View source for Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble

{{Short description|2000 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
| image = Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble Coverart.png
| alt = 
| caption = North American box art
| developer = [[Nintendo R&D2]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| series = ''[[Kirby (series)|Kirby]]''
| engine = 
| platforms = [[Game Boy Color]]
| released = {{Video game release|JP|August 23, 2000|NA|April 9, 2001}}
| genre = [[Action game|Action]], [[Puzzle video game|puzzle]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| director = Toshiaki Suzuki
| producer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Masayuki Uemura]]|Kazuhiko Taniguchi}}
| designer = 
| programmer = 
| artist = 
| writer = 
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|Takuya Maekawa|Yuichi Ozaki|Masami Yone}}
}}

'''''Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Korokoro Kirby'''''|コロコロカービィ|Korokoro Kābī|Roly-Poly Kirby|lead=yes}}<!-- See [[WP:JFN]] -->}} is an [[action game|action]] [[puzzle video game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Game Boy Color]] [[video game console|handheld video game console]]. It was released in Japan on August 23, 2000, and in North America on April 9, 2001. Due to the cartridge having a built-in [[accelerometer]], it has a unique shape, as well as a unique transparent pink color in reference to [[Kirby (character)|Kirby]]. The game received its first official re-release on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service on June 5, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2023-02-08 |title=Nintendo Switch Online Adding Game Boy and Game Boy Advance Games |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-online-game-boy-games |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305005529/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-online-game-boy-games |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Plot ==
The game begins with [[Kirby (character)|Kirby]] napping on a cloud, when he is awakened as a [[Waddle Dee]] walks by, carrying a round pinball-like bumper. He then sees [[King Dedede]], carrying a long bumper. Suspicious of the King's intentions, Kirby hops on a warp star and follows him, determined to find out what he is up to. Soon, Kirby discovers that Dream Land has lost its stars and sets off to get them back.

== Gameplay ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2025}}
''Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble'' uses a series of [[accelerometer]]s to control Kirby. The goal of the game is to guide Kirby to the level's goal within the allotted time by tilting the Game Boy in the direction in which the player wishes to move him. The game registers a "pop" action when the player quickly jerks the Game Boy, rotating the game toward the user (as if flipping a pancake); doing so will fling Kirby into the air. The game revolves around the collection of the numerous stars strewn about the levels.  To beat the game entirely, the player must collect each level's red star. This will unlock the bonus worlds, where there are slightly harder versions, and players start with less time.

The timer counts down until the player has reached the level's end. The player can increase the timer by rolling Kirby over clock tiles, stopping the roulette on the timer, picking up clocks that add ten seconds, or by passing checkpoints. When the timer drops below 50 seconds, an alarm sounds, warning the player to hurry up and finish the level, and the music that was previously playing changes to a more fast-paced version. The player starts with five lives, and will lose one if Kirby loses all of his health from enemy or hazard damage, falls off the level, sinks in quicksand or water, or runs out of time. The [[Game over|game ends prematurely]] when all lives are lost, although the player can continue the game from the beginning of the current stage by selecting "Continue".

== Development ==
''Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble'' started development in April 1999. It was originally titled ''Koro Monkey'' (''Monkey Tilt 'N Tumble'') and starred a monkey. After discussing with [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], the developers then switched the character to Kirby.<ref name="making of">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218180735/http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=243|url=http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=243|url-status=dead|title=The Making of The Game - Kirby Tilt 'n Tumble|date=February 11, 2002|access-date=May 2, 2021|archive-date=December 18, 2005|website=N-Sider}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2025|reason=[[WP:IGN]]}} The game was released in Japan on August 23, 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/18/pretty-in-pink-3|title=Pretty in Pink|author=IGN Staff|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=July 17, 2000|access-date=November 23, 2017|archive-date=March 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329175819/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/18/pretty-in-pink-3|url-status=live}}</ref> It was then released in North America on April 9, 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2001-03-06 |title=Kirby's Tilt 'n' Tumble |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/06/kirbys-tilt-n-tumble-2 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112023401/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/06/kirbys-tilt-n-tumble-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was not released outside Japan and North America.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Gavin|date=April 11, 2021|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/04/poll_box_art_brawl_duel_82_-_kirby_tilt_n_tumble|title=Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel #82 - Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble|website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered|Nintendo Life]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=March 6, 2025}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 83%<ref name="gamerankings">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/369876-kirby-tilt-n-tumble/index.html | title = Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble for Game Boy Color | work = [[GameRankings]] | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = September 6, 2013 | archive-date = December 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012520/https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/369876-kirby-tilt-n-tumble/index.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web | last = Miller | first = Skyler | url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26527&tab=review | title = Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble - Review | publisher = [[AllGame]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141114213702/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26527&tab=review | archive-date = November 14, 2014 | url-status = dead | access-date = October 5, 2016}}</ref>
| EGM = 6.17/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author = EGM staff | title = Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble | magazine = [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] | year = 2001}}</ref>
| Fam = 30/40<ref name="Fam review"/>
| GI = 8.75/10<ref name="GI review">{{cite magazine|last=Leeper |first=Justin |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200105/R03.0804.1744.53299.htm |title=Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=97 |date=May 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203095908/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200105/R03.0804.1744.53299.htm |archive-date=February 3, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | author = Bad Hare | date = April 23, 2001 | url = http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_color/games/reviews/13361.shtml | title = Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble Review for Game Boy Color on GamePro.com | magazine = [[GamePro]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050313131410/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_color/games/reviews/13361.shtml | archive-date = March 13, 2005 | url-status = dead | access-date = October 5, 2016}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.3/10<ref>{{cite web | last = Gerstmann | first = Jeff | date = March 26, 2001 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kirby-tilt-n-tumble-review/1900-2701119/ | title = Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble Review | website = [[GameSpot]] | access-date = October 5, 2016 | archive-date = May 4, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190504093947/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kirby-tilt-n-tumble-review/1900-2701119/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
| IGN = 9/10<ref>{{cite web | last = Harris | first = Craig | date = April 10, 2001 | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/10/kirbys-tilt-n-tumble | title = Kirby's Tilt 'n' Tumble [sic] | work = [[IGN]] | publisher = IGN Entertainment | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010413174105/http://pocket.ign.com/reviews/15341.html | archive-date = April 13, 2001 | url-status = live | access-date = September 6, 2013}}</ref>
| NP = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble | magazine = [[Nintendo Power]] | volume = 143 | date = April 2001}}</ref>
}}

''Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble'' received "favorable" reviews according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[GameRankings]].<ref name="gamerankings"/> It debuted at number four by the American [[market research]] company [[The NPD Group|NPD]] TRSTS for the month of April 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/91517/NPD_TRSTSs_Top_Ten_Console_Titles_for_April.php|title=NPD TRSTS's Top Ten Console Titles for April|author=Gamasutra Staff|work=[[Gamasutra]]|publisher=[[UBM plc]]|date=May 22, 2001|access-date=December 1, 2017|archive-date=May 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527094733/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/91517/NPD_TRSTSs_Top_Ten_Console_Titles_for_April.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''[[Game Informer]]'' wrote that while the game's concept "sounds simple enough, it actually results in one of the most dramatic, high-tension game scenarios seen on any system."<ref name="GI review"/> In Japan, four critics from ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave the game a total score of 30 out of 40.<ref name="Fam review">{{cite magazine | title = ゲームボーイ - コロコロカービィ | magazine = [[Famitsu]] | volume = 915 | date = June 30, 2006 | page = 111}}</ref>

It was listed as one of the best games for the Game Boy by ''Game Informer'' in 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/04/21/the-25-best-game-boy-games-of-all-time.aspx?PageIndex=5&PostPageIndex=5|title=The 25 Best Game Boy Games Of All Time|last=Reeves|first=Ben|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[GameStop]]|date=April 21, 2014|access-date=December 1, 2017|archive-date=March 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309014140/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/04/21/the-25-best-game-boy-games-of-all-time.aspx?PageIndex=5|url-status=live}}</ref> Ranking the ''Kirby'' games for its 25th anniversary, the ''[[USGamer]]'' staff ranked it as the worst [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] game in the series. Staff writer Caty McCarthy opined it as "kinda awful", adding that this wasn't one of the enjoyable games in the series released for the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/all-of-the-kirby-games-ranked-from-worst-to-best|title=All of the Kirby Games, Ranked From Worst to Best|author=USGamer Staff|work=USGamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=April 28, 2017|access-date=November 23, 2017|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326152558/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/all-of-the-kirby-games-ranked-from-worst-to-best|url-status=dead}}</ref>

It was the sixth best selling Game Boy Color game in Japan, with 563,914 copies sold.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201810/21165560.html |title=【GBC20周年企画(2)】いちばん売れたゲームボーイカラー専用ソフトは『遊☆戯☆王DM4』！ では2位は？ GBC専用ソフト販売ランキングTOP10！ |language=ja |page=1 |date=2018-10-21 |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |access-date=2018-10-21 |archive-date=2019-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603041902/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201810/21165560.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{clear}}

== Legacy ==
A planned sequel to the original game, titled ''Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2'', was shown at [[Nintendo Space World#Space World 2001|Nintendo Space World 2001]], which was being developed for the [[GameCube]] and was planned to require [[GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable|Game Boy Advance connectivity]]. Video game designer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] demonstrated the gameplay, showing Kirby falling off a ledge on the television screen to the Game Boy Advance screen. He also mentioned that the player could write "programs", such as minigames, into the game cartridge. Originally planned for release in May 2002,<ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/space-world-2001-kirby-tilt-n-tumble-2-announced/1100-2806943/|title=Space World 2001: Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2 announced|last=Ajami|first=Amer|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=August 23, 2001|access-date=November 26, 2017|archive-date=May 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527094734/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/space-world-2001-kirby-tilt-n-tumble-2-announced/1100-2806943/|url-status=live}}</ref> the game was retitled as ''Roll-O-Rama'', replacing Kirby with a marble ball. While shown at [[E3 2002]], the title was never released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hands-onroll-o-rama-gamecube/1100-2868421/|title=Hands-on Roll-O-Rama GameCube|last=Villoria|first=Gloria|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=May 17, 2006|access-date=November 26, 2017|archive-date=May 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527094736/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hands-onroll-o-rama-gamecube/1100-2868421/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
*''[[Koro Koro Puzzle Happy Panechu!]]''
*''[[WarioWare: Twisted!]]''
*''[[Yoshi's Universal Gravitation]]''

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|1339601}}
* {{moby game|id=/gameboy-color/kirby-tilt-n-tumble}}

{{Kirby series}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}

[[Category:2000 video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Color games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Color-only games]]
[[Category:HAL Laboratory games]]
[[Category:Kirby (series) video games]]
[[Category:Marble video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Research & Development 2 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]