Promotional key art for Kirby and the Forgotten Land showing a large, vibrant pink Kirby standing in a grassy meadow filled with colorful flowers. Next to Kirby is a rusted, old-fashioned blue car, with a vast skyline of overgrown, abandoned skyscrapers towering in the background under a sunny sky.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Played on:
  • Nintendo Switch logo
Time played:
20 hours
Rating:
Loved

I've always enjoyed the Kirby series, but after wrapping up Kirby and the Forgotten Land, I can confidently say this is my absolute favorite Kirby game to date! HAL Laboratory really knocked it out of the park with this transition into full 3D.

First off, the game features gorgeous visuals. Everything is incredibly bright, colorful, and polished to perfection. What I loved most about the look of the game, though, is the contrast. You have these ridiculously cute characters running around a "post-apocalypse-like" setting filled with overgrown cities and abandoned malls. It sounds like an odd mix on paper, but it works brilliantly and gives the world a unique, charming vibe.

On top of looking great, the game features a truly great soundtrack. The music is catchy, upbeat, and fits the adventurous tone of each stage perfectly, often staying stuck in your head long after you've put the controller down.

Another huge plus is the fantastic replayability. If you're a completionist who loves hunting down 100% of the collectibles, this game is a joy. Going back through levels to rescue every hidden Waddle Dee and complete the specific stage missions never felt tedious because the level design is just so incredibly fun.

Ultimately, it's just pure joy in video game form. Whether you're a lifelong fan of Kirby or completely new to the series, this is an absolute must-play and a true high point for the franchise!

A game title screen set in Waddle Dee Town under a bright blue sky.
A gameplay screenshot from a behind-the-back view in Waddle Dee Town. The pink character Kirby stands in a grassy courtyard facing a glowing, floating gold Warp Star, with small orange Waddle Dees sitting on benches nearby.
A gameplay screenshot showing Kirby from behind, running down an overgrown asphalt road. The road is surrounded by tiered green hills and an abandoned city of skyscrapers heavily covered in moss, vines, and blooming flowers under a bright sky.
A gameplay screenshot showing Kirby using Mouthful Mode to stretch over a large, rectangular object. The player is sliding across a snowy courtyard path next to a stone building and an iron gate encrusted with blue ice crystals.