Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World Review – Delightfully Enhanced

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In simple terms, “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” stood out as one of the most enjoyable games on the Nintendo Switch. It’s a spectacular 3D platformer that successfully transferred Kirby, the iconic pink puffball character, into three dimensions, all while preserving the unique charm that initially drew players to these games. This game was a remarkable 3D platformer, competing with the genre’s elite, offering a wealth of content, top-notch production quality, and seamlessly transitioning Kirby into a 3D world.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but get excited about the upcoming 3D installment in our beloved franchise from Nintendo and HAL Laboratory. While we patiently wait for its release, they’ve given us a delightful surprise! The classic Switch game, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, has been refined and optimized specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2.

So, let me break it down: Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star Crossed World is essentially the enhanced version of the original Forgotten Land, tailored to run smoothly on the new system. To sweeten the deal, they’ve thrown in an extra campaign for us to enjoy! It’s like getting two games in one – how cool is that?

As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of the latest console, let me start by discussing the updates on the newly released Nintendo Switch 2. This bad boy boasts impressive enhanced backward compatibility, allowing it to play most games from the original Switch with improved performance right off the bat.

Now, for some lucky games, they’ll receive free updates that make them run smoother and look sharper on the Switch 2. Nintendo has already dropped about a dozen of these enhancements, but when a game requires some serious work to optimize for the new console or includes additional features and content, Nintendo typically offers it as a paid upgrade under the Switch 2 Edition banner – such is the case with Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

While it could seem appealing to liken it to ‘Bowser’s Fury’ or ‘Shadow Generations’, there are indeed similarities in certain aspects.

The improvements made in this version are impressive. Even when it was released early last year, the original game showcased what was possible with the Nintendo Switch hardware, boasting an aggressive dynamic resolution scaling system. This allowed it to run from 810p to 1080p in docked mode and frequently drop below 720p while handheld. Now, with Forgotten Land on the latest Switch version, the graphics are displayed at a much clearer 1440p resolution that truly highlights the game’s beautiful art style.

The original version of “Forgotten Land” ran at a consistent 30 frames per second (fps). While this was acceptable for many players, a higher frame rate can significantly improve gameplay in a platformer like this one. Although “Forgotten Land” was enjoyable at 30fps, it felt as though it could have been even more impressive at 60fps. Fortunately, the updated version on Switch 2 runs smoothly at a locked 60fps.

Additionally, some players may appreciate that the frame rate issues present in the original game have been minimized or completely eliminated in this new version. Players who played “Forgotten Land” on the Switch might recall an issue where objects farther away from Kirby would run at lower frame rates to conserve resources. In the updated version, these reduced frame rates are much less frequent and occur when objects are further away from the player, making the gameplay experience less choppy than in the original Switch 1 release.

In simpler terms, these improvements make the game even more impressive than it was originally, and if you’ve been eager to play it again, these updates alone could make purchasing an upgraded version worthwhile. However, it’s important to note that this update also includes a fresh, mini campaign as mentioned earlier.

One could be inclined to liken it to “Bowser’s Fury” or “Shadow Generations,” and there are certain aspects where these comparisons ring true. Similar to them, “Star Crossed World” is a more compact experience compared to a complete new game, typically taking around 4-5 hours to finish at a relaxed speed. Like those, it utilizes the base game’s foundation as a springboard for innovation.

“It is a shame, however, that the new content is all technically a remix of the existing content.”

In contrast to games like Bowser’s Fury and Shadow Generations, which are essentially standalone titles included as bonuses with their base games, Star Crossed World is deeply integrated within Forgotten Land’s world and narrative. The levels in Star Crossed World aren’t just rehashes of those found in the original game; they’ve been extensively revamped with new mechanics, layouts, visual styles, and enemies. As a result, while there are similarities between the new and original levels, the fresh levels generally feel distinct and offer a novel experience. I played through each new level alongside its corresponding original level, and although commonalities were present, the new levels felt notably different and refreshing.

Regrettably, what’s disappointing is that the fresh content essentially rehashes the old, and it can be completed swiftly. This is the aspect of the upgrade I find least convincing. If your primary interest lies in playing the new levels and that’s why you’re considering the upgrade, then it’s not a poor choice by any means. However, I feel that the new content alone doesn’t merit the cost of the upgrade. The enhancements to the base game, coupled with the additional content as an added bonus, creates an appealing offer. But if all you want is the new content, then the value changes significantly.

If you’re a gaming enthusiast like me who hasn’t had a chance to experience the delight of playing “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” yet, and you’re eyeing the Nintendo Switch 2 as your preferred platform, here’s something to ponder. You’ll need to shell out $80 for the game if you want to enjoy it without any technical compromises compared to the original version. That includes a $60 investment for the latest 2022 edition (which hasn’t experienced a price hike yet) and an additional $20 for the upgrade. While “Kirby” is undeniably a fantastic game, the cost starts to become quite steep when you factor in that amount. This is particularly true considering there are several other compelling 3D platformers on the Switch 2 from Nintendo itself, available at prices lower than what you’d pay for “Kirby”.

“Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an easy recommendation.”

The cost structure for this upgrade raises anticipation and examination that might be unwarranted. It offers a significant visual enhancement along with some extra features – if these aspects were viewed independently, there would be no issue; however, some users may desire it solely for the new content, while others might want the entire package as a first-time purchase. In both cases, the pricing can introduce complications to what should ideally be a straightforward endorsement.

Given its exceptional quality, rich content, and abundant appeal, it’s highly suggested that you consider playing “Kirby and the Forgotten Land.” This updated version showcases its superiority effectively, allowing the game to truly shine as intended. While Nintendo may need to reconsider pricing strategies at some point, and unfortunately, even “Kirby” is affected by these changes, the quality of this update for an already outstanding game remains exceptional.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo Switch 2.

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2025-09-03 17:16