Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Kururin Squash! builds its entire foundation around guiding a constantly spinning stick—affectionately known as the Heririn—through a series of narrow, intricately designed mazes. The core objective is simple: don’t let the Heririn touch any walls or obstacles, or risk shattering after three hits. What begins as straightforward tunnel navigation quickly evolves into a dizzying dance of precise timing, deft control inputs, and rapid decision-making as courses introduce moving platforms, deadly traps, and unpredictable hazards.

The GameCube incarnation takes things further by dividing single-player action into two distinct modes. In Puzzle Mode, you’ll hunt for hidden loot, unlock chests, and solve spatial riddles at your own pace. Race Mode, by contrast, turns each maze into a high-speed gauntlet where finishing under a set target time unlocks new stages and challenges. Complementing these staples are special levels featuring waterborne submarine segments, flame-throwing contraptions, twisters that upend your trajectory, and boss encounters that demand both agility and strategy.

Beyond solo play, Kururin Squash! shines brightest in local multiplayer. Up to four players duke it out in split-screen races, scrambling to the finish line while deploying boxing gloves, guns, and power-up pads to slow rivals. Battle Mode flips the focus entirely, tasking competitors with hoarding coins and weaponizing the environment to stay one step ahead. Each hit still counts—three strikes, and your Heririn explodes—adding a tension that keeps every match lively and unpredictable.

Graphics

Transitioning Kururin into the third dimension on the GameCube allows for eye-catching level design and a pop-culture color palette that explodes off the screen. Course walls are lined with vibrant patterns, scenic backdrops showcase whimsical locales—from sunlit forests to neon-hued space stations—and each environment carries its own personality. The Heririn itself glistens with glossy reflections, making each spin and collision feel tangible.

Enemies and bosses in Kururin Squash! are equally distinctive. Cartoon-style grinning turrets, bouncing blob creatures, and giant mechanized guardians all feature smooth animations that communicate their behavior at a glance. Water levels add an extra layer of polish, complete with realistic wave effects and shimmering caustics on the ocean floor, while fire traps flicker warmly against darkened corridors, giving each setting a memorable atmosphere.

Particularly impressive are the special effects tied to your arsenal and stage hazards. When you fire a gun or unleash boxing gloves, shards of debris scatter, and when surfaces are struck by bounce pads, the camera briefly swoops in for a dramatic re-angle. Even the UI elements, like timers and loot counts, are integrated seamlessly, ensuring that the screen never feels cluttered—only alive with action.

Story

Kururin Squash! doesn’t aim to be an epic saga; rather, it embraces a lighthearted framework that sets the stage for its puzzle-centric gameplay. You play as Kururin, the spinning-stick hero, enlisted to navigate treacherous labyrinths and retrieve valuable treasures scattered throughout the Heririn Dimension. Each world introduces a fresh backdrop and host of oddball residents—both friend and foe.

Story beats come alive through charming cut-in illustrations and brief dialogue boxes that pepper the campaign. You’ll encounter quirky NPCs who provide hints or trade power-ups, along with boss characters whose exaggerated personalities and attack patterns inject humor into each showdown. While narrative depth is minimal, it’s the tone—bright, playful, and self-aware—that carries you from one challenge to the next.

Progression feels rewarding not just for the gameplay unlocks but also for tiny storytelling touches: rediscovering sunken ruins in water stages, uncovering ancient scrolls hidden in cliffside caves, or solving puzzles that reveal portions of a pixel-art mural. Though Kururin Squash! isn’t a story-driven epic, these elements work together to give purpose to every turn of the Heririn.

Overall Experience

As a stand-alone adventure, Kururin Squash! delivers an addictive blend of reflex-testing puzzles and high-octane races. Its intuitive controls—holding a single button to spin, the analog stick to steer—make picking up the game a breeze, while the precision required to master advanced levels keeps veteran players coming back for more. Colorful stages, surprising boss battles, and a steady stream of fresh mechanics ensure the single-player campaign never grows stale.

Where Kururin Squash! truly shines is in local multiplayer. Four-player split-screen chaos is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, whether you’re sprinting to the finish line or hoarding coins in Battle Mode. Though occasional camera angles can hamper visibility in tight spots, the competitive thrill and slapstick weapon antics more than compensate for these minor hiccups.

Ultimately, Kururin Squash! offers a unique twist on the puzzle-maze genre. It’s fast, fun, and filled with enough variety—submarine dives, flame traps, boxing gloves—to keep both solo players and groups engaged. If you’re seeking a colorful, quick-to-learn, tough-to-master experience on the GameCube, Kururin Squash! is well worth the flight.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10