2022 marked the 30th anniversary of the Kirby franchise, as the original Dream Land came out for the Game Boy in 1992. And in recent years, HAL Labs have been putting Nintendo to shame when it comes to celebrating their flagship franchise’s big milestones. Back on Wii we were treated to the sublime Kirby’s Dream Collection, which blew Mario and Zelda’s 25th anniversary offerings out of the water. And now history seems to repeat itself 10 years later, so let’s see what the pink puffball had to offer us for his 30th birthday:
**[Kirby and the Forgotten Land](https://youtu.be/H3LAkr0ANgw):** It’s been a long time coming, but Kirby has finally made the transition to 3D. Set in an unknown post-apocalyptic cityscape, this game was structured more like Mario 3D World than Odyssey. This was the beginning of what folks at HAL referred to as the “next phase” of the Kirby franchise, and the public response was euphoric. It sold over 5 million copies worldwide and even won Best Family Game at the Game Awards that year.
**[Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards](https://youtu.be/0VfAsbGvXrA):** Back in May, the pink puff’s N64 debut was released to subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. While this game was rendered with full 3D visuals, it was still a 2.5D platformer all things considered. The big difference between this and the rest of the series was that Kirby can fuse two different copy abilities into a single new one, something that was only barely revisited in later entries.
**[Kirby’s Dream Buffet](https://youtu.be/qOGQv0hJNJ8):** Well this was certainly unexpected. In the summer of 2022, Kirby got a new multiplayer focused game out of nowhere. And the goal was to eat as much food as you can and out-fat your opponents across a series of obstacle courses. There have been plenty of comparisons to Fall Guys, but unlike that game this one was a self contained release for $15 USD that only supports up to 4 players max.
**[Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe](https://youtu.be/zAQZY2UVcoQ):** And I don’t think this was on anyone’s bingo card any more than Dream Buffet. The 2011 Wii hit Kirby’s Return to Dream Land, also known as Kirby’s Adventure Wii in Europe, is getting a full blown remaster on the Switch in less than a month! It’s certainly a much more ambitious remaster job than the basic touch-ups that Mario Galaxy and Skyward Sword got, as this one is actually getting brand new content! We can expect new copy abilities, new sub-games, and online pla-[THIS FEATURE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE PLEASE UNDERSTAND].
by Asad_Farooqui
46 Comments
I was hoping for a Kirby Game & Watch.
meh.
hal keeps trying to one up mario and zelda but unfortunately they can’t keep up. the 3d kirby game looks pretty good, but isn’t so different from a mario or zelda title. dream buffet looks like it was made in a week, and I can’t really get down with paying for a game strictly for multiplayer. return to dream land deluxe is the only interesting thing here but i might as well just play the original on the wii. fine enough for a 30th anniversary, i guess. yipee.
Forgotten Land will probably go down as one of my favorite games ever.
I love Kirby games can’t wait for return to dreamland
I think we got so much, all of which I’m very happy with honestly. Especially when you compare it with the absolute nothing that we got for Zelda’s anniversary. Kirby fans got it all ^-^
Edit: also they did that live concert thing with the original Kirby voice actress. That was really cool
I think they did great in all the realms that matter. It didn’t feel like a big 30th splash, but the content we got is all tops. All three new releases are excellent games with diversity, multiplayer, and core to Kirby’s theme.
Other anniversary years might have done more anniversary based marketing, but the kirby games are exactly what I want my kid to experience in the same way I did when I was his age.
Forgotten Land alone makes it a massive hit. It’s probably the best Kirby game of all time.
Kirby gets a new game every year. Give other IPs a chance
Forgotten Land was absolutely phenomenal, but part of me still really wished they would’ve done a Game & Watch with 2 or 3 games on it like they did for Mario and Zelda. That woulda been so sweet.
so a question for ya’ll: is the demo of Forgotten Land not a good indicator of how much i’d actually enjoy the rest of the game? cause i tried it and it didn’t grab me, despite the fact that i usually love Kirby games.
They’ve been pretty good. Forgotten Land was a big hit and a remake of Return to Dreamland w/ a few new features should sell well. I agree that the Kirby celebrations have been done better than those of Mario and Zelda.
I’m most excited about return to dream land. Forgotten world was amazing though and looked gorgeous.
You missed the Kirby 30th Music Fest in Japan and broadcasted live on YouTube for all (now removed but recordings are easy to come by).
For physical stuff, Japan also celebrated with the [HD remaster on the Kirby Anime on Blu-ray](https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/08/kirby-right-back-at-ya-is-getting-a-blu-ray-hd-remaster-in-japan) and merch for the Music fest and more like the 30th pin and [nendoroid](https://www.goodsmile.info/en/product/12749/Nendoroid+Kirby+30th+Anniversary+Edition.html).
I’m absolutely biased but I’ll damned if it wasn’t the best year to be a Kirby fan (for now!)
The fact they released Forgotten Land is good enough for me. That’s easily a top 3 Kirby game in my book.
Despite my caveats with the game, The 3D Kirby game was epic and I enjoyed revisiting Kirby 64. I’m honestly not the biggest Kirby fan tbh but I did grow up with the anime and both that N64 game as well as Nightmare in Dream Land (I want this back so bad) so it’s good to see the little gumball have some time in the limelight.
I think it’s a little early for a new big game from my little boy. (Forgotten Land was released late last year and I only finished it in January) I’m ok with the Return to Dream Land remaster ( especially since it’s one of the best games in the franchise, I’m just kind of bummed it costs $60 )
But if I were to ask anything, I would love GB, GBC, GBA and DS games on Switch Online, it would be an excuse to put most Kirby games on the service as Kirby has always been stronger on Nintendo handhelds than than on home consoles (the first game was even born on the Game Boy) but I really don’t see that happening…
Also, it would be really cool to see another collection like Kirby’s Dream Collection on the Wii, it’s one of the best collections Nintendo has ever made, it basically had all of Kirby’s history on one disc. ( and even some extra levels from Return to Dream Land inside )
So far Nintendo addressing their core titles big anniversaries has been lack luster. No big games, no branding, sales, or products. We got a game and watch for Mario and Zelda. Which I’ll be honest, was pretty cool, I do like them, but it belt like a half measure. Like Nintendo felt obligated to put something out.
A bit too excessive celebrations imo…
Wow, I had entirely forgotten I bought Dream Buffet.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is either my favorite or second favorite platformer of all time after Super Mario World.
Re-release Kirby and the Amazing Mirror with online support.
Considering we didn’t get ports of Twilight Princess/Wildwater HD and Metroid Prime Trilogy I expected jackshit for Kirby.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is my favorite Kirby game and in my Top 3 3D Platformers. Fantastic game. Dream Buffet was also pretty fun, and I’m looking forward to playing Return to Dreamland for the first time.
I just wish we got a 2D Kirby collection for the Switch like the Wii did for Kirby’s 20th anniversary. I’ve missed quite a few Kirby titles, and that would’ve been the perfect excuse to go back and play through them. Hopefully some more Kirby games get ported to the Switch in the next few years.
I bought Forgotten Land as a means to visit my Kirby nostalgia. I finished it last night and it’s one my favorite games ever! Truly refreshing in many aspects and full of joy.
Better then Persona’s anniversary
Do people actually play Kirby as an adult and find it fun? I mean I haven’t touched the game since I was like 8. It seems like a child’s game strictly meant for pre teens age 12 below. Am I missing something? Not saying the games are bad but they just look very childish.
It was a mediocre celebration tbh. Forgotten lands slaps, and dream buffet is a game that is fun to play for 15 minutes before you forget about it for a month, but crystal shards and return to dream land deluxe is just a port and remake with a few changes of games that I have already beaten.
I think that the saving grace of the anniversary is solely on forgotten land and how hard roar of dedede goes.
>Back on Wii we were treated to the sublime Kirby’s Dream Collection, which blew Mario and Zelda’s 25th anniversary offerings out of the water.
Zelda’s 25th was Skyward Sword (notable for being the first game in the timeline), Ocarina of Time 3D, Four Swords Anniversary Edition, Links Awakening DX, Hyrule Historia including the “official” Zelda timeline, and the worldwide concert tour. IMO it had a bigger impact on the Zelda franchise than Kirby’s offerings.
I don’t think people should have lofty expectations for every 5 year anniversary. Mario and Zelda and the other established Nintendo franchises from the 80s will probably not have a big anniversary thing until their 50th.
We needed Air ride 2. Still waiting on it. Tbh that shit would have sold consoles I have so many friends who whenever they come over we get so competitive for no reason. The thing is even if we get a remaster of the first 1 it still will fly off the shelves like its nothing
I think Forgotten Land was easily the best part, I’ve been waiting for a more 3D Kirby game for a while, and this one showed how much more potential the series really has.
Return to Dreamland DX was announced basically the moment I got the Wii release. I’m…annoyed.
better then metroids… or any one 30th nintendos had
Kirby series got more for its anniversary than The Legend Of Zelda.
Probably the single best anniversary celebration literally anyone could hope for. A throw-back classic title, a brand new entry that differs drastically from previous titles while absolutely nailing the landing, a new side game with the most adorable facial expressions they ever gave the pink puffball, and a remake of the first Kirby console platformer since N64 to the Wii. There’s not a whole lot they could’ve done without overloading everyone so this was an absolutely amazing anniversary.
In the words of my good friend Mr. Nintendo when discussing the 30th Zelda anniversary…
“………”
Kirby had a good year compared to other IPs. ~~Like Castlevania.~~
Better than magic the gatherings 30th anniversary but that’s a low low low bar
He got more than Zelda did for 25
Extremely minimalistic, but considering Kirby’s isn’t the forefront of Nintendo like Mario is, I think it’s a decent celebration for the little pink guy. Happy 30th!
As a Donkey Kong and Metroid fan, I have learned to stop expecting anything because of another rotation around the sun.
It feels bad being a Donkey Kong fan
Just beat Forgotten Land a week ago and it’s easily one of my favorite switch games ever. It’s like Odyssey on crack. The boss fights especially the final one, we’re completely cracked and had some seriously epic moments.
Honestly it was amazing. It blew my expectations away, because I wasn’t really expecting much outside of Forgotten Land.
Not sure how different it was. Forgotten Lands was incredible but the 20th anniversary celebration was way better IMO.
>And in recent years, HAL Labs have been putting Nintendo to shame when it comes to celebrating their flagship franchise’s big milestones.
My dude, literally all of those games were made with money from Nintendo. Its not a coincidence they are exclusive.
After looking more into return to dream land, I’m a little disappointed in myself for mixing it up. What I really would have loved is Kirby Super Star Deluxe. That was always top tier Kirby with games ranging from slightly more tame (Spring Breeze) to Awesome (Revenge of Metaknight) and unique (Cave Offensive). Milky Way Wishes was probably one of the most modern takes Kirby has seen, up until forgotten land.
I think I made the mistake for Super Star because they’ve clearly highlighted both mini games on there for the new game: megaton punch and samurai Kirby. Maybe one day we’ll get to go back to the absolutely amazing games on superstar. Until then, ima boot them up on the SNES pack