Kirby and Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai and Square Enix are celebrating the 43rd anniversary of the release of Nintendo's first major home console, the Famicom.

As Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda are fresh off celebrating their 40th anniversaries, and Donkey Kong celebrated its 45th last week, Nintendo's first proper home console – not counting the single-game Color TV-Game series, which had been released beforehand – the Famicom celebrates its 43rd today. While it would take another couple of years for the console to arrive as the NES in North America (and another couple on top for the UK), the Famicom dropped in Japan on July 15, 1983, with Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Popeye in tow.

Sakurai, whose sole NES credit is directing Kirby's Adventure, which was one of the final Nintendo-published releases on the system, posted on Twitter (via machine translation) wishing the console a happy 43rd anniversary. He added that the platform – despite consoles releasing before and after – had the biggest impact on him as a game creator.

Square Enix also posted a short video celebrating the release of the classic console, showing the original Final Fantasy booting up on the platform (with a Dragon Quest box sitting off to the side). The two most iconic and influential JRPG series of all time both started on the platform, making it a crucial place for the genre.

Back in 2023, Sakurai released a video about the Famicom on his 'Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games' YouTube show, where he dubbed it "perfect". The director opened the video saying, "I can proudly say I've developed a game for the Famicom, aka the Family Computer. That makes me pretty lucky!"

Sakurai bought the console in 1983 – owning one of the earlier models which featured square buttons instead of the circular A and B buttons seen by the time the NES was released. As for one reason the console remains such an iconic part of his life, he points out the massive leaps in game development back then, using the gulf in scope between 1983's Mario Bros. and 1985's Super Mario Bros. as an example.

He points out that there are a number of game developers like Nier's Yoko Taro, Devil May Cry's Hideki Kamiya, Kingdom Hearts' Tetsuya Nomura, and Doom's John Carmack who are the same age as Sakurai, "but only a small handful of them ever actually developed a game for the Famicom."

Sakurai adds, "If the Famicom had never existed, the shape of the modern game market – really the entire video game industry – would be completely different." And that even though the games are easily available and may seem quaint now, Sakurai says, "what I really want to stress is that at the time, it truly was an absolute dream machine."

Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai sometimes "sounds exactly like Goku," ex-Tekken boss says: "A Saiyan who genuinely believes he's just another ordinary human"

I always chuckle a bit to myself as I look back at my fears that Nintendo would forget amiibo for this generation. The reality is that I can't remember a time when I've had to keep up with so many restocks of older releases and brand new ones like the Chef Kawasaki and Hop Star amiibo.

We've known that Nintendo has been cooking up Chef Kawaki for a while, but the official Nintendo Japan website has now confirmed that the amiibo is expected to launch on September 3, 2026. There was no word on whether that release date pertained to just Japan. But I can confirm that the new Kirby Air Riders collectible has already appeared for $44.99 at Amazon, with that same September 3 release date.

How to use amiibo in Kirby Air Riders on Nintendo Switch 2

• Load up Kirby Air Riders on your Nintendo Switch 2
• Select 'Extras' from the main menu
• Navigate to 'Amiibo' and select
• Select 'OK'
• Tap Kirby Air Riders amiibo over the right Switch 2 Joy-Con stick

If you aren't a big Chef Kawasaki fan, there are a lot more Kirby Air Riders amiibo where he came from. As of writing, the King Dedede & Tank Star figure is available for $54.99 at Best Buy, and you won't have to wait around for months for him to arrive at your door either.

You can also get your hands on the Kirby & Warp Star amiibo for $49.99 (Best Buy), the Meta Knight & Shadow Star amiibo for $44.99 (Best Buy), and the Bandana Waddle Dee & Winged Star amiibo for $49.99 (Best Buy), all of which are compatible with one another.

If you like the look of Waddle Dee's Winged Star vehicle, and happen to own the Kirby figure too, you can have the pink puffball sit inside it instead. Just beware that these are some of the priciest individual releases in the entire Nintendo NFC lineup, so collecting them all in order to mix and match their vehicles is not going to come cheap. It's why, despite having a 150+ amiibo collection, I haven't yet picked any of these up so far. Although it's getting harder and harder to resist the cuter they get.

Check out our guides to the best Nintendo gifts and the best Lego sets for more Ninty-themed merch and collectibles.

If you've visited the official Hori Europe store lately, you've likely seen the scary red "sold out" buttons across some of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories for Kirby fans, but don't worry, as there's actually plenty of stock to go around.

After some online sleuthing, I discovered that the adorable line-up is available at Smyths Toys, starting from £26.99 (Smyths Toys), where you can grab almost the entire set of pink-puffball-inspired goodies. Which is great, as some of the items, like the retro-inspired transparent purple Kirby controller, are being listed at second-hand sites like eBay for upwards of £109, which makes me a little nauseous.

So you don't mistakenly hand over your hard-earned pennies to re-sellers, I've picked out the in-stock Hori Kirby and Waddle Dee accessories down below. I've also been sure to include US links, so don't think I forgot about you puffball fans across the pond.

While the majority of the officially licensed Kirby and Waddle Dee line-up is available at retailers like Smyths Toys and Amazon in the UK, the Plush Pouch isn't as easy to find as the rest.

It's at least currently on the Hori online store for £34.99 (Hori), however its product page on the Amazon store states it's "currently available". If you want to make it look like Kirby has inhaled your handheld alongside their usual tasty treats, you'll have to stick to the official Hori store for now.

In the US, it's a similar story. It's not available at Amazon, nor could I find it listed on the official US Hori store. Some Hori accessories take a while to appear at US and UK retailers, so it could just be a case that it's not ready to drop quite yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that availability will get better soon. In the meantime, there's at least plenty of stock of the Puff Pouch and Vault Case to go around.

View all Hori Nintendo Switch 2 accessories at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras.

Hori has announced that the Kirby and Waddle Dee range of Nintendo Switch 2 accessories is finally launching outside of Japan.

The accessories brand, which is widely recognized as being behind some of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories where cuteness and officially licensed designs are concerned, unveiled that the range, which includes three adorable cases and a matching Wireless Horipad Turbo Switch 2 controller, will be available from May 30, 2026, at local retailers and "selectively" on Amazon, and naturally, the official Hori Europe online store.

I first caught a glimpse of the Kirby and Waddle Dee Switch 2 range late last year via the official Hori Japan Twitter (X) page, where I was instantly drawn to the image of Kirby's ballooned mouth as a Switch 2 case. Its gloriousness was hard to ignore, so it's ecstatic to think that the Kirby Plush Pouch, which is now set to be £39.99 (Hori) at launch, is making its way over here.

It's one of the most on-brand licensed accessories I've seen for the handheld. It features Kirby's face just as he's swallowed up an enemy, or in this case, your handheld, down to his puffed-up cheeks and little pink-red feet. While you don't slot the Switch 2 into his mouth (that would be a little too on brand), the accessory can fit your Switch 2, and even the older Switch OLED and launch model, and there's a section to store spare accessories and up to 6 physical games, too.

If the Plush Pouch is a little too much for your tastes, there's also the £24.99 Puff Pouch (Hori) and £29.99 Vault Case (Hori) to consider instead. The Puff Pouch can also fit the entire range of Switch handhelds (minus the Switch Lite) and looks just as soft to the touch. Its design is a bit more understated and features a purple star design, with a transparent plastic window that shows Kirby and Waddle Dee waving from inside.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the Kirby and Waddle Dee Vault Case. The Hori Gengar and Mimikyu Vault Case that I reviewed previously was a really robust accessory and still remains one of the single pieces in my Switch 2 setup that friends look at starry-eyed. Cuteness is subjective, but I can only imagine friends would be even more on board with the Kirby version, which is draped in a lovely deep purple color and sports Kirby and Waddle Dee on the front, along with a series of desserts and treats. The inside also includes an equally adorable polka-dot print, which is a nice touch.

Of course, no Hori accessory line is complete without a controller. The Gengar and Mimikyu set had one, and the Eevee Cottage Core set had one, so it shouldn't be surprising to find out there's a Kirby and Waddle Dee controller incoming. The £64.99 (Hori) controller is a re-skin of the brand's Wireless Horipad Turbo, and features TMR sticks, up to 10 hours of battery life, and programmable back buttons. It's not the most feature-full pad, but its translucent purple face plate and the Kirby and Waddle Dee art on the grips are super striking. The sticks are even colored pink and orange to match the two characters, which majorly ups its cute factor.

If these adorable upcoming Kirby accessories have you considering grabbing a Switch 2, do be aware that a price increase for the handheld is incoming. At the beginning of September, the Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $500 in the US and €500 (an increase from €470) in Europe. You have a while to go until the price hike, but I wanted to let you know in case you were organizing plans to save for the handheld and these adorable upcoming Kirby goodies.

There's no mention if these accessories will be available in the US too, but I can only keep my fingers crossed for all you US Kirby fans. While I don't like to get people's hopes up, I didn't think we'd see this exist outside of Japan, so anything is possible.

• View all Hori Switch 2 accessories at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards if you want to create the ultimate Ninty gaming setup.

Nintendo announced on its Nintendo Today app, and later across its social media channels, that it's adding two new amiibo figures to its Kirby Air Riders line. Like the previous collectibles, these Switch 2 accessories include both a cute character from the game and a vehicle for them to sit in, but this time it's Sword Kirby and Dragoon, and Noir Dedede and Hydra that have got the NFC-toy treatment.

These new 2026 amiibo are single-handedly the most intricate from the set so far, featuring incredible details from the engine fuel colors blasting out from Kirby's iconic Air Ride Machine, to the tattered cloak and swarm of spikes found on the creepy Noir Dedede. Just like previous figures, they can sit in each other's vehicles too, yet as cool as they look, Nintendo hasn't revealed when or where we can grab them.

It usually takes a moment after any major amiibo announcement for any relevant release date and pricing info to drop. That being said, judging by the average $49.99 (Best Buy) cost of the previous Kirby Air Rider figures, it's likely that these newest additions won't come cheap.

Without any product listings yet on the US and UK Nintendo stores or other retailers, we can't surmise exactly how much chump change you can expect to drop. However, reservations are available on the Japan My Nintendo Store online store, which can give us an insight into their proposed pricing. Both Sword Kirby and Noir Dedede are listed for 8,250 yen each, which roughly amounts to 52 US dollars. That feels pretty in line with what I've come to expect from the Kirby Air Riders amiibo series. (Sorry savings.)

While they are available to pre-order on the Japan My Nintendo Store, their release dates are still marked as "to be decided" but it's not all doom and gloom. The King Dedede and Tank Star amiibo, which was revealed late last year, has now got a confirmed release date of July 2, 2026.

It has yet to drop on the Nintendo US and Nintendo UK storefronts, but I'll be sure to let you fellow amiibo collectors know when that all changes. In the meantime, if you're desperate to add to your growing amiibo obsession, the Meta Knight and Shadow Star amiibo launched today (March 5, 2026) and is available for $44.99 at Best Buy. Just be sure to keep some savings set aside for Sword Kirby and Noir Dedede.

• View all Kirby amiibo at Nintendo
• View all amiibo figures at Nintendo

Our team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards if you're looking to collect new Switch 2 accessories.

After the possibility of one final update was raised, Kirby Air Riders has received a massive new patch that adds some huge features to the game.

Late last year, Masahiro Sakurai announced that the Kirby Air Riders team would soon disband and that version 1.2.0 could be the game's final iteration. However, he did say, "I think we might be able to tweak it one more time," and as foretold, Kirby Air Riders received its version 1.3.0 update. Sakurai also asked that players "please enjoy the balance of the game as a definitive version," after this hypothetical patch, and thankfully, it looks like it will be a patch that people can enjoy.

In an update posted to the Nintendo website, the details of Kirby Air Riders version 1.3.0 were fleshed out. Most notably, a brand-new game mode, Grand Prix for Air Rider, was added, but in perhaps the most confusing Nintendo move of 2026, it's only available via the game's online Paddock lobbies. You can play these with CPU, but the lack of availability offline is frankly bizarre. Another great change is that two players can now join online games from the same Switch 2, meaning you can do online City Trial with splitscreen.

This update has also brought GameShare to Kirby Air Riders, allowing you to play with friends locally or via GameChat, with Switch 1 owners also able to play the game via this feature. And of course, there's a host of other changes, including extensive lists of character adjustments and bug fixes included.

And after Sakurai requested that players enjoy the balance as definitive, it looks like his wish has come true, as players seem really happy with it. One Reddit user says "Oh shit Grand Prix and two player online with one console is a game changers [sic] for me." Meanwhile, over on Twitter, user @corybuckley adds, "Casually dropping gameshare and a new mode is wild," while @unfunnymeat adds, "Sakurai got us. He said 'no dlc' but he never said 'no updates that add a whole bunch of shit that could be compared to DLC.'"

Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai confirms those food JPEGs heal more based on how many calories they contain

The great Masahiro Sakurai has foretold it, and so it shall be: the Kirby Air Riders development team is disbanding after, maybe, one final patch.

Sakurai, the Nintendo legend who created Kirby and Super Smash Bros., explains his plan for Kirby Air Riders on Twitter, in a post translated by Automaton. He makes it clear that Kirby Air Riders' newly released Ver. 1.2.0 update will be one of its last before the dreamy racing game's developers move on.

"I think we might be able to tweak it one more time," says Sakurai, "but after that, please enjoy the balance of the game as a definitive version." He explains that Kirby Air Riders' dev team will be dissolving soon, and its current goal is to make the racer airtight with balance changes and bug fixes, so that the game can withstand the next few years.

Ver. 1.2.0, for example, introduces several changes to Kirby Air Riders, including the ability to "try out courses solo in Online Matches during matchmaking," "improved communication stability during online play," and a number of other improvements, per the Nintendo website.

Sakurai has always been transparent about the fact that Kirby Air Riders is a one-and-done experience; in October, he said truthfully, "I'm not planning on making this an ongoing series. I've thrown everything I have into this game from the start." That's fine. abandoning Kirby Air Riders just gives Sakurai more time for Smash, right?

Now that Kirby Air Riders is out, everyone is making the same joke about Nintendo immediately asking Masahiro Sakurai to work on Super Smash Bros 6: "Alright. We let you make Air Riders. You know what comes next…"

Hori Japan has unveiled a brand-new lineup of adorable Kirby accessories based on the adorable pink puff ball and Waddle Dee, and my Ninty gaming setup is calling for each and every one.

The Switch 2 accessories have only been shared on the official Hori Japanese website so far on November 19, with no signs of an imminent US and UK launch, but it looks to be one of the brand's cutest collections yet. It features everything from a reversible Switch 2 storage bag, a wireless Switch 2 controller with TMR sticks, and my favorite of the lot, a plush Kirby pouch that can carry the new handheld, games, and work as a makeshift messenger bag.

It was hard not to be drawn to the Kirby Plush Pouch when browsing through the entirety of this new Hori collection. Like the PowerA Wireless Kirby controller, Hori has cleverly opted for a design that makes it appear as though they have gobbled up your Nintendo Switch 2. Its cuteness feels even more effective now that it's being used for a plush fabric Switch 2 case, which features padded plush feet and the neat detail of stars on its zippers.

Of course, it's not just a cute case, but the images reveal it's plenty practical too. Hori has included space to hold and carry the handheld, six physical Switch 2 games, and the Switch 2 AC adapter and charging cable. There's also an extra strap that accompanies the bag, so you can wear the Kirby Switch 2 case around like a designer handbag. Honestly, I'd much prefer to be rocking around town with Kirby than anything made by those fancy, smancy high-end fashion designers.

As much as I adore the Kirby plush pouch, there's plenty more to adore in this new Hori Switch 2 product lineup. The collection is made up of five items in total (with another on it way), one of which is the Return to the Stars Quilted Medium Pouch, a small purple quilted pouch for the Switch 2 and even the original Switch and Switch OLED models.

This case can also store up to six physical games and the AC adapter and its charging cable, but most importantly, it's equipped with a little transparent star-shaped window. I'm not usually a fan of these kinds of design choices, as I don't want any random strangers seeing what pricey Switch goodies I might be storing, but the little waving Kirby and Waddle Dee pictured on it is hard not to love.

That's not it for cases either, as there's also a purple Kirby of the Stars Reversible Storage Bag part of this set. It features a fluffy version of Kirby and Waddle, sitting in the pouch's pocket. This can then be reversed, as the name suggests, to be a white bag instead. To pair alongside these cases, Hori has also shown off a wireless controller that's equipped with anti-stick-drift TMR sticks.

After the plush pouch, the Switch 2 pad grabbed my attention the most. It's made up of a translucent purple design that gives it a space-like aesthetic, which feels entirely on-brand for Kirby and friends. I also recently reviewed the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller with its TMR sticks, and not having to worry about drift was really reassuring - an experience I'd definitely want to have when playing Kirby Air Riders when I finally get my own copy of the game.

Hori has yet to make any official announcements regarding when we can expect to see these items in the US or UK, nor their US or UK pricing, but I wouldn't give up hope. Around the same time, the Hori Japan website unveiled a series of upcoming official Mario Kart World wheels based on Super Mario characters like Yoshi and Princess Peach. As of November 24, Hori announced on Twitter (X) that these will be "available soon", so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Kirby and Waddle Dee's accessories won't be far behind.

• View all Hori Switch 2 gaming accessories at Amazon
• View all Kirby Switch 2 accessories at Amazon
• Pokemon Eevee Cottage Core Collection starting from | $18.68 at Amazon

Check out our guides for the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras for more accessories worth adding to your new Ninty gaming setup.

The scantily clad Chef Kawasaki vehicle Kirby Air Riders fans created has been deleted but of course, he's back and sexier than ever.

There are stories that you never want to write sometimes. And I unfortunately have to be the bearer of the horrific news that the sexy Chef Kawasaki in a micro bikini vehicle that arrived on the Kirby Air Riders vehicle marketplace yesterday has been taken away. Perhaps due to the sheer power of Kawasaki, or the fear of the game's age rating being put up due to the energy radiating off this beloved chef's godlike physique while clad in a skimpy costume. But sadly he's gone, and fans are devastated.

Except, as pointed out by Automaton, the massive amounts of pure sexual energy Chef Kawasaki brings to the world can't be contained; the micro bikini-clad version of the character may have seen his demise, but there now exists a succubus variant in which he dons a slightly less skimpy (but nonetheless even better) variant of his iconic red bikini and some lovely red wings to go alongside it.

However, you're going to have to pay up if you want this iconic machine, as another user points out (as translated by Automaton), "This is currently the No. 1 most expensive custom machine. It's eons ahead of the ride in second place. I'm scared."

What I didn't know, however (and thanks to Automaton for pointing this out), is that Chef Kawasaki in a micro bikini has some lore behind it. Namely a Japanese fan game titled "Chef Kawasaki's Microbikini Karuta," which featured a number of physical cards featuring the iconic chef in a number of poses. Although Kirby series developer HAL Laboratory promptly shut down the project after it went on sale, presumably because it's none of our business what Kawasaki does in his spare time and, frankly, unethical to sell lewd paparazzi shots of him in his iconic red bikini.

Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai was seemingly teasing his latest game Kirby Air Riders in plain sight for years, and I can't believe no one noticed until now.

Kirby fans have noticed that Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai was hiding the fact he was working on Kirby Air Riders in plain sight in his old tweets.

I think it's safe to say that there probably wasn't one person on the planet who expected that one of the first games Nintendo announced for the Switch 2 way back in April would be a sequel to the GameCube title Kirby Air Ride. While Air Ride still has a cult following all these years later, the game itself had extremely mixed reviews (with Edge giving it a 3/10), and – being a GameCube game – probably didn't light the world on fire with its sales either.

And if it wasn't so unexpected, people probably would've figured it out years prior, as one fan has noticed that game director Masahiro Sakurai has been hiding it in plain sight. Bluesky user SinkerGhost shares a thread saying, "Looking back on Sakurai's Twitter with the knowledge he's been working on Air Riders since 2022 is so funny."

Included is a tweet from February 2, 2025, two months before the reveal of Air Riders, in which he quote tweeted a Kirby plush toy announcement and (via translation from GamesRadar+), said: "Maybe I should buy one to celebrate... (What am I celebrating?)" Given that nobody would even think twice about the Kirby creator wanting a plush, the fact that no one caught on to the apparent teaser of what he could be celebrating is very funny to look back on.

An even funnier instance in hindsight is from May 2022, when he tweeted that he had a meeting online with some of his old colleagues from Kirby developer HAL Laboratory and that it was a great meeting, as the vibes hadn't really changed at all despite him leaving over 20 years ago.

As we know now from the Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games YouTube channel, he started development on his newest game in April 2022, meaning he was tweeting about a meeting with the Kirby developers literally one month after starting on Air Riders, and we were none the wiser. Speaking of that last video, ‪SinkerGhost‬ also points out that the ending of his YouTube series was a little picture of Kirby with a sign saying "bye-bye," knowing full well that the next time we'd see him would be for Kirby Air Riders.

Now that Kirby Air Riders is out, everyone is making the same joke about Nintendo immediately asking Masahiro Sakurai to work on Super Smash Bros 6: "Alright. We let you make Air Riders. You know what comes next…"

It took the Kirby Air Riders community a few hours to flood the game's machine market with designs ranging from genuinely incredible to bizarre, and of course there's a sexy version of one of Kirby's most iconic friends.

Kirby Air Riders is part of the Kirby series, y'know the one that is cute and wholesome and nice and definitely would not inspire any form of degeneracy at all amongst the player base? Well, since that is the case, Masahiro Sakurai's latest game allows players to express their creativity, as the Bandai Namco-developed Kirby Air Riders allows you to create custom vehicles to share online in a Forza-esque marketplace. And, oh wait, never mind, there are already multiple sexy versions of Chef Kawasaki on there.

As the game launched in Japan at midnight JST, it didn't take long for players to start bringing their creations to the world and begin showing them off on Twitter. These have included some genuinely cool designs like Kyogre from Pokemon recreated as a glider, Domo-Kun, Starmie, and the Bepis (not a typo) logo, and the washing machine-esque Wagon Star turned into a GameCube in tribute to the original game's platform.

But of course, some have to sully it with smut. As one user points out (translated by GamesRadar+): "There are already two different versions of Cook Kawasaki in a micro bikini." And while Kirby icon Chef Kawasaki is a hunk and a legendary figure in the series, what he dresses like in his own free time is none of our business, and frankly, it's not our place to show that off to the rest of the world.

Of course, the last Masahiro Sakurai title, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, featured a stage creator that allowed players to upload their creations, and the fact "Mario Pissing" is a go-to stage in my Smash Bros multiplayer sessions says enough about what some of those were like, so maybe we should have predicted this.

Super Smash Bros. and Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai says "it's best to just play games, instead of looking at who made them," so please don't perceive him

I'm not particularly good at racing in Kirby Air Riders, I've come to determine. Years and years of Mario Kart – including this year's Mario Kart World – has poisoned my brain to play racers in a certain kind of way, and Kirby Air Riders just isn't that. For starters, Kirby Air Riders has no traditional acceleration; you just move forward constantly, so every race becomes a question of positioning, environmental loopholes, and exceptional brake usage.

But that's OK, because Kirby Air Riders is equal parts fighting game, minigame collection, and roguelike. That's not even accounting for the hang-out-and-play vibes of the online multiplayer lobbies or "machine" aka vehicle customization. Sometimes a video game is tricking out a bunch of sick rides with all the gear and decals you've unlocked and showing them off to the bros. Kirby Air Riders understands this and is designed accordingly.

Super Smash Kirby

If you're somehow not already aware, Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai is director on Kirby Air Riders, and that's likely something anyone will come to inherently grasp fairly quickly. Even if you missed the several Nintendo Directs where Sakurai gassed up the new Kirby game and had no idea that he also directed 2003's Kirby Air Ride, its immediate 22-year-old predecessor, it is apparent from the moment you start playing.

The menu design alone with its colorful, clearly labeled blocks is enough to make a person go, "Huh, that sure is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate." But it goes deeper than that. There is the sheer amount of options available from riders and alternate color schemes to machines and customization to modes – Air Ride, Top Ride, City Trial, Road Trip – to the hundreds of unlockables and collectibles. It's all just Smash Bros. in vibe if not execution, and nowhere is this more evident than the little stage popups in Road Trip that 100% harken back to Smash Bros. screens indicating who you are fighting and where.

That's not even scratching the surface of the absolutely wild single-player story and narrative. There's a fictional justification for exactly how Kirby and the gang came to have little machines to ride on, and I am willing to guess you will have no idea where it's going. Or perhaps you do, and a living satellite spewing out a bunch of vehicles because of a wish it heard is just established Kirby lore with which I am not personally familiar. (That's just a taste; it gets wilder.)

The smorgasbord of things to do, see, and play in Kirby Air Riders is frankly a bit overwhelming and hard to digest as a single experience, but fascinating as a whole. Any single mode could have arguably carried a lesser game. The traditional races of Air Ride where you jockey for position and beat out the competition, the isometric Top Ride races and their unusual controls, the battle royale of City Trial leading directly into minigames, and the beefy single-player adventure of challenge after challenge that is Road Trip are like four different games bolted onto the same chassis. There is, quite literally, a little something for everyone.

This also means, however, that each of these – distinct as they are – will land in different ways. As established, I am particularly bad at Air Ride, though I am getting better with time and effort. Top Ride figuratively drives me up a wall with its top-down perspective in a way that gives me vertigo, and City Trial… well, there's a lot going on in City Trial, and it's mostly going on around me in my games whether I like it or not.

On the Road Trip again

All of these personal problems melt away in both Road Trip and during online play. While I only managed to dabble with the online component ahead of launch, competing together with a bunch of folks on GameChat or otherwise in matches through the Paddock lobby system where you essentially start up one of the game modes to play together with a specific set of settings of your choosing alleviates a bit of the friction that's part of playing all by your lonesome. Even if your buddies are all hungry for Top Ride after Top Ride, at least you're doing it with your buddies rather than just the computer.

Road Trip is what I find myself personally drawn back to time and time again. This despite the fact that it's essentially all of the single-player modes and minigames strung out into a single lengthy course where numbers go up as you collect more Defense or Boost and unlock new machines and level up while zooming through the story and a specific pathway and courses.

It's really just all of the different ways of playing that I am not exactly good at, but the combination of them all and the speed at which they come and go – never quite long enough to wear out their welcome – makes for an experience where I'm constantly left thinking, "just one more race" or "just one final battle." I suspect this is exactly where the designers want me.

Multiplayer is really Kirby Air Riders' happy place, which, again, is no surprise given how Super Smash Bros. it is on top of the fact that basically all racing video games yearn for human opponents by nature. I have to imagine that 32-player Paddock lobbies are going to be absolutely wild, and the different customized rides that people come up with will astonish.

Even so, it's not a particularly high high for me, but then neither are Kirby Air Riders' lows particularly low. While the individual elements and modes can be frustrating to me, especially in back-to-back events, a mix of everything under the Kirby Air Riders sun a la the Road Trip mode is pretty much an ideal way to spend an afternoon. It's paradoxical, but Kirby Air Riders really is a game where the sum of its parts is greater than the individual pieces.

I don't regret the time I've spent with Kirby Air Riders, nor am I necessarily hungry for more. Kirby Air Riders likely isn't the first or even the fifth Nintendo Switch 2 game I'd recommend folks, but it also feels like the first one that could speak to the largest potential audience for the longest possible time. It's consistently good, but not great, and maybe just consistently good without any real objective negatives will ultimately have a greater likelihood of resonating with people. I'm not hankering for more Kirby Air Riders just now; I'm good. But I'd also be up for another round if you're game.

Kirby Air Riders was reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2, with code provided by the publisher.

Check out our new games calendar for what else is coming up!

Nintendo has released a new ad for Kirby Air Riders that features a rap song that stands with some of the company's weirdest ad choices.

It's no secret that video game ads are not what they used to be, back in the '80s and '90s we got super unique, sometimes wild ads for games. The guy in a mascot suit Crash Bandicoot ads, Segata Sanshiro, and the N64 Smash Bros commercial are all still fondly remembered to this day and iconic in their own right. Even the ones that didn't work so well like the Zelda rap or the absolutely disgusting Yoshi's Island ad are still memorable. But in the years since ads have gotten way tamer.

Except Nintendo occasionally pulls something unhinged out of its bag like the "you're a kid now, you're a squid now" ad for Splatoon, or the frankly depressing Tears of the Kingdom ad (which has been fittingly edited with Mad World). And for Kirby Air Riders, Nintendo has gone back to the weird.

Nintendo UK has released an ad titled "Kirby Air Riders – What's that? Huh?" which features clips of the game with a tune I can only describe as the type of rap music you get in a mandatory corporate training video about asbestos or fire safety when you work at a shop (not even a good one like that Wendy's tune). Its incredible bars include "Kirby has loads of machines, uses his copy abilities," and "wow, giant bird in the sky. BAH, that's one big eye!"

It's cheesy, it's bizarre, and it's hilariously unfitting to Kirby Air Riders' vibe, but I also kind of love it. I don't think it quite has the sauce that "you're a kid now, you're a squid now" to become an iconic part of the Kirby fandom (not that the Splatoon ad led to an enormous number of Wii U sales, as we know), but when ads are as bland as they are these days, I have to respect Nintendo for trying to do something fun.

Kirby Air Riders' fan-favorite racer is a hilariously fast, oversized hamster named Rick who's been dominating beta lobbies: "Why is THIS the face of carnage and destruction?"

Kirby Air Riders' beta last weekend proved one major fact about the upcoming racer: Rick is eternal.

One of Mario Kart World's biggest impacts was the sheer amount of little Mario freaks included on the roster, with the likes of Para-Biddybud, Cataquack, and Sidestepper making up the ranks alongside the iconic Mario roster.

But for a game like Kirby, where the main cast is significantly smaller with the leads of Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Bandana Waddle Dee, and some major supporting characters like Magolor, you reach the fun little guy matrix far quicker. Air Riders features some of the iconic supporting rosters of previous games with Marx, Susie, and Daroach, but more importantly there are regular enemies like Waddle Doo, Gooey, and a sentient Rock.

However, one supporting star has been taking the limelight, as Rick the giant hamster overtook the Kirby Air Riders beta last weekend. First debuting in Kirby's Dream Land 2, Rick has been hanging out for years, and Air Riders is simply another notch in his belt. He's quite literally a giant orange and white hamster, but in Kirby Air Riders he has one of the top speed stats in the game, and his Special, Rip-Roaring Rick, has him abandon his super-powered vehicle and simply haul ass, knocking out everyone in his way.

LOOK AT HIM GO

— @ultimashadow.bsky.social (@ultimashadow.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-11-11T17:36:39.104Z

This has led to Rick flooding the online servers, with Automaton pointing out that players are enamored with the big goofy hamster and his hilariously fast speed. One user shows a clip of Rick breaking the speed of sound and launching himself off the sky island City Trail takes place on. This has also led to fanart of Rick and his sheer power to appear online.

Others, however, fear the mighty Rick. One Twitter user posts a picture of him, saying: "Rick is a beast and it's lowkey frying me. Why is THIS the face of carnage and destruction?" Another asks, "kirby air riders is STUPID why can Rick do this," showing the king flying through portals at light speed.

Another user points out that outside of his fast speed and hilarious Special, Rick has some really fun details, noting that "every time Rick accelerates, he claps his little paws, and during captures, he gobbles up enemies with both hands. He’s got such short limbs that he ends up riding on his belly when on his scooter. His enormous hamster bum also always faces the screen. No matter what angle you take a photo from, he's just hopelessly adorable."

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Kirby Air Riders has shown off its main menu and it's already a contender for the greatest menu of all time despite the game not being out for another month.

One thing you can always count on when it comes to a Masahiro Sakurai directed game is that it will have a unique main menu. The legendary director's games have always paid attention to UI design, with his wife Michiko Sakurai being the UI design lead on all of his titles since the original Super Smash Bros. And despite being behind some of the best menus ever made, Sakurai's latest game may have outdone them all.

During the lengthy Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct, Sakurai unveiled the game's menus, with it featuring a little figure of Kirby as your cursor with a bunch of signs sitting on a desk representing the various sub-menus. The minimized menus take the form of a folder's bookmarks, and the Checklist challenges screen takes the form of a clipboard which can be summoned on most menus.

This also extends to other items you would find on a desk with the info screen being projected onto an acrylic board. However, my absolute favorite detail is that the Online modes are represented by a smartphone laying on the desk. While Sakurai didn't confirm if Michiko Sakurai was the UI lead this time around, it certainly is in line with her previous works.

This menu also has Amiibo functionality, where using the Kirby Amiibo will allow you to change the little Kirby toy cursor's pose. Meanwhile, using the other Amiibo will let you swap out the figure from Kirby to whoever you happen to be using (with Bandana Waddle Dee shown off).

2 Kirby Air Riders beta weekends will give you an early preview of 3 tracks and 3 modes in the Switch 2 racing game, including City Trial, in November

After Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai spoiled fighting game fans with almost three full years of DLC for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, he's making sure that Kirby Air Riders players know right now that what they buy on launch day will be all the content they're getting. "I've thrown everything I have into this game from the start."

Today, Sakurai hosted another dedicated Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct, with an entire hour of new details and footage shown for the upcoming Switch 2 racing game. Right at the very end of the presentation (before revealing the upcoming beta weekends), Sakurai makes a few things clear – there's no DLC planned, and don't expect any further Kirby Air Ride sequels, either.

"Just so you know: we're not planning any DLC. Everything is here," he begins. "Also, I'm not planning on making this an ongoing series. I've thrown everything I have into this game from the start. So I hope you don't miss this opportunity."

Whether Sakurai eventually changes his mind is another matter, although I wouldn't expect him to if he's being so upfront about the situation now. It makes sense for him to clarify given all the DLC that Smash Ultimate got, as well as Smash 4 before it – it'd be easy for fans to go in with an expectation of more to come post-launch.

We now know that Kirby Air Riders will feature 18 tracks to race on – all nine OG courses from its GameCube predecessor are returning, and there'll be nine new ones, too. So, there's definitely more content than in the original.

I played Kirby Air Riders and it's the perfect racer for players who've had enough of Mario Kart.

True to form, Super Smash Bros. legend Masahiro Sakurai spent the latest Kirby Air Riders Direct breaking down the game's features in meticulous detail, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that after 60 minutes of info, there wouldn't be much left to announce. But no, there was one more thing at the end – the reveal of a pair of beta weekends set to run ahead of the Switch 2 racing game's launch in November.

"During the Global Test Ride event," Nintendo says in a press release, "players can check out Lessons, Air Ride, and City Trial. For Air Ride, the following courses will be playable: Floria Fields, Waveflow Waters and Mount Amberfalls. Players can also jump into a paddock, in which they can create a room, invite friends to a City Trial or play with others worldwide. The paddock can accommodate up to 16 people during the Global Test Ride, while the retail version will allow up to 32 players."

The Global Test Ride demo will be available "starting the afternoon of Friday, Nov 7," Nintendo says. That's a bit before the first beta event actually starts, but you'll be able to play through the Lessons tutorials even while the servers are offline. You'll need a Nintendo Switch Online Membership to access much of the content, but you'll be able to play Lessons and Air Ride mode even without the subscription.

Here's the full list of beta times:

• November 8, 12:00 am – 6:00 am PT
• November 8, 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm PT
• November 9, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm PT
• November 15, 12:00 am – 6:00 am PT
• November 15, 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm PT
• November 16, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm PT

Kirby Air Riders will launch in full on November 20. It's one of the three big first-party upcoming Switch 2 games still on the horizon for 2025, launching just a couple of weeks after Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and just a couple of weeks before Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Switch 2 owners look to have a veritable feast ahead of them.

These are the best Switch 2 games you can play so far.

If you thought the original Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct was excessive, Nintendo has confirmed the second presentation is happening later this week and will be a full hour.

Nintendo confirmed a sequel to the cult-classic GameCube racing game in the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct earlier this year, which took a lot of people by surprise. Even more surprising was that it was Nintendo who asked Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai to make it, with everyone – including Nintendo’s former marketing managers – assuming it was some sort of bargaining chip to let him create a passion project before the next Smash Bros.

But even though it was Nintendo, Masahiro Sakurai seems incredibly passionate, as we got over 45 minutes of breakdown about the game during its own Nintendo Direct, and while we had no idea what else he could say about it, Sakurai promised there would be a second one.

Months later and Nintendo has confirmed the second Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct will be this week on Thursday, October 23 at 2pm BST / 9am ET / 6am PT. And if you thought 45 minutes was too much, Nintendo has confirmed that the new direct will come in at a brisk 60 minutes (That's as long as the Nintendo Direct that revealed the Switch 2 hardware and a ton of games.)

This direct will once again be hosted by Masahiro Sakurai, who in the past has had sections in his game-specific directs focused on tiny animations (like Olimar's helmet cracking in Smash Bros. Ultimate), although granted, you also get a lot of gameplay. The previous Kirby Air Riders Direct featured a teaser for some form of a story mode at the end, so I'd have to assume a good chunk of the runtime will be spent on that as well.

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Kirby Air Riders isn't a racing game; it's a vehicle combat game. That's what I was told ahead of my hands-on session with the latest title from Smash Bros. creator Masuhiro Sakurai, and as I weaved through an arena full to bursting point with opponents, both NPC and human, it instantly made sense.

More than 20 years after the original Kirby Air Ride first hit the Nintendo GameCube, everyone's favourite Pink Orb is back in the saddle – or more accurately on the Warp Star – to throw down in what may initially seem to be another kart racer. Developer Sakurai even joked about it basically being just like Mario Kart World. However, it's something far more chaotic.

Your chariot awaits

Unlike the relatively simplistic original, Kirby Air Riders offers plenty of choice thanks to an increased number of playable characters and a wide array of vehicles. The iconic Meta Knight and King Dedede return – as well as the titular Kirby, of course – with characters like Waddle Doo, Starman, and Knuckle Joe helping to round out the adorable cast.

In terms of vehicles, I began my session with the basic Warp Star as my learner ride. The game accelerates for you, so at a basic level you only need to steer when turning to traverse tracks. However there's more to the experience if you want to be truly good at it.

You can hold B to charge up a boost. Doing so holds you in place, allowing you to turn on a dime at a moment's notice. You can also collide with any opponents in front of you to inflict damage as all vehicles have health gauges which can be hugely important to bear in mind depending on the game mode in hand (more on that later).

Riders can also jump into the air using ramps around the map. Some vehicles, like the Shadow Star, offer the advantage of being stronger flyers, staying airborne for longer. On the other hand, chariot class vehicles are wheel-based and land quickly after lifting off, so plan your strategy accordingly when selecting a vehicle.

No Kirb' crawlin'

There are multiple game types in Kirby Air Riders. There are typical kart race style contests, where the winner is determined by who crosses the finish line first. But then there are combat-based matches, where players have to eliminate more enemies than the rest to grab that sweet, sweet W.

The variety of game modes brings to mind Mario Kart, to the surprise of nobody, but particularly the battle modes. As a debut GameCube enthusiast in my youth, I loved Mario Kart: Double Dash and still consider it the best entry in the franchise to this day, so I'm delighted to say much of Kirby Air Riders captures this same energy.

The most intriguing mode I played was City Trials. Playing with a handful of other human players and even more AI competitors, this mode gives you a few minutes to race around an open area complete with cliffs, caves, grind rails and more environmental places of interest, all the while collecting upgrades to make your vehicle stronger. The exciting part is you're still technically competing at this point.

Just as you seek upgrades, so too do your human and AI-controlled rivals, meaning you want to move fast enough to grab each item – be it a health boost or weight increase – before someone else does. It's at this point I found that the ability to steal rides from other players was a huge benefit as well as the most trolling move you can perform on others. That's right, we got Kirby stealing vehicles before GTA 6.

I wasn't convinced that Kirby Air Riders was a game for me when I first saw it but after playing it myself I can say I've happily changed my mind. Kirby is always pleasing in a game, but combining his adorable world with surprisingly brutal vehicle combat makes for a hugely entertaining and moreish Nintendo Switch 2 title.

Check out more on the latest new games of 2025.

Nintendo has confirmed that its new Switch 2 racer Kirby Air Riders will release on November 20, 2025.

Kirby Air Riders has been a pretty consistently shocking game. Not only is Nintendo releasing a sequel to the cult-classic GameCube racing game in the first place, but it was Nintendo who asked Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai to make it, not the other way around. Despite the fact that it had no gameplay during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, when Metroid Prime 4 was playable directly after it back in April, Nintendo confirmed the game's release date before Metroid.

During the Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct it was confirmed that the game will be released on November 20, 2025, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Not only that, but unlike Mario Kart World, it's only going to be $70. Sakurai also confirmed the game is being developer by Bandai Namco under his direction, much like the previous two Smash Bros. games

This came after 45 minutes of info about the game, hosted by Kirby and Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai, which, if you have ever watched a Smash Bros. Direct, you know how in-depth that guy gets on even the tiniest of details.

The direct went over details like all the weird little guys from Kirby's enemy roster (including a Mushroom and a Blob) making an appearance as racers (in a move similar to Mario Kart World, letting you play as a Sidestepper), and all the unique gliders available.

There were also new tracks shown off, with races now supporting six players. Plus, there was an in-depth look at the return of the GOAT: City Trial mode, which now has 16-player online play, which has me recreating that "I don't want to play with you anymore" scene from Toy Story 2 with Mario Kart World's Knockout Tour mode.

Plus, some of the soundtrack was shown off, with some tunes on the Nintendo Music app now.

The ending of the direct also showed what appears to be a potential story mode cutscene as one final teaser. Considering Sakurai just spent 45 minutes talking about the game and still maintained there's even more to show, I wouldn't be surprised if Kirby Air Riders is a Smash Bros-level behemoth of a game.

Kirby Air Riders director Masahiro Sakurai says those who haven't already played the GameCube racer might ask themselves "if it's basically Mario Kart," and, uh, yeah, "it basically is like Mario Kart."

Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai magnanimously devoted himself to spreading the gospel of, originally, GameCube racer Kirby Air Ride during Nintendo's surprise Direct for Switch 2 sequel Kirby Air Riders today, and he admits that, well… yeah, I guess it kind of is like Mario Kart… sort of…

"The original was widely viewed as a racing game featuring Kirby," Sakurai says during the livestream. "You might be asking yourself if it's basically Mario Kart. You race and battle with familiar characters around courses with different features, or so they say."

"OK, so it basically is like Mario Kart," Sakurai admits sheepishly. "I even mentioned this when I received the request to make the game. I asked [Nintendo] if they still wanted to do it. But as fans of the original know, the appeal of the game is not actually the races!"

For many Air Ride enthusiasts, the game's appeal lies in its City Trial multiplayer game mode. You scoot around on a plain, old star before trading it up for better machines, power-ups, and gobble food like roast chicken, get blitzed by random events like meteor showers and UFO landings. Finally, you face off against your friends' boosted machines in a Stadium event challenge.

Sakurai says this beloved mode will come back in Kirby Air Riders on the floating island and sandbox Skyah, which is complete with flower fields, smoking volcanoes, and a hardcore 16-player cap.

I have simpler tastes than most Air Ride players, though. For me, as long as I see Kirby – the pink gumball with a heart of gold – in a video game, I have no choice but to give its developers my life savings.

Mashiro Sakurai says he's making Kirby Air Riders because, well, Nintendo asked him to while he was working on Smash Bros. DLC, ending speculation it was his own doing.

After everyone assumed that Kirby Air Riders was a full-blown passion project from Masahiro Sakurai, the director has revealed that Nintendo and HAL Laboratory actually asked him to make the game.

The original Kirby Air Ride is a pretty beloved cult-classic from the GameCube era, directed by Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai. While those who played it adore it, the GameCube wasn’t quite as successful as other Nintendo consoles. So it was somewhat of a surprise to see one of the first games Nintendo announced for the Switch 2 be a sequel to a 20-year old racing game releasing not long after Mario Kart World.

Most – including Nintendo’s former marketing managers – assumed that Kirby Air Riders is a passion project from Sakurai as a "one for me" before making a new Smash Bros. game. However Sakurai revealed during the Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct that this actually wasn’t the case.

"You might be wondering why I ended up creating a new Kirby Air Ride game." Sakurai said, adding, "There was a strong request from Mr. [Shinya] Takahashi, head of software development at Nintendo and Mr. Mitsuhara, the president of HAL Laboratory, Inc." He even asked if they were sure due to the other racing games on Switch 2, but once he got the go ahead he was in.

This happened as Sakurai was working on the DLC for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He previously talked about a secret project he was working on during the final episode of his YouTube show where he goes into detail about writing the proposal. But it's interesting that Nintendo itself wanted a sequel to a 20-year old GameCube title from the creator of Super Smash Bros.

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Nintendo has confirmed a Kirby Air Ride-focused Nintendo Direct will take place this week on Tuesday, August 19.

Last week, Super Smash Bros. creator and father of Kirby, Masahiro Sakurai, said that we should be finally seeing some gameplay from his upcoming Switch 2 racing game, Kirby Air Riders, "soon." By soon I assumed that meant in an upcoming Nintendo Direct in September when Nintendo typically holds one, but turns out it's even sooner than that.

On the Nintendo Today app, it was confirmed that Nintendo is hosting a Kirby Air Riders direct tomorrow, Tuesday, August 19, at 2pm BST / 9am ET / 6am PT. Not only that, but the direct is going to be 45 minutes long, which for those of you who remember how in-depth some of those Super Smash Bros Ultimate Nintendo Directs were, isn't exactly surprising for Masahiro Sakurai – who is confirmed to be hosting the presentation according to the YouTube stream description.

Nintendo also used this announcement as the time to finally put its Kirby Air Riders Twitter account to use with a debut Tweet. The post itself doesn't say much, but the new profile picture on the account shows a pretty zonked looking Kirby toy on a little star, which will absolutely be my main if it becomes a character.

This will be the first batch of info we get about the Kirby Air Riders since the sequel to the cult-classic GameCube racer was unveiled at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct back in April. This lack of information had some people wondering about the game's status, with Nintendo's former marketing leads suggesting that Kirby Air Riders should be delayed to 2026 if any development problems arise. However, considering it's getting a big 45-minute blowout tomorrow, I'd expect it to hit that 2025 release date… unless this is a 45-minute apology.

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Super Smash Bros creator and Kirby Air Riders director Masahiro Sakurai says that we should finally see gameplay for the upcoming Switch 2 racing game "soon."

Arguably the biggest surprise from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was the announcement that Masahiro Sakurai's newest project wasn't a new Super Smash Bros game, or even something entirely new. No, it was in-fact a sequel to the cult-classic GameCube racing game Kirby Air Ride, and it will be coming out before the end of 2025. And since then, we've been bombarded with information about the game like… actually, there's been nothing since then.

Yes, since it was revealed, Nintendo has been silent about the upcoming racing game (perhaps not to take attention away from Mario Kart World), which has led to players wondering what's going on, and even Nintendo's former marketing leads saying Kirby Air Riders should be delayed to 2026. But Sakurai has returned with good news.

In a Twitter post (translated by Nintendo Life), Sakurai celebrated the 20th anniversary of his company Sora, "It doesn't matter to most people, but today, Sora Co., Ltd. is celebrating its 20th anniversary…That's a long time! Thank you for your continued support." He then acknowledged Kirby's lack of info, saying, "The new game *Kirby Air Rider* hasn't even shown gameplay footage yet, but I think we'll be able to share some information soon."

Nintendo typically has a Nintendo Direct in September, which is presumably when "soon" will be, but then again, it's been a weird year for Nintendo. Outside of Pokemon, none of the big Switch 2 releases slated for the rest of 2025 have release dates, with Metroid Prime 4, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and Kirby Air Riders all having generic "2025" release dates.

Plus, Nintendo skipped its typical February and June directs with there being two shows a week apart back in March/April, with the March Direct almost exclusively announcing Switch games coming in 2026 like Rhythm Heaven Groove and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. So there's a chance the September direct might not even be in the cards, but Nintendo is seemingly running out of time if both this and Metroid are still coming in 2025.

I finally got to play Mario Kart World after hundreds of hours in Mario Kart 8, but Knockout Tour was so stressful that I immediately went back to its predecessor

Yes, hello, it's me: the guy who played a whole lot of both Elden Ring and Kirby and the Forgotten Land in 2022 and decided that the pink puffball had the better game. That's no slight to FromSoftware's sprawling epic – Kirby's latest adventure was just that good. The impending Switch 2 upgrade DLC for Kirby and the Forgotten Land promises to make a great game even better, and now it's threatening something we usually associate with FromSoftware: an absolutely wild boss challenge.

A new overview trailer for Kirby and the Forgotten Land's Switch 2 DLC, properly titled Star-Crossed World, reveals a new mode called The Ultimate Cup Z EX. It appears to be a more difficult version of the final challenge of the in-game Colosseum, where you have to fight enhanced versions of every boss in the game back-to-back. "Test your mettle and might in an even tougher boss rush," the devs warn.

Kirby games are generally known for being pretty breezy affairs, designed even in the 8-bit era as a way to let young kids and less experienced gamers enjoy the thrill of beating a final boss and letting the credits roll. But the devs have not been shy about placing soul-melting challenges in the post-game for the most hardcore of Kirby fanatics, and the "EX" suffix on this new arena is giving those fans some serious flashbacks.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" a YouTube comment from friendlyotaku9525 exclaims. "The Ultimate Cup Z was already hard as it is and you're adding an even HARDER version?! I'm excited for Star-Crossed World but man... that terrifies me!"

"Oh no," as GLeen1230 puts it on Reddit. "To be fair though The Ultimate Cup Z was pretty underwhelming for a True Arena just because of how broken the dodge is. The Ultimate Cup Z EX though? I may not know what’s in it just yet, but I’m already getting Soul Melter EX flashbacks as the difficulty of the DLC was a nightmare."

True Arena modes have been a staple across many Kirby games, offering players one last final challenge to put their skills to the test. That seems to be the inspiration for The Ultimate Cup Z EX, but those two letters on the end bring to mind the ultimate Soul Melter EX difficulty for the final boss rush in Kirby Star Allies, an absolutely notorious challenge with ridiculous boss attack patterns rivalling pure bullet hell games taking place over the course of grueling 30+ minute endurance run.

Still, it seems many Forgotten Lands fans are up for the test. "This makes my day," Rawkhawkjayhawk says on Reddit, "this is the real True Arena, a true challenge. I love it!" Kirby and Elden Ring might not have a whole lot in common, but at least they can share in eldritch horrors and masochistic fans.

The best Kirby games have something for players of every skill level.

Living on the fence is tiring. Having spent the last three years humming and hawing over the Steam Deck - which is perpetually one impulsive click away from being bought - there are now two handhelds to deliberate over. The Switch 2, set to launch on June 5, promises to do everything the original Switch did but better. That, to roll out an early understatement, is an easy sell.

Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are even harder to ignore, as is the chance to play both The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Pokemon Colosseum through the Switch 2's GameCube emulator. But none of those titles have felt like Nintendo's emphasis in recent months, which has been more about showcasing flashy third-party games the Switch 2 is capable of running. Cyberpunk 2077 – still one of the go-to games for ogling on PC and console – will be there from day one, along with the likes of Street Fighter 6 and Split Fiction. Looking further ahead, Star Wars Outlaws will arrive on the Switch 2 in September, which is doubly impressive considering its reputation for turbulence on the Steam Deck.

For Nintendo fans who don't own another console, the Switch 2's ability to go toe-to-toe with more modern offerings is a blessing. It makes sense for Nintendo to parade the console's beefier innards around, given fans have been begging for a stronger Switch for years. But as someone who does have consoles besides the Switch, I'm having trouble getting behind this approach.

Switch to Switch

A lot of people (myself included) see the Switch as more of a supplementary console. It's a means of playing Nintendo's first-party gems, gaming when you're away from home or, er, too hungover to leave bed. I suspect I'm not the only one feeling lukewarm about the Switch 2's vast third-party catalog. I've already got Cyberpunk 2077, and don't feel any particular urgency to play it on the bus. The same goes for all of the Switch 2's flashy ports – I love that the console can run them purely because a rising tide lifts all boats – but personally, being able to re-run the greats isn't enough. That probably won't change for me, as the Switch 2 is unlikely to become my first port of call for third-party releases due to the labyrinthian eShop and its pricier reputation.

While Nintendo is very keen to demonstrate how the Switch 2 can keep up with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S releases, raw power has never been the company's bag. But as PlayStation and Xbox have slowly relinquished their grasp on console-exclusive games, Nintendo has stuck firmly to first-party exclusivity. That has become its greatest strength, providing an identity for the Switch that goes far beyond what it can and cannot run. Super Mario Odyssey. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Metroid Dread. To consistently reach soaring highs for so many long-running series is, frankly, astounding – an enviable hit rate that neither Xbox or PlayStation has reached this generation.

Mario magic

The Switch 2's first year has some of that magic. Even as a casual Mario Kart fan, I'm itching to race through Mario Kart World. Likewise, Donkey Kong Bananza… look, I really want to punch grass as DK. But looking further ahead, we're thin on the ground. Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 are both titans, sure, but they're also going to be available on the existing Switch. Likewise, Kirby Air Riders and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment look neat, but they don't have the same pull that a platforming Kirby game or mainline Zelda title would have.

Even so, that's a fairly convincing spread of offerings. Whether or not you join the crowd rushing for Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will ultimately depend on how much these games grab your attention, and how much you use the original handheld.

Nintendo faces a harder sell than usual because – I'm gesturing wildly – everything is so expensive right now, but given the astronomical demand it's already had for the Switch 2, the future is still looking bright. Hardware improvements mean the Switch 2 will sit better alongside the PS5 and Xbox Series – consoles its predecessor struggled to keep up with – and that will only become more obvious as more third-party titles launch on the handheld. But more importantly, will the Switch 2 be as easy to pass on with two more Nintendo exclusives? Three? Much to the chagrin of my wallet, I doubt it.

Stick with us to stay in the loop for all Nintendo Switch 2 news as it happens

Kirby Air Ride got a tepid response from critics when it launched some 22 years ago, but the racing game nonetheless developed a cult following, and director Masahiro Sakurai is getting the chance to return for a Switch 2 sequel called Kirby Air Riders. One Nintendo exec believes the game was ahead of its time, and perhaps it's only now that the world is ready to understand Sakurai's "genius."

"It's great to see [Sakurai] come back to lead and direct a Kirby game again for the first time in a couple of decades," Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America's VP of product and player experience, tells IGN. "But I think more importantly, I've always felt that Kirby Air Ride on GameCube was a game that was ahead of its time and maybe not fully understood at the time that it came out."

Kirby Air Ride launched on GameCube in 2003 to a middling 61 on Metacritic. The controls, where you automatically accelerate and simply guide steering and braking, were roundly criticized as being overly simplistic. Nevertheless, it sold well enough to get the "Player's Choice" bestseller tag, and it's clear that there are a lot of players with very fond memories of it.

"I'm just really excited because there's a core group of people that played that game on GameCube that love it to death," Trinen continued. "And number one, I'm just happy because for them, this is such a big announcement and it's so good to see their excitement. But at the same time, I think that with where we are in the game industry today, I think we've got a real opportunity to introduce a much bigger audience to Kirby Air Riders. And I think people will finally really begin to appreciate just what I think is the genius of Masahiro Sakurai and what he created with that game."

Since the launch of Air Ride all those years ago, Sakurai has directed numerous Smash Bros. games, and between those games and the dev's fantastic YouTube series on game creation, he's built quite a reputation among fans. It's easy to see those fans coming in with a much more open mind for Kirby Air Riders later this year, but I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how it turns out in the end.

Kirby Air Riders is just one of many upcoming Switch 2 games.

I'm pretty sure all but exactly one Nintendo fan had a big ol' goofy grin on their face when the upcoming Switch 2 game Kirby Air Riders was announced. It's a successor to a cult classic racing game from 22 years ago, Smash Bros. legend Masahiro Sakurai is back at the helm, and heck, it's Kirby on a hoverboard - what's not to like?

Well, from the perspective of someone working on their own independent Kirby Air Ride spiritual successor, there's quite a lot not to like about this situation, and that's exactly the position indie dev Isaac Kasdorf has found themselves in. See, Kasdorf has been working on Robo Ride & Glide, which is explicitly described as a "Kirby Air Ride Successor," since at least June 2024 according to its Steam update history. And now that Nintendo itself has announced an official successor, well, I can only imagine it puts a lot of pressure on Kasdorf to deliver something truly special.

The indie dev has been posting a series of increasingly unhinged tweets in reaction to the Kirby Air Riders announcement. One tweet reads: "If you're a true 'two cakes' believer make sure to wishlist Robo Ride & Glide! I can promise my game will be significantly less than $80," a stinging reference to the upsetting fact that Nintendo is indeed charging $80 for some games, including Mario Kart World (Kirby Air Riders doesn't have a price listed yet).

The next is a funny, but sad meme seemingly created by Kasdorf, which I'll leave here for your viewing convenience:

Another tweet/cry for help reads: "My game is going to have to do something really special to sell more than negative 3 copies now."

And finally, here's a tragic play-by-play of Kasdorf's reaction to the Kirby Air Riders announcement in their own words:

"Me watching the direct:
Mario kart open world? Wow

kirby air ride not in gamecube nso?

DELTARUNE!

who cares

Is that a smash bros dlc?
Wait..
KIRBY AIR RIDE?!?!
*vomits violently*"

In all seriousness, Robo Ride & Glide looks like an extremely cute little game with its own very distinct vibe, and I have no doubt in its ability to hover right alongside its admittedly formidable competition. That's actually not true as I haven't had the chance to actually play either game, but Ride & Glide's recent trailer looks great.

Here's everything we know about the Switch 2.

I’m not saying you should pick up the PowerA Wireless Kirby Nintendo Switch Controller simply because it’s adorable. I mean, that sort of is what I’m saying, but I promise you that I got more out of this pad than a fuzzy feeling of joy in my cold, hardware-reviewing heart. In theory, this third-party gamepad shouldn’t have placed my official Pro Controller. So, the fact it did definitely scores it brownie points, even if I do have a few gripes with what’s going on beneath its bubble gum exterior.

For the most part, the best Nintendo Switch controllers sing from the same hymn sheet. While premium pads will provide you with features like hall effect sticks and haptic rumble, the rest stick with the same rounded shape, D-pad design, and chonky face buttons that are significantly larger than a regular pad. Perhaps it’s that sameness that draws players like me, who are a sucker for cute mascots, to options like PowerA’s wireless Kirby homage. It draws a line between fun and functionality, and that's important in a controller.

It’s worth noting that this also isn’t the first time we’ve been graced with a Kirby gamepad. In fact, PowerA actually has a wired Switch controller with the tiny Smash Brawler printed on one of the grips. However, I think I speak for every fan out there when I say that a version that looks like it has been gobbled up by the little pink monster is superior, despite the fact it lacks the features of those aforementioned premium pads.

Features

Before I gush about how adorable Kirby is, I want to run through what the PowerA Wireless Nintendo Switch Controller will furnish your fingers and thumbs with. In a sense, this pad feels more like one of the best Xbox Series X controllers than one for the Switch, as it uses AA batteries rather than being rechargeable. I know some of you out there prefer this, especially since it means a longer run time than integrated lithium cells. That said, this wireless pad also completely forgoes any sort of wired connectivity or means of charging up a pack, and that doesn’t feel like something I should be dealing with in 2024. 

On the plus side, the Kirby controller does boast remappable buttons on its pink keester. I’d be lying if I said I took any Switch game seriously enough to make full use of back buttons, but if you ask again while I’m playing Mario Kart 8 against my partner, I might have a different answer for you. Competitiveness aside, the feature helps strengthen the controller's versatility, and that’s something I’m always on board with.

What the $44.99 Power A Kirby controller won’t hook you up with is HD rumble, IR Camera functionality, Motion Controls, or Amiibo NFC support. That’s no different from many other budget gamepads out there, and I’d question the quality of any that does for less than the Pro Controller. Still, it does mean this pad perhaps best serves as a player 2 controller, as games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will make use of that list of features. 

Design

It’s amazing how simply printing a pair of eyes and chubby cheeks on the front of a gamepad can instantly sell me on a controller. That was absolutely the case for this PowerA pad, as I couldn’t stop giggling at the fact it looks like Kirby used their copy ability on a Nintendo Switch accessory. I mean, that’s just silly in the best possible way, and now that I’ve got my hands on it, seeing the design in person is giving me even more serotonin.

The pink plastic passes the smell test in terms of quality, and I’ve no reason to believe PowerA skimped on materials to keep costs down. This is something I always look out for in third-party pads, as the last thing you want is for brittle parts to break off inside and turn it into an infuriating maraca down the road. I’m also a fan of the subtle texture change between the front and back, as the latter’s rougher feel goes a long way in terms of grip.

I wouldn’t say this PowerA controller is heavy-duty, and it feels almost too light without batteries inserted. Sticking in a pair of AAs offset any notion of it feeling cheap, but the main reason for its weight is down to the lack of rumble motors and the usual tech within one of the best PC controllers. Missing innards aside, the ergonomics stick pretty close to Nintendo’s official design, with the only noticeable difference being that the thumb sticks feel ever so slightly taller. 

Performance

Not to potentially pop Kirby’s beautiful pink bubble, but it takes more than big cartoon eyes on a controller to rival the rest. Therefore, I put the Kawaii gamepad through its paces just like I would any other console or PC controller. Before you ask, yes, I did also use the pad to play through the puffball’s latest outings on Switch, even if I thought Super Mario Wonder was a better platformer to test it against.

First up, let’s chat about Mario Kart 8, as I’ve been using the Kirby gamepad for most sessions with my partner for a good while now. I like to powerslide my way through each race, and I’m pleased to report that PowerA’s shoulder buttons didn’t let me down on that front. There’s a little extra resistance compared to Nintendo’s own controller, and I was initially worried that’d affect my timings in some way. Yet, it doesn’t, and I’ve become accustomed to the distinct click produced by all the pad’s buttons. 

Moving onto Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, the platformer provided me with a reason to swap from thumbstick to D-pad. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the exquisite quality of the official Pro Controller, but the rollability and general feel of this pad are perfectly serviceable. Floating, slam transforming into a brick, and general platforming all felt pretty on point, and I have no real complaints to make about the approach. I say this coming off the back of my Lenovo Legion GO review, which featured ‘TrueStrike’ controllers with completely woeful directional buttons. 

I already name-dropped Super Mario Wonder, so it’s only right I fill you in on how the controller fared during the bizarre adventure. The extra resistance on the face buttons did add some anxiety to more punishing platforming sections, especially the ones that involve borderline button mashing to chase a Wonder Flower. However, I’m willing to admit that this was all mostly in my head, as I’m pretty sure my hilarious fails in the game would have still happened if I had been armed with a Pro Controller. 

Should you buy the PowerA Kirby Wireless controller?

The Kirby PowerA Wireless controller may lack features compared to other Switch gamepads, but it makes up for it with pink puffball perfection. If you’re a fan of the round, hungry hero, you’re probably already looking for an excuse to pick this peripheral up, and I’m pleased to say it holds up both as an adorable setup add-on and as a capable console controller. 

That said, I’m hesitant to recommend this gamepad to anyone who isn’t that into Kirby, as the Switch controller race has plenty of alternatives running up the track. I do still think it is definitely one of the best affordable options out there regardless of its cute shell, but I think PowerA should be adding a way to play using a USB-C cable to all its wireless controllers in the future. 

How I tested the PowerA Kirby Wireless controller

For a month, I used the PowerA Kirby Wireless controller as my main Nintendo Switch gamepad. During that time, I played multiple rounds of Mario Kart 8, a chunk of Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, and a few multiplayer sessions in Super Mario Wonder. I kept the official Pro Controller to hand so I could draw comparisons in terms of ergonomics and feel, while assessing whether it holds up in terms of controls and comfort.

For more on how we test controllers, check out our GamesRadar+ hardware policy for a complete rundown.

Looking for something PlayStation-flavored? Check out the best PS5 controller options available right now. Alternatively, take a peek at the best joysticks or the best racing wheels for PC if you want something a bit more situational.

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2023 took place this week, and one of the biggest takeaways we got was that Kirby has a human form and is "okay to stretch." 

Let us explain: during GDC, Kirby creator HAL Laboratory gave a presentation during the five-day event in which a director at the company, Tatsuya Kamiyama, shared an insight into bringing the adorable pink puffball from the 2D world to 3D. 

During the presentation, Kamiyama shared some slides that featured various sketches of Kirby that helped to illustrate the developer's points. To the rest of us outside of that exhibition hall though, the slides are hilarious out of context. Some of them have been shared online, thanks to some of the attendees, so we've collated the best ones below. 

Thanks to IGN's Rebekah Valentine, who attended GDC this year, we now know that HAL Laboratory had something called "The Hovering Dilemma" when converting Kirby's adventures from 2D games to 3D. Valentine thankfully gave more context to this dilemma in a story, where it was revealed that the studio's biggest problem with Kirby's 3D transition came down to the fact he is round - among a few other things. 

Another attendee - in the form of Megan Farokhmanesh of Wired - shared images of another of Kamiyama's slides, this time one detailing what Kirby can do. This particular slide features a 2D Kirby in the middle of the screen with the caption "Kirby is…" above it. Surrounding it are three other Kirbys all in different formations. For example: "It's ok to twist," "it's okay to be flat", and "It's okay to stretch" - except, the expression on Kirby's face is telling us that it really isn't okay to stretch. 

Finally, thanks to someone on Resetera, we got our first official glimpse of human Kirby. You read that right, HAL Laboratory has designed a human version of Kirby, most probably just for use in the presentation. The Kirby in question has been designed as a Superman-looking figure with pink hair and a pink and blue super suit which is decorated with Kirby's famous star. It doesn't stop there either, as HAL Laboratory has also given Magolor its own human forms too. 

In the mood to play one of the pink blob's adventures now? Take a look at our best Kirby games list.

Our top 10 pick of the best Kirby games is a true celebration of the standout adventures the loveable pink puffball from Planet Popstar has brought us over the years. From the classic platforming, to the most recent racing entry, the inhaling hero has brought us so many colorful experiences over the course of three decades, and settling on just 10 is no easy feat by any means.

But as one of Nintendo's most beloved characters - who continues to bring us so much joy in fresh new games - we're here to put Kirby in the spotlight and highlight the most memorable games. From older releases, to some of the best DS games and the best Switch exclusives, along with the latest experience to arrive on Switch 2, we've taken everything into consideration here.

And while we can only hope we see more upcoming Switch 2 games come our way someday that star the little pink blob, we'll have to wait and see what the future holds. But in the meantime, read on below to find our selection of the best Kirby games.

10. Kirby Air Riders

Release: 2025
Platform(s): Switch 2

Over two decades after Kirby Air Ride brought the pink puffball in the racing world on GameCube, Kirby Air Riders landed on the Switch 2 to bring us a shiny, upgraded sequel. With Kirby and Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai at the helm as director, you can see the Smash Bros influence with its blend of racing, fighting, and roguelike elements - and plenty of minigame fun. For more, be sure to check out our Kirby Air Riders review.

Release: 2011
Platform(s): Nintendo DS

Released for the Nintendo DS in 2011, Kirby Mass Attack applied the more is merrier approach to sequels by releasing an innovative puzzle platformer featuring a lot of Kirbys. In it, players help the Kirby swarm exact revenge upon the evil wizard Necrodeus by manipulating them, their enemies, and key level items using the DS's stylus and touchscreen controls.

Kirby Mass Attack accomplished two things for Nintendo. It demonstrated that Kirby's team still had the drive to try new ideas, and it offered DS fans a game that made creative use of the handheld's touchscreen tech. It isn't the strongest entry on Kirby's resume, but it was a sign that the series hadn't lost its oddball edge. Read our Kirby Mass Attack review.

9. Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

Release: 2004
Platform(s): Game Boy Advance

Kirby and The Amazing Mirror cemented the Kirby series as one of Nintendo's most creative. In it, the pink puffball finds himself split into four separately colored entities and given the job of reassembling the pieces of a magic mirror to save the inhabitants of Mirror World.

In a refreshing twist on his usual side-scrolling format, Kirby and The Amazing Mirror played as a Metroidvania adventure that had players unlocking new areas with different abilities and discovering all the secrets, hidden pathways, mini-games, and bonuses within the title's nine worlds. Adding to its appeal, Kirby and The Amazing Mirror featured the ability to call Kirby's other personas via cellphone to lend their unique skills to any given situation.

8. Kirby's Dream Land 2

Release: 1995
Platform(s): Game Boy

The success of Kirby's Adventure for the NES in 1993 earned Kirby enough gaming cred to branch out into two side projects: Kirby's Pinball Land and Kirby's Dream Course. By 1995, however, fans were itching for a return to Kirby's roots, and Nintendo delivered in spades with Kirby's Dream Land 2 for Game Boy.

Kirby's Dream Land 2 pushed the series forward with gameplay improvements, design tweaks, and some of the best 2D platforming the Game Boy had to offer. Old abilities were fine-tuned, and new allies like Rick the Hamster, Kine the Ocean Sunfish, and Coo the Owl were introduced to lend a hand. HAL Laboratory's return to Dream Land was an all-around success, launching Kirby's Dream Land 2 into the Game Boy's top seller list and securing it a top spot in Best Game Boy games lists for all eternity.

7. Kirby 64: the Crystal Shards

Release: 2000
Platform(s): Nintendo 64, Nintendo Switch

Kirby's debut on the Nintendo 64 didn't rock the gaming world, but it did carry the Kirby flame forward in some new and innovative ways. Though still a side-scrolling platformer at heart, Crystal Shards' 2.5D environments and the illusion of Super Mario 64-esque freedom were a refreshing change of pace. What's more, the N64's beefier processing power gave the pink puffball a fresh, modern look compared to that of his Game Boy Advanced titles.

Above the graphical improvements, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards improved upon Kirby's traditional moves. In addition to inhaling and assuming his enemy's traits, Kirby was upgraded with the ability to combine different powers for various effects. Swallowing an electric enemy and a sword, for instance, created a lightsaber; while gobbling electricity and ice created a healing refrigerator. The combo system brought more substance to Kirby's 64-bit upgrade.

6. Kirby's Return to Dream Land

Release: 2011
Platform(s): Wii

Kirby's Return to Dream Land brought the pink hero back to his roots in a delightfully colorful adventure on the Wii. It offers a 2.5D platforming game reminiscent of Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards in both visual style and gameplay mechanics. This was partly due to the fact that production on Kirby's Return to Dream Land actually began immediately after Kirby 64, but it took HAL and Nintendo nearly 11 years to bang it into shape for a Wii release.

And the investment paid off. Nintendo put a pause on innovating the series to put out a solid platforming adventure featuring Kirby doing what he does best: inhaling foes, spitting them out, and occasionally copying their style. New features like super abilities and drop-in cooperative multiplayer only added to the fun. Kirby's return may have taken place on an alien planet, but it felt close to home. Read our Kirby's Return to Dream Land review for more.

5. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

Release: 2015
Platform(s): Wii U

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse really brought the Wii U to life with its delightful claymation-style offering. With gameplay reminiscent of Kirby: Canvas Curse on the DS, Rainbow Paintbrush sees you draw out Kirby's path through each stage or shield him from enemies on the Wii U touchpad.

Taking the form of a little clay ball, the colorful adventure once again shows off the creativity of the series, with an eye-catching world that brings renewed life to the platforming. It really is a memorable treat.

4. Kirby's Epic Yarn

Release: 2010
Platform(s): Nintendo DS, Wii

Kirby's Epic Yarn took full advantage of its unique look, incorporating the game's arts-and-crafts aesthetics into every aspect of gameplay. Items crinkled, backgrounds folded, and enemies fell apart as if they were put together by felt, string, and glue sticks.

Gone were Kirby's standard moves and, in their place, the ability to reshape his yarn body into whatever vehicle or device the situation demanded. It was a refreshing twist on an aging formula with bundles of charm. Find out more in our Kirby's Epic Yarn review.

3. Kirby Super Star Ultra

Release: 2008
Platform(s): Nintendo DS

1996's Kirby Super Star for SNES was an all-you-can-eat buffet of awesome, offering eight meaty Kirby games in one delicious cartridge. As the first Kirby game to introduce co-op, it was packed with sixteen games. Every one of its offerings feels like a polished, standalone entry.

Whether it's spelunking in the Great Cave Offensive, rising through the ranks in Helper to Hero, or going back to basics in Spring Breeze, there's very little that feels tacked on to increase the remake's game count. Dripping with fan service, Kirby Super Star Ultra reminds us why we've grown to love Nintendo's puffball over the years. Read our Kirby Super Star Ultra review for more.

2. Kirby: Planet Robobot

Release: 2016
Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS

In 2016, Kirby landed on the 3DS in a memorably mechanized way. Kirby: Planet Robobot made the most of the handheld's 3D functionality to deliver a platforming adventure that played around with the depth of field by moving the pink puffball back and forth between the levels.

The generous variety of abilities on offer is also endlessly fun to play around with and copy. But what really sets Planet: Robobot apart is the introduction of the mech suit Kirby can pilot. As well as giving Kirby new powers in combat, the armor also comes into play to solve puzzles in inventive ways.

1. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Release: 2022
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch

Kirby and the Forgotten Land brought the inhaling hero back for a new adventure entirely in 3D. With more open platforming, a mysterious setting with visually striking stages, and a host of features, Forgotten Land is a big step up for the pink puffball. And to add to its charm, the Waddle Dee Town homebase is a delight, offering a variety of mini-games, collectibles, stores, a cinema, a colosseum, and more.

Kirby's latest entry (excluding the 2023 remake of Kirby's Return to Dream Land) is a refreshing take on a series that never really strayed from its side-scrolling formula. Showing off the creativity of HAL Laboratory with inventive level designs and the addition of new skills like Mouthful Mode, Forgotten Land takes Kirby to new heights. We can hardly wait to see where the series will go next. Read our Kirby and the Forgotten Land review.

Looking for more adventures? Why not check out our roundup of the best Switch indie games and all the upcoming Switch games heading our way?

Kirby's Dream Buffet is launching next week on August 17 through the Nintendo eShop.

Revealed earlier today at the Kirby 30th Anniversary Fest live concert, the next game in the Kirby franchise will be with us very shortly. The concert revealed Kirby's Dream Buffet is launching next week on August 17 for the Nintendo Switch, retailing at 1,500 Yen.

While we initially weren't sure if the game would be launching outside of Japan, that confusion was cleared up with a new trailer. Earlier this year, when Kirby's Dream Buffet was first revealed, there was a native English trailer for the brand new party game, and the announcement was posted to Nintendo's English-speaking social media feeds, so it stood to reason the game would make its way over here.

What we know so far is that when it does arrive here, Kirby's Dream Buffet won't be a free download, if the Japanese announcement is anything to go by. Right now at least, 1,500 Yen equates to just over £9, and just over $11 USD.

If you're unfamiliar with the new game from Nintendo, it's basically a co-op competitive party game for Nintendo Switch. Up to four players, all playing as Kirby in different colours, race up a mountain made out of food, gobbling up strawberries as they go, to obtain maximum power and defeat a big final boss at the end of the level. Kirby's sure got his work cut out for them this time.

Check out our upcoming Switch games guide for a full look over all the other games coming to Nintendo's console over the remainder of the year. 

Nintendo is hosting a 30th-anniversary concert for Kirby and you’ll be able to watch from anywhere in the world. 

After originally being announced back in March 2022, Nintendo of America has now revealed that Kirby’s upcoming 30th-anniversary concert will be available to watch online. The event is due to be held on August 11 at 6PM in Tokyo, Japan but thankfully for fans elsewhere in the world, the show is being live streamed via YouTube at 2AM PDT / 5AM EDT / 10AM BST on the same day. 

Don’t worry if you’re not awake in the early hours of the morning to watch Kirby perform though, as Nintendo has also revealed that it plans to upload a video archive of the anniversary concert for fans to watch at a later date. The account also let fans know that the performance will only be in Japanese and "will not have simultaneous interpretation to other languages." 

If you are a die-hard Kirby fan, it’s definitely worth tuning in or at least watching the concert at a later date. According to the event’s official website, the performance will feature 35 musicians performing an original medley of songs from the series in a big band-style and in a variety of genres. Not only this but the pink blob himself will also be making an appearance via a large LED monitor at the venue. 

In other Kirby news, Nintendo recently revealed a brand-new Kirby game out of the blue. The competitive eating game Kirby’s Dream Buffet is due to release "this Summer" and sees up to four players race around a course as various colored Kirbys, collecting strawberries along the way. Considering we’re already in the month of August now, there’s probably not too much longer to wait for this wholesome game. 

Need something to play in the meantime? Take a look at our list of best Kirby games for inspiration on what to play next.  

Kirby's Dream Buffet is launching on Nintendo Switch this Summer.

Announced just earlier today on July 12, Kirby's Dream Buffet is a brand new four-player game coming to the Nintendo Switch later this year. Apparently not content with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, developer HAL has cooked up something brand new for fans of the pink blob.

This looks to be a sort of four-player racing game, oddly enough. In the brand new announcement trailer above, we can see four different colored Kirbys racing up a mountain to claim victory at the top, snacking on delicious sweets and strawberries as they go.

This sort of looks a bit like Super Mario Party, minus the minigames. Kirby's Dream Buffet looks like it's bringing that same sense of competition we've come to know from games like Mario Party and Mario Kart, and putting it smack bang in the middle of a fantastic Kirby setting.

Racing isn't all there is to this new game though, as Kirby's Dream Buffet actually has a final big battle for players at the end of each course. We're not really sure how this final battle will function in a game seemingly dedicated to racing each other, but we do know that you'll need to collect as many strawberries as you can to become as big as possible before the final showdown. Kirby's Dream Buffet certainly looks like a fun little project to keep an eye on later this year.

Check out our upcoming Switch games guide for a full look over all the other games coming to Nintendo's console over the remainder of the year. 

Footage of a cancelled Kirby project has been uncovered, showing what the series could have looked like on GameCube.

Nintendo’s beloved mascot Kirby has had many adventures, but sadly, not on GameCube. The company had initially planned for Kirby to have a bigger presence on the platform, but sadly this never happened. The pink puffball starred in the 2003 racer Kirby Air Ride but didn’t get a fully-fledged platformer during the console’s lifespan. 

Announced back in 2004, the ill-fated project, simply referred to as Kirby for Nintendo GameCube, began development way back in 2000. It was planned to launch shortly after Kirby Air Ride but ultimately ended up getting cancelled. Now new footage of Kirby’s lost GameCube adventure has resurfaced, giving us a glimpse of what might have been. 

Twitter user ObscureKirby posted a brief gameplay video that was uploaded to YouTube by Foulowe59. The video, lasting only 9 seconds, isn’t the best quality, but you can just about make out Kirby battling enemies and using power-ups in what looks like a mix of 2.5D and 3D levels.

Thankfully, Kirby’s latest adventure on Nintendo Switch did manage to see the light of day and has been quite a hit. In her Kirby and the Forgotten Land review, Heather Wald describes the game as “a delight from start to finish”.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is just one of many great switch games you can play right now, check out our guide to the best Switch games for all the other gaming greats that the console has to offer. 

Nintendo has confirmed that a patch for Kirby 64's "game-breaking" bug on Nintendo Switch is slated to roll out "early next week".

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is the latest game to have been added to the growing library of classic titles currently available to subscribers of Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass. But less than 24 hours after its release, multiple players began reporting issues with the emulated platformer, stating that in some underwater sections, Kirby could be stun-locked so badly that players had to reset the game and try to get through untouched in order to progress.

Nintendo has now acknowledged the issue, confirmed that a bug "can prevent players from progressing under a certain condition", and apologized for the inconvenience.

"A bug has been found in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards for Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online that can prevent players from progressing under a certain condition," the company said via a tweet yesterday. "A patch will be released early next week to fix this. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Until the patch is available, affected players are advised to quit the level and keep trying until they get through the level without taking damage. 

GamesRadar+ awarded Kirby and the Forgotten Land an impressive 4.5 stars out of 5, saying: "The way Kirby and the Forgotten Land builds on the traditions of the series really makes it feel like we've entered into a new era for the pink puffball. The bigger, more open 3D setting full of challenges and inventive features makes this an unmissable adventure for long-time fans. And for newcomers, I can't think of a better introduction. 

"There's just no holding back my excitement about what the future may hold for the series going forward. Kirby and the Forgotten Land truly is a delight from start to finish."

Don't know much about Kirby? Created by Masahiro Sakurai when he was just 19 years old, Kirby is one of Nintendo's most popular characters. While many assumed that Kirby was a Mario-esque ghost due to the box art on the western release of Kirby's Dream Land, Sakurai always intended his lovable hero to be pink. 

Here's our ultimate guide to 30 years of Kirby games.

If you're having trouble getting through the underwater levels in Kirby 64, don't panic - it's not just you. According to a new post on the Nintendo Switch subreddit, it looks like a "game-breaking bug" is preventing some players from advancing through the game.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is the very latest game to have been added to the growing library of classic titles currently available to subscribers of Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass. 

But less than 24 hours after its release, multiple players are reporting issues with the emulated platformer, stating that if you happen to get hit by "certain damage sources" underwater, you'll get stun-locked so badly, you'll have to reset the game.

"Kirby 64 has a game breaking bug in under water levels on NSO," Keyblademasternadroj said on Reddit. "Getting hit by certain damage sources under water causes you to enter hit stun forever, and you need to quit the level to fix it. I don't remember this happening on original hardware."

To exemplify, they also added a video that shows what happens - take a look below:

kirby_64_has_a_game_breaking_bug_in_under_water from r/NintendoSwitch

The OP believes the only thing affected players can do is quit the level and keep trying until they get through the level without taking damage. At the time of writing, Nintendo has yet to respond to the bug, and as it doesn't seem to be an issue that was present in the 20-year-old original game, it looks like a patch to the Switch version of the game may be necessary. For now, though, take your time and just try not to get hit!

GamesRadar+ awarded Kirby and the Forgotten Land review an impressive 4.5 stars out of 5, saying: "The way Kirby and the Forgotten builds on the traditions of the series really makes it feel like we've entered into a new era for the pink puffball. The bigger, more open 3D setting full of challenges and inventive features makes this an unmissable adventure for long-time fans. And for newcomers, I can't think of a better introduction. 

"There's just no holding back my excitement about what the future may hold for the series going forward. Kirby and the Forgotten Land truly is a delight from start to finish."

Don't know much about Kirby? Created by Masahiro Sakurai when he was just 19 years old, Kirby is one of Nintendo's most popular characters. While many assumed that Kirby was a Mario-esque ghost due to the box art on the western release of Kirby's Dream Land, Sakurai always intended his lovable hero to be pink. 

Here's our ultimate guide to 30 years of Kirby games. 

Created by Masahiro Sakurai when he was just 19 years old, Kirby is one of Nintendo's most popular characters. While many assumed that Kirby was a ghost due to the box art on the western release of Kirby's Dream Land, Sakurai always intended his lovable hero to be pink (Miyamoto's first choice of yellow eventually became the second player default color in the few multiplayer Kirby games that are available). 

With his games mainly developed by HAL Laboratory, Kirby has never really been a top-tier draw for Nintendo in comparison to the likes of Mario and The Legend of Zelda, but the pink puffball has arguably appeared in some genuinely innovative and creative games over the last 30 years. Over time, Kirby even became a key member of the Super Smash Bros. series in the process. Below, we've put together a guide to the best-known games in the Kirby series to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the pink, inhaling hero.  

Kirby's Dream Land

Platform: Game Boy
Year: 1992

Masahiro Sakurai's first Kirby game wasn't just a highly enjoyable Game Boy release – it also introduced many of the tropes that would go on to define the series. Kirby's ability to inhale enemies instantly made him stand apart from other video game characters, while his ability to fly made it much easier to navigate the stages. Dream Land also introduced the concept of Warp Stars, recurring bosses like Whispy Woods and King Dedede (Kirby's equivalent of Bowser) and the charming dance he performs at the end of each stage.  While relatively easy (flying lets you bypass many of the game's hazards) it is possible to unlock a harder difficulty, which makes things a little more challenging. 

Kirby's Adventure

Platform: NES
Year: 1993

Additional mechanics were introduced into Kirby's second game, many of which are still used today. Sakurai's lovable pink blob now had the ability to dash; he could pull off a handy slide attack and, perhaps most importantly, could now copy the abilities of certain enemies that he inhaled. This last mechanic dramatically changed the gameplay, making some areas of the game harder or easier depending on what you had equipped and allowed Kirby to do everything from use a sword to breathe fire. In addition to featuring numerous fun minigames and a large number of levels to plough through, Kirby's Adventure is also notable for introducing Meta Knight, an antihero who regularly pops up throughout the series. There's no denying it's a hell of a lot of fun to play. 

Kirby's Pinball Land

Platform: Game Boy
Year: 1993

Kirby's first spin-off is an excellent pinball game that still plays brilliantly today. There are three tables controlled by three classic Kirby bosses and each and every one of them is exceptionally well designed. It effortlessly incorporates classic Kirby tropes into the standard pinball gameplay and proved the versatility of HAL Laboratory's incredibly cute mascot.

Kirby's Dream Course

Platform: SNES
Year: 1994

Kirby's first SNES game wasn't the best of starts for the cute fella. Conceptually the idea behind Dream Course is sound - a rather colourful take on crazy golf. While the execution is somewhat lacking, there's no denying that it's a very charming take on the sport. The player's aim is to defeat every on-screen enemy, which in turn will turn the last into a hole through which Kirby can escape. As a result, Dream Course offers a surprising amount of strategy because there are numerous ways to approach each stage. It's a pity, then, that it's let down by finicking gameplay. Still, it's certainly an interesting curio among the line-up of Kirby games.

Kirby's Avalanche

Platform: SNES
Year: 1995

Also known as Kirby's Ghost Trap in Europe, Kirby's Avalanche is nothing more than a sneaky reskin of Puyo Puyo with a trash-talking version of Kirby. As with other versions of Puyo Puyo, the aim is to line up Puyos to connect four or more of the same colour. Your goal is to hopefully stack the little creatures in such a way that they will trigger additional chains that will send boulders across to your opponent on the other side of the screen. It's an amazing game, particularly when played competitively. 

Kirby's Dream Land 2

Platform: Game Boy
Year: 1995

Clearly feeling that its franchise wasn't saccharinely cute enough, HAL Laboratory added an extra dollop of sweetness in the form of three animal helpers that would aid Kirby as he navigated Dream Land. Rick the hamster, Coo the owl, and Kine the fish are not only delightful to look at, but also augment Kirby's copy abilities in a number of useful ways. Like many Game Boy games at the time, it was due a DX upgrade to the Game Boy Color, but was eventually cancelled. 

Kirby's Block Ball

Platform: Game Boy
Year: 1995

Created in collaboration with Nintendo Research & Development 1, Kirby's Block Ball is a refreshing take on Breakout that should make every Game Boy owner forget the risible Alleyway that helped launch the system. Each single stage screen not only features a number of increasingly complex block configurations, but also adds numerous mechanics that capture the spirit of Kirby. Unique power-ups let Kirby interact with otherwise indestructible blocks, while there's a wealth of minigames and secrets to discover. It even features some entertaining boss encounters. 

Kirby's Toy Box

Platform: Super Famicom Satellaview
Year: 1995

 Kirby games don't really tend to get more obscure than this little oddity. Not only was it confined to Japan, but it was exclusively available on Nintendo's Satellaview system, the company's first available download service. There are eight games in total: Baseball, Pinball, Balls Round And Round, Star Break, Arranging Balls, Cannonball, Bally Rally, Pachinko and they all revolve around very limited activities, from guiding Kirby through an obstacle course to an interesting take on Scorched Earth and Worms. They're quite simplistic-looking for Super Famicom releases, but that's to be expected considering the archaic download infrastructure that was in place at the time. They're also incredibly hard to find now as they could only be downloaded during specific broadcast times.

Kirby Super Star

Platform: SNES
Year: 1996

Also known as Kirby's Fun Pak, this delightful collection of eight minigames is widely regarded to be one of the franchise's best games. The charming collection includes an aesthetically improved (but smaller) version of Dream Land called Spring Breeze as well as the excellent Gourmet Race, which pits you in a frantic food collecting dash against King Dedede. It's also notable for introducing Helpers (which can be controlled by the AI or a second player) and adding hats for Kirby that better highlight his current copy ability.

Kirby Star Stacker

Platform: Game Boy
Year: 1997

The aim of this entertaining puzzler is to clear a set number of stars by sandwiching them between two matching blocks (based on Kirby's animal friends from Dream Land 2). Star Stacker features four distinct modes. Round Clear is the base game spread across several difficulty levels, VS lets you play against another player off a single cartridge, Challenge is effectively an endless mode, while Time Attack gives you three minutes to clear as many stars as possible. 

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Platform: SNES
Year: 1997

Released after the launch of the N64, many gamers missed out on the third Dream Land game. While it forgoes many of the mechanics that were introduced in Kirby's Fun Pack, it does add several new animal friends that aid Kirby in his quest, including Nago the cat and ChuChu the octopus. It's also aesthetically different from all the other Kirby games thanks to slick pastel-like aesthetics and crayon-drawn backgrounds. Sadly the fantastic style compromises the gameplay as it features large amounts of slowdown.

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

Platform: N64
Year: 2000 

Where Mario and Zelda broke exciting new ground on the N64, Kirby was simply content to appear in a capable platformer. The biggest change to the gameplay is that Kirby can now inhale two copy abilities and combine them to create even more powerful attacks. The downside though is that the pink blob is no longer able to fly for indefinite amounts of time. Still, it's yet another charming adventure with some memorable combos - like the one that transform Kirby into a fridge - and new characters. 

Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble

Platform: Game Boy Color
Year: 2001

This is probably one of the most experimental and innovative games in Kirby's repertoire. Released in a clear pink translucent casing, accelerometers are used to roll Kirby around the cleverly designed courses searching for stars, while avoiding holes, bumpers and other annoying hazards. Jerking the Game Boy Color will launch Kirby in the air, transforming enemies into stars, clocks or pep brews, depending on how many times the player uses the move. There are also mini shoot-'em-up stages where Kirby flies and takes down UFOs. A planned sequel for the GameCube that would use the GBA as a controller was eventually cancelled. 

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Platform: Game Boy Advance
Year: 2002

This enchanting-looking GBA release is essentially an enhanced update of the original Kirby adventure on the NES. It replaces the original sub games with new ones, lowers the difficulty of the game, introduces hats for many of Kirby's copy abilities and changes how some of the copy abilities work. While the level design and enemy layout is mostly intact, small tweaks have been made in certain sections. Completing Extra mode allows you to play as Meta Knight, who only has three energy bars, relies on a sword instead of copy abilities, and cannot save at any time. 

Kirby Air Ride

Platform: GameCube
Year: 2003

This spin-off is one of the most divisive games in Kirby's library due to its seemingly simplistic control system. Sharing similarities with the sub-game Kirby Grind from Nightmare In Dream Land, the aim is to race through the colorful locations of Dream Land as quickly as possible. Braking, charging your boost bar, and inhaling nearby enemies is all handled by the A button, while the analogue stick is used to steer. Mastering boosting does take a while to get to grips with, but once it clicks, Air Ride proves itself to be a surprisingly complex little racing game that offers plenty of replay value. In total there are three modes to choose from: Air Ride, which is basic racing, Top Ride, which is viewed from above and utilises far smaller tracks, and City Trial, which is a highly impressive campaign mode with lots of secrets to discover.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

Platform: Game Boy Advance
Year: 2004

While it retains the platform elements of earlier games, the last GBA Kirby title riffs heavily off the Metroidvania template and is far less linear than other releases in the series. It also greatly spices things up by introducing three Kirby helpers that our hero can call on his mobile. The companions offer support as the pink puffball searches for the eight mirror fragments that should restore order to his world. 

Kirby Canvas Curse

Kirby's first DS adventure is unlike any that came before it. Also known as Kirby Kirby: Power Paintbrush or Touch! Kirby, the player uses the stylus to draw lines for Kirby to travel across, change his direction, and stun enemies by touching them. Additionally, touching Kirby causes him to dash forward (destroying any stunned enemies he hits) or activate any copy abilities he might currently have. The unique way of controlling the stylus offered something fresh for the pink puffball. And the fun sub-games also make extensive use of the stylus in inventive ways. 

Kirby: Squeak Squad

Platform: Nintendo DS
Year: 2006

After the creativity of Touch! Kirby, the pink puffball's second DS adventure is a far more standard affair. Also known as Kirby: Mouse Attack in Europe, the game pits Kirby against the Squeak Squad with the goal of retrieving a large number of treasure chests - which typically house keys to secret levels and worlds. One new addition to the series is that Kirby can inhale items encased in bubbles and store them in his stomach, which can then be combined to create more powerful items. 

Kirby's Epic Yarn

Platform: Wii
Year: 2010

Created by Good Feel, this remains one of the best-looking games on the Wii thanks to its distinctive yarn-based aesthetic. It's also one of the most interesting Kirby games as the little tyke can no longer inhale enemies or fly. Instead, he relies on a trusty whip that can unravel enemies and the ability to transform into several different forms, including a top, parachute, train and rocket. Constantly inventive and with a fun two-player mode, Kirby's first Wii adventure is as memorable as it is charming. The yarn version of pink puffball also found it's way on the 3DS in 2019 with Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn, which included additional features and modes. 

Kirby Mass Attack

Platform: Nintendo DS
Year: 2011

This is another innovative Kirby game that makes exceptional use of the DS stylus and has you controlling a small army of ten Kirbys. You can fling them about the screen to attack enemies, solve puzzles, and generally cause all sorts of mayhem. Boss encounters are well executed and require clever tactics to destroy them, while the presentation and visuals are some of the best the series has seen. It's wonderfully approachable too, and you'll soon be flinging your cute army about with wild abandonment.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land

Platform: Wii
Year: 2011

Kirby's final Wii adventure (which is also known as Kirby's Adventure Wii) is as conventional as they come, but still manages to be an excellent outing for Nintendo's pink mascot and even introduces four-player multiplayer. In addition to bringing in four new copy abilities, Kirby can also access insanely powerful Super Abilities that can take out multiple enemies. Kirby can also use a Super Inhale power to suck up many enemies and objects at once.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Platform: Nintendo DS
Year: 2014

New copy abilities and the power to jump between two planes are the main mechanics that separate Triple Deluxe from earlier Kirby games. The pink puffball can also become Hypernova Kirby by eating a miracle fruit that enables him to suck up gigantic objects like trees to solve puzzles or defeat large numbers of enemies. Interestingly, Triple Deluxe's minigames, Dedede's Drum Dash and Kirby Fighters, proved popular enough to receive standalone upgraded download releases on Nintendo's eShop. 

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

Platform: Wii U
Year: 2015

Not unlike Canvas Curse, the pink hero's only Wii U release allows you to set pathways for Kirby to move across with the stylus touch controls. What really makes Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (also known as Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush) really stand out is it's delightful claymation style, which brings Kirby to life in a way you can't help but be charmed by. There's no denying that it's a stunning-looking game thanks to its distinctive aesthetic, which continues to hold up on the less popular platform. 

Kirby Planet Robobot

Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Year: 2016

The last big adventure for Kirby on 3DS is also arguably one of the inhaling hero's best games. In addition to adding several new copy abilities, Kirby can now commandeer gigantic mechs, which greatly change the gameplay and make it tremendously fun to play. The design of each level also makes the most of the 3D element of the 3DS by playing around with the depth of field to put Kirby in the background and foreground of every stage. Like Triple Deluxe, its minigames - Kirby Team Clash and Kirby's Blowout Blast - have also become standalone releases.  

Kirby Star Allies

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Year: 2018

Kirby Star Allies brought the pink puffball to the Switch for a delightful little offering for up to four players. In this colorful adventure that delivers the series' signature platforming action, Kirby gains the power to spread love which allows him to recruit allies with various powers to help you during each stage. If you're playing solo, they're controlled by AI, but you can also play with pals locally. A selection of familiar characters from the Kirby series were also added after release that can be summoned to join you. While it didn't stay too far from the classic Kirby experience, it's one very adorable entry - Kirby even kisses accompanying allies to heal them.  

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Year: 2022

Kirby's latest adventure on the Switch took the pink hero to new heights. Set in a mysterious setting full of the decaying ruins of a past civilization, Forgotten Land is one very beautiful game, packed with creative stages that are an absolute treat to venture into. What really sets it apart, though, is the amount of freedom you have within the levels. For the first time, you're no longer confined to the side-scrolling format we've come to now, with more open stages than ever before. Along with a host of memorable additions such as the wonderfully weird Mouthful Mode, upgradable copy abilities, and Waddle Dee Town, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is one of the very best games in the series to date. 

More Kirby games to try

• Kirby's Star Stacker, 1997, Super Famicom 
• Kirby Slide, 2003, Game Boy Advance e-Reader 
• Kirby Super Star Ultra, 2008, Nintendo DS 
• 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure, 2011, Nintendo 3DS 
• Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition, 2012, Wii 
• Kirby Fighter's Deluxe, 2014, Nintendo 3DS 
• Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe, 2014, Nintendo 3DS 
• Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, 2017, Nintendo 3DS 
• Kirby's Blowout Blast, 2017, Nintendo 3DS

Want to know which adventures make it into our top 10? Here's our pick of the best Kirby games.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land may be cute, but it turns out it's even more adorable when stripped down into a Game Boy demake.

The Game Boy Demakes Twitter account shared an impressive display of pixel art, showcasing a selection of mock screenshots including everyone's pink puffball from his latest game. 

The pixelized fake Game Boy screens feature a fun little title screen, an introduction for Waddle Dee Town, Kirby serving up goodies to those in Waddle Dee Town, and another with Kirby in combat. It's all very familiar, especially if you've played the classic Kirby titles on the original Game Boy. 

There's even a few screens depicting everyone's favorite "Carby", where Kirby inhales a car to be able to control it. These eight shots do a lot to convince you that you're really looking at a new, official Kirby Game Boy title. We could use a new handheld Kirby's Dreamland, after all. 

If you like what you're seeing, you can view all of these images on an actual Game Boy.  You won't be able to play the game, but Game Boy Demakes has made the rom file available for you to view the artwork on your old handheld, if you happen to have one handy. You can see it for yourself in the snippet below.

Looks like the next step now is completing the project...in our dreams. Still, a new pixel-tastic Kirby would excite plenty of fans. Here's hoping someday we get to revisit that time in the Kirby series. For now, feast your eyes upon this gorgeous fanart.

Haven't seen the new Kirby game yet? Be sure to check out our full Kirby and the Forgotten Land review. 

When the mysterious world of Kirby and the Forgotten Land first opened up to me, a poster stopped me in my tracks. A torn, weathered piece of paper decorated the side of a building overgrown with greenery. While it was missing its bottom half, the top of the poster immediately drew my eye. Some strange text sat on the page, with symbols that looked entirely alien to me… yet at the same time, somehow familiar. 

Having only just arrived in the opening stage, I'd barely seen much of the setting at all at this point, but this small detail sent my mind reeling. What did the text mean? How long has it been on this building? And, more importantly, who put it here? I had to move on, but I couldn't stop fixating on the strange language and the mystery surrounding the setting. Happily, as I would learn shortly after, there was a way for me to decipher and understand these symbols, and doing so became something of an obsession during my time with Kirby and the Forgotten Land.  

Welcome to a new world 

I was welcomed to this new world with a song in the opening cinematic. As adorable as it was to see Kirby drive through the streets of the city using his new found Mouthful Mode skill, the lyrics are what held my attention. The very same otherworldly text on the poster accompanied the English words, and everything clicked into place. The symbols weren't too far off in resemblance to English letters. In fact, they look a little like slightly skewed versions that have been flipped upside down. As the cinematic unfolded before me and I soaked in every word, it dawned on me that this could be the Kirby equivalent of the Rosetta stone. With screenshots and a recording of the cinematic, I rushed back to the poster to find out what it said for myself. 

By sketching out the symbols from the poster, I compared each one to the lyrics shown during the cinematic sequence to find a match. Once I found a pair, I could then translate them into the corresponding English letter. I felt like Sherlock Holmes or some other great detective cracking a secret code in a case of my own making. Now, I know I'm not the first to make such a discovery by any means, but I wish I could have somehow bottled the elation that washed over me during that eureka moment. Each time I figured out a letter, my excitement grew. It was as though this poster held the key to unlocking more about the world. 

The second word on the poster was the first one to come together: Corp. Who would have thought the discovery of the word Corp could be so thrilling? When I pieced the first word, I had a name for a corporation – Holine. The poster transformed from a decorative mystery to a feature that actually told me something – however small – about this place. My efforts also led me to finding answers to a few of those questions that sprang to mind the first time I saw the poster. In the world of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, a corporation by the name of Holine Corp must have put up what could have been advertisements in this now abandoned city. But what did they do or make? And how could I possibly find that out? 

Learning from the little things  

One of the great joys of Kirby and the Forgotten Land is that it doesn't directly tell you about the world. Instead, you can make discoveries of your own by soaking in the details of the stages, or taking the time to read the descriptions of the collectible Kirby figures. When I randomly got my hands on a figure of the car shop sign, I audibly gasped. There in the description, it told me about the Holine Corp - right down to the slogan of the company: "If it's quality, it's Holine!" 

The figure told me that the company sold industrial parts, managed construction, and "made all kinds of stuff." So, the poster featured the logo for a company that was responsible for building streets and amusement park rides, which means I was seeing traces of their handiwork all over. It's amazing to think that this small detail, which caught my eye at the outset of the game, snowballed into a larger story about the construction of the world – it's a testament to the level of care and detail that developer HAL Laboratory has sunk into Kirby and the Forgotten Land, particularly for those willing to scratch beneath the surface of the world. 

It's fair to say that the world of Kirby and the Forgotten Land utterly fascinates me. Its many stages take you through abandoned roads and cityscapes that have now been reclaimed by nature. All of the buildings have weathered over time, and other locations no longer serve the function they once had. A metro station you go to, for example, has now frozen over, and an empty shopping mall no longer has any customers to serve - if you don't count the Awoofys. Everything that remains speaks to the now-lost civilization, and I can't help but wonder what each location once looked like. 

Nothing has immersed me in this setting quite like the "new written language" HAL Laboratory created. I love the way that it looks alien at first glance (since you're playing as Kirby), but if you look closer, it becomes clear that this place has more in common with the world I know than I first thought. Every time I see a sign or come across a feature with that text, I just know I won't be able to resist referring back to that opening sequence to settle in for some good deciphering. After all, who knows what other mysteries are out there, just waiting to be found, in Kirby and the Forgotten Land. 

Stay on top of the latest releases on the horizon with our round-up of the most exciting upcoming Switch games. 

Kirby's next outing after The Forgotten Land might not be 3D.

When asked by The Washington Post if Kirby would remain 3D going forward after the latest game in the franchise, HAL director Shinya Kumazaki stayed mum on the possibility. "It doesn't necessarily mean this will be the standard going forward," said Kumazaki, adding that The Forgotten Land certainly was a "fresh new look" for the Kirby series.

"We hope to go beyond what is currently imaginable and challenge ourselves to create new and innovative Kirby games," Kumazaki added. Additionally, the director added that the 3D nature of Kirby and the Forgotten Land makes it an "important milestone in the long history of the series."

The Forgotten Land associate producer Kei Ninomiya added that "I feel that what we achieved in this game has opened up more possibilities for future Kirby titles. We hope to continue this momentum and explore new genres and new ways to play in the future."

Right now, it certainly doesn't sound as though Nintendo and development studio HAL have a plan set in stone for the future of Kirby. Then again, it had been four years since the last main Kirby game prior to The Forgotten Land launching last week, so it could well be a fair few years before we see the next Kirby game on the Nintendo Switch, if a new Kirby game even launch in the console's lifespan at all.

Check out our full upcoming Switch games guide for a complete look over all the other titles coming to Nintendo's console this year.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land uses several clever tricks to help you land hits and jumps even when you're technically a little off, kind of like aim assist but for a platformer.

Nintendo shared a few clips of these helping hands in action in its most recent Ask the Developer article. One of developer HAL Laboratory's greatest workarounds uses positional hit detection to ensure that even if an attack wouldn't actually connect, if it looks to the player like it would, the game will give them the hit. This tweet from Gosokkyu shows the effect in-game: 

"The game accounts for the player's perspective by tracking the positions of Kirby and the camera," explains HAL's Tatsuya Kamiyama. "It then maps out a range in which attacks may appear to land. If an attack is within that range, the attack will hit. By doing so, even people who are not so good at 3D action games can attack enemies without any stress."

This is functionally similar to the aim assist used in countless shooters – both features give players some wiggle room in whether their attacks are successful – but the tech behind it seems much more sophisticated. Kirby and the Forgotten Land's positional detection was purpose-made to ensure that the pink protagonist's jump to 3D went as smoothly as possible.

In a similar vein, Kirby's jumps are supported by a "fuzzy landing" system which makes jumping after landing more consistent. Because some high or top-down camera angles can obscure Kirby's distance from the ground, early Forgotten Land playtesters would occasionally end up jumping a little early as they descended, floating in mid-air instead of launching into a new jump as intended. This landing system was implemented to give jumps a bit of a grace period: if you press jump when you're close to the ground, the game will treat that jump as if Kirby's already fully landed.

The invisible sticky platforms often used to make the ledges of 2D platformers feel more forgiving are a relatively close comparison here, but again, the three-dimensional implications of this tech are fascinating. As some Kirby fans have pointed out, tricks like these leave the door open for speedrun masterminds to go ham by using these systems to shave off precious seconds. 

In the same interview, Kirby and the Forgotten Land's designers explained that they sometimes held back on the enemy quantity to protect "poor Kirby." 

These Kirby and the Forgotten tips are here to help you save as many Waddle Dees as possible. Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes you to a mysterious 3D world made up of connected areas, with multiple stages you'll need to complete to progress. Just like Kirby games past, there are also many hidden secrets for the pink puffball to discover, so it's worth knowing what to look out for and how you can make the most of Forgotten Land's features before you set off. Read on below to find eight Kirby and the Forgotten Land tips that will help you become the savior of the Waddle Dees and conquer the Beast Pack. 

There are some light spoilers below relating to some of the facilities you can unlock in Waddle Dee town. 

1. Interact with everything and watch out for hidden pathways  

In order to save all of the Waddle Dees in each stage, you'll need to complete a set amount of side missions. When you begin a level these additional objectives will be hidden to you, so exploration is key. Look in every nook and cranny and interact with any item or decoration on a level before you reach its end. You can often stumble upon these secret missions naturally as you progress, but some are harder to find than others. Watch out for notable features on walls, for instance, or any item that stands out - be it because of what it is or where it's located. 

Even if you have full health, it's still always worth collecting any food items you see in case they're tied to the missions. Many of the levels will also have hidden pathways and doors that will lead you to more captured Waddle Dees. When you're in a location, keep an eye out for structures or parts of the terrain that could disguise a path or any kind of breakable surface. 

2. Look out for sparkling transparent spots that lead to secrets

Throughout each stage, you can come across sparkling spots tucked away that can be easy to miss. While some are more obvious than others, many are often elevated or located in corners. These spots can hide a variety of features, such as triggering a trial of money that can sometimes even lead you to a secret part of the level, or an item that may be tied to a mission. It's always worth taking the time to reach these spots, since you never quite know what they'll be hiding.

 3. Check in with Wise Waddle Dee frequently 

After you rescue a certain number of Waddle Dees, Wise Waddle Dee will come to the town. Complete with little glasses and a mortar board, the wise one sitting on a bench just outside of the World map star is hard to miss. In Kirby and the Forgotten Land, you can upgrade Kirby's copy abilities to make them more powerful using blueprints. Some of these blueprints are missable in the stages, and that's why it can be particularly useful to speak to Wise Waddle Dee often. 

The knowledgeable fellow will let you know if a blueprint has yet to be found in a stage you've cleared, and will even offer a helpful hint about where you can find it within the level itself. Wise Waddle Dee really does live up to his name by also keeping track of your minigame scores and informing you of useful features, so be sure to say hello in between your platforming adventures. 

4. Elfilin can reveal hidden codes around Waddle Dee Town 

Just like the stages, it's also worth taking a bit of time to explore Waddle Dee Town every now and then. As you begin to unlock more facilities depending on the amount of Waddle Dees you've saved, a Dee-liveries post office-style building will open up. Here, you can enter password codes to get some extra goodies, and as the little Waddle Dee worker on the front desk will tell you, some of these are hidden in the town. As you run around (waving to the locals), keep an eye on your companion Elfilin - they'll often alert you to a point of interest by staying in a spot with a speech bubble above their head. Elfilin may just point out something interesting, but they can also reveal a code. 

5. Use the copy abilities near Boss Fights to complete side objectives 

When you come to face a boss in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, a selection of copy abilities will be available to adopt just before the battle begins. While you're free to use any copy abilities you've unlocked thanks to the weapons shop in town, it can sometimes pay off to use one of the powers just outside of the boss' arena. Since all of the boss fights also have secret missions attached to them just like the stages, the copy abilities found nearby can more often than not be associated with them. So, you're more likely to complete a side objective as you best a big Beast Pack boss if you use the abilities nearby. 

6. Explore the world map in-between stages to find more Treasure Road challenges 

The world map in Kirby and the Forgotten Land is essentially a hub area. On the map, you can go from one stage to the next, or begin Treasure Road challenges on the back of Kirby's star. In between stages, be sure to take some time to whizz around and explore the areas surrounding the levels. As you do, look out for search points hidden across the map - you'll know you've found one when a little search button appears at the bottom of the screen. Searching these spots can reveal the location of more Treasure Road challenges to take on. This is especially helpful since Treasure Road challenges bag you Rare Stones that can be used for copy ability upgrades. You may also find some bonus money, so it certainly pays off. 

7. Make the most of Waddle Dee Town to prepare for levels 

Throughout the adventure, you'll continually unlock more facilities in Waddle Dee Town.  While you'll automatically go back to the town at certain times, frequently returning is a great way to make the most of the features it offers you. Kirby's house, for example, has a bed where you can snooze to heal before you start another stage. Eventually, you'll also be able to purchase items for health and buffs from the local shop, and food from the café which can be used to restore health during stages. You can only carry one item at any one time into a level, but if you're taking on a boss, it can be especially useful to pop back to town and stock up. 

8. Frequently change up your copy abilities and look out for ways to use them  

One of the joys of Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the freedom it affords you to play around with the copy abilities. Throughout the many stages, you'll encounter various abilities that can be adopted by inhaling foes. It's good to pay attention to what enemies are in each stage since there's often the chance that you'll encounter a blocked path or obstacle that requires their particular power in order to get through it. 

From ice blocks that require fire to targets that make use of the Ranger power, many abilities are used to open up the way to freeing more Waddle Dees. If you defeat all of the foes without taking their power, you may miss the chance to get past an obstacle so it pays to change them up. Of course, you can always pop by Waddle Dee's Weapon shop back in town afterwards and return to a stage with the specific copy ability you need.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land was originally an easier game because the developers wanted to protect the plucky pink hero.

In a new developer interview, Nintendo's Kei Ninomiya revealed that his team had repeatedly suggested adding more baddies to various sections of Kirby's latest outing. Even though it was developed for a general audience that would inevitably include kids and inexperienced folks, Nintendo insisted on giving Kirby a greater challenge, but the developers at HAL Laboratory continually resisted as they didn't want to overwhelm the little fella.

"We kept suggesting that HAL Laboratory increase the number and placement of enemies, but new stages would still arrive with noticeable gaps in terms of enemy encounters," said Ninomiya. "I made a point to ask them directly, 'Why aren't the stages more densely populated?'

"Their response was that it wouldn't be fair to poor Kirby to surround him with an overwhelming number of opponents!"

Devs from HAL Laboratory, who were also taking part in the interview, corroborated the story. "They weren't joking! Everyone on our development staff really loves Kirby, so no one wanted to torment him with an unfair situation," said general director Shinya Kumazaki, adding that the developers also considered "people who aren't skilled at 3D platformers."

Ultimately, it sounds like Nintendo and HAL Laboratory settled on an agreeable compromise. Ninomiya went on to say that Nintendo continued to fight for a tougher Kirby game, and eventually the two companies "bridged the gap with one another."

Our 4.5/5-star Kirby and the Forgotten Land review calls it "an unmissable adventure for long-time fans" and the perfect intro to the series for newcomers.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land surprised me more times than I can count, and I mean that in the best sense. From the wonderfully weird Mouthful Mode that brings new dimension to the platforming, to the more open areas with so much to discover and see, it's hard not to think about just how far the loveable pink puffball has come. The platforming might not be quite as open comparatively to something like, say, Super Mario Odyssey, but it's still such a big leap forward for a series that has never really strayed away from the side-scrolling format. 

The mysterious 3D world looks fantastic, too, and it's a joy to soak in all the sights as I make my way from one area to the next. With its many creative levels that pop with color and vibrancy to the copy ability upgrades and features in Waddle Dee Town, practically everything feels like it's there to put a smile on your face. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is such a ray of sunshine, and the best praise I can give it is that it's far exceeded my expectations as a longtime fan of Kirby. 

To the rescue  

Kirby and the Forgotten Land still has all the classic ingredients of Kirby games past. The pink hero's copy abilities, for example, are a core part of the adventure, and there's a world map hub where you go from one area to the next. But even the most familiar features have been expanded upon in some way. The world itself is pretty sizable, with it being split up into various connected areas with several different stages in each location. Of course, the biggest difference is just how open each level is. 

While there's still some linearity to it, you're free to explore as you wish to discover all of the many secrets tucked away. Each and every level also feels distinctly different, with creative and inventive designs that make the most of Kirby's first proper jump into the realm of 3D. From a fairground with colorful rides to an abandoned, frozen metro station and a water-filled stage with sandy beaches, Forgotten Land takes you to a setting you'll want to be in and discover for yourself. 

The general gist of Kirby's adventure revolves around saving Waddle Dees who have been captured by the Beast Pack, the main antagonists of Forgotten Land. Joined by an adorable companion known as Elfilin who accompanies you as a guide, you set about clearing each stage in an area. While you'll rescue Waddle Dees by completing a level, every stage also has a set amount of side missions to accomplish to save more. Since these missions are initially hidden, I find that they encourage me to take the time to really appreciate each stage and search every inch. All of the objectives show off the creativity of the levels and make the most of the different locations.  There's definitely an additional challenge in working out what the side objectives are - I can't resist jumping right back into a stage if I miss any the first time around. 

The levels get progressively more challenging throughout, with you facing various enemies and obstacles with your copy abilities. Kirby has everything from the classic elemental powers such as Ice and Fire to the newly introduced Ranger power that lets you fire a little star-powered gun. But when it comes to Kirby's skillset, Mouthful Mode is undoubtedly one of the best additions in Kirby and the Forgotten Land. I don't know how many times I found myself joyfully yelling in sheer disbelief when a new mouthful moment came along. I've become a lightbulb, a cone, a vending machine, and even a very large water-filled balloon, and each one is put to use in different ways to progress. Mouthful Mode really does bring some added flavor and excitement to the platforming, and I never tire of using it. 

Battling the Beast bosses  

Outside of the main stages, each area on the world map features side Treasure Road activities that challenge you to use Kirby's copy abilities and the Mouthful Mode skills to complete timed trails. Each one has a difficulty star rating and some can be particularly tricky, but they're a great way of showcasing what you can do with Kirby's repertoire. But as the antagonists of the adventure, the beast pack bosses present Kirby with his biggest challenge. 

Throughout the levels, you'll occasionally come across mini-bosses with different powers that you'll have to take on in a cordoned-off area before you can progress.  Once you've completed all of the stages in an area, you'll then face one of the Beast Pack bosses. Each one has different attack patterns which will change up as their health depletes, but the challenge of these battles doesn't begin and end with beating them. Just like the other stages, there are hidden missions attached to these fights that present you with additional challenges to save more Waddle Dees. It's up to you to discover what they are as you fight them, and it once again makes you want to dive right back in and take them on again. 

The boss fights can be quite the spectacle, with all of them towering over the little puffball in their own uniquely designed arena. If you do find one particularly challenging, there are handily two different difficulty settings in Kirby and the Forgotten Land that you can change up at any time. Overall, these fights are always fun to take on, and it gives you the chance to experiment with the copy abilities and make the most of the upgrades you discover to best them.

If you want someone to lend a hand, a pal can also join you to take on the stages in local co-op mode. One player takes control of Kirby, while the other plays as the pink hero's good friend, Bandana Waddle Dee. Having the option for co-op is certainly welcome, but with the introduction of Mouthful Mode, there are times when Bandana Waddle Dee will just have to wait it out while Kirby uses this new skill to clear a path or navigate through a section. Since Kirby has a variety of different powers to play around with, it can often feel like the second player is just along for the ride without having any special abilities. Having said that, I can see how this would work well for younger players who want to join in on the fun with older members of the family. 

Waddle Dee-lightful  

As you save more Waddle Dees, you'll begin to build up Waddle Dee Town which serves as your home base. With various facilities to unlock, the little town is easily my favorite part of Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Not only does it provide you with a place to take a breather in between your platforming adventures, but it also offers up so many features that fill my Kirby-loving heart with so much joy. There's a useful shop that sells supplies to give you buffs and more health, a cafe storefront where you can buy an adorable Kirby car cake or burger, and a cinema where you can rewatch scenes. You even have your own house, where Kirby can sleep to heal. 

Outside of completing the main stages and side challenges, there are also plenty of other things to work towards. Adorable mini capsule figures, for example, can be collected by finding them in stages or buying them from the local gacha-style machines nearby. All of the figures have humorous descriptions that give you more insight into Kirby's foes, the world, and his copy abilities. The figures are a bit like small trophies, with different rarity levels that are shown with stars displayed on their stands. Since you get them at random, it's always exciting to see what figure I've added to my collection each time. 

The local Waddle Dee weapon shop is another excellent feature that allows you to upgrade your copy abilities to make them more powerful. By finding blueprints in the stages, you can spend stones earned from treasure road challenges to give them a boost. This also makes the design of the copy ability more impressive, and it's always a treat to see what Kirby looks like when he adopts a new form. All these features bring added depth to the adventure, and there's a satisfying sense of progression to building up the town and upgrading your abilities.

Mini-games are really just the icing on the cake, with the likes of fishing that sees you hit the right button when it appears, a Tilt-and-Roll Kirby puzzle that uses the Joy-Cons' in-built gyroscope controls, and a cafe game where you have to quickly serve up the right dish. As an added bonus, all of these side activities can be played solo or with two players. If I'm ever having a bad day, I can already see myself loading up Kirby and the Forgotten Land just for Waddle Dee Town. Waving at the residents is a great way to get some serotonin, and there are so many wonderful little touches that make this home base feel so special. 

The way Kirby and the Forgotten builds on the traditions of the series really makes it feel like we've entered into a new era for the pink puffball. The bigger, more open 3D setting full of challenges and inventive features makes this an unmissable adventure for long-time fans. And for newcomers, I can't think of a better introduction. There's just no holding back my excitement about what the future may hold for the series going forward. Kirby and the Forgotten Land truly is a delight from start to finish. 

Kirby and the Forgotten Land was reviewed on Nintendo Switch OLED with a code provided by the publisher.  

Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s PEGI rating has got fans wondering how scary the upcoming 3D platformer is. 

As pointed out on Reddit, the European rating system PEGI has rated Kirby and the Forgotten Land as "suitable for ages 7 and over" due to 'violence' and 'fear.' The game has since been taken off the PEGI website - however, this rating and its warnings still exist on the Nintendo Store website. 

Before you start worrying that all those memes where Kirby is holding some kind of weapon were a sign of what’s to come, let us remind you that PEGI’s 7 violence rating is classified as "very mild forms of violence (implied, non-detailed, or non-realistic violence)". Meaning that Kirby shooting enemies with drinks cans and whipping out his hammer every once in a while is the kind of thing you can expect. 

As for the fear rating, PEGI will give this label to a game that contains "pictures or sounds that may be frightening or scary to young children." This would make sense considering that, from the trailers alone, we can see Kirby does deal with his fair share of potentially scary bosses and tense situations - as far as Kirby games go anyway.  

If you’re still concerned, you should know that a quick search through the PEGI website shows that fellow Kirby games like Kirby Star Allies, Kirby Battle Royale, Kirby: Planet Robobot and Kirby Fighters Deluxe also received a 'suitable for ages 7 and over' rating. 

This will be the first time a Kirby game has received a 'fear' warning though. Looks like we’ll have to wait until March 25, 2022, to find out exactly how scary Kirby and the Forgotten Land can get.

Just can’t wait to play as Kirby again? Find out how Kirby and the Forgotten Land hasn't forgotten its roots but brings exciting new ideas.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land players have the option to wave at any of the Waddle Dees they encounter throughout the game. 

As shared by @AndreSegers on Twitter, Kirby can approach idle Waddle Dees in Kirby and the Forgotten Land and put his whole body into waving at them. Not only this, but the adorable pink blob is also seen to let out his signature "hiiiiiii!" too. To do both, all players need to do is press up on the D-pad. 

If this wasn’t cute enough, another Twitter user @Akfamilyhome also shared a clip from the Kirby and the Forgotten Land demo which shows Kirby high fiving his player two, Bandana-Dee. What a great teammate. Kirby can also plop himself down to give his tiny red shoes a rest by pushing down on the D-pad. 

If you weren’t aware, Kirby and the Forgotten Land got its very own demo yesterday which is free to download from the Nintendo Switch Online store. This little slice of Kirby could be enough to keep you going until the game officially releases on March 25, 2022. 

To go along with this, Kirby also got a brand new overview trailer which gave fans a better look at Kirby’s copy abilities including Sword, Bomb, Tornado, Fire, Hammer, and more. 

Just can’t get enough of the pink little blob and his Waddle Dee friends? Find out why Kirby and the Forgotten Land feels like the beginning of a new era for the Kirby series.

A Kirby and the Forgotten Land demo is now available, letting you try the pink protagonist's next adventure ahead of its March 25 release date. 

The demo is free to download on Switch, no Nintendo Switch Online membership required. It's a limited vertical slice of the game, but it should make the three-week wait feel a little shorter. 

The demo launched on the heels of a new trailer from Nintendo UK, and beyond showing off a range of environments and enemies, this overview also delivers a bit more detail on Kirby's new power-ups and the game's co-op support. 

Several classic Kirby abilities are returning in the Forgotten Land, including the sword, needle, and bomb powers, and new options include a burrowing drill and a musket-like ranged attack. Familiar favorites can also be evolved via blueprints hidden around the world. The old hammer ability, for instance, can be evolved into a toy hammer with more range and damage. Evolved abilities also change the look of Kirby's power-up form, often pretty dramatically. 

The heavily-memed mouthful mode which, among other things, straight-up turns Kirby into a car, gets some screen time as well. Kirby can gobble cars, cones, rings, light bulbs, giant arcs, staircases, domes, pipes – seemingly anything that isn't nailed down, and probably some stuff that is. Some mouthful mode powers also play into co-op; another player can ride Kirby as he sails around as a giant arch, for example. Your player two can also help out in combat or minigames, which is a lot more involved than the co-op in the likes of, say, Super Mario Odyssey.  

Thanks to this bizarre limited-edition bonus, Kirby can now consume your backpack in real life. 

The pre-order bonus for Kirby and the Forgotten Land in Hong Kong is a 'Mouthful Mode'-inspired backpack cover, so it can look like you’re using the pink blob to store your valuables. 

As spotted by Nintendo Life, those who pre-order Kirby and the Forgotten Land in Hong Kong will receive a Mouthful Mode backpack cover. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as if this is available in any other countries at the moment but we’ll keep our fingers crossed it does so we can initiate Mouthful Mode with other items in our house. 

Originally shared by @Akfamilyhome on Twitter, the cover looks as though it would stretch over a reasonably sized backpack, in case you were worried it would only fit a school-aged kid’s bag, and features Kirby’s instantly recognizable blue eyes and cheek blush on the top of it, with the Kirby and the Forgotten Land logo on the bottom. 

If you aren’t familiar with Mouthful Mode, but now can’t go the rest of your day without knowing what it is, here's how it works. We got our first look at the new Mouthful Mode earlier this month during the February Nintendo Direct. In a new trailer for Kirby and the Forgotten Land, we saw the little pink blob get his chops around a car, a vending machine, a traffic cone, and more. 

Mouthful Mode isn’t just used to contort Kirby into funny shapes though - depending on what kind of item he inhales, Kirby can utilize new actions as he makes his way around the Forgotten Land. This includes shooting cans out of his vending machine mouth, piercing weak spots with the top of the cone, reaching heights with the scissor lift inhaled, and more.

Can’t get enough of the little pink blob? Find out why Kirby and the Forgotten Land hasn't forgotten its roots but brings exciting new ideas.

A new Kirby and the Forgotten Land gameplay snippet from Nintendo brings out Car-by in full force, showing a better look at how gulping down an automobile will aid Kirby's quest.

Developer HAL and Nintendo revealed Kirby's terrifying yet intriguing Mouthful Mode power as part of everything announced at the February 2022 Nintendo Direct. The new feature for Kirby and the Forgotten Land debuted with Kirby partially inhaling a car and using it to drive around, but quickly moved on to other things Kirby could incompletely ingest such as a soda machine or giant traffic cone. Thankfully, the Nintendo UK Twitter account has given us more of what we all want to see: Kirby obeying his need for speed.

The footage mostly shows Kirby driving(?) the rusty blue sedan we saw before, but he'll also be able to get his massive maw around a speedier red number that shoots gouts of flame from its exhaust pipes as it boosts along. Either way, he'll have ramps to jump and walls to smash through as Kirby navigates the roads (and other long, flat spaces) of this strange, dilapidated world.

The real question now is whether Kirby has some kind of innate mechanical mastery over the inanimate objects he inhales in Mouthful Mode, or if he's simply using his tongue to push the pedals and turn the wheels and whatnot. Maybe it's better not to think too hard about this.

The extended community of pink puffball appreciators wasted no time coming up with a mouthful of Kirby and the Forgotten Land memes.