Summary

With its innovative gameplay, cheerful graphics, and memorable protagonist, Kuru Kuru Kururin provides a delightful and challenging puzzle experience. This game is a must-play for fans of the genre and those looking for a unique challenge on the Game Boy Advance.

• Release Year: 2001
• Genres: Arcade, Puzzle
• Platforms: Game Boy Advance, Wii U
• Developers: Eighting, Nintendo
• Publishers: iQue

Introduction

Kuru Kuru Kururin introduced players to a novel puzzle concept on the Game Boy Advance. As Kururin, players embark on a quest to rescue his lost family, navigating through various worlds with the unique Helirin.

Synopsis

“Kuru Kuru Kururin” is a puzzle video game developed by Eighting and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance handheld video game console. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001, and in Europe and Australia on June 22 as a launch title. North America saw the title for the first time in February 2016, via the Wii U’s Virtual Console service.

The game revolves around the story of Kururin, a duck-like character, who embarks on a journey to find his lost siblings across 10 different worlds. Kururin’s siblings have wandered off and got themselves lost, and now he must hop into his Helirin, a spinning blade with a cockpit stuck in the middle, to fly around a number of worlds to rescue them.

Kururin is initially unsure that he is up to the task because he has never left his home world before. Being the adventurous and helpful fellow he is, Kururin agrees to rescue his lost family. Teacher Hare trains Kururin in the art of controlling the Helirin, a stick-shaped helicopter that has a slow-spinning propeller. Piloting the Helirin through the different worlds will be a difficult task, but using Teacher Hare’s valuable lessons, Kururin bravely sets out on his adventure to rescue his lost family.

The player controls a slowly spinning stick called the Helirin, or the Helicopter in the European localization, and must maneuver it through a series of mazes without touching the walls. The player controls the direction and speed of movement (there are 3 levels of speed), but the task is made difficult as the stick rotates continuously. The Helirin can move faster by holding down any of the two face buttons, and even faster by holding down both.

There are bonuses to collect, record times to beat, and a gold star for completing the level without any accidents. The game also features multiplayer support, which enables four players to participate in the action using a single cartridge. The game starts with simple training levels, in which players are told how to play and how to get around the first corners.

After that, there are three levels in each stage, which get progressively harder and longer. The obstacles and the look of the levels (ice, cave, machine, etc.) vary between stages. Beginners can play the levels on Easy mode, where the stick is only half of its usual size. There is a mode called Challenge mode, which is a collection of smaller levels, usually involving only one or two corners or objects to dodge.

Kuru Kuru Kururin is a unique and engaging puzzle game that offers a thrilling journey through a variety of mazes. Its unique gameplay and captivating storyline make it a memorable part of the Nintendo Game Boy Advance library.

Characters

Kururin, the game’s brave protagonist; his siblings, who are scattered across different worlds; and Teacher Hare, who provides valuable piloting lessons and advice for navigating the game’s challenges.

Gameplay

Kuru Kuru Kururin challenges players to guide the Helirin through twisting, turning mazes without colliding with walls or obstacles. The Helirin constantly rotates, adding a layer of difficulty to the puzzle-solving. Players must use timing, precision, and strategic planning to succeed.

Conclusion

Kuru Kuru Kururin is a testament to the inventive possibilities of video games, offering a puzzle experience that is both uniquely challenging and endearingly whimsical. It remains a memorable entry in the Game Boy Advance library.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern