There are a lot of reasons why Nintendo has seemingly been at, or at least near, the video game industry's mountaintop for over thirty years. Part of it is the company's commitment to innovation, pushing the boundaries of what video games can be when it comes to hardware and software. Another element is Nintendo's widespread appeal among younger and older gamers, allowing almost anyone to pick up a Nintendo controller and have a good time. Chief among them all, however, is Nintendo's long list of exclusive franchises. Between Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Kirby, there's always a familiar name to find.
The latter of those franchises has been particularly easy to flock to, as Kirby has been one of Nintendo's most consistent franchises for the better part of a decade. The spherical hero of Dream Land has been a Nintendo staple since his first adventure landed on the Game Boy in 1992, and the franchise has been especially busy on the Switch. The brakes seemed to have been pumped in 2024, however, as the Kirby franchise has yet to receive a new entry. This marks only the third year without a Kirby game since 2010, and it begs the question of what Nintendo might have planned for the pink puffball.
A New Kirby Game Would Face a Major Fork in the Road
It's only a matter of time before a new Kirby game graces players, but after the series' latest title, developers face a big decision moving forward.
Kirby Has Always Had Something For Everyone
When looking at Kirby's consistent stream of releases, it might befuddle some to think that so many games could come out of just one franchise and remain enjoyable. It would turn out that one of the keys to Kirby's longevity over the last fourteen years has been its willingness to experiment. While some of Nintendo's properties, like Zelda and Donkey Kong Country, rarely deviate from their core gameplay principles, Kirby is regularly a breeding ground for new ideas.
In just the last five years, the Kirby franchise has produced a racing game with Kirby's Dream Buffet, a 3D adventure in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and a platform fighter with Kirby Fighters 2. This level of variety can make it easy for some gamers to return to the franchise year after year, whether they are fans of Kirby for its mainline adventures or spin-offs.
Does Nintendo Have Plans For Kirby In 2025?
Considering Nintendo has taken a break from putting out Kirby games in 2024, there's reason to believe something big could be in store soon. The franchise took a big step forward with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, bringing the titular hero into a 3D setting reminiscent of Super Mario Odyssey.
A sequel of sorts could build on the mechanics introduced in Forgotten Land, especially the entertaining Mouthful Mode, ensuring the mainline series can find further footing in the 3D platforming genre.
Another possibility is an impending Kirby remake or remaster. Fans of Kirby's adventures on the Nintendo Wii were graced with a remaster of Kirby's Return to Dream Land just last year, but there are still others stuck on older consoles. While there are several strong contenders, perhaps one of the most daring remasters Nintendo could focus on would be Kirby Air Ride.
Regularly cited as one of the best first-party titles on the Nintendo GameCube, a Kirby Air Ride remaster would be a dream come true for many fans. Whether it's a simple graphical update or a more substantial overhaul, it could be a welcome celebration of Kirby's history.
Given its track record, there should be little concern that Kirby will be on the shelf for any extended amount of time. If Nintendo's recent trends are any indication, the company has shifted towards bringing once dormant franchises, like Metroid and F-Zero, back into the spotlight. With Switch 2 rumors reaching a fever pitch over the last year, it's possible Nintendo could just be saving the bouncy pink gumball for its newest hardware.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- March 25, 2022
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Cartoon Violence
- Developer(s)
- HAL Laboratory
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- unity
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Kirby
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
- How Long To Beat
- 12 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
