Four years after its 2022 launch, Kirby and the Forgotten Land still holds up as one of the pink puffball’s finest outings, and with Switch 2 backward compatibility breathing new life into the library, players are diving back in. HAL Laboratory’s first true 3D mainline Kirby game traded sidescrolling roots for sprawling, ruin-strewn environments, a quirky transformation system, and a surprisingly somber undercurrent. Whether someone’s a returning fan chasing 100% completion or a newcomer wondering what the fuss is about, this guide breaks down everything worth knowing in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land successfully nails a 3D transition in HAL’s first true 3D mainline Kirby game, earning a Metacritic score of 85 with over 7.5 million copies sold since its 2022 launch.
- Mouthful Mode stands as the defining mechanic, allowing Kirby to swallow objects and transform into creative forms like Car Mouth and Stairs Mouth that solve puzzles across the game’s post-apocalyptic environments.
- The Evolution System lets players upgrade copy abilities through blueprints and rare materials, with Morpho Knight Sword and Space Ranger emerging as top-tier choices for endgame challenges.
- Waddle Dee Town grows progressively as you rescue Waddle Dees, unlocking new shops, minigames, and facilities that incentivize completionist playstyles beyond the main campaign.
- With 25–30+ hours of content including secret missions, Isolated Isles post-game content, and a twist-heavy true ending, Kirby and the Forgotten Land offers substantial replay value for both casual and hardcore players.
What Makes Kirby and the Forgotten Land a Standout Switch Title
Released March 25, 2022, Kirby and the Forgotten Land became HAL’s fastest-selling Kirby game ever, moving over 7.5 million copies by 2025. It’s frequently cited among the best games for the Switch for one big reason: it nails the 3D leap that took Mario decades to perfect, and it does it on Kirby’s first try.
The game pulls a Metacritic score of 85 from critics, with praise centered on its tight level design, accessible difficulty curve, and that oddly haunting post-apocalyptic vibe. It’s friendly enough for kids but layered enough that completionists can sink 25+ hours chasing every hidden Waddle Dee.
Story, Setting, and the Mystery of the Forgotten Land
Kirby gets sucked through a mysterious vortex and lands in a world that’s clearly not Dream Land. Crumbling shopping malls, overgrown amusement parks, and abandoned highways stretch across the map, a setting that draws obvious comparisons to The Last of Us, just way pinker.
The Beast Pack has captured the local Waddle Dees, and Kirby teams up with a mysterious creature named Elfilin to rescue them. The story stays light on dialogue but heavy on atmosphere, and the late-game lore reveal about the forgotten civilization hits harder than anyone expects from a Kirby title. No spoilers, but stick around for the true final boss.
Gameplay Mechanics and Mouthful Mode Explained
The core loop is classic Kirby: inhale enemies, steal abilities, punch through stages. The 3D camera is fixed at semi-cinematic angles, which keeps platforming forgiving, no fumbling with manual camera controls mid-jump.
Mouthful Mode is the headline mechanic. Kirby swallows real-world objects whole and contorts into bizarre new forms: Car Mouth for ramming through walls, Vending Mouth for firing canned projectiles, Cone Mouth for breaking cracked floors, and the absurd Stairs Mouth that does exactly what it sounds like. Each form is stage-specific and used in puzzle setpieces rather than as a persistent ability.
The Game Informer review singled out Mouthful Mode as the moment the 3D transition truly clicks, and it’s hard to disagree.
Copy Abilities and Evolution System
The big addition over older Kirby games is the Evolution System. Players unlock blueprints in stages, then spend Star Coins and Rare Stones at Waddle Dee-liver’s shop to upgrade abilities. A few standouts:
- Sword → Gigant Sword → Morpho Knight Sword (massive AoE swings, top-tier DPS)
- Ranger → Noble Ranger → Space Ranger (zoom-aim sniping, best for bosses)
- Hammer → Toy Hammer → Wild Hammer (slow but devastating, charge attacks shred armor)
- Ice → Frosty Ice → Blizzard Ice (crowd control king)
Morpho Knight Sword and Space Ranger are still the consensus picks for endgame Treacherous Mansion runs.
Waddle Dee Town, Side Missions, and Replay Value
Every rescued Waddle Dee adds something to the central hub. The town starts as a few sad tents and grows into a bustling village with a weapons shop, café, cinema, fishing pond, and a coliseum for boss rushes. It’s a clever progression hook, players want to free Waddle Dees just to see what unlocks next.
Each stage hides 3–5 secret missions (defeat an enemy without taking damage, find a hidden mural, etc.) that aren’t revealed until completion. That design choice forces a second playthrough of every level, and IGN’s wiki guide for collectibles is honestly essential for tracking down the trickier ones.
Post-game adds the Isolated Isles: Forgo Dreams chapter, harder remixed stages, and the true ending. Completionists are looking at 30+ hours easy.
Tips and Strategies to Master Every Stage
A few hard-earned pointers for anyone jumping in fresh or pushing for 100%:
- Upgrade Sword early. It’s available from World 1 and scales into the best all-around ability in the game.
- Hoard Rare Stones. They’re the bottleneck for evolutions, not coins. Replay Treasure Road stages on repeat, they always drop one.
- Use co-op for tough bosses. Player 2 plays Bandana Waddle Dee with a spear. He’s not as strong as Kirby, but the extra HP pool trivializes Fecto Forgo.
- Don’t skip Treasure Road. These bite-sized challenge stages unlock ability upgrades and teach mechanics better than the main campaign.
- Fish daily at the pond. It’s a free roulette for coins, food, and rare figures.
For speedrunners, the current Any% world record sits around 2 hours 40 minutes, largely thanks to Mouthful Mode skip routes in Originull Wasteland. Casual players shouldn’t worry about that, just enjoy the ride.
Conclusion
Kirby and the Forgotten Land remains essential in 2026, a confident 3D reinvention that earns its spot among the best games on the Switch. It’s not as competitive as Smash or as sprawling as Zelda, but few titles balance charm, challenge, and accessibility this well. With Switch 2 enhancements rumored for a future patch, there’s never been a better time to revisit the Forgotten Land.
