GAME-BOY-ADVANCE Platformer Action 2004

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

Reviewed by Marcus Webb & Elena Castillo · Updated June 2025

HAL Laboratory's 2004 GBA Kirby game with a unique open-world Metroidvania structure — instead of linear stages, the Amazing Mirror world is a single interconnected map of ten areas accessible in non-linear order, requiring Kirby to backtrack with new abilities to reach previously inaccessible sections. Features four-player simultaneous multiplayer via Game Boy Advance link cable with four Kirbys of different colors.

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💡 Kirby & the Amazing Mirror — Key Facts

→ Kirby & the Amazing Mirror was developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo
→ Released in 2004 on GAME-BOY-ADVANCE
→ Genre: Platformer, Action
→ We rate it 8.6/10 — highly recommended
→ Part of the Kirby franchise
→ HAL Laboratory's 2004 GBA Kirby game with a unique open-world Metroidvania structure — instead of linear stages, the Amazing Mirror world is a single interconnected map of ten areas accessible in non-linear order, requiring Kirby to backtrack with new abilities to reach previously inaccessible sections. Features four-player simultaneous multiplayer via Game Boy Advance link cable with four Kirbys of different colors.

Overview

The Mirror World is a single map. Ten areas connect to each other and to a central hub; exploring means finding connections between areas rather than following stages in sequence.

Kirby can go wherever the current copy ability allows. Some areas require fire to burn through bramble walls. Others need bomb abilities for cracked surfaces. The Metroidvania logic applies: explore as far as possible, collect abilities, return to previously blocked passages.

The Mirror Structure

Other Kirby games move linearly — complete stage, advance to next stage. Amazing Mirror’s ten areas can be entered in almost any order from Central Circle. Popstar, Moonlight Mansion, Cabbage Cavern, Mustard Mountain, Carrot Castle, Olive Ocean, Peppermint Palace, Radish Ruins, Candy Constellation, and the central hub connect in a network.

The non-linear structure creates a different relationship with the game world. Players who discover a blocked passage know to return later with the right ability. The mirror theme’s reflective, labyrinthine quality becomes the world’s literal design.

The Four Kirbys

Red. Blue. Yellow. Green. Four Kirbys, four colors, one for each GBA connected via link cable.

The cooperative mode existed as an experiment in 2004 GBA multiplayer: four players exploring the same Mirror World, sharing copy abilities, reviving each other when one falls, cooperating against bosses. The link cable requirement limited how many players experienced it.

Nintendo Switch Online’s version enables the same four-player mode online — finally making the cooperative design accessible without four link cables in the same room.

Backtracking

Kirby games rarely ask players to backtrack. Amazing Mirror asks constantly.

Abilities found in late areas unlock sections of early areas. A Kirby who explored Candy Constellation and collected a specific ability returns to Moonlight Mansion’s previously blocked passage. The world’s design rewards players who remember what they couldn’t reach earlier.

This is unusual for Kirby. Amazing Mirror treats it as the point.

Our Review

8.6

Excellent / 10

🎮

Gameplay

★★★★★

🎨

Graphics

★★★★★

🎵

Audio

★★★★★

🔄

Replay

★★★★★

Gameplay

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror departs from the series' standard linear stage structure: the Mirror World is a single interconnected Metroidvania-style map divided into ten areas. Kirby enters from Central Circle and can move freely between connected areas, requiring certain copy abilities to access specific sections. The copy ability system is preserved from the main series — swallowing enemies grants abilities including Sword, Fire, Ice, Beam, Cutter, Bomb, and others. Cell phones allow summoning helper Kirbys at any time. Four-player cooperative mode with different-colored Kirbys (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green) playable simultaneously via Game Boy Advance link cable.

Graphics

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror uses the GBA's capabilities for colorful, detailed Kirby sprite work. The mirror-themed environments, dark forest areas, and boss rooms are visually distinct. The four-Kirby color coding in multiplayer is clearly communicated.

Audio

The soundtrack provides cheerful Kirby-style music throughout the interconnected world, with appropriately varied themes for the different Mirror World regions.

Replayability

Non-linear exploration rewards backtracking with new abilities. Complete map exploration and all items collection extends gameplay. Four-player cooperative mode provides social replay option.

Historical Significance

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror (2004, GBA) is notable as the first Kirby game with a Metroidvania-style interconnected world rather than linear stages — a structural departure that anticipated the direction later Kirby games would explore. The four-player cooperative mode was technically ambitious for GBA link cable play. The game was developed by HAL Laboratory alongside Flagship (the team that developed the Oracle of Ages/Seasons Zelda games), bringing a non-Nintendo design philosophy to the Kirby formula.

✅ Pros

+ Metroidvania open-world structure unique in Kirby series
+ Full copy ability system preserved from main series
+ Four-player cooperative multiplayer via link cable
+ Non-linear exploration rewards thorough players
+ Visually colorful and characteristically Kirby

❌ Cons

- Open-world structure can disorient players used to linear Kirby games
- Some copy abilities more useful than others for exploration
- Four-player link cable requirement limits multiplayer accessibility
- Backtracking can feel tedious without map familiarity

Also Known As

Kirby Amazing Mirror GBAKagami no Daimeikyuu

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror FAQ

How does Kirby & the Amazing Mirror differ from other Kirby games?

Most Kirby games use a linear stage structure: stages within worlds, one after another, with a world map showing progression. Kirby & the Amazing Mirror replaces this with a single interconnected map — the Mirror World — that functions like a Metroidvania. All ten areas connect to each other and to a central hub (Central Circle). Kirby moves freely between areas, but certain sections require specific copy abilities to access: a fire ability to burn barriers, ice to freeze water, bomb abilities for cracked walls. Previously visited areas contain secrets only accessible with abilities found later. The structure rewards backtracking and exploration rather than linear progression. This makes Amazing Mirror unique in the Kirby series as a non-linear exploration game.

What are the copy abilities in Kirby & the Amazing Mirror?

The copy ability system works identically to mainline Kirby games: swallowing enemies grants abilities. Amazing Mirror includes a substantial roster: Sword (sword beam attacks), Fire (flame breath), Ice (freeze), Beam (charged energy beam), Cutter (boomerang blades), Bomb (throwable explosives), Ninja, Wheel (transform into wheel for speed), Tornado, Cupid (arrows), and others. Each ability has primary and secondary attacks. For exploration, certain abilities unlock specific sections: fire burns bramble barriers, bomb destroys cracked walls. The Smash ability grants moves based on Super Smash Bros. attacks for the Kirby character. The full copy ability variety creates player preference based on combat and exploration style.

How does the four-player mode work in Kirby & the Amazing Mirror?

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror supports up to four simultaneous players using Game Boy Advance link cables — one player per GBA unit, each controlling a differently colored Kirby (pink, red, blue, yellow). All four Kirbys exist simultaneously in the same game world and cooperate to explore and defeat bosses. The multiplayer uses a leader system where one Kirby is designated the leader controlling primary progression; others follow. Players can share copy abilities by dropping them for others to pick up. The cooperative mode allows players to revive downed Kirbys. Multiplayer requires each player to have a copy of the game; a demo version (one GBA with the game) allows limited multiplayer, but the full experience requires all four copies.

Is Kirby & the Amazing Mirror available on modern platforms?

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror is available through Nintendo Switch Online's Game Boy Advance library for Expansion Pack subscribers. The game appeared on the Wii U Virtual Console. The Nintendo Switch Online version supports the four-player online cooperative mode using the online service, replacing the physical link cable requirement. For modern players, Nintendo Switch Online is the most accessible way to experience the full game including the cooperative mode. The GBA cartridge remains available through retro game stores for original hardware play.