Kirby Flies over Alabama in Fluffy Pink Clouds

Tags: kirby

Editor: I3IackSabbath

After a long night and an early-morning, one-hour drive, I arrive at Kirby Middle School after only missing one turn. Which I probably wouldn't have missed if I wasn't watching skyward for some sign from the heavens telling me, 'You have arrived.'

I arrived in time to see a large black Hummer with a modified equipment trailer attached and what looked like three large voting-booths positioned near passed second base of the Kirby Middle School's playground and baseball field. There were several men diligently at work behind the large black voting-booths. To the left were a few people holding binders and covered in bags, pouches, and cell phones. Immediately, I knew these were the important people whom I needed to speak with.

David Young, Assistant Manager - Public Relations was just the man I needed. He was casually dressed and in good spirits. He was happy to be in Birmingham, Alabama kick off this event. Here, as with other Kirby locations around America, they were releasing environmentally-friendly Flogos of our pink puff friend, Kirby.

What is a Flogo, you may be thinking? Flogo is a foamy, helium-filled, soap bubble formation made into an image by being screened through a large stencil. In this case, a Kirby-shaped stencil.

David explained that the event is being held to commemorate Kirby's 16th anniversary. We watch the birth of the first batches of floating Kirby clouds.

"We are holding this event," David tells me with a grin, "to get the word out about Kirby Super Star Ultra, an updated version of an old favorite, out Monday [Sept. 22nd]. We decided to do it this way to sort of honor Kirby's floating abilities."

Well, he certainly was floating. And I must say, what better way to bring back the old school than actually at a school. Smooth.

This is a landmark event for Flogos, too. This event is the first time Flogos have ever been done in color. The bubbly facsimiles of Kirby have been dyed a true-to-the-character pink color. Each Kirby measures about 2 ½ feet square.

Before our official interview, David and I talked briefly about the Eco-friendliness of the Kirbys. Mostly this was brought up because we were only a few short miles from the Birmingham Airport and directly in the path of the incoming flights. I asked about the possibility of distracting pilots, but he assured me that they had clearance from the FAA and they had his number if there were issues.

We spoke about the composition of the Flogos and eventually landed on the topic of exactly how "green" Nintendo was. According to Young, Nintendo has been using biodegradable materials for years and even has a product recycling program. To keep our landfills cleaner, Nintendo accepts old products to be disposed of properly. (Or used as spare parts, if needed.)

"The thing about that is, we get so few back because people like to hold on to their systems." About that time is when my fan-boy side broke through and I pulled out my old, clunky, beat up DS complete with a renegade green pixel. I also mentioned how my 23 year old NES is still plugged in and actively sitting next to my Wii on the shelf above my N64.

We watched as the Kirby clouds began to fill the sky, each one better formed than the last. A few were blown off into the surrounding trees where they would snag and leave a vague pink blob in the foliage. Other than those few stray wind gusts, the day was perfect for the event. Reports from the other three event sites reported perfect weather as well.

After a few photos and small interviews all the way around (including my own!), I was awarded an official, formal interview. I equipped my +2 Notebook of Inquisition and prepared for it. And here it is...

Me: Alright, first, I have to admit, this is my first interview. I'm new at this, be gentle.

David Young: Ha, sure.

Me: My first question, which, from our earlier conversation, I think I know the answer to, what is your favorite Nintendo game?

DY: Metroid. I've always been a fan of Metroid. And I really like Mario. I like playing [Super Mario] Galaxy. I haven't gotten all of the stars yet, but I have Beaten Bowser. It's a great game.

Me: It is. Is there any chance that Nintendo will upgrade to HD for the next generation?

DY: Y'know, the funny thing about Nintendo is they don't release a lot of information until it's time to. And when they do, it's only to a few people. I don't have that information now, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Me: One of my personal favorites is Resident Evil. Any word on another RE for Nintendo?

DY: Oh, I loved the reissue of Resident Evil 4 on the Wii. The whole idea of pointing to the screen to aim. It was a great innovation. But Resident Evil is a Capcom thing. I have nothing on a new Resident Evil for Nintendo, but I would definitely like to see it.

Me: How about that new Animal Crossing?

DY: Oh, man, that's fun.I got to try it out and it really is great. It has a great outlook.

(Later in the day we talked about it more and David confirmed being able to transfer your catalogue from Wild World into City Folk. Glee.)

Me: Yeah, I loved the Animal Crossing games. Now, do you have a comment on the conflict between hardcore and casual gamers? Being a member of a gaming community, I hear that issue a lot.

DY: Y'know, the line is blurring. It's difficult to tell the difference anymore. Nintendo is making more balanced games for everyone. We have games that appeal to the 'core gamer crowd, too. Mad World, have you heard about that? I think it will please a lot of 'core gamers. Wii Sports, Wii Play, those are simple games, but still fun to get together and play. And you know, a lot od consumers don't realize that it takes a lot longer to make a game than it does to play through it.

Me: This is very true. Have you tried out the new CastleVania?

DY: [laughing some] No, not yet. There are so many games and so little time. But we are happy to have Konami and happy to have their contributions and hope they continue.

Me: I'd like to know, what do you think the next handheld will be like? Will we have a new Game Boy or a DS2? Since the DS is it's own console, will it be continued or will we go back to Game Boys?

DY: Well, I don't have word yet on a handheld. I'm not really sure if we'll return to the Game Boy line or not. The thing with hardware design when we finish one console, development on the next one starts right away. Handhelds are more linear. When time comes for a new one, we work on a new one. It is difficult to tell if the next handheld will be able to follow up the DS.

Me: have you heard about Sony creating patents for handheld devices with touch screens and motion sensitivity?

DY: I wouldn't doubt it. Nintendo is still an innovator in controller technology. You can name any controller feature and I'll show you were it got it's start; shoulder buttons, rumble, joy pads, thumb sticks. And I think the new Motion+ coming out next year makes the future look bright.

Me: A lot of people have wondered if the Motion+ will affect the nunchuck, as well. I know it steps up the sensitivity of the Wii remote, but will it help out the nunchuck's abilities as well?

DY: As far as I know, it will not affect the nun chucks capability at all.

Me: I've got one more question. See, a long time ago, I had this thing called the Pokemon Pikachu. Then a few years later, I upgraded to Pikachu 2, which I lost. I happened to acquire one on eBay recently (fan boyishly pulls Pikachu from pocket). Is there any chance we'll see something like these in the future?

DY: [Trying to hold back a snicker at my apparent goofiness] I really don't know. That's something we'll have to see about.

Me: I think these were a great marketing idea. Yeah, they are good cash flow, but something like this makes the game new. Like connecting to [Pokemon] Gold and Silver with the Pikachu 2. I think something like this where you could transfer a few Pokemon from games like Diamond and Pearl and take them with you and train them and play games, that would be awesome.

DY: Well, yes, that would be good. But I don't know if we'll ever see anything like it again, just have to wait and see.


After that, we shook hands and David went on to greet and talk with the new observers that had come to check out the happenings. I stuck around to take pictures, talking with the other event coordinators and the few spectators that showed up.

I asked about how much an advertisement costs, but was given the vague answer of, "... Well, all of it together, with the other events and the merchandising... A lot."

I'll bet... But it seems worth it.

After our official interview, David and I conversed a bit more about some random gaming items. He explained to me a little bit more about the Kirby game for which this whole event was being held. He tells me that the game is an updated and reworked version of a classic Kirby adventure for the SNES, Kirby Super Star. The game has modes and adventures based directly on the SNES version, plus new games designed exclusively for the DS touch screen.

Kirby is a great game for all types, even kids. It's easy to play because it's difficulty increases gradually so you can get the feel of it first, but still be challenged.

Taken straight from the FACT SHEET I was given by an event coordinator:

"With so many adventures waiting to be unlocked, there'll never be a dull moment as you run, float, copy enemies and use Helpers to fight the likes of King Dedede and Meta Knight.

"On top of a slew of new adventures, the original modes found in the beloved Super NEW game, Kirby Super Star, are all here with updated graphics and fully rendered movie scenes.

 "There are also new touch-screen-controlled mini-games that you can play with up to three friends via DS Download Play - Kirby Card Swipe, Kirby on the Draw, and Snack Tracks."

It sounds like a great game. And it should be, with such a big marketing campaign. I really might pick up a copy. I've been a fan of Kirby since Dream Land back in the early '90s, and this just might be a great title to add to that. So, remember kids, Monday, September 22nd. Buy it!

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