Kirby returns in new game for Nintendo DS

Everybody's favorite self-inflating pink ball has returned to the Nintendo DS.

While Kirby's first DS game limited direct control of the titular character, his new game, Kirby: Squeak Squad goes back to the simple yet enjoyable mechanics of being able to devour nearly everything in sight.

The premise of Squeak Squad revolves around Kirby trying to recover all the treasure stolen by Dream Land's newest pests, a gang of roguish rodents called the Squeak Squad.

They had managed to escape detection from the residents until they decided to swipe Kirby's delicious strawberry shortcake.

Apparently no one told them not to mess with the ultimate omnivore.

The game play is very reminiscent of the past Kirby games.

Kirby moves through the levels dispatching enemies via any number of methods.

Inhaling and swallowing certain enemies grants Kirby certain abilities.

For example, swallowing a sword-wielding enemy gives Kirby a sword.

Several abilities also have more than one way of attacking, granting even more variety in baddie-beating.

While it is merely assumed that Kirby's stomach is spacious, in Squeak Squad the touch screen is used to display the contents of the puffball's belly.

Collecting items and abilities encased in bubbles allows Kirby to store them for later use.

Bubbles can be used at any time by tapping them or by dragging them to another bubble, which will produce a new, sometimes better item.

Kirby's stomach is only large enough to accommodate items, and the treasure chests must be stored in the stomach as well, so overfilling Kirby's belly is not advised.

Once recovered, treasure chests unlock a wide variety of content.

Most rewards are aesthetic like the design for Kirby's stomach lining or Kirby's color.

Others are used to unlock more stages and abilities for Kirby's powers.

This game is very much like the cake for which Kirby is seeking, short but sweet.

While some of the treasures require some degree of puzzle-solving to obtain, it should not take too long to collect all of them for the seasoned player.

The game also offers some 4-player mini-games but they only offer a brief diversion.

It's fun while it lasts, but it's over way too soon.