3DS Critic Reviews

Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn is a near perfect port. The improvements Nintendo and Good-Feel have incorporated into the game should appease fans that wanted a more faithful Kirby title the first time around, while also giving players more reason to stick with the game after the credits have rolled. Unfortunately, the 3DS hardware just isn’t up to the task of faithfully converting the charming visual aesthetic of the Wii original. Still, those who have never experienced the game before will find Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn‘s relaxing pace and gorgeous soundtrack more than worth the cost of entry; it’s just a shame this wasn’t released on Switch.

Nine years on from the original release, Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn displays how focused gameplay design, creativity, and strong art direction are timeless qualities that can keep a game enjoyable and relevant for years to come. This design is then made even stronger by the inclusion of all the ‘extra’ elements, such as Ravel Abilities, new mini-games, and optional harder difficulty, which range from being harmless to actively changing the base game for the better. For those of you that never got the chance to play the original Kirby’s Epic Yarn, this is certainly the best way to experience it, while those of you that have played it will find this to be a solid portable version that loses none of the quality of the original. Either way, Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn is a fantastic and standout addition to the deep software library of the 3DS; we’d highly encourage you to give it a go.

A new difficulty mode and unknown minigames are some of the new ingredients for this great adaptation for Nintendo 3DS. An innovative and solid platforming game that shines when you play with the threads that Kirby launches during the adventure.

Whether you're looking to relive Kirby's adventure into Patch Land or want to pick up the game for the first time, Extra Epic Yarn provides hours of good fun, all wrapped up in charming, craft-influenced visuals. This 3DS port is the best version of the game, hands down.

Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn is by far the best version of a game that first debuted nearly ten years ago. The aesthetic has managed to hold up thanks to its charm, while the gameplay has been improved with additional transformations and a new difficulty mode.

Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn certainly has a home on the 3DS. Unfortunately, the co-op mode in the Wii version is gone and the “fuzziness” of the visuals here makes it suffer a bit, but it’s still good wholesome fun. Even though we’re all about the Switch now in 2019, it’s nice to see one last quality title from Nintendo make its way to the handheld. This is as good of a sendoff as we could hope for.

Sure to be one of the final, first-party, big games on 3DS, as it slowly winds down into retirement, but at least it's going out with a bang. As this is definitely the best Kirby game to hit the platform to date, and easily one of the best platformers. Yoshi may be the star of the woolly show at the moment, with Yoshi's Crafted World landing on Switch soon, but Kirby did it first and did it best. This is an utterly charming patchwork that's absolutely impossible not to get tangled up in.

Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn is a well-crafted sidescroller that gamers of all ages can enjoy. The 3DS port patches in a new difficulty and a novel take on traditional Kirby power-ups. They’re not as seamlessly stitched as they could have been, but they reveal the developer’s efforts in threading an ideal experience that improves upon the source material. With utterly charming visuals, memorable levels, and lighthearted platforming, Kirby’s spin-off knits together a worthy farewell to one of Nintendo’s longest-lasting handhelds.

Although it doesn't take full advantage of what the 3DS is capable of, Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn is a must-have portable version of a top-notch Wii game complete with plenty of impressive extra content that complements an already great 2D platformer.

Kirby Extra Epic Yarn follow the steps from other recent 3DS ports like Luigi's Mansion: pick up the original game, add minor extras... and enjoy a second life. An idea that seems fair to us, if it's nicely done, as is the case. Maybe the new content falls short, but the original game was very enjoyable... and it keeps delivering.