 for the Satellaview, a peripheral for the Super Famicom that played games via satellite broadcasts. Dream Course was digitally re-released for the Wii Virtual Console in 2007, and the Wii U Virtual Console in Japan in 2013. It is one of thirty games included in the Super NES Classic Edition miniconsole.

In 1995, Nintendo and HAL began work on a sequel named Kirby Ball 64/Kirby Bowl 64 for the then-upcoming Nintendo 64. It was shown off as a playable demo at Nintendo's annual Shoshinkai trade show, alongside Super Mario 64. Kirby Ball 64/Kirby Bowl 64 was designed to take advantage of the system's analog stick to allow for more precise movement, in addition to utilizing gouraud shading for its graphics.{{cite news |title=Prescreen64 – Kirby Bowl 64 |url=https://archive.org/details/edgeuk030/page/n35/mode/2up |access-date=February 21, 2021 |agency=Edge |issue=30 |publisher=Future Publishing |date=February 1996 |page=44}} It also featured an additional gamemode where the player controlled Kirby on a snowboard.{{cite magazine |date=March 1996 |title=Kirby Bowl 64|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_090_Volume_08_Number_03_1996-03_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n23/mode/2up |magazine=GamePro |publisher=International Data Group |issue=90 |page=23}} The sequel was never released, though some of its concepts were later implemented into Kirby Air Ride (2003).{{cite web |last1=Marrujo |first1=Robert |title=The History of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |url=https://www.nintendojo.com/features/the-history-of-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time |website=Nintendojo |access-date=February 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031214538/https://www.nintendojo.com/features/the-history-of-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |date=November 29, 2018}}

{{Video game reviews

| GR = 77%{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588427-kirbys-dream-course/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205215110/https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588427-kirbys-dream-course/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-12-05|title=Kirby's Dream Course Gamerankings Review Score}}

| CVG = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite news |last1=Guise |first1=Tom |title=Review – Kirby's Dream Course |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_178_1996-09_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n79/mode/2up |access-date=January 31, 2021 |agency=Computer and Video Games |issue=178 |publisher=Future Publishing |date=September 1996 |page=81}}

| Fam = 28/40{{cite magazine|magazine=Famitsu|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: カービィボウル|issue=305|page=37|date=October 21, 1994}}

| GamePro = 4.5/5{{cite news |author1=Scary Larry |title=ProReview: Kirby's Dream Course |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_070_May_1995/page/n81/mode/2up |access-date=January 29, 2021 |agency=GamePro |issue=70 |publisher=IDG Communications |date=May 1995 |page=80}}

| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |last1=Provo |first1=Frank |title=Kirby's Dream Course Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/kirbys-dream-course/reviews/kirbys-dream-course-review-6178085/ |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706082011/http://www.gamespot.com/kirbys-dream-course/reviews/kirbys-dream-course-review-6178085/ |archive-date=July 6, 2013 |date=September 4, 2007}}

| Hyper = 89%{{cite magazine|last=Mansill|first=Ben|date=August 1995|url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-021/page/50/mode/2up?q=%22Kirby%27s+Dream+Course%22|title=Kirby's Dream Course|magazine=Hyper|issue=21|pages=50–51|access-date=June 29, 2021}}

| IGN = 7.5/10{{cite web |author1=Lucas M. Thomas |title=Kirby's Dream Course |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/01/kirbys-dream-course-review |publisher=IGN |access-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021144734/http://ign.com/articles/2007/08/01/kirbys-dream-course-review |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |date=July 31, 2007}}

| MF = 61%{{cite magazine|author=Björn|date=September 1996|url=https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1996-09.pdf&page=83|title=Kirby's Dream Course|language=de|magazine=Mega Fun|page=83|access-date=June 29, 2021|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202124637/https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File%3AMegaFun_DE_1996-09.pdf&page=83|url-status=live}}

| NLife = {{rating|8|10}}{{cite web |author1=Nintendo Life Staff |title=Kirby's Dream Course Review (SNES) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/snes/kirbys_dream_course |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029200130/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/snes/kirbys_dream_course |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |date=June 30, 2007}}

| NGen = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite news |title=Rating SNES – Kirby's Dream Course |url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-005/page/n103/mode/2up |access-date=January 30, 2021 |agency=Next Generation |issue=5 |publisher=Imagine Media |date=May 1995 |page=102}}

| NP = 3.45/5{{efn|Nintendo Power scored Kirby's Dream Course 3.2/5 for graphics/sound, 3.3/5 for play control, 3.6/5 for challenge, and 3.7/5 for theme/fun.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20069%20February%201995/page/n109/mode/2up?q=%22Kirby%27s+Dream+Course%22|title=Now Playing|magazine=Nintendo Power|date=February 1995|pages=102–107|volume=69|access-date=June 29, 2021}}}}

| SGP = 4.5/5{{cite magazine|last=Bros|first=Majorie|date=April 1995|url=https://archive.org/details/SuperGamePower_13_Abril_1995/page/30/mode/2up?q=%22Kirby%27s+Dream+Course%22|title=Kirby's Dream Course|language=pt|magazine=Super GamePower|issue=13|pages=30–31|access-date=June 29, 2021}}

| TOT = 89/100{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/total-58/page/n53/mode/2up?q=|title=Kirby's Dream Course|magazine=Total!|issue=58|pages=54–55|date=October 1996|access-date=June 29, 2021}}

| VGS = 80%{{cite magazine|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=2424|title=Kirby's Dream Course|language=de|magazine=:de:Video Games|date=July 1995|page=116|access-date=June 29, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629153201/https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=2424|url-status=live}}

| VGCE = 8/10{{cite magazine|last=Higgins|first=Geoff|date=May 1995|url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_76_May_1995/page/n67/mode/2up?q=Spiderman|title=Kirby's Dream Course|magazine=Video Games: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|issue=76|page=69|access-date=July 1, 2021}}

| rev1 = Nintendo Acción

| rev1Score = 88/100{{cite news |last1=Abad |first1=Javier |title=Super Stars – Kirby's Dream Course |url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Accion_041/page/n35/mode/2up |access-date=January 31, 2021 |agency=Nintendo Acción |issue=41 |publisher=Axel Springer España |date=April 1996 |pages=34–37 |language=es}}

}}

Kirby's Dream Course received praise for its wacky nature and innovation. GamePro writer Scary Larry claimed it was just as refined and fun to play as earlier games in the Kirby series. A writer for Next Generation found its mini golf-inspired gameplay unique compared to other games, as did a reviewer from Electronic Gaming Monthly.{{cite news |title=Super NES – Kirby's Tee Shot |url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_65/page/n305/mode/2up |access-date=January 30, 2021 |agency=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=65 |publisher=EGM Media |date=December 1994 |pages=278–279}} Next Generation and Larry also highlighted Dream Course{{'}}s complexity, which was uncommon for a golf game at the time. The game's colorful visuals were also praised for their offbeat design and sense of humor. Electronic Gaming Monthly noted that the game's controls required time getting used to; Larry added the accuracy of the player's shots were sometimes questionable and not well-refined. Tom Guise of Computer and Video Games believed its originality made it one of the best SNES games, which Electronic Gaming Monthly agreed with. Javier Abad, a reviewer for Nintendo Acción, commented on the game's difference in design from other games in the series, but felt Kirby fans would enjoy it for the controls and graphical style.

Retrospective commentary on Dream Course has also been favorable. Staff from Nintendo Life compared its silliness to Electronic Arts' Zany Golf (1988), and that it possessed fun gameplay and a balanced level of difficulty. They also believed its isometric perspective worked well, and its graphics were aesthetically pleasing. IGN{{'}}s Lucas M. Thomas believed Dream Course{{'}}s unique concept made it incomparable to other games. Thomas and GameSpot{{'}}s Frank Provo both enjoyed its power-ups for their usefulness and novelty. USgamer writer Nadia Oxford applauded its abnormal level design and comical presentation, and said it offered a break from the more action-oriented games on the console: "Kirby's Dream Course isn't the most exciting game on the SNES Classic Edition, but it's cute, fuzzy, and fun – much like the big pink macaron who runs the course."{{cite web |last1=Oxford |first1=Nadia |title=Super NES Retro Review: Kirby's Dream Course |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-nes-classic-reviews-game-by-game-16-kirbys-dream-course |website=USgamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026041154/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-nes-classic-reviews-game-by-game-16-kirbys-dream-course |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |date=January 23, 2019}} IGN ranked the game 38th on their "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time."{{Citation |title=Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games |language=en |access-date=2022-09-04 |archive-date=2012-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123081606/http://www.ign.com/top/snes-games/31 |url-status=live }}

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{{Kirby series}}

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{{Portal bar|Video games|1990s}}

Category:1994 video games

Category:Fantasy sports video games

Category:HAL Laboratory games

Category:Kirby (series) video games

Category:Miniature golf video games

Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games with isometric graphics

Category:Virtual Console games for Wii

Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U

Category:Nintendo Classics games

Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS

Category:Video games produced by Shigeru Miyamoto

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games