PSA: Kirby 64 Online on Switch Has a Game-Stopping Glitch
Nintendo launched Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards on Nintendo Switch Online, their retro gaming service tied to Switch Online membership. This 2.5D adventure game for pink puffballs is a hit with Kirby and features a variety of series mechanics. This Switch version also has a common bug that Nintendo promised to fix in an update.
It is possible to trip a glitch in Kirby 64 on the Switch. This makes Kirby unable to move, and soft locks him from the game. If Kirby swims and is hit by any object that causes damage and then hits another entity, the controls stop working. There will be no way for Kirby to restart the level. This glitch was spotted by @hinapuff on Twitter.
This could happen when Kirby is swimming. Nintendo acknowledged the game-stopping bug in an update and promised to fix it.
Nintendo hasn’t acknowledged the glitch, but it has been reported numerous times and can be reproduced easily, so there is a good chance they are referring to this glitch.
This glitch is not found in the Kirby 64:The Crystal Shards original N64 edition, which is most likely caused by a bug in the code of the Nintendo 64 emulator for Switch Online. Many fans have complained about Nintendo’s N64 emulator. It refuses to allow players to customize their controls the same way as every other virtual console. This is another problem to add to the pile.
Nintendo 64 games can only be accessed via the Nintendo Switch Online tier. This means that fans have to pay more for Kirby 64 games. All of this means that Nintendo can’t leave the bug to fester.
The Kirby is also available on the Switch. However, it does not contain any game-breaking bugs. You might give this one a shot until it is fixed.