Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World Upgrade Pack is a 3D platformer that brings Kirby into a fully realized three-dimensional world filled with abandoned human structures reclaimed by nature. Players guide the pink puffball through linear stages packed with platforming challenges, combat encounters, and exploration opportunities as he rescues Waddle Dees and uncovers the secrets of the Forgotten Land.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on Kirby inhaling enemies to gain Copy Abilities that grant temporary powers such as fire, ice, or sword attacks. These abilities can be upgraded through blueprints collected in levels and delivered to a Waddle Dee in the central hub town. Mouthful Mode expands the moveset by letting Kirby swallow large objects and transform into them for situational traversal and combat, such as becoming a car for speed or a light bulb for illumination.
Navigation mixes precise jumps, hovering, and object-based transformations to reach hidden areas and solve environmental puzzles. Stages feature verticality, moving platforms, and destructible elements that reward careful observation. Local two-player co-op allows a second player to join as a helper character at any time, sharing the same screen without splitting focus.
The Star-Crossed World expansion integrates directly into the existing map. A meteor impact scatters crystalline fragments and introduces three new Mouthful Modes. Spring Mouth enables high bounces and powerful slams to break floors or damage foes. Gear Mouth lets Kirby roll along walls and dash for momentum-based movement. Sign Mouth turns Kirby into a sled for downhill slides and spinning attacks. These additions appear in remixed stages that open alternate paths and alter enemy behavior with crystal enhancements.
Game Modes
The primary experience follows the main campaign across six distinct regions, each ending with a boss fight against members of the Beast Pack. Progress unlocks new areas on the world map while collecting Waddle Dees serves as the main collectible goal.
Star-Crossed World adds twelve Starry Stages, two per region, that remix familiar locations with new crystal-themed mechanics and collectible Starries. These stages unlock progressively alongside the main story rather than as post-game content. Players can switch between the original campaign and the new stages from the same map screen.
The Colosseum in Waddle Dee Town hosts challenge modes including boss rushes. The Ultimate Cup Z EX provides an extended gauntlet with tougher versions of bosses from both the base game and the expansion. Treasure Road offers time-trial platforming challenges focused on speed and precision.
Visual and Technical Upgrades
On Nintendo Switch 2 the game runs at a consistent 60 frames per second with increased resolution and draw distance compared to the original release. Environments display sharper detail in ruined malls, overgrown plazas, and crystalline new areas. The performance improvements make fast sections and transformations feel more responsive without altering the deliberate pace of exploration.
Local co-op benefits from the smoother frame rate during shared platforming sequences. The hub town of Waddle Dee Town remains a central location for upgrading abilities, collecting figures through a gacha system, and accessing challenges.
Is It Worth Playing?
This edition delivers the complete original campaign alongside meaningful new content that expands the same core systems rather than overhauling them. The integrated Star-Crossed World stages provide fresh platforming ideas and collectibles that feel like a natural extension of the world. Players who enjoy methodical exploration, creative transformations, and light combat will find substantial value in both the base experience and the added stages.
The package suits newcomers seeking a polished 3D platformer with approachable difficulty and optional depth through collectibles and challenges. Existing owners gain worthwhile additions through the upgrade path, including the new Mouthful Modes and boss content. The game maintains consistent support through its built-in modes without requiring ongoing seasonal updates.
- Strong emphasis on creative object transformations and stage remixes
- Local co-op support for shared play sessions
- Clear progression through story regions with optional completionist goals
