Kirby and the Forgotten Land is set to officially bring adorable little pink puffball back for a new adventure, and we can hardly wait. After our very first look at our upcoming reunion with Kirby debuted back in September 2021, we've since seen more exciting trailers drop that show off some of the new features coming to the adventure. With a closer look at new copy abilities and a latest showing revealing the very memorable mouthful mode that turns Kirby into an actual car, there's plenty to look forward to.
Kirby is set to make quite the comeback this year. If you're as excited as we are to say "Hi!" to the little pink hero and you want to stay on top of the upcoming adventure, you've come to right place. We've put together everything we know so far about Kirby and the Forgotten Land, from the release date to the world setting, and more.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land release date
With the release of a shiny new trailer that gave us another look at the upcoming adventure, Nintendo officially confirmed the release date for Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Set to release on March 25, 2022, we don't have to wait too long for our reunion with the pink puffball.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land setting and story
Nintendo describes the setting of Forgotten Land as a "mysterious world with abandoned structures from a past civilization", which raises questions surrounding what happened to this place and those that once inhabited it. In this place where nature is said to have "fused" with this civilization, Waddle Dees are being kidnapped by a new group of enemies known as the Beast Pack. As Kirby, it's up to us to rescue these Waddle Dees who are held captive at the goal point of each stage - but they can also be found throughout the areas.
In the inital trailer, Kirby washes ashore in this mysterious setting, but we don't yet know how Kirby ended up here or what happened to this abandoned setting in the past. One thing's for sure: it'll be exciting to discover more. Kirby ventures through the likes of an empty shopping mall and runs across deserted streets decorated with towering skyscrapers - everything does indeed appear to have been reclaimed by the natural world, with foliage growing over the structures.
The very latest trailer drop also showcased a variety of different creative stage designs and 3D locations that make up the world. From the likes of a colorful fairground to a sandy, desolate desert and snowy landscapes.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land features a mouthful mode
During the February 2022 Nintendo Direct, the pink puffball showed off some new skills in one very memorable appearance. Using the new "mouthful mode", Kirby is now able to stretch over objects to take control of cars, transform into lightbulbs, and even become a vending machine. The spectacular (very meme-able) new mode is sure to bring some exciting new ways to get around and past obstacles in the upcoming adventure.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land features a central hub with minigames
As revealed by Nintendo, there will be a central hub area known as Waddle Dee Town. Kirby can spend time in the town throughout the adventure and take part in adorable little minigames and past times. The trailer showed off fishing, serving up dishes to the locals in a café, and even getting a little Kirby capsule toy from a machine. A Wise Waddle Dee also resides in the town who can give you helpful hints and also show you some of the stats from other players around the world.
You also even help develop the town. More shops will open depending on the number of Waddle you've said, which will add to the sense of progression. It looks like a delightful place to kick back and spend some down-time in between the stages.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land lets you roam freely around the stages
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the first 3D adventure in the series, and as if that wasn't exciting enough, we'll be able to free-roam around the stages to explore the abandoned structures and streets that were once home to a mysterious past civilization. With a range of different landscapes and structures to make our way through, the prospect of having more freedom of movement in what has historically been a side-scrolling series will no doubt open up the adventure in exciting ways. And maybe even give us the chance to find any hidden secrets that might be tucked away.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land supports local co-op
As you make your way through the adventure, you can have a pal join you on the same Switch system locally. With two-player co-op, one player will control Kirby, while another can help out as Bandana Waddle Dee.
Kirby and the Forgotten land includes new and familiar copy abilities
Of course, this wouldn't be a Kirby game without his signature copy abilities. Kirby will once again be copying his enemies and making use of some classic abilities. Plenty of familiar favorites will return, such as using a sword with his adorable Link-like hat and hitting foes with elements such as ice and fire.
But we'll also be getting the chance to try out some new abilities that will be introduced in Forgotten Land. The latest trailer showed off two additions: The Drill copy ability allows us to tunnel underground and take out enemies on the surface with a powerful blow, while the Ranger ability equips Kirby with a little red gun-like weapon that fires out stars.
Kirby and the Forgotten has big boss battles and new enemies
Forgotten is now home to all manner of new foes, with animal-like creatures from the Beast Pack such as orange foxes, big purple hedgehogs, and a large snake. We also see some very adorable little baby chicks that follow Kirby around, but how they come into play remains to be seen.
Kirby will also be facing some big battles. Just like past Kirby games, we're set to see some boss fights, such as one we get to witness in the trailer which shows a giant gorilla sporting a mohawk. After smashing through a window and grabbing a very surprised-looking Kirby, we see the large enemy hurling giant rocks at our puffball hero and taking swipes with some very sizable arms. Some poor Waddle Dee friends are trapped inside a cage that hangs from the enemy's neck - but thankfully Kirby can free them and save the day once the fight is won.
The latest trailer also showed off another boss in the form of Trophic Woods, a new Wispy Woods variant that looks like a palm tree with a goatee. As a 3D adventure, the boss fight looks much grander and it'll be exciting to see what else we'll have to face.
Stay up to date on the latest games on the horizon with our roundup of all the most exciting upcoming Switch games.
