Our favorite pink puffball's brand-new game on Nintendo Switch is a far more substantial adventure than several of the Kirby sidescrollers that have recently come to the console. He acquires brand new "Mouthful Mode" abilities, can upgrade his Copy Abilities, and has a world shrouded in ruins to explore. Here's everything you want to know about Kirby and the Forgotten Land.
Explore an abandoned civilization
In his latest platforming adventure, Kirby explores a world filled with ruins and abandoned buildings. But he doesn't have to do it alone. Pass a controller to a friend and play in local co-op.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Announcement video
This is the reveal trailer that we first saw at the September 2021 Nintendo Direct.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Plot
Kirby is brought through a crack in the sky to a strange new world filled with ruins. Here, a bunch of baddies have captured the Waddle Dees and it's up to Kirby to save them. He'll have to fight several bosses who are members of the Beast Pack and work to figure out what brought him to this forgotten land.
Is this an open-world Kirby game?
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is not a sidescroller like previous Kirby games, but it's also not an open-world game either. However, while the guided pathways don't let Kirby stray too far there's more freedom than previous games. Gameplay style is really quite similar to Super Mario 3D World, where you use Kirby's classic platforming abilities but in far less confined locations.
Who's the developer?
HAL Laboratories has been the primary developer for Kirby from the very beginning and is the studio behind the Forgotten Land.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Copy Abilities
Kirby's iconic move is sucking in his enemies and copying their powers. In the game, Kirby does a number of these trademark Copy Abilities, including:
| Copy Ability | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sword Kirby | Kirby takes on a Link-like appearance complete with green pointed hat and a sword. He can slash away at his enemies or perform a spin attack. |
| Cutter Kirby | Kirby throws a boomerang-like weapon that slices through enemies before coming back to him. |
| Needle Kirby | Several spikes extend from Kirby, hurting enemies that get in his way as he moves around. |
| Fire Kirby | Kirby can shoot fireballs from his mouth and cloak himself in protective fire when running. |
| Ice Kirby | Kirby's breath freezes enemies in place and allows him to create protective blizzards that encircle him. |
| Bomb Kirby | Kirby chucks bombs at his enemies from a distance to blow them away. |
| Hammer Kirby | Kirby holds a massive hammer that he can slam down on enemies or buttons he encounters. |
| Drill Kirby | Kirby has a hat with a drill on his head. This is either a new Copy Ability or Drill Kirby with a new look. He can drill underground using it. |
| Ranger Kirby | Kirby wears a helmet with a star on it and holds a horn that shoots stars at enemies. |
| Sleep | Kirby falls asleep until the player performs an action to wake him. |
| Tornado Kirby | Kirby is invinicible to enemy attacks when twirling and inflicts damage on foes. |
Kirby can also upgrade these Copy Abilities to make them more powerful in the Waddle Dee Town Weapons Shop.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Mouthful Mode
As first explained in the February 2022 Nintendo Direct, Kirby has more than just Copy Abilities at his disposal. Mouthful Mode allows him to wrap his mouth around objects and use them to traverse locations in new ways. This is a huge part of solving puzzles as you make your way through the adventure.
| Mouthful Mode Ability | What it does |
|---|---|
| Car Mouth | Drive a car through enemies and items along the path. |
| Vending Mouth | Throw drinks and food items at enemies through the vending machine door. |
| Cone Mouth | Come crashing down on the pointed end to burst pipes or attack enemies. |
| Dome Mouth | Kirby wraps his mouth over a dome and then pops it open, revealing something hidden. |
| Scissor-Lift Mouth | Raise new heights and previously inaccessible locations. |
| Ring Mouth | Propel Kirby around with blasts of air as if he was an air cannon. |
| Light-Bulb Mouth | Light up dark places so you can make your way without falling off platforms. |
| Arch Mouth | Fly through the air like a pink paper airplane. |
| Water Balloon Mouth | Hose down enemies with a supply of water. |
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Waddle Dee Town
As you rescue Waddle Dees while making your way through the story, they will return to Waddle Dee Town which provides amenities to help Kirby out. As part of this, Waddle Dee's Weapons Shop allows you to upgrade your Copy Abilities to make them stronger and more effective.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Two-player co-op
Yes! Kirby and the Forgotten Lands offers local co-op. Player 1 takes control of Kirby while Player 2 commands a spear-wielding Bandana Waddle Dee. Together, you two can take on enemies, save Waddle Dees, and make your way through this adventure. Player 2 cannot use Copy Abilities or Mouthful Mode, but they still have plenty of autonomy, which makes this one of the best Nintendo Switch games for two players out there.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land amiibo rewards
Yes, scanning just about any amiibo will unlock rewards, but scanning amiibo depicting HAL Laboratory characters gives you better ones. There are seven different Kirby amiibo from the Kirby amiibo line and the Super Smash Bros. amiibo line. Scanning these amiibo in Kirby and the Forgotten Land unlock some really helpful rewards. You can scan up to five amiibo in a row and you can rescan amiibo after you've cleared a stage.
- Kirby amiibo: Health boost that doubles the health bar and Star Coins.
- Meta Knight amiibo: Speed boost that makes Kirby faster and Star Coins.
- King Dedede amiibo: Attack boost that increases damage Kirby deals and Star Coins.
- Waddle Dee amiibo: Potion for healing and Star Coins.
- Qbby* amiibo: Fruit for healing and Star Coins.
Note: The Qbby amiibo is extremely rare and very expensive. If you really want it, you will need to purchase it second-hand for hundreds of dollars.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Demo
Players can access a free demo for Kirby and the Forgotten Land from the eShop. Within this sample, players can test out some of the games' Mouthful Modes and Copy Abilities along with the two-player co-op.
Unfortunately, the demo doesn't transfer to the full game. However, anyone who completes the demo is given a code that they can later enter into the full game to get in-game rewards that are helpful for Kirby's adventure.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Release date
Kirby and the Forgotten Land came to Nintendo Switch on March 25. It sells for $60 is currently available for purchase.
Kirby's on a new adventure
Our favorite pink puffball finds himself in an abandoned civilization and must use his Copy Abilities to defeat enemies and collect stars. Play solo or with a friend in local co-op.
Sucked into the world of Kirby
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a fantastic adventure that puts Kirby in a more dynamic space. Explore his new Mouthful Modes, upgraded Copy Abilities, and more as you play through each level. You can even pass a controller to a friend and play together.
