Kirby is overlooked far too often in the world of gaming and it’s a true crime. The pink puff has had some truly brilliant games over the years. From Kirby’s Dream Land to Kirby’s Epic Yarn this unlikely hero has been fighting the good fight for over 30 years, so it’s only right that Nintendo marks the occasion with something a bit special, Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe.
Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe not only brings an oft-overlooked Wii classic to the Switch, but gives Kirby some much-earned love once again. The Wii classic gets a fresh coat of paint and more than a few new features too. Features like a brand new epilogue to the game. And the most mini games seen in a Kirby game to date.
Fluffier, Puffier, Prettier
The first thing about Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe that will hit you is the visuals. The game’s graphics have been rebuilt from the ground up. The worlds have been drawn with more character. Everything has a little more detail that really pops from the hand-drawn style.
The graphical style may not be to everyone’s taste, of course. But Kirby and co have never looked cuter, plus, it all runs at a solid 60fps. This is the first time a Kirby game has ran at 60fps on the Switch. And this makes for smooth and responsive gameplay to match its eye-massaging visuals.
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Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe is also helped by being able to finally use a real controller with the game. The WiiMote just wasn’t able for the precise inputs that the game demanded from time to time.
Character movesets have also been improved over the original. You can now dodge attacks while blocking, for example.
Kirby’s New Moves
Deluxe also adds two new abilities to the mix. which is a first for any Kirby title remake or otherwise. Firstly, there is Mecha Kirby which is powerful and a real heavy hitter. And then there is Sand Kirby which has a surprisingly deep move list, often having abilities found in other copy powers. These are both great additions that add something new for returning fans.
There is also a new assist mode called Helper Magolor – which is a really nice addition, as it is very much a mode for youngsters. As Magolor will give you a helping hand if you fall off an edge or take damage in a fight, which really takes the edge off any difficulty some may face. You can also turn it on when playing local multiplayer, which is a huge plus too.
Kirby’s Co-op
You can battle across the mostly untouched core campaign with up to three mates, which is where there game truly shines, as you help each other out and combo attacks for evermore power results.
Beyond that there is a tonne of unlocks to earn; from bonus stages, to masks inspired by characters from across Kirby’s past. The game is always giving you something extra to aim for beyond the core campaign.
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The biggest draw for retuning fans will be the Magolor Epilogue – a new standalone tale; where you play as Magolor as he travels across different dimensions, trying to get back his powers. As you play you’ll earn magic points which you can then use to buff his powers, making him feel even stronger.
It’s a cracking adventure but, oddly, best played solo. The multiplayer spin can get overly confusing as everyone plays as the same looking Magolor. This is a real shame given how well the main game plays in multiplayer, especially with everyone unleashing their attacks.
For fans of mini-games, Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe has you covered with the new Merry Magoland. This is a true playground of fun, having ten games pulled from Kirby’s past. Merry Magoland is a blast with your mates, or even solo.
The mode the likes of Checkerboard Chase from Kirby 64 and Kirby on the Draw from Kirby Super Star Ultra.
Kirby’s Dream Remake
There are not many missed steps here in Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe. But one that is a bit of a killer is that there is no online multiplayer beyond just a handful of leaderboards.
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Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe is a pure joy from start to finish and is a remaster that has a strong core and makes it truly shine. It’s a must for fans, and newcomers will have a world of fun to get lost in alone or with mates. And it’s great to see Kirby getting the love and care that he truly deserves.