Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Nintendo Switch Review

Almost two generations have passed since Kirby's Adventure debuted for the Wii in 2011. Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a reworked port of the Wii game that merges platforming, multiplayer, and extensive supplementary gameplay in the form of minigames. After the success of the 3D platformer Kirby and the Forgotten Land, it comes as no surprise that Nintendo has re-released it for Switch, albeit with a few extra features and a different nickname, yet the game's charm remains intact. The most lovable Japanese mascot still delivers great joy whether you're playing with friends or by yourself.

 

I wasn't even born when Kirby became quite the celebrity in Japan in 1992. While I had several Kirby dolls from my parents, I didn't really get to know the lovable mascot until 2011's Kirby's Return to Dream Land for the Wii. This isn't the series' strongest entry but it solidified my love for Kirby. To say that I was psyched when Nintendo revealed Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe would be released is an understatement. During his rehabilitation, Kirby is subjected to a process not too dissimilar from the last, with the added bonus of a brand new 3D adventure in the works. Thanks to a fantastic visual overhaul that makes traditional platforming feel fresh and new again and as loving today as it was more than a decade ago.

In Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, you get the original Kirby experience; a horizontally scrolling 2.5D platformer with nonstop fun. For those who missed out on the original version, Return to Dream Land is a classic 2D Kirby game without any superfluous bells and whistles. To obtain his abilities, Kirby consumes enemies and utilizes their powers to advance through the game. While the game heavily emphasizes Kirby's signature copy ability, you could make the case that the first half is too easy, especially if you're a seasoned Kirby fan or just a gamer who knows what they're doing. I initially felt that this game was mainly designed for newcomers, but later when I played with friends, it was a whole different Kirby game I knew of.

 

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe starts following a mysterious accident when a spaceship crashes into Dream Land, shattering into many pieces as it rips through the air. This time the Kirby series deviates slightly from the norm because King Dedede seems to be in a good mood, and he and the Kirbster are up without scuffles. Kirby and his friends will not give up until they help his captain, Magolor. There are 120 energy spheres and five critical pieces of his ship that have been dispersed across the planet, and they set out to find the five pieces that will allow Magolor, the ship's pilot, to return to his world.

What comes next is a very classic Kirby installment. Kirby and his friends trip through eight levels, each with a unique theme. The levels are aesthetically pleasing and stick to the tried-and-true formula of progressing from green fields to water, desert, ice, and so on. Most of the game's cutscenes are presented in a brief CGI sequence with no voiceover, backed only by cheerful background music. Kirby has access to 26 possible moves thanks to his ability to inhale and copy the moves of certain enemies. You'll need to collect the energy spheres in each world to progress. Though this isn't an obligation, it adds variety to the gameplay. It allows you to participate in bonus minigames and challenges that help level up quickly.

This ensures that there is never a dull moment in the gameplay and that boredom is avoided. There are secrets throughout each level that can only be accessed by using specific abilities, so it's important that you have a thorough understanding of each one. And if that weren't enough, you also have the super abilities, which are essentially incredibly powerful forms of regular abilities that can be used to destroy anything, including the stage's obstacles. Not only are they necessary to access alternate pathways to locate specific items, but they are the only means of accessing such routes.

 

The energy spheres become increasingly concealed as the game proceeds. Even if you'll have no trouble gathering them all in the first stage, that doesn't guarantee a smooth ride throughout the rest of the game. Even though the game initially felt developed for newcomers, these 120 Energy Spheres hidden throughout the game's many levels are there for a more difficult main game experience to delight the Kirby veterans. The last third of the game is where it really shines. The levels become increasingly creative and challenging the more your progress, with challenges such as navigating a maze of flooded tunnels, platforming in the face of severe winds, and avoiding gigantic lava balls.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe's core gameplay elements, exemplified by Kirby's special skills, have made it a success. Not only may Kirby replicate parts of his enemies' skills when he consumes them, but he can also use his primary ability—inhaling and devouring his enemies before throwing them back as stars and delivering damage in this method. You'll face a wide variety of enemies over the game's many levels; by making use of Kirby's signature ability to consume enemies and replicate their powers. You will learn some new abilities, such as flying and shooting missiles and facing new types of enemies.

Like every Kirby game before it, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe requires you to find and collect hidden objects—in this case, gears—by exploring hidden areas and solving riddles. You'll have access to the fantasy park-like kingdom of Magoland, where you can complete mini-challenges to earn items for use in the regular levels and, more importantly, a wide variety of hilarious masks to wear at your leisure. This extension adds 20 new levels and the option to take control of Magolor, giving us access to a set of skills that differs significantly from those Kirby and his companions have.

 

The more you progress, the more chambers will unlock on Magolor's ship, each containing tasks for a different type of skill that serves just to provide variety to the game. You can use different spheres to access the copy skill chambers on Magolor's ship, and minigames and difficulty levels focused on various copy skills. One positive change in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is the addition of three new abilities not present in the original game: Sand, Mecha, and Festival. On the flip side, there are two more difficulty settings to the challenge mode so that you can continue your pursuit of high scores.

You'll have access to over 25 unique skills, any of which can be performed at will whenever you consume enemies that give you that specific ability. There will be moments when you need to employ a specific set of abilities in order to gain entry to secret locations housing the spheres. Thus, if you do not want to miss everything that comes your way, it's essential to switch between skills often. Several skills allow for a wide variety of assaults, each of which is often limited in range and directionality.

Skilled Kirby players will enjoy the Extra mode more once they finish the main campaign. Only Kirby's ability to replicate two new abilities stands out in this mode. If the Mecha power does indeed transform Kirby into a fighting machine, he will likely be equipped with a powerful charged cannon and powerful strikes. It also equips our hero with a jet pack, allowing him to soar above dangers. Sand is another power that allows Kirby to bury himself in the sand to protect himself from enemies. And if that weren't enough, we can kick sand or spew tornadoes high into the air. Kirby can even increase his speed when riding on sand.

 

Like the original Wii edition, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe shines in co-op play with friends. Up to three friends can join you in the campaign, and there are plenty of exciting activities at Magoland Park. And because of its emphasis on cooperative play, the game is best enjoyed with a group of friends. Each time you play, you'll discover new methods that your team can work together to complete different missions. Newcomers will find this mode a great way to level up quickly and have more fun. On the other hand, it's a bit annoying to play with friends remotely online.

The visuals in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe are a big step up over the Wii version. HAL Laboratory also made more creative decisions, such as improving the set design. They not only look more realistic but also livelier. It's undeniable that the creators care deeply about the theme. Due to the various color modifications, the game looks bright, and each level seems distinguishable. The 1080p resolution and the 60 FPS frame rate improve the smoothness and detail of the texturing. The game seemed like a complete overhaul with brand-new content and a modern art style.

 

Although there are some nitpicks, such as its price tag, easy boss fights, and possibly insufficient new features, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is still fun. It may not do anything groundbreaking, but it does a great job of breathing new life into a platformer largely forgotten since its Wii release. What we get from HAL Labs goes beyond a mere port with a new story, engaging challenges, and a slick presentation. There isn't enough here to keep you occupied for hundreds of hours, but the game has been given a facelift and is definitely worth your time. It's one of the most polished platformers that reintroduces Kirby to Switch players.
 

Asura Kagawa (@AsuraKagawa)
Editor, NoobFeed