Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Games review
As of Jun 23, 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 from both major aggregators across roughly 140, 150 critic reviews each is a genuine consensus, and the praise is specific: ten separate reviews flagged the 3D transition as a real success, four called it the most inventive entry in the franchise's history, and Mouthful Mode, a mechanic that has Kirby literally inhaling and operating objects like cars, vending machines, and traffic cones to solve puzzles and traverse levels, adds genuine novelty the series rarely attempts. The difficulty floor is so low, however, that anyone playing straight through the main path will face almost no resistance; the challenge lives almost entirely in completionist objectives like hunting every Waddle Dee and clearing secret stage goals. One reviewer went further and noted the excitement was genuinely hard to recall by the time the credits rolled, suggesting the back half of the game doesn't sustain what the opening hours promise.
Players who want an accessible, inventive 3D platformer, particularly those burned out on punishing difficulty, or parents looking for a co-op game they can share with younger kids.
The main-path difficulty is genuinely minimal; if you want a satisfying challenge without committing to full completionist play, this game will not provide one.
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 transition10
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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.
- charm and creativity7
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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.
- franchise-best inventiveness4
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- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the biggest and most inventive entry in the long-running franchise.
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land adds challenge and adventure in a way that the series has never seen before. An essential purchase and a lovely surprise.
- 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 novelty3
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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 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...
- 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...
- secrets and collectibles3
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- Kirby and the Forgotten Land successfully warps the series' classic mix of ability-based combat, platforming, and secret hunting into the third dimension.
- 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 great big colourful joyride of an adventure for our little pink pal. This first fully three dimensional mainline entry in the franchise is burstin...
- relaxing accessible gameplay3
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- Try it if you're looking for a break from the punishing difficulty you might be finding in other games these days.
- 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...
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a very successful translation of the spirit of the series to three-dimensional environments. A relaxed experience that shifts away from tension to f...
Cons
- low difficulty3
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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.