The Limitations of Particle Effects [Effects]

Particles are a type of effect which scatter outward in large quantities. You'll often want to display lots of these particles, but that can be easier said than done.
By the way, this is the final video in the Effects category!

[luisguillermojg]

Sakurai putting particle effects every time his animation of himself shows up is very funny.

[Garomasta]

I really like Ultimate's particle effects. The flame, smoke and explosion particles in particular have a cool comic-like 2d look that still doesn't feel out of place with the 3d character models.

[poweroffriendship.]

The particle effect animation in _Kirby's Dreamland_ looks very impressive even for the Gameboy's limitation.

[GameTesterBootCamp]

I felt this one in my BONES. I remember making a game for a 2009 iPod Touch and the particle effects DESTROYING the performance. It's weird but after you've spent a lot of time on an underpowered platform like that, you get really good at making sure your game is as efficient as possible.

[todesziege]

These tricks also help with keeping a game visually readable. A lot of modern games overdo particle effects to the point of causing a lot of visual clutter, making the screen harder to read as the important bits are obscured by less important fluff.

[Alayric]

I like the black&white particle used for Kirby's aspiration, nice way to make it visible

[holographicquad]

As an aspiring game developer, these videos are always super helpful!

[SuperPistachio_]

I haven't played Wario World in nearly 20 years, but the one thing that I remember most is how one of the boss fights, Red-Brief J, would constantly dip in frame rate because of all the particle effects.

[Dingalow]

I like the fact that little 19 year old Sakurai wanted to be economical but still spent significant resources on particle effects

[skeptale]

Despite the more limited hardware power I've always thought Smash has far more stylish and satisfying particle effects than other fighting games. Restrictions breed creativity, as they say.

[chubchib]

I used to max out the particle effects on Roblox until it crashed. Fun times

[harukaze]

kirby's particle effects over every action distinguishes it so much
when you fall to the floor or hit a wall, combined with sound
the distinct explosions and sparkles
it makes the game feel right in a way most others don't

[ArcaJ]

I think anyone studying to design games should make one Gameboy game. Even if it isn't published, just learn to work within those limitations.

[TheHylianBatman]

Particle effects are really cool, I hadn't realized how much work goes into them!

[shuccle]

such a good video i love how he went into details on the particles and their implementation specifically in the original kirby game since the hardware was so limited. it really made such a difference back then and the same fundamentals are applied even in today's modern games.

[ManifestoPerUnAvatar]

I wonder if Mr Sakurai would do a whole code base breakdown of the early days games like kirby, to connect concepts of programming and game design!

[bearman_]

The particles were one of the best things about Smash Ultimate, imo. I remember that being the first thing I noticed when I got into a match.

[DarkBloodbane]

They look small and less significant yet they require some rules to make them efficient. thanks for sharing this Mr Sakurai!

[BlueKazuki]

bonus kirby lore is always appreciated

[PsychicAlchemy]

I've seen some of the particle systems sent in with job applications, and so many of them are massive movie-tier effects that will never run on any hardware. Meanwhile a friend of mine does some amazing effects with half a dozen particles. Some of the sparkliest sparkles and poofiest clouds!