Summary
Kirby and the Forgotten Land was already a fantastic game filled with entertaining gameplay and collectibles to find. Star Crossed World adds even more to the story, along with more enhancements to the game's performance on Switch 2.
Overall, Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star Crossed World - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is a must-play for anyone who owns the console.
Developer – HAL Laboratory
Publisher – Nintendo
Platforms – Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 (Reviewed)
Review copy given by publisher
Kirby and the Forgotten Land recently launched on the Nintendo Switch 2 with enhanced graphics and smooth performance. This isn’t just another Kirby game; it is an adventure packed with charm and a new DLC, Star-Crossed World. The new DLC takes you deeper into the whimsical Forgotten Land with new challenges and harder boss fights.
I played Kirby on my Nintendo Switch 2 to see if the upgrades live up to expectations. The game runs like a dream, with only a few frame-rate drops here and there in the most hectic of moments. Playing while docked, the visuals pop with sharp details, looking better than ever.
As someone who’s only played Kirby’s early adventures, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But from the moment Kirby, our hero from Planet Popstar, gets sucked into a vortex and lands in the Forgotten Land, I was hooked. His mission? Rescue a swarm of adorable Waddle Dees scattered across a series of varied biomes. Think tropical beaches, snowy mountains, and fiery volcanoes. Each biome offers multiple levels, each with themed challenges and secrets that keep you coming back to try and unlock everything.
The levels are full of discovery. Hidden objectives—like nailing jumping sections or uncovering secret paths—reward you with those elusive Waddle Dees. Some are easy to spot, but others demand you master the game’s mechanics to find them, adding a satisfying layer of challenge. Collectibles, like special items earned by dodging pitfalls or defeating bosses with specific weapons, make every level a treasure hunt. At first, I obsessed over 100% completion, replaying levels for 30 minutes or more to snag every Waddle Dee. However, you don’t need to collect everything to progress. Just play through each level, and you’ll unlock the biome’s boss battle. It takes about 6-8 hours to conquer the base game and another 3 hours for the DLC, but if you’re just rushing the story, you can breeze through and let collectibles pile up naturally.
What makes Kirby special is his iconic inhale ability. Suck up enemies or objects, and Kirby transforms, gaining powers tied to different weapons. From slicing foes with a sword to torching enemies with a fire-breathing ability, each weapon feels unique. You can also upgrade them using blueprints and special stars earned in challenge levels. The fire ability, with its sustained damage, became my favorite for clearing sections, but every weapon works, encouraging you to experiment and find what works best for you.
Then there’s Kirby’s knack for swallowing objects throughout the world. Cars, water pipes, street signs, or even springs. These add a twist to gameplay, especially in moments like swallowing a roller coaster cart and riding down a track, snagging coins, and dodging enemies. These creative mechanics make every level feel fresh and unpredictable. The DLC levels take it up a notch and utilize them in almost every level.
Kirby: Star Crossed World DLC isn’t loaded with hours of gameplay. It may just take a handful of hours spanning across 12 levels and one tough final boss. It’s a Kirby DLC that we will definitely remember for a while. Star Crossed World provides even more collectibles to find aside from what the main game already offers.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a fun adventure, blending gorgeous visuals, tight gameplay, and charming characters. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer like me, this adventure is a great time!
