Kirby and the Forgotten Land — Review (2026): Is It Worth Playing?
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a platformer from HAL Laboratory, released in March 2022 on Nintendo Switch. The first full 3D platformer in the Kirby series. Kirby ends up in a post-apocalyptic world where civilization has disappeared and must save captured Waddle Dees.
What is the game about
Kirby arrives in the New World—a land where an advanced civilization disappeared, leaving ruins and mechanisms. The evil Beast Pack captures Waddle Dees, and Kirby must save them. The game combines classic Kirby abilities (inhaling and copying) with new 3D mechanics.
Gameplay
- Inhale and copy: swallow enemies to gain their abilities.
- 3D world: explore levels in three dimensions—from city ruins to deserts.
- Ability evolution: upgrade copied abilities by finding blueprints.
- Additional content: side quests and challenges after the main game.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an excellent 3D platformer: colorful world, simple mechanics, and lots of content. Suitable for all ages, especially for children and family fun. If you loved Mario Odyssey—try it.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Colorful 3D world | Somewhat easy |
| Simple mechanics | Few difficult bosses |
| Suitable for all ages | Graphics inferior to other AAA |
FAQ
Do I need to play previous Kirby games? No, Forgotten Land is standalone.
How many hours? 10–12 hours main story, 20+ for completion.
On other platforms? No, only Nintendo Switch.