Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World DLC Review: Revitalizing the 3D Platformer Classic

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World DLC Review: Revitalizing the 3D Platformer Classic Since its celebrated debut on the Nintendo Switch in 2022, Kirby and the Forgotten Land has become a standout entry in the long-running Kirby franchise, developed by HAL Laboratory.

As Kirby’s first significant foray into full 3D platforming, the game garnered critical acclaim for its inventive level design, charming visuals, and delightful gameplay innovations.

Now, with the arrival of the Star-Crossed World DLC—available on the upgraded Nintendo Switch 2—fans and newcomers alike have an opportunity to dive back into this whimsical world with fresh content and enhanced features. Kirby’s journey began in 1992 on the original Game Boy, and over the past three decades, the franchise has evolved through more than thirty mainline and spin-off titles.

Despite other iconic Nintendo properties such as Mario and Zelda making the leap to 3D much earlier, Kirby’s first substantial exploration of the genre in Forgotten Land brought a new dimension to the pink hero’s adventures.

As one of Nintendo’s most beloved characters, particularly in Japan, Kirby continues to enchant players worldwide. Launching Star-Crossed World adds significant replay value by reimagining select stages from the original release.

Instead of creating entirely new levels, this expansion introduces twelve remixed versions out of the game’s forty existing stages.

Players can now choose between the classic or 'crystallized' variants for specific levels, each bringing distinct layouts, challenges, and visual flair.

While some may initially be concerned by the lack of fully new levels, the remixed stages stand out with unique names and substantial gameplay shifts, ensuring they feel genuinely fresh—even for series veterans. A further highlight of the Star-Crossed World DLC is the inclusion of three new Mouthful Mode abilities, building upon a central mechanic that helped define Forgotten Land.

Players can now transform Kirby using Spring Mouth for high bounces and ground-smashing attacks, Gear Mouth to climb walls and roll vertically, and Sign Mouth to slide and launch down slopes.

These new transformations complement the established suite of fourteen Mouthful Modes, expanding the ways players can approach platforming challenges. The Nintendo Switch 2’s enhanced hardware elevates Forgotten Land’s visual and audio presentation to new heights.

Detailed character models, vibrant environments, and improved framerates make this latest iteration a visual treat.

The renowned soundtrack—a mix of energetic, pop-inspired themes—is further enriched by new arrangements exclusive to Star-Crossed World, adding even more personality and appeal to Kirby’s adventure. In sum, Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World revitalizes an already cherished platformer.

Whether players experienced the original release or are discovering Kirby’s 3D exploits for the first time, the upgraded visuals, catchy music, inventive level design, and expanded gameplay justify returning to this joyful world.

The Star-Crossed World DLC is available now via the Nintendo eShop, offering fans a compelling reason to experience Kirby’s latest and arguably greatest evolution on Switch 2.

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