“Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World” Review
When I first saw that “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” was being re-released on Nintendo Switch 2 with an all-new expansion, I realized this would be my chance to finally dive into one of the series’ most celebrated modern entries. I had missed the original launch back in 2022, so both the main adventure and the “Star-Crossed World” story campaign felt completely fresh for me, which made this package a great way to experience the full scope of HAL Laboratory’s first true 3D Kirby platformer. It was also a good reason to dust off my Switch 2 since launch.
As mentioned, originally released in 2022, “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” marked a significant turning point for the pink puffball. It was the thirteenth mainline Kirby game, the first to be fully 3D, and it leaned into a sense of exploration and discovery unlike anything the franchise had attempted before. The story sets Kirby in an unfamiliar ruined world after a mysterious vortex drags him away from Planet Popstar. Alongside his new companion Elfilin, Kirby sets out to rescue the Waddle Dees who have been captured by the Beast Pack. The setup is classic Kirby, lighthearted but with a hint of danger, yet the shift into 3D made even simple platforming feel more adventurous. The core mechanics carry over all the best elements of the series while introducing new wrinkles. Kirby can still inhale enemies, spit them out as projectiles, or swallow them to gain copy abilities. The addition of Drill and Ranger expanded the move set in fun ways, while the inventive Mouthful Mode let Kirby take control of larger objects like cars and vending machines, leading to some of the most surprising and delightful moments in the entire game. I never got around to doing this, but apparently if a second player wants to join in, Bandana Waddle Dee is available with his trusty spear, making the whole adventure more cooperative and accessible.
Progression is built around saving Waddle Dees hidden throughout each stage, often tucked away behind puzzles, optional challenges, or combat encounters. Bringing them back to Waddle Dee Town gradually expands the hub area, unlocking mini-games, shops, and even global leaderboards for side activities like fishing, café work, and a puzzle game that recalls “Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble.” The upgrade system at Waddle Dee’s Weapons Shop adds another layer, allowing copy abilities to be strengthened with blueprints and Rare Stones. Hunting down those blueprints became one of my favorite side objectives, and I liked how the Treasure Road levels tested specific abilities in bite-sized challenges. What elevates the Switch 2 Edition is both the improved performance and the brand-new “Star-Crossed World” expansion. Running at a smooth 60fps, the game feels really sharp and responsive (reminder: I have no point of reference of how the original version performed), and the expansion adds meaningful content instead of just a minor side mode. In this new storyline, a meteor known as the Star of Darkness crashes into the ocean, forming a volcanic island and scattering fragments across the world. Kirby meets Astronomer Waddle Dee, learns about the imprisoned evil sealed inside the meteor, and embarks on a quest to collect spirit-like Starries to restore the seal. The narrative cleverly ties into the base game while introducing crystalline hazards, new powers for the Beast Pack, and a climactic battle against Genwel Meteonelfilis, an older sibling of the original final boss.
In terms of content, the expansion, I’d say, offers around four to five hours of new play spread across twelve remixed areas. These areas not only integrate seamlessly with the base campaign but also introduce three fresh Mouthful transformations and new progression paths thanks to crystalline growths. The balance between revisiting familiar environments and uncovering new surprises worked well, and I especially appreciated how the expansion leaned into a more cosmic and mysterious atmosphere. One of the strongest aspects throughout the entire package is the soundtrack. Having not listened to it before, I was really missing out on how fantastic it was, but I also couldn’t help but notice the reimagined music in the altered areas, which is all-around super cool. The Star-Crossed World themes are a bit darker, more mysterious, and occasionally cosmic in tone, which really complements the expansion’s themes perfectly. It gave each level a fresh identity even when reusing familiar terrain.
From a gameplay perspective, this isn’t the most challenging platformer on the market. HAL Laboratory has always designed Kirby to be approachable, and that philosophy holds true here. Still, the copy ability upgrades, the optional objectives, and the extra difficulty tucked into postgame challenges mean that completionists have a lot to chew on. What impressed me most about this edition is how well it justifies being a full-priced release on the Switch 2. Between the smoother visuals, the improved performance, and the well-designed new campaign, it doesn’t feel like a simple port. It’s a substantial update to one of the best games on the original Switch and an easy recommendation as a fully priced game. People that have already played the base game have that meaty expansion, and newcomers like myself have a very polished feast here to enjoy.
HAL Laboratory has taken one of their most beloved modern Kirby titles, polished it to a high sheen, and extended it with an expansion that respects the base game while offering its own identity. It may not hit the creative highs of “Super Mario Odyssey,” but it easily stands as one of the strongest 3D platformers available right now. “Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World” gets a big thumbs up from me. I can’t wait to see where Kirby’s next adventure goes from here.
9/10
For more information or to purchase the game, visit the Nintendo eShop.
Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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