Journey to Nintendo Switch 2 through "Kirby's Forged Past": An Exploration
It's practically a month till Switch 2's release, and I've been blasting through my backlog of games on the original Switch with my ongoing "Road to Nintendo Switch 2" series.
Some fantastic first-party titles have graced our screens so far, including Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, and just recently, the racing phenomenon, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Mario Kart might be my fave, but Odyssey comes a close second.
Next up, a vibrant adventure filled with personality akin to Odyssey: Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Unlike Mario, who morphs through a mystical hat, Kirby devours his transformation catalysts, for he is indeed a loveable balloon.
Haven't we settled on what Kirby is yet? Some claim he's a cotton candy specter, others say sentient marshmallow, and there are those who favor the nerfed pufferfish or giddy gumball theory. It's baffling, to say the least.
The creators at Nintendo and HAL Laboratory have put out an astonishing number of Kirby games since 1992, with the original Game Boy game featuring a white Kirby, not even the iconic pink we all know today.
For the most part, the titles in this long-running platforming franchise are intuitive, suitable for casual players, and lighter in comparison to anything Mario has ever starred in. For instance, the simplicity of Trip World comes to mind, which hit the scene the same year as the debut Kirby game and boasted a character that shares a passing resemblance to our pink chum.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land follows this convention of effortless, welcoming gameplay. There's a smidge of challenge lurking around if you're inclined to seek it out in the peripheral bonus areas, but overall, it's a breezy experience.
The game unfolds much like a Mario title, with sprawling maps housing individual levels. Each level has hidden Waddle Dees to rescue, which you discover by either locating them directly or completing specific in-level challenges, such as defeating a boss without taking a single hit, or completing an area within a specific timeframe.
This neglected planet Kirby explores is a bizarre mix of abandoned malls, hollow amusement parks, eerie cities, and barren desert expanses. It's quite a change from the titles that came before, and I appreciate the diversity.
Reminds me a bit of Odyssey's peculiar focus on real humans in New Donk City. During this generation, something strange was happening at Nintendo HQ, as they started bringing endearing cartoon characters into realistic settings. It's quite the surreal sight.
Between the various levels, Kirby can return to an RPG-style hub town, where the Waddle Dees build and construct things. There, you can play mini-games, upgrade Kirby's skills, buy health items, and stockpile collectible capsule toys. Some abilities are more effective than others, with the Gigant sword and musket stealing the show, while the tornado, ice, and drill leave much to be desired.
Much like the powers, some transformations are a blast to use, like the car, vending machine, and glider, while others, like the stairs and traffic cone, can feel underwhelming. But, they're all charming in their own way, so the annoying controls are partially forgiven.
The gameplay feels robust, though it's not as fluid as Odyssey. I personally detest Kirby's floating mechanic, as it's too soft and unpredictable, and I'd prefer a simple double jump. But, that's not the classic Kirby style, so I suppose I can live with it.
Overall, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a quality platformer that's worthy of your playtime in 2025.
Interestingly, Kirby and the Forgotten Land will receive an upgrade for the Switch 2, which will include improved visuals, better performance, and new story content called Star-Crossed World. It'll be available exclusively for the Switch 2 on August 28, 2025.
For those who already own the original game on the Switch, there will be an upgrade pack available, priced around $19.99, that converts the game to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with the additional content.
- In preparation for the release of Nintendo Switch 2, I've been revisiting some Nintendo Switch games, such as Kirby and the Forgotten Land, which I find quite enjoyable.
- My fondness for Link's adventures in The Legend of Zelda series hasn't waned, although the thrill of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still tops the racing-game charts for me.
- Even with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, Kirby and the Forgotten Land's charming gameplay and engaging exploration make it a standout choice in the entertainment realm, much like movies-and-tv offerings on LinkedIn.
- As for the drawbacks I find in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, minor control issues, especially with Kirby's floating mechanic, remain, but the lovable characters and vivid worlds still make it a game worth playing.
