Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Reviews

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Mar 10, 2023

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe proves that it's still a solid 2D platformer after all these years, and now it's been elevated. The inclusion of new powers makes the adventure feel new, even for those who have played the Wii original, while Helper Magolor's presence ensures that players will see the game's ending. The inclusion of Merry Magoland in a nice touch, as it provides several reasons to return to the oft-ignored minigames. Magolor's Epilogue continues Nintendo's current trend of giving remasters significant mini-campaigns to encourage a revisit from longtime fans. Unless you don't care at all for Kirby or platformers, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe should be in your Switch library.

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A-
Mar 7, 2023

While I might have gone into Deluxe a virtual blank slate, it left me shocked at what a fun game it is. The stages feature clever (albeit relatively easy) challenges and set pieces that make each one a delight to explore. With the ability to pop in and out friends at will, it’s also simplicity itself to turn Deluxe into a proper multiplayer romp. If minigames are more your style, Merry Magoland takes the already solid selection from Return to Dream Land and spruces it up with new additions and a cohesive party experience. Rounded out with Magalor’s Epilogue and a bunch of other post-game unlockables, Deluxe lives up to its name and then some. This is a must for Kirby diehards and platformer fans in general.

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8.8 / 10.0
Mar 3, 2023

Kirby's Return To Dream Land Deluxe is proof that the original game is one of the best Kirby games ever, and also that Nintendo can make great remasters. With a bunch of new and fun content, it is completely worth your time.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Feb 22, 2023

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a very successful remake that adds a lot of new content in addition to the usual changes and improvements. However, the problem is that it doesn't improve anything at its core compared to its predecessors, and it's a step backwards compared to the more recent game, Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

8.8 / 10.0
Feb 22, 2023

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe took an already great game (perhaps the most underrated game in the series) and made it even better with sharp visuals, oodles of extras, and a brand new mode that allows you to play fun mini-games from Kirby's past titles.

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8.7 / 10.0
Mar 9, 2023

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a fantastic remake of one of the best platforming adventures dedicated to Kirby. With a new look, some significant gameplay changes, and two excellent new modes to try your hand at, this Deluxe Edition is a swirling, fun, and colorful celebration of the “pink blob” that should delight both new and returning players alike

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7.5 / 10.0
Mar 12, 2023

Though the original game doesn't quite reach the heights of the rest of the series, Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe is a great example of what remakes should be, with plenty of extra content and additions to please returning fans.

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Mar 15, 2023

"Minigames and multiplayer Kirby fun now for Switch players."

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Unscored
Apr 25, 2023

Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a fantastic remake of an already great game. Even if it isn't too hard or have a long duration, the game does have a lot of content in extra modes and more to keep the player engaged for a longer period even after finishing the main campaign.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Recommended
Mar 7, 2023

Ultimately, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe plays it very safe. It is a solid ‘port’ of a good Wii game, and is therefore susceptible to the same issues relating to the original title’s gameplay and structure; with very little added to feel exciting or new. Innovation has seemingly gone out the window, and surprise is nowhere to be seen; leaving faithful Kirby fans in the dark just as much as newcomers to the franchise. With that said, it remains a solid game. It performs well on the likes of the Nintendo Switch, and feels polished and refined enough not to complain about anything other than its age. The game is a serviceable nod to the original Wii version, and should complement the average Kirby fan’s library well enough.

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7 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2023

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a remaster where the spotlight should be on the new content added rather than the main game at play. If you are a hardcore Kirby fan, you will find enjoyment in the entire package, but I think most people will find more fun and enjoy the new experience in the Magolor Epilogue and playing the small mini-games in Merry Magoland. The main story is good, but doesn’t give a memorable experience compared to the other content. It’s a good package for Kirby enthusiasts and children, but if I wanted the best Kirby experience on Switch, I think I’d replay Forgotten Land instead.

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A-
Mar 2, 2023

Pretty much what you'd expect from a 2D Kirby game -- but seeing as the baseline for those is "cute platformer that won't tax you too much and that you can play with pretty much anyone," that?s hardly a bad thing. Add in a few new elements, and you have the ingredients for a pretty solid remake.

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Mar 23, 2023

Almost a year after Kirby’s adventure in the Forgotten Land, Nintendo and HAL Laboratory go deep into their archive to bring over a Wii classic. Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe tells the tale of the mysterious Magolor. Magolor has crashed his ship on Planet Popstar. With crucial components missing, it’s up to Kirby, King Deedeedee, Meta Knight, and Bandana Waddledee to retrieve them and help the interdimensional being repair his vessel. Is it worth savouring this Wii classic? Find out in this rapid review.

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8 / 10
Apr 27, 2023

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a very welcome remake that successfully brings the original game's content to our day while treating it to a visual overhaul, a very fun gameplay experience (including on multiplayer) and new game modes that make this a longer and more captivating game. Another great addition to the Kirby universe and yet one more welcome contribution to the Nintendo Switch catalogue.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Mar 16, 2023

Even if some of the campaign's design choices are unfortunate, Kirby's Return to Dream Land is still fun 10 years after its original release. With a number of significant improvements and content additions that anyone who has played this platformer on Wii should be able to justify the purchase, the Switch version is a solid recommendation for all types of players and the best version of this adventure of the pink ball and the your friends. Still, this remake could have gone further in adding new features and correcting the title's biggest defects.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Mar 13, 2023

An ideal title to have fun both alone and in a group. This is one of the best Kirby adventures out there and, together with its new features, it becomes a highly recommended game for all ages.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Mar 24, 2023

We knew very much what to expect from Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe, and it doesn't disappoint. Perhaps not the boldest Kirby title we've seen, especially on the Switch - but it's a chirpy, charming throwback that brings the core of what Kirby is all about to the Switch after the frustrating misstep that Star Allies proved itself to be. For fans of who Kirby is, what Kirby has been, and what Kirby may become, Return to Dreamland is potentially a precursor to a new, changing era of the pink puffball, and may very well be the last of its kind as Nintendo looks to the future of the series. It's good news, then, that it's such a rosy treat.

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Expansive
Sally Willington
Loved
Mar 18, 2023

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is further proof that no one treats their back catalogue with the same love and care as Nintendo. It’s the same classic platformer you fell in love with on Wii, but with better graphics, a smoother feel, and an absolute ton of new content and mechanics to make this near thirteen year old game feel fresher than a daisy. The pink puff cloud at its absolute best.

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Feb 23, 2023

Return to Dream Land‘s lack of difficulty does dampen some of its more creative ideas, but it remains a colourful, sleek adventure – and one that’s been perfectly adapted, remastered, and expanded for Deluxe. Kirby, as always, deserves more time in the sun – and this collection is a wonderful ode to my favourite pink blob.

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7 / 10.0
Feb 27, 2023

'Kirby's Return To Dream Land Deluxe' is the remake of a former Wii game. The game has had the necessary minor upgrades and also comes with some extra content. It is a not too difficult game that will entertain young and old. It is not much different than usual, but it is certainly still fun.

Review in Dutch | Read full review