Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Review

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe review header

Synopsis: The pink hero is back in Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe on Nintendo Switch! Jump into four-player fun or go solo in this deluxe version of the Wii platforming adventure, featuring new abilities, subgames, and a bonus escapade starring the interdimensional traveller, Magolor.

Publisher: Nintendo
Reviewed on: Nintendo Switch
Also available for: N/A

Developer: HAL Laboratory
General Director: Shinya Kumazaki
Director: Yutaka Watanabe
Section Director: Keita Tanifuji
Level Design Director: Yuki Endo

Kirby had his biggest year in 2022 with the release of Kirby and The Forgotten Land. The cutie puffball’s first 3D adventure was a hit and brought in a bunch of new fans for the unsung hero of the Smash Bros universe. Following that up, HAL Laboratory and Nintendo have released Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, a remaster of the 2011 Wii game. It isn’t the continuation of what made last year’s game such a hit, but as someone who hadn’t played the original, I’m glad to have gotten the chance now. This is also more than just a remaster, with a surprisingly substantial epilogue chapter adding several more hours of new gameplay.

The main story mode of Return to Dream Land Deluxe is largely untouched, as far as I can tell. Two new Copy abilities have been added, and the game looks noticeably better than it did in 2011. This is a relatively straightforward platformer you can play either by yourself or with up to three other friends as Meta Knight, Bandana Waddle Dee, or King Dedede. But it’s when you play as Kirby and get to experience his Copy powers that the game feels most alive.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe gameplay screenshot 1

Enemies in Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe are relatively easy to take down, but the number of Copy abilities gives you a surprisingly versatile set of skills and combat moves to dispatch them. Every time Kirby inhales something like a bomber or swordsman and gains their ability, you can pause to see what that power can do. Many Copy powers have a “secret” move or two to discover, and experimenting with inputs became part of the fun for me. The charming, situation-specific animations also add a lot: inhale the umbrella enemy and jump—Kirby flips the brolly out and gently floats down if you don’t press anything. With the water power, let Kirby idle on the surface and a floatie pops around him. Whether or not every one of these touches was in the original, they made me smile whenever I found another little animation flourish.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe gameplay screenshot 2

The cuteness factor is a rock-solid 10/10, which makes it hard to complain about the difficulty. I enjoyed the laid-back experience—it’s perfect for Kirby—but some may find it a little too easy, and “hard mode” is essentially locked until you finish the game. The art style and cosy vibes make you feel at home. It’s comfy and easy to play; that’s part of the appeal. I don’t come to a Kirby game looking for a big challenge.

Kirby and friends’ mission is to gather ship parts for Magolor, who has crash-landed from another planet. In the meaty additional epilogue, you play as Magolor attempting to regain his powers. There are a surprising number of levels here, including several boss fights, and it’s tougher than the main game—largely because Magolor doesn’t have Kirby’s Copy powers. Instead, Magolor earns an XP-style resource for completing stages, which you spend to unlock and upgrade abilities. He starts with a basic jump; before long you’ll add a dash, hovering, stronger attacks, and more. This adventure adds a few extra hours—especially if you chase the bonus stages—and I wouldn’t be shocked to see calls for Magolor to get a full game of his own.

Watch the overview trailer on YouTube

If you want a reminder of the Wii origins, there’s “Merry Magoland,” a carnival hub with waggle-style mini-games you can play solo or with others to unlock masks for Kirby. It wasn’t for me, but kids will likely have a blast.

As a certified #cutie game, it’s hard to vote against Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe when it’ll make anyone with a heart smile. With small additions like a couple of new abilities, upgraded visuals, and the new Magolor epilogue, there’s plenty here for both returning fans and newcomers.