Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Games review
As of Jul 16, 2026, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is rated 85/100 on OpenCritic (149 critic reviews), and 85/100 on Metacritic (142 critic reviews). Each source is shown in its own units, never blended into one score.
Is Kirby and the Forgotten Land worth it in 2026?
An 85/100 across 149 OpenCritic and 142 Metacritic reviews reflects genuine critical consensus: Kirby and the Forgotten Land made the leap to 3D without fumbling it, and six separate reviewers called that transition a real success, no small thing given how many beloved 2D franchises have botched exactly this move. The Mouthful Mode mechanics and overall inventiveness give it personality beyond a safe franchise extension, but 'safe' is still a fair charge: the main campaign difficulty is low enough that only completionists hunting every Waddle Dee and secret objective will feel pushed, and players who need challenge baked into the core path rather than tucked into optional busywork will find the game doesn't serve them. One reviewer also found the initial excitement hard to sustain through the credits, whether that's a pacing problem or a symptom of the low stakes is unclear, but it's worth knowing the charm doesn't automatically hold at full strength.
Families, younger players, and Nintendo fans who want an approachable, inventive 3D platformer and don't need the game to test them, especially those willing to dig into secrets and side objectives for extra mileage.
If you play straight through the main path without chasing secrets, the low difficulty means you may reach the credits quickly and with the feeling the game never truly tested you; players who want mechanical depth or a real challenge built into the core campaign should look elsewhere.
ReviewPond's conclusion, drawn only from the verified scores and review themes below. Not a paid or editorial opinion.
Different sources measure different things, so each is shown in its own units and never merged into one number.
Pros
- successful 3d transition6
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- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an adorable 3D platformer that feels like a major step forward for the long-running franchise.
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land successfully warps the series' classic mix of ability-based combat, platforming, and secret hunting into the third dimension.
- Kirby's long anticipated move to 3D platforming sees the series step up to a new level of invention and wonder.
- charming and creative6
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- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an adorable 3D platformer that feels like a major step forward for the long-running franchise.
- Kirby's latest adventure is an absolute treat and one you won't want to miss. With more open platforming in an eye-grabbing 3D world, a generous helping of fantastic features in Wa...
- Kirby thankfully remains as charming as ever and this new adventure can effortlessly provide hours of glee.
- inventive gameplay mechanics5
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- Kirby's long anticipated move to 3D platforming sees the series step up to a new level of invention and wonder.
- Kirby's latest adventure is an absolute treat and one you won't want to miss. With more open platforming in an eye-grabbing 3D world, a generous helping of fantastic features in Wa...
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the biggest and most inventive entry in the long-running franchise.
- accessible and fun5
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- Unless you’re aiming to find every Waddle Dee and complete every secret objective, Kirby and the Forgotten Land won’t challenge you, but it sure as hell will keep you smiling. Most...
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a little safe at points to make it a proper all-timer, but I’m not sure that was ever the intention. It’s a game that is easy to like, can be played...
- Living in a time particularly stricken with conflict, it was a real comfort to have a bright world with easier gameplay to return to. It’s by and largely solidified itself as one o...
- abundant content and secrets4
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- Kirby's latest adventure is an absolute treat and one you won't want to miss. With more open platforming in an eye-grabbing 3D world, a generous helping of fantastic features in Wa...
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a great big colourful joyride of an adventure for our little pink pal. This first fully three dimensional mainline entry in the franchise is burstin...
- Overall, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an amazing and involved modern platformer, with a surprising amount of content. While Super Mario 3D World gets a lot of attention on the S...
- mouthful mode entertaining3
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- Kirby's latest adventure is an absolute treat and one you won't want to miss. With more open platforming in an eye-grabbing 3D world, a generous helping of fantastic features in Wa...
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a fun and whimsical adventure through a strange land. You play as the eponymous Kirby, the lovable pink puffball. He has his old skills of swallowin...
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a great big colourful joyride of an adventure for our little pink pal. This first fully three dimensional mainline entry in the franchise is burstin...
Cons
- lacks challenge3
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- Unless you’re aiming to find every Waddle Dee and complete every secret objective, Kirby and the Forgotten Land won’t challenge you, but it sure as hell will keep you smiling. Most...
- Try it if you're looking for a break from the punishing difficulty you might be finding in other games these days.
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a little safe at points to make it a proper all-timer, but I’m not sure that was ever the intention. It’s a game that is easy to like, can be played...
Themes and quotes are drawn from 20 sampled reviews with text; the scores above reflect all 291 ratings. Counts are how many of the sampled reviews mention each point.