Worth Every Starry: Why the Kirby and the Forgotten Land Switch 2 Upgrade is a Perfect $20

In 2022, Kirby and the Forgotten Land was a breath of fresh air for the iconic pink puffball, a masterful 3D platformer that was charming, inventive, and surprisingly challenging. The game was already a masterpiece on the original Nintendo Switch, but with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, developer HAL Laboratory has given it a new lease on life. The new version, Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World, is a premium re-release that not only overhauls the base game but also adds a significant new piece of content for a very reasonable $20 upgrade price. For fans who were looking for a reason to return to the Forgotten Land, this is it.

The “Switch 2 Edition” is a testament to the new console’s capabilities. While the original ran at a respectable 30 frames per second with a dynamic resolution, the new version runs at a silky-smooth 60fps with a higher resolution, making the game’s vibrant, colorful world look sharper and more beautiful than ever before. This performance boost is a game-changer; it makes the already tight and responsive controls feel even more precise, elevating the entire experience from a great platformer to a sublime one. But the real reason to return is the new “Star-Crossed World” DLC, a significant new adventure that adds a new layer of content to the game.

A Star-Crossed Adventure

The “Star-Crossed World” DLC is not a simple add-on; it is a full-fledged new campaign that is seamlessly integrated into the main game. A mysterious meteor has crashed into the ocean, scattering glowing, star-shaped crystals called “Starries” across the land and bringing a new, crystalline threat. The DLC adds 12 new stages, which are remixed and reimagined versions of familiar locations from the base game. These aren’t just recycled levels; they are brilliant new takes on classic areas, with new puzzles, new enemies, and new platforming challenges that are more demanding and inventive than anything in the original game. The levels are filled with new crystal flowers that alter the landscape and new “Starry Coins” to collect, giving you a reason to explore every nook and cranny of the environment.

New Abilities, New Challenges

To help you on your new adventure, the DLC introduces three new Mouthful Mode transformations: Spring Mouth, Gear Mouth, and Sign Mouth. Each of these new forms is perfectly integrated into the new level design, with some of the best moments in the DLC coming from a well-timed transformation and a clever puzzle. The DLC also adds a new final boss, a two-stage monstrosity that is a significant step up in difficulty from anything in the base game. The new boss is a true test of your skills and a fitting end to the new campaign. For players who found the original game a bit too easy, the “Star-Crossed World” DLC provides a welcome spike in difficulty, with more demanding platforming and a variety of new bosses to fight in the coliseum.

The Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World is the ultimate version of a fantastic game. For a modest upgrade price, players who already own the original can jump into the new content and enjoy a superior version of the base game. For new players, this package is a no-brainer. It’s a beautifully crafted, highly polished, and charming adventure that serves as a perfect launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 and a fitting sendoff for one of the most beloved games of the past few years.