Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World is certainly a mouthful of a title but equally as generous here is the amount of content you’re getting out of this upgraded package. With new DLC introducing several refreshed, new levels and powers, it adds quite a bit to an already great 3D platformer. However, if you’re seeking a more substantial experience beyond what was already offered on the original Switch, it’s going to be a tough sell other than “you need to play one of the best modern Kirby games in recent memory.”



Our lovable pink mascot finds himself in a new world after a dark vortex appears over Dream Land, sucking up everything in its path. Kirby must navigate this new, strange world while trying to restore the peace (and along the way, maybe gobble up as much as he can to satisfy his insatiable appetite). Like most great Nintendo games, the story is simple and easy to go along with, clearly setting up the stakes while giving the narrative room to throw in one or two curveballs, though certainly not to the ambitious heights of games like Super Mario Odyssey or the recent Donkey Kong Bananza. It doesn’t have to be a deep story – it’s just enough for a good old Kirby adventure, and it works.



If you missed playing Kirby and the Forgotten Land, I have some great news for you. The core experience remains one of the best modern Kirby games – possibly in the entire franchise, but that’s up for debate. It’s simply a delight to play, with colourful, vibrant worlds really coming to life on the Nintendo Switch 2 thanks to improved 60fps frame rates and visual touch-ups that make it arguably the best version of the game to play right now. Every single world explored in the base game looks stunning on a Switch 2, packed with various biomes from tropical lands to frozen tundras and so much more. Nintendo’s inventive level design really carries the entire game, complete with some excellent but simple gameplay mechanics that make it appealing to a wide audience.

It’s simply a delight to play, with colourful, vibrant worlds really coming to life on the Nintendo Switch 2 thanks to improved 60fps frame rates and visual touch-ups.

Kirby can swallow enemies and objects then hurl them out as projectiles, or use his gluttonous powers to solve puzzles and navigate platforms. If you’re familiar with any Nintendo 3D platformer, you should feel right at home with Kirby and the Forgotten Land. It’s not Super Mario Odyssey good, but it’s still a commendable effort to modernise Kirby and move the mascot away from his side-scrolling roots while still keeping that crucial fun factor.



Throughout my time reviewing the Switch 2 edition, it never once felt like a chore to play Kirby and the Forgotten Land again after three years. Each milestone reached spurred me on to continue exploring, find its numerous hidden secrets or collectibles, and just enjoy the strong moment-to-moment gameplay. The platforming really is the star of the show while combat is a blast thanks to its colourful presentation and great feedback. Some core problems from the base game unfortunately still carry over to the Switch 2 edition (can't say I didn't wrestle with the controls and camera at times).

It’s not Super Mario Odyssey good, but it’s still a commendable effort to modernise Kirby and move the mascot away from his side-scrolling roots while still keeping that crucial fun factor.

However, the big draw for this version is the new Star-Crossed World DLC packaged with the Switch 2 edition. Essentially, the DLC introduces new and remixed levels from the base game, adding a bunch of new content. Furthermore, Kirby also gets a few new transformations: Spring Mouth, which lets Kirby bounce higher; Gear Mouth, which makes platforming areas a little more intricate; and Sign Mouth, specifically used for downhill racing - it’s all fantastic and introduces some much-needed depth to exploration, traversal and combat. These Mouthful Modes are exclusive to the Starry Stages but you’re going to need them when taking on some of the game’s new enemy types and complex platforming sections.



The Star-Crossed World DLC is a wonderful addition to an already meaty package, but I can’t say for certain that it’s worth picking up an entirely new edition of the game for. Sure, you’ll still be getting the big Switch 2 upgrades and performance enhancements that are welcomed, but the overall package here isn’t as enticing. Hardcore Kirby fans and newcomers are absolutely going to get their money’s worth, but if you’re looking for a more substantial upgrade, even the new content and technical tweaks may not be enough to sell you on its R1,799 price tag.



If you’re just picking up Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World as a new player, you’re getting a mouthful of content that’s going to hook you with its terrific base game and new DLC (not to mention the 60fps upgrade that makes for a smooth ride). Returning players might not be enticed to heavily invest in the overall package, though, especially at its asking price. It’s still hard for me not to recommend Kirby and the Forgotten Land as a very bright spot in the franchise’s long legacy.

*Nintendo Switch 2 Review code provided by Nintendo | Available at Nexus Hub for R1,799