Nintendo’s last few years have been dominated by major anniversary celebrations, and 2022 will apparently be no exception. This year, Nintendo and HAL Laboratory will celebrateKirby’s 30th anniversary, marking a major milestone for the colorful platforming franchise.Kirbyfans haveKirby and the Forgotten Landto look forward to as a core part of the celebration, but Nintendo supposedly has several otherKirby-related projects in mind for the anniversary. There’s no telling for now how ambitious Nintendo and HAL might get to celebrate the anniversary, but considering how other recent franchise birthdays have gone, it’s likely that some classicKirbygames will get ported to the Switch.
If that’s the case, then out of all theKirbygames that could make a comeback,Kirby’s Return to Dream Landseems like one of the strongest choices. Released for the Wii in 2011,Kirby’s Return to Dream Landwas hailed as a return to classicKirbyfare after a couple ofexperimental entries likeKirby’s Epic Yarn.Because of its compelling multiplayer and one notable similarity toKirby and the Forgotten Land,it seems like a perfect candidate for an anniversary port and a generally valuable addition to the Nintendo Switch’s library.
RELATED:Meta Knight’s Role in Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the Most Mysterious
Return to Dream Land’s Strengths
While previousKirbygames have included multiplayer elements,Kirby’s Return to Dream Landhad a particular emphasis on co-op. SomeKirbygames likeKirby’s Epic Yarnallowed two players to work together, butReturn to Dream Landsupports up to four players, letting fans choose between Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Bandana Waddle Dee as they group up to save Dream Land once again. The Switch is a famously strong local multiplayer consolethanks to its Joy-Cons, which allow players to quickly jump into a co-op game together whether they’re at home or on the go.Return to Dream Land’s multiplayer emphasis is bound to shine with the help of the Switch’s hardware.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Landalso focuses on a hub that has some similarities to Waddle Dee Town inKirby and the Forgotten Land.As players progress throughReturn to Dream Land,they collect Energy Spheres which gradually unlock new minigames and bonus challenges within Magolor’s ship, not unlike howForgotten Landplayers willslowly build Waddle Dee Town upas they rescue Waddle Dees. WhileReturn to Dream Land’s version of this progression system is bound to look much more simple compared to Waddle Dee Town,Kirbyfans might still enjoy revisiting a clear ancestor of Waddle Dee Town after playingForgotten Land.
RELATED:Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Mouthful Mode May Be a One-Hit Wonder
A Worthy Kirby Port
There’s little doubt that Nintendo will release some kind ofKirbyport or remake as a part of the anniversary. The last few years have been full of ports, whether it’sSuper Mario 3D All-Starsfrom the 35thMarioanniversary orThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HDfor last year’sZeldacelebration. Ports and remakes are a great way to reflect on a franchise’s past and enhance appreciation for just how far a franchise has come.Kirbymay still focus on some of its earliest concepts, like Copy Abilities and floaty platforming, but on the whole, the franchise has evolved a lot over the last three decades, so there’s good cause for some reflection.
Since many ofKirby’s oldest games arealready available through Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo would likely aim for a more recent but nevertheless nostalgic game, which makesReturn to Dream Landthe perfect choice. Its emphasis on standardKirbysidescrolling over new mechanics makes it a great contrast to the highly experimentalKirby and the Forgotten Land.Nintendo seems a little nostalgic for the Wii era right now, betweenSkyward Sword HDandWii SportssuccessorNintendo Switch Sports,so maybe there’s hope thatReturn to Dream Landwill join the Switch next.
Kirby and the Forgotten Landreleases August 08, 2025 for Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Kirby and the Forgotten Land May Have Many More Unseen Copy Abilities
