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I've been chatting to Nintendo this week about Kirby's Epic Yarn, and was informed that the inspiration for the game came from a stop-motion movie. I wasn't told what the movie was, and for some reason it was implied that developer Feel-Good didn't want to tell anybody. 

As weird as that was, it seems that the "stop-motion movie" in question may not have been a movie, but an old commercial for a past Kirby game. GamesRadar saw our story and then posted an old advert for Kirby's Adventure (found by our own Monodi, it turns out!). Lo and behold, it's a stop-motion video and Kirby bears more than a passing resemblance to his Epic Yarn incarnation. 

We don't know if this is the "stop motion movie" to which Nintendo of America is referencing, but the similarities are pretty damn compelling. Plus it's a fantastic little commercial, so watch it anyway!

Kirby's Epic Yarn looks EXACTLY like 1992 TV advert [GamesRadar]








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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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26 comments | showing # 1 to 26
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SKSith's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:45
SKSith
I don't see the resemblance.
Sentry's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:47
Sentry
It took my page a minute to load, and I honestly thought/hoped the entire post was going to be a picture of a ball of yarn.
Electrium's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:47
Electrium
Whoa. So awesome, I'm surprised nobody caught that at E3.

...I guess we don't watch that many Japanese commercials from almost 20 years ago.
Spykron's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:47
Spykron
yea, no way is this related to yarn or epicness.
(i'm lying)
Super Drybones's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:47
Super Drybones
"Kirby's Epic Yarn looks EXACTLY like 1992 TV advert "

I don't think GamesRadar knows what EXACTLY means...
killboy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:49
killboy
Gamesradar also credited a destructoid user for finding the video
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:51
Monodi
Umm, excuse me? I Read your story and linked you the video :|
Shady Strider's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:51
Shady Strider
Now, if the yarn was epic, I could see where Gamesradar is coming from.
Sentry's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:52
Sentry
killboy - Yeah, seriously. I seem to recall this being on the Weekend Hotness or in a cblog sometime not too long ago.
killboy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:53
killboy
@monodi. It's probably you that gamesradar credited
Spectreman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:53
Spectreman
OLD!
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:55
Monodi
@killboy

Oh... well that would be interesting.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:57
Monodi
@Spectreman

Yeah, 18 years old perhaps, maybe even older than you.
Ninpou's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 14:58
Ninpou
For a second I though I was on Kotaku with this up-to-the-minute observation that totally wasn't made 2 months ago.
Jim's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 15:16
Jim
epic YAWN? ^^
DevinKills's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 15:22
DevinKills
Good job Watson
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 15:36
Darren Nakamura
Looks pretty clear to me.
GoodlyMike's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 15:48
GoodlyMike
Wow, it really does look like it!
Danzflor's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 15:48
Danzflor
Mmm Jim, Ashley Davis (or Burch...whatever) Spot this months ago, I think just after E3 ended.But she didn't put it on Dtoid.
Jawmuncher's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 15:55
Jawmuncher
I'm staying evil
Jayster360's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 16:33
Jayster360
I like old ads! Some seem obsolete or ridiculous but nonetheless I believe they were truly original
Ashley Davis's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 17:32
Ashley Davis
Yeah, I was the first to find this! Maybe? I love to watch old Japanese game commercials, and this one's been in my Youtube favorites for years! When I saw Epic Yarn back during E3, I was like, "Wait a minute, this looks familiar..."

Anyway, it doesn't matter. I'm just glad it's circulating, because it's interesting and a darn cute commercial to boot. :)
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 19:37
Monodi
@Ashley Davis

I think I saw it in your tumblr, yeah
Hiltz's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 21:43
Hiltz
Kirby's Epic Yarn is a perfect example of why art direction will always be more important than technical side of pushing graphics in video games. I salute you, developer Feel Good.
Hiltz's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 21:43
Hiltz
Kirby's Epic Yarn is a perfect example of why art direction will always be more important than technical side of pushing graphics in video games. I salute you, developer Feel Good.
Danzflor's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2010 23:37
Danzflor
Thaks ash for confirming ir, Knew I saw it on your tumblr. I'm just sad that this was exposed by GamesRadar first. Anyway, Ashley, I love you (whit permission of Mr. Burch, of course)
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