Kirby and the Lost Land for Nintendo Switch 2 isn't just a technical update

In 2022, Kirby and the Lost Land sold more than 6 million copies on Nintendo Switch, becoming the best-selling title in the series. Three years later, Nintendo couldn't help but revisit a title with the Switch 2, which essentially previews the first exclusive for the pink ball, Kirby Air Ride, for the new console, coming out in November. So, the upgrade is as necessary as the upgrade for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Let's start by saying that Kirby and the Lost Land Nintendo Switch 2 + Sky World isn't just a technical update or a cosmetic expansion. It introduces over 30 new collectible figurines, twelve new levels, an additional final boss, and an average playtime increase of 8-10 hours. It adds three new transformations, an updated "boss rush" mode, a stable 60 frames per second, and improved resolution.

The reviews in the trade press are very positive. Personally, I found it less easy than the previous game. There's the pressure of time limits and consecutive platforming sequences, multi-stage puzzles, and bosses with more health, attacks, and various stages. Kirby wasn't designed to be a daunting challenge, but rather a sugary dive into colorful worlds where ultimately all you need to do is choose the right transformation (and therefore the correct button) to solve the puzzles. With this upgrade, it seems Nintendo has somehow attempted to raise the bar. And perhaps, as some have noted, it's a test of the "game as a platform" model: keeping a title alive with paid content, without releasing a sequel. For players, especially those who have already completed the original campaign, it's a chance to return to a familiar world with new rules.