Standard Edition
StandardUS$59.99 at launch
In the box
- Game card
- Case with cover art
Switch
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a 2022 platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Released on March 25, 2022, is the thirteenth mainline installment in the Kirby series and the second on the Switch, as well as the first non-spinoff game in the series to be in full 3D.
PlatformAdventure
- Time to beat
- about 10.6 hours
- Plays offline
- Yes
Overview
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a 2022 platform game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Released on March 25, 2022, is the thirteenth mainline installment in the Kirby series and the second on the Switch, as well as the first non-spinoff game in the series to be in full 3D. The player controls Kirby in an adventure through the titular forgotten land to rescue Waddle Dees kidnapped by the ferocious Beast Pack. To complete each stage and save the Waddle Dees, Kirby can use a wide range of copy abilities to help battle enemies and progress the level.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land was well received by critics, who praised its graphics, level design, gameplay, soundtrack, and amount of content, with some calling it among the best games in the series. Minor criticism was directed towards the limited movement options and controls and repetitive mini-bosses. The game was a commercial success, selling over 7.52 million copies by March 2024, making it the best-selling game in the series and one of the best-selling games on the Switch.
A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, an enhanced version of the game featuring improved performance and a new story campaign titled Star-Crossed World, was released for the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28, 2025. The next 3D game in the series, Kirby and the World Beyond, is scheduled for release on the Switch 2 in Spring 2027.
Official trailer
Announcement Trailer. Watch on YouTube
Gameplay
Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 - Natural Plains 100% (Nintendo Switch), ZackScottGames. Watch on YouTube
Screenshots
Game details
- Genres
- Platform, Adventure
- Developer
- HAL Laboratory
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Series
- Kirby
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch
- Age rating
- ESRB E10+
- Modes
- Single player
- Yes
- Local multiplayer
- Yes
- Online multiplayer
- No
- Co op
- Yes
- Age ratings
- ESRB
- E10+
- GRAC
- ALL
- ACB
- PG
- CERO
- A
- CLASS IND
- L
- USK
- 6
- PEGI
- 7
Release dates
| Platform | Region | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | Worldwide | 2022-03-25 |
Editions
DLC
No DLC for the Nintendo Switch version. The Star-Crossed World campaign is only in the separate Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
Playable today
Playable offline todayYes
The whole game still plays, alone or with a second player.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Price at release | US$59.99, 25 March 2022 |
| Ever released on disc | Yes, on a Nintendo Switch game card |
| Ever released in the store | Yes, 25 March 2022 |
| In the store to buy today | Yes, US$59.99 |
| Can be downloaded again if you already bought it | Yes |
| Disc runs with no patch | Yes |
| Disc runs with the final patch | Yes The update is free on the console. |
| Has online features | Yes Online leaderboards in Waddle Dee Town. |
| Online servers running today | Running Leaderboards need a Nintendo Switch Online membership. |
| Playable offline today: campaign | Yes |
| Playable offline today: local multiplayer | Yes Two-player co-op on one console. |
| Playable offline today: online multiplayer | Does not exist No online multiplayer. |
| Playable offline today: DLC | Does not exist No DLC on Nintendo Switch. |
Online
Plays offlineYes
Reception
- Aggregates
Outlet Platform Score Scale Metacritic Switch 85 100 - Critics
Outlet Score Scale IGN 8 10 GameSpot 9 10 Game Informer 9 10 Nintendo Life 9 10 Destructoid 9.5 10 Famitsu 36 40 GamesRadar+ 4.5 5 Electronic Gaming Monthly 8 10
Staff and cast
- Staff
Role Name Developer HAL Laboratory Publisher Nintendo Directors Shinya Kumazaki, Tatsuya Kamiyama Producers Tadashi Kamitake, Toyokazu Nonaka, Akira Kinashi Designer Yuki Endo Programmers Yudai Hirata, Hiroaki Nakano Artist Riki Fuhrmann Writer Shinya Kumazaki Composers Yuuta Ogasawara, Hirokazu Ando, Jun Ishikawa, Yuki Shimooka, Yuki Kato, Megumi Ohara, Shogo Sakai
Notes for collectors
- A second player can join as Bandana Waddle Dee on the same console.
- Finishing the free eShop demo gives a reward in the full game.
- The best-selling Kirby game, at 7.52 million copies by March 2024.
- Won Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2022.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World came out on 28 August 2025 at US$79.99, or a US$19.99 upgrade for owners.
- Kirby amiibo and Present Codes give items at the Waddle Dee-liveries.
Credits
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Developer
- HAL Laboratory
- Director
- Shinya Kumazaki, Tatsuya Kamiyama
- Released
- 2022-03-25
- Age rating
- ESRB E10+
- Region
- US
- Time to beat
- about 10.6 hours
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