Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the latest addition to the Kirby franchise, and it is truly remarkable! It combines the finest aspects of earlier games, including humor, vibrant color schemes, and impressive transformations, and amplifies them to the max. The gameplay and level design seem to draw inspiration from another of Nintendo’s beloved franchises: Mario. In particular, it evokes memories of Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D World.
The game, along with the entire series, is easy for newcomers to dive into. Familiarity with the backstory or prior games is not necessary to appreciate Kirby and the Forgotten Land, but there are some tips that can enhance your initial experience!
Crouching
Contents
Kirby and the Forgotten Land immerses you in the gameplay almost immediately, offering minimal guidance. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, you might not know that Kirby can crouch to reduce damage taken. Simply press the left or right trigger to activate this ability! This feature is available even in standard mode without any copy abilities. Additionally, if you press up on the joystick after crouching, Kirby performs a charming back handspring. Quite a sight to behold!
Monitoring Advancement
I spent an uncomfortably long time realizing that you can monitor your mission progress without having to access the level menu. Rather than checking each level one by one for your missing waddle dees, you can conveniently open an area overview. While in the overworld, just press Y to effortlessly navigate through the different levels and world summaries!
Quicker Journeys
Another aspect that may not be obvious at first is that you can accelerate your warp star while in the overworld! To navigate the map more swiftly, simply press the left or right triggers and push the joystick forward to fulfill your desire for speed.
Helpful hint: There’s no need to journey back to town on the map by foot. You can quickly return to Waddle Dee Town by pressing the B button or accessing the menu! However, if you choose to fast travel, you’ll miss out on hearing Elfilin exclaim “weeeee” as you zoom across the map.
Search for Glimmers
If you encounter a shimmering cloud, step right into it! These elusive treasures can be discovered by moving through the haze. Typically, they consist of coins or food, but occasionally they can unveil a secret route. You’ll come across them dispersed across the level maps, and a few can also be found in Waddle Dee town! These concealed coins can be gathered multiple times and will refresh when you exit.
For instance, there is a red coin located behind the chair on the rooftop where Waddle Dee is seated, provided you are playing solo without a second player.
Concealed Stages
Completing a level map in its entirety will grant access to the subsequent level, and in some cases, even to special bonus star levels. These bonus stages focus on a specific copy ability and provide materials for enhancing the copy shop. However, it’s interesting to note that the map holds more secrets than what is initially visible. By exploring the map, you may encounter prompts that invite you to investigate certain areas. By pressing A, you can uncover hidden coins or access a bonus level.
Action Figure Collection
Kirby and the Forgotten Land features a delightful figure collection system reminiscent of gachapon. There are various methods to gather these figures. Many can be discovered within the world levels by locating their capsules, while others are acquired through different means. Gachapon machines are conveniently located in the town’s alley, offering figures that are not available during your explorations. Although I haven’t finished my collection, I have managed to find a few unique figures!
For instance, upon unlocking the Wise Waddle Dee, you’ll find that he serves as a character who tracks your statistics and offers tips on any upgrade blueprints you might be missing. Interestingly, if you engage him in conversation frequently, he’ll reward your curiosity with a collectible figure of himself.
Mr. S. Bag
Mr. Sandbag, a long-time cherished companion, has made his way back to Kirby and the Forgotten Land to assist players in honing their copy abilities. I hadn’t utilized him much in the past, but I was pleased to encounter him with his enhanced skills! However, he was somewhat hidden, and I ended up causing a bit of chaos in the town before I discovered him. If you’re looking to practice, head to the copy shop and venture all the way to the right; the room is just off the screen. There, you’ll find the beloved punching bag!
Bonus Tip: In case you lack a copy ability but need to destroy boxes or items that can’t be inhaled, Kirby can shatter them using a burst of air. Simply inflate as if you’re about to take off, then release a puff to break the object.
Current Codes
I was initially puzzled by this mechanic when it was first unveiled. While numerous Nintendo titles feature a code system, typically, these codes can be discovered online or through special promotional cards at retail locations. However, Kirby takes a different approach! In this game, codes are cleverly concealed within the town. When you’re near a code, Elfilin will begin to chatter and bounce around to signal you. It’s crucial to remember that the codes need to be inputted in ALL CAPS.
Currently, there are just two codes that require you to search beyond the game, which were given as rewards for finishing the demo. I won’t ruin the excitement of discovering them, but I will provide the demo codes below:
Amiibo Support
When I began playing Kirby and the Forgotten Lands, I was so thrilled about rescuing the waddle dees and devouring a car that I didn’t even consider the Amiibos, but they are functional! Scanning an Amiibo during a level provides you with different amounts of coins or useful items. While you can complete the stages without this additional assistance, it definitely adds an advantage!
- Kirby (any) – 30 Star Coins / 1 Health Bonus
- King Dedede (any) – 26 Star Coins / 1 Attack Bonus
- Meta Knight (any) – 26 Star Coins and 1 Speed Bonus.
- Waddle Dee – 12 Star Coins / 1 Energy Drink
- Additional Amiibos – 2 Star Coins, 1 Cherry, 1 Car-Mouth Cake.
The Minor Details
We could discuss strategies and advice for the game endlessly, but remember to savor the small moments! The game creators have filled the environment with delightful details that enhance the overall atmosphere. Even though Kirby finds himself in unfamiliar territories, far from his cherished Planet Popstar, there’s no reason to rush past the beautiful surroundings! There are several charming activities you can engage in while playing, such as:
- Greet your neighbors by pressing UP on the D-Pad, or express your enthusiasm by pressing LEFT on the D-Pad.
- Ignite a warm and inviting fire in your living space.
- Enjoy your meal on-site! (This is my top pick)
- Resting for a short while can benefit your well-being.
- Absorb everything around you. Ascend to a higher vantage point to observe the surroundings, or use the RIGHT button on the D-Pad to scan the area.
We trust that this list will kickstart your adventure in the best way possible. Did you discover something you didn’t know before? Did we overlook anything? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
