In this game Kirby is rolled up into a ball and you must guide him through various mazes filled with obstacles and enemies. So, when you tilt the system in a direction he’ll roll that way. The sensor in the cartridge is extremely sensitive, so when you slightly tilt the machine Kirby will slowly roll in that direction and if you turn the system at a sharper angle he’ll roll much faster. It really is quite amazing at how well this technology works in this game. What might initially seem like a gimmick quickly becomes a whole new game play experience.

Each world is broken up into levels. You have a certain amount of time to complete each maze. There are checkpoints that will give you more time to complete a level. Also, scattered throughout the levels are stopwatches that will add precious seconds to your overall time. Along the way you can pick up star pieces. For every 50 you collect you will earn an extra life. If you quickly flip the system up, Kirby will jump in the air and then hit the ground with a thump. Any star pieces that are on the screen will flip and turn into stopwatches or vice versa. So if you find yourself in a pinch for time you can sacrifice star pieces or if you’ve got enough time you can flip them into star pieces. There are plenty of other items that will help Kirby out in his quest as well as plenty of secret star pieces to collect for special surprises.

The levels themselves are extremely varied. You’ll have to guide Kirby through all sorts of hazards. There are pinball bumpers that will bounce you around the screen, of which you’ll want to be extra careful around them since they could fling you right off the board in some instances. There are walls that have to be jumped over, holes in the game board so that you can actually roll under obstacles, and even conveyor belts that will either aid or hinder you progress. The levels are filled to the brim with boost pads, lifts, rafts, blast boards, bumpers, pop-up floors, holes, and clouds, all of which add to the game’s challenge. As in any good game, varieties in terrain abound. Different levels will require Kirby to take to the clouds and fly, slip around on icy floors, take a dip in the water, and brave the quicksand. At the end of each level you can attempt a bull’s-eye by making Kirby jump onto the finish pad. If you successfully land in the center you will be rewarded with an extra life.

The graphics are surprisingly crisp and colorful for a handheld game. Kirby animates very well and the screen moves flawlessly. The levels are designed so that there’s never a time where you’ll die and it won’t be your fault. The backgrounds are reminiscent of previous Kirby games, complete with bright colors and familiar sights. It was rumored that Nintendo of America was going to take Kirby out of the game and instead use a Pokemon character, such as Pikachu in order to make the game appeal to a wider audience. Luckily they stuck with Kirby and the game’s graphics have been retained.

Anyone that has played a Game Boy Color knows that in order to see the screen you have to have a good light source. This causes a slight problem with Tilt ‘n Tumble because in order to play the game you have to move the system. This can make it difficult to see the screen at times, especially when you must quickly jerk the system up to make Kirby jump. Luckily, since the game is extremely sensitive you never have to turn the system very far in any direction to make Kirby move. Still, I think the game would have played even better had Nintendo mapped Kirby’s jump move to a button.

It’s refreshing to see a game like Kirby’s Tilt ‘n Tumble on the market today. Innovations in gameplay like this will drive the industry forward by creating new experiences never before though possible. I’m sure Nintendo will use this technology in upcoming games where they see fit. The tilt function is integral to the game, thus making it the most interactive Game Boy Color game yet. Sure, you might see a few raised eyebrows if you play this game out in public, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying one of the most fun games ever to hit a portable system.