Kirby Star Allies

£40, Nintendo Switch

Kirby is one of Nintendo’s most recognisable characters and now the spherical pink hero has bounced in for his first adventure on Nintendo Switch.

This high definition, side-scrolling platformer follows Kirby as he tries to save Dream Land from an ominous intergalactic threat.

Gameplay is typical Kirby fare – jumping, hovering and swallowing enemies to gain powers. But the key is to work with your allies, who can be computercontrolled or guided by other players, to overcome obstacles and create new abilities.

Kirby can amass up to three “Dream Friends” that help him progress with elemental attacks featuring wind, fire, water and electricity.

While it’s nice to see something fresh and cooperative, the addition of friends limits the experience. Bottom line is the game’s too easy.

It’s possible to let your AI teammates beat the unimaginative levels if you’re playing solo.

Younger gamers might enjoy this but seasoned platform fans need a tougher challenge. access. Two neat features make this a great choice for carrying your tech. First, the laptop slot is suspended inside the bag – protecting it from impacts, leakages and other calamities. Second, there are tiny ports between the sections of the bag that allow you to run charging cables throughout, clipping them onto hooks stitched into the side. It comes in a choice of green, blue, brown or grey and has become my first choice bag for day-to-day use.