Kirby and the Forgotten Land returns to the spotlight with a Switch 2 Edition upgrade that promises both better performance and substantial new content, available for an additional $20. The upgrade aims to address two common complaints about the original release: its relatively short length and the smoother performance fans expect from Nintendo titles.
Upgrade highlights
– Visual and performance boost: The base resolution has been enhanced and the game now runs at 60 frames per second in both docked and handheld modes, delivering a noticeably slicker and more responsive experience.
– Star-Crossed World expansion: The centerpiece of the new edition is a large add-on that slots into the existing game rather than existing as a separate mode. It introduces a meteor crash-cutscene, crystals scattered across the land, and a mission to rescue trapped Starries.
– Integrated new stages: Across the six standard worlds, the update adds about two Starry Stages per world, totaling 12 new stages. These are not mere replays; while they draw on familiar layouts, they branch into fresh routes and features, offering new objectives beyond clearing stages and rescuing Starries.
– Campaign structure and completion: Players can load an existing save or start anew to access the new content. Each Starry Stage comes with its own set of missions, hidden objectives, and set-pieces to trigger for 100% completion.
– Additional power-ups: A few new Mouthful Modes are included, expanding the power-up repertoire without dramatically altering the core gameplay experience.
What this means for players
– Value proposition: The upgrade combines a notable visual and performance upgrade with a meaningful, built-in expansion. For owners of the original game, it offers a refreshed experience plus dozens of extra stages to play through.
– Comparisons to past upgrades: Like Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 editions, this release aims to show a clear leap in presentation on the new hardware. However, unlike Bowser’s Fury—which was a larger standalone add-on for a separate price—Star-Crossed World is embedded within the existing game, making the $20 upgrade feel like a more compact, yet still substantial, package.
– Pricing context: The upgrade is pitched as a fair deal given the combination of improved performance and new content. For players who already own the Switch 2 Edition, it’s an attractive option to extend the game’s lifespan without paying for a brand-new title.
Developer and market commentary
– Nintendo’s approach here leans into incremental upgrades that add substantial value without requiring a full sequel. By integrating the new content into the main game rather than delivering a separate mode, the company provides a seamless experience for returning players while leveraging the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2 hardware.
– The Star-Crossed World expansion adds fresh routes and objectives, helping to mitigate concerns about short gameplay time by delivering a significant post-launch playthrough that remains faithful to Kirby’s core mechanics.
Overall takeaway
The Switch 2 Edition of Kirby and the Forgotten Land combines sharper visuals, a smoother 60fps frame rate, and a sizable 12-stage expansion that enriches the original adventure. For fans of Kirby who are ready to revisit the game, the upgrade offers meaningful new content and improved performance worth the $20 price tag. The move also reinforces Nintendo’s strategy of leveraging enhanced hardware to refresh popular titles without requiring a full remake or sequel, potentially extending the game’s appeal well into the life cycle of the system. If you’ve held off on revisiting Forgotten Land, this edition provides a compelling reason to jump back in with a stronger, more polished experience and a fresh set of challenges.