Kirby and the Variegated Curse is a popular video game that follows the adventures of Kirby, a small pink puffball with the ability to inhale objects and gain their powers. The game takes place in Dream Land, where Kirby must save the day once again. In this particular installment, Kirby encounters a new enemy who has cast a powerful curse upon Dream Land. The curse causes everything in the land to become variegated, with different colors and patterns. This means that not only are the environments transformed, but all the creatures and objects as well. As Kirby ventures through the variegated world, he must navigate through colorful and puzzling obstacles.
There are costumes that remain popular every year for adults — like witches and vampires. This year, NRF says 5.8 million people are planning to dress as a witch and 2.4 million plan to dress like a vampire.
For the other most popular costumes of the year, Uzzolino says Spirit Halloween is looking at Wednesday and the Addams Family and T eenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For the other most popular costumes of the year, Uzzolino says Spirit Halloween is looking at Wednesday and the Addams Family and T eenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
As Kirby ventures through the variegated world, he must navigate through colorful and puzzling obstacles. The vibrant landscapes provide a visually stunning backdrop as Kirby fights various enemies and bosses. The variegated curse also adds a twist to gameplay, as Kirby gains new abilities and powers depending on the color and pattern of the objects he inhales.
It's a pink Halloween. Here are some of the most popular costumes of 2023
A cosplayer dressed as a boxed Barbie doll attends the MCM Comic Con at ExCeL exhibition centre in London on May 26, 2023.
Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images
Consumers are dropping more money than ever on Halloween, with this year's total Halloween spending expected to reach a record $12.2 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. That figure is almost $2 billion more than the $10.6 billion people spent on the holiday in 2022.
People are dishing out a record amount of money on costumes, too. The NRF says spending on adult, child and pet costumes will reach $4.1 billion. That's nearly a billion dollars more than pre-pandemic spending.
There are costumes that remain popular every year for adults — like witches and vampires. This year, NRF says 5.8 million people are planning to dress as a witch and 2.4 million plan to dress like a vampire.
Spirit Halloween, the largest Halloween chain in the U.S., says what's hot in pop culture determines the most popular costumes every year. So a new girl in town became the third most popular pick.
"When the parties start happening, we're gonna see a lot of Barbie," Marisa Uzzolino, manager of PR for Spirit Halloween, told NPR's Morning Edition. "Western Barbie, Skating Barbie, Skating Ken."
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The Barbie movie is the highest-grossing movie of the year and made over a billion dollars in the box office. About 1.8 million people are planning to dress up as Barbie this year.
For the other most popular costumes of the year, Uzzolino says Spirit Halloween is "looking at Wednesday and the Addams Family and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." Both had new TV shows and movies released over the past year.
When it comes to costumes inspired by iconic eras, last year, 1980s costumes were among the most popular. But this year, it's all about the tie dye, bell bottoms, and fringed dresses from the 1970s.
"We did see a new wave of the hippie styles and hippie stuff coming back," Uzzolino says — adding that Spirit Halloween expanded that section in stores this year.
The most popular costume this year for children is Spiderman, with 2.6 million planning to dress as the superhero. But Uzzolino says that along with Spiderman, there's another character who is extremely popular with children this Halloween.
"We see a huge rise in Bluey. It's a very popular show, and it's also geared towards parents too. So we have it for the kids and we have it for the parents," she says, referring to the main character from the hit children's show Bluey.
Speaking of dogs, the past few years have seen a boost in popularity for pet costumes.
"This is something that we've expanded on since last year. Next year we're going to continue to grow it because it's something that people ask for every year." Uzzolino says.
NRF says the top three costumes for pets are pumpkins, hot dogs and bats. Pet costume spending has gone up by $200 million during the pandemic.
Whether you're going to be Barbie, Wednesday or Spiderman, it's still recommended to get your Halloween costumes now. Spirit Halloween says the last two weeks before Halloween are their most busy, and that the majority of customers are last-minute shoppers.
"The month goes fast. So I think the earlier, the better. Get your costumes now," Uzzolino says.
People are dishing out a record amount of money on costumes, too. The NRF says spending on adult, child and pet costumes will reach $4.1 billion. That's nearly a billion dollars more than pre-pandemic spending.
Throughout the game, Kirby encounters familiar characters from previous installments, such as Meta Knight and King Dedede, who have also been affected by the curse. Together, they work to uncover the mysteries behind the curse and find a way to restore Dream Land to its original state. One of the standout features of Kirby and the Variegated Curse is its unique art style. The colorful and varied environments showcase the creativity and attention to detail of the game developers. Each level feels distinct and offers new challenges for players to overcome. In addition to its captivating visuals, the game also features a catchy soundtrack that complements the gameplay perfectly. The music changes depending on the environment, enhancing the immersive experience for players. Overall, Kirby and the Variegated Curse offers an exciting and visually stunning adventure for fans of the pink puffball. With its unique gameplay mechanics and charming art style, the game is sure to entertain players of all ages. So join Kirby as he embarks on another extraordinary journey to save Dream Land from the variegated curse!.
Reviews for "Kirby and the Variegated Curse: A Path to Redemption"
1. John - 2 Stars
I was really disappointed with "Kirby and the Variegated Curse." The gameplay felt repetitive and tedious, with very little variation in each level. The story was also lacking, and I found it difficult to stay invested in the game. Additionally, the graphics were underwhelming and did not meet the standards of other Kirby games. Overall, I would not recommend this game to fans of the series or those looking for a new and exciting gaming experience.
2. Sarah - 1 Star
I honestly cannot understand the hype around "Kirby and the Variegated Curse." The controls were clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to navigate through the levels. The difficulty level was all over the place, with some sections being almost impossible to beat while others felt too easy. The boss battles were particularly disappointing, lacking any real challenge or excitement. I regret wasting my money on this game and would caution others to avoid it.
3. Michael - 2 Stars
While the concept of "Kirby and the Variegated Curse" seemed promising, the execution fell flat. The levels lacked creativity and were formulaic, making them feel like a chore to complete. The power-ups and abilities Kirby gains throughout the game were also underwhelming, with limited usefulness in most situations. The soundtrack, too, was forgettable and did little to enhance the overall experience. As a long-time fan of the Kirby franchise, I was disappointed and expected more from this release.
4. Amanda - 1 Star
I found "Kirby and the Variegated Curse" to be a major letdown. The game was far too short, offering only a few hours of gameplay before it was over. The lack of content left me feeling unsatisfied and wondering if I had wasted my money. The levels lacked depth, and the puzzles were simplistic, offering little challenge. I would not recommend this game, as there are much better options available in the platformer genre.