Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s $20 Switch 2 version upgrade is the most expensive of the upgrade options that have been afforded to various Switch games that can be played on Switch 2. Most of the upgrades have been free (e.g. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet) and the upgrades to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are $10 each or included as part of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The distinguishing factor here is Kirby’s upgrade includes a significant batch of new content, but the question remains – is it worth it?
Kirby and the Forgotten Land ran at 30 FPS on the original Switch, which is a detail I had to confirm with some light internet research. The game ran so smoothly in my memory that I was fairly certain it always ran at 60 FPS. I share this detail not to make myself and my memory look foolish, but to say that it was never a game where I was wishing it ran at a higher frame rate. It plays well and looks wonderful. On Switch 2, with this upgrade, the game now runs at 60 FPS with a higher resolution, which is great! I will always embrace those extra 30 frames. But it is not a game changer for Kirby in the same way it arguably is for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. It is simply a game improver.
Which means for me, it all comes down to the extra content. Star-Crossed World includes a new boss rush mode and adds 12 levels to the game that are dispersed throughout the campaign. If you’re playing through the game for the first time, you will periodically encounter the new levels as you are playing. If you’re like me, however, you can jump into your old save and just go straight to the new content.
These Star-Crosed Worlds locations, as is the case with all of the levels in Forgotten Land, are good. They’re well-designed and have a handful of new mechanics. Enemies are stronger (but still not particularly challenging) and there are a few new mouthful modes, which are all worthwhile additions. The levels are technically remixes of locations Kirby previously visited, but they all venture away from the original versions so quickly and wildly that they all do feel wholly new.
It all culminates with an impressive and suddenly challenging final boss fight, which has become a Kirby calling card for the last few franchise entries. Kirby has a fine, not-particularly-challenging time making his way to the final boss, and when he finally gets there, it turns out Kirby must defeat god and it’s going to take more attempts than any other element of the game has required up to that point. To be clear, this is not a complaint. Star-Crossed World’s final boss is no exception and it’s a highlight.
The “problem” with all this added content, and I am using quotes because it is unfair to refer to it as a problem, is it all lines up with the quality of the main game and ultimately doesn’t feel necessary. The new mechanics don’t quite set it apart enough from the main game to make the levels required destinations. Forgotten Land did not feel short on content or in need of new levels. I have no complaints about getting more – I like playing Forgotten Land – but it all just feels a little steep for the price of admission. Despite being good, it all just ends up making it a hard recommendation for returning to, what is in my opinion, the best Kirby game to date. And if you skipped the game on Switch and are interested in playing on Switch 2, I am sorry the price ($79.99) is so high.
