For me, the cherry on the top of the Nintendo Switch 2’s reveal showcase back in April was the announcement of Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Starry World, an add-on for the criminally underappreciated 2022 adventure.
Kirby’s Adventure on the NES was a milestone game for me in its own time. The Kirby franchise’s main adventures have always been focused on easing new players into the rhythms of playing adventure games, and it worked on me in spades. Then, almost thirty years later, I had the thrill of playing through Kirby and the Forgotten Land in co-op with my daughter, and seeing her go from struggling with 3D controls, to holding her own in the true final boss fights.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a masterclass in adventure level design, introducing both its own mechanics and those of the genre at a brilliant pace. Replaying it on the Nintendo Switch 2 was every bit as whimsical as it was three years ago, even after completing it 100 per cent. HAL Laboratory structured the game with care, showing players the ropes without ever holding their hands.
The Switch 2 edition takes this platformer to subtle new technical heights. Kirby and the Forgotten Land feels even more vibrant on the new hardware, whether in handheld or docked mode, and the improved frame rates are a welcome touch. The original was hardly a slouch in this department, but many fans will be happy to see the pink puffball upgraded from 30 fps to 60 fps.
“Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a masterclass in adventure level design, introducing both its own mechanics and those of the genre at a brilliant pace.”
For the uninitiated, Kirby and the Forgotten Land brings the hero’s signature gameplay elements — hovering, inhaling enemies, copying abilities — into a true 3D adventure for the first time. Stranded in a new world with a new helper, the adorable (and surprisingly under-merchandised) Elfilin, Kirby explores six different realms and takes on the Beast Pack to rescue his Waddle Dee friends and find a way home.
Transitioning into 3D meant sacrificing some core skills, such as flying or hovering indefinitely and swimming underwater, but the game engine proved far smoother than expected from a traditionally 2D series’ first leap into the third dimension. Kirby’s new Mouthful Mode abilities created memorable set-piece moments, while a finely curated list of upgradable copy abilities put plenty of options at players’ fingertips. Using them all was key to one of the most satisfying 100 per cent completion experiences in recent memory, supported by a range of side attractions and mini-games.
What seals the deal is the game’s co-op mode, where the second player controls Kirby’s steadfast friend, Bandana Waddle Dee. This ally cannot copy abilities but wields a spear, which doubles as a helicopter or can be hurled at foes for ranged attacks. If he is knocked out, his health slowly regenerates, so there is little setback if the second player cannot keep up.
A technical upgrade alone would have been enough to bring me back to the game on new hardware. Fortunately, Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Nintendo Switch 2 edition goes further, adding a new set of levels in the Star-Crossed World add-on. This dozen-stage expansion builds on existing levels but pushes them far beyond the original postgame remixes.
Star-Crossed World swaps the captive Waddle Dees for new creatures called Starries, which Kirby must rescue from the stages by clearing levels and completing secret objectives in each one. The new levels use crystalline effects for variety: platforms can materialize when Kirby hits special switches, while enemies bejewelled with shimmering crystals prove tougher opponents.
These levels can be unlocked alongside the main story for newcomers, either after clearing the associated standard stage or defeating the next boss. Veterans can load saved files from the original Switch and jump straight into the new content. Star-Crossed World’s levels are easier if you have already cleared the game and upgraded all copy abilities, but they remain an accessible challenge even without Kirby’s most powerful gear.
“Star-Crossed World truly expands and enriches an already wonderful journey, whether you’re playing it for the very first time or taking a victory lap three years later.”
Three new Mouthful Modes join Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s roster for added variety. Spring Mouth lets Kirby leap to great heights, bounce, or slam down to smash open new paths or unlucky foes. Sign Mouth turns Kirby into a snowboard for downhill segments, while Gear Mouth allows him to scale walls and reach otherwise inaccessible areas. Gear Mouth may be the most obtuse to use, but each of these new skills is put to good effect, much like those in the original game. The returning abilities also get their moments to shine.
More new levels would have been welcome in the Switch 2 edition, but Star-Crossed World is still a satisfying and worthy addition to Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Like the main campaign, the add-on builds to an epic showdown, with encounters on par with the base game’s climactic bosses. The Colosseum also features a new trial, the Ultimate Cup Z EX, alongside a fresh set of collectible figures.
Of the crop of upgraded first-party games so far, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is perhaps the most worthwhile paid Switch 2 Edition upgrade to date. Unlike The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the new content is in the game itself, not a companion app, and it doesn’t hinge upon the camera function, like Super Mario Party Jamboree. Instead, Star-Crossed World truly expands and enriches an already wonderful journey, whether you’re playing it for the very first time or taking a victory lap three years later.
If you missed Kirby and the Forgotten Land on the original Switch, or are looking for a great family game, I can’t recommend it or sing its praises enough. Between the tightly-honed adventure itself and its excellent co-op mode—which allows Bandana Waddle-Dee to contribute without real fear of failure—it’s the perfect fit for showing a new player the ropes of platforming and adventure games. With an additional dozen stages as well-designed as the original, and all the challenges that come with them, it remains a must-play for all ages.
