Kirby and the Forgotten Land Reviews

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is ranked in the 95th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
80 / 100
Mar 23, 2022

Given the open world craze sweeping the industry, I expected something along those lines with Forgotten Land. Instead, I got a charming new adventure taking measured steps outside the franchise’s usual boundaries. This game proves you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, so long as you’re adding some sweet rims. While the new mechanics are cool, I also appreciate the way old systems have been refreshed. And while the challenge level felt toothless at first, things managed to heat up in the end. In fact, the game is as tough as you need it to be, from start to finish. If you’ve been looking for something fresh from Kirby, you’re in luck. Kirby and the Forgotten Land has some delightful surprises in store.

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Mar 23, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is another great platforming epic from Nintendo that will constantly challenge the player. There’s a good balance between combat and platforming that keeps the game fresh and compelling throughout. There are tons of secrets and replay value that will keep players coming back for a long time.

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Mar 23, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an excellent marriage between gameplay innovation and accessibility.

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9.5 / 10.0
Mar 23, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is one of the absolute best first-party titles the Nintendo Switch has to offer. The game feels great to play, looks wonderful, and introduces a vibrant and surprising world packed with new mechanics, challenges, and content. Kirby fans have been waiting a long time for his first 3D game and Forgotten Land truly is the pink one's Super Mario 64 or Zelda: Ocarina of Time, so puff out a sigh of relief and eat hearty.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 8, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a joyous, colourful adventure that bursting with invention at the seams. It’s a magically daft time, perfect for those nights when the world just looks a little too bleak. With its gorgeous level design and inventive approach to gameplay, a waltz through the Forgotten Lands is a charming way to spend your evenings. The only issues I found were that some of the mini bosses felt slightly repetitive, and the co-op limitations. But, despite this, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a triumph that Nintendo should not forget so easily.

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Mar 31, 2022

The Forgotten Land may not nail the world-building or plotting, but it’s not snoozing when it comes to Kirby’s transformations. In fact, the new optional Treasure Road activities highlight his absorptive arsenal better than in any previous game. These short stages help players learn how to maximize the various functions of each copy ability, whether that’s for light environmental puzzles—such as the Drill ability to burrow under barriers—or to do battle armed with chakrams, axes, flames, and more. Between the Road and the relatively lengthy main quest—six zones with five stages each and a post-game area that remixes harder versions of earlier levels—The Forgotten Land really gives Kirby’s powers a workout.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 6, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land shakes up the traditional Kirby formula by fully bringing it into the third dimension while adding some fun new mechanics into the mix. Despite the switch to 3D — pun so totally intended — it still feels like a Kirby game for longtime fans. The length is a bit short and the game could also be more challenging. Those are minor gripes, however, as the game adds some much-needed freshness to the franchise while maintaining the charm that Kirby fans know and love.

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Mar 29, 2022

With new gameplay features and a welcome shift to 3D, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a short and sweet experience with a ton of replayability.

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4 / 5.0
Apr 1, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an important step forward for the franchise, even if it may still be a bit too linear. The Mouthful ability and the full transition to 3D are two features that should be here to stay, as they open up the gameplay possibilities considerably.

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91 / 100
Mar 23, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a dream to all Kirby fans. Easily, the best game of the series and a perfect way to celebrate the 30th anniversary. Going for a full 3D game, was the right choice.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Loved
Mar 23, 2022
Kirby and the Forgotten Land - REVIEW (Switch) - YouTube video thumbnail
8 / 10.0
Mar 23, 2022

The pace of the new Kirby is a bit mechanical, and its relaxing linearity could even almost come to boredom - also because we are not at all faced with the emulation of Mario Odyssey that many already foretasted. On the contrary, it will be difficult at the same time to retain the sincere enthusiasm of a range of less experienced and demanding players, who will have the opportunity to experience a memorable journey in the company of an adult, discovering all the magic of a great Nintendo brand production.

Review in Italian | Read full review

85 / 100
Mar 23, 2022

Kirby makes a furious 3D debut, which inspires above all with its loving charm and funny stuffing abilities.

Review in German | Read full review

Will Greenwald
Top Critic
Mar 23, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the series' first real step into 3D action, and the game deftly makes the transition with its many challenges and secrets. However, there's less ambition on display than you might expect.

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Mar 23, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an absolute joy to play.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 9, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes the Kirby series into 3D in a wonderfully designed, bursting with personality adventure. It might not be the most challenging game you ever play, but there are enough secrets in the game to leave anyone going back for more. Its beautifully designed environments, characters and overall humor make Kirby and the Forgotten Land a game that leaves a smile on your face. Its co-op mode is a bit of an afterthought, lacking any power-ups or true definition of what the second player is doing on your adventure. However, those with smaller kids wanting a first-time platform in a game to play, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is perfect for them. If you're planning on playing solo, then Kirby and the Forgotten Land is one of Nintendo Switch's must-play 3D platforms. It's simply too fun of an experience for anyone to miss!

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90 / 100
Apr 2, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an excellent first foray into 3D for the pink puffball. There's so much to see and do on this adorable adventure it's hard to focus on just one thing for long, and it'll keep fans new and old entertained for some time.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2022

You don’t need to love Kirby to love Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Anyone who enjoys a quality platformer or just family-friendly co-op will find a tremendous amount of entertainment in this game. The vast number of upgradeable abilities and the delightful imagination of Mouthful Mode present constant gameplay variety, and the visuals and sound work in tandem to deliver one of the more memorable experiences Nintendo Switch has ever seen. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an easy recommendation for almost any Switch owner.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 4, 2022

It manages to straddle the line between valuing and carefully adapting the Kirby that was, while completely revamping what you thought Kirby could even be. Maybe it won't sell you on the franchise if you aren't already buying, but if any of the available titles were going to change your mind on that score, it's this one, and well worth finding out if it will do the trick for you. After all, who doesn't want to feel joy?.

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GamingBolt
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Apr 1, 2022

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a masterful translation of the series' longstanding formula and merits into the 3D space.

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