Best Kirby Games Ever, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Kirby games have paved the way for other Kirby-themed media, like manga and anime.
Some Kirby games, like Kirby Air Ride, have enjoyable gameplay but lack competitive edge.
Other Kirby games, such as Return to Dreamland, offer cooperative fun with well-designed levels.

As a long-time Kirby fan and one who has journeyed through countless dimensions with this adorable puffball, I must say that my favorite game from this iconic series is undoubtedly “Kirby & the Amazing Mirror.” This game, for me, epitomizes what makes the Kirby franchise so special – its unique blend of platforming action, engaging Copy Abilities, and a delightful sense of exploration.

1992 marked the beginning of the popular “Kirby” video game series with the release of “Kirby’s Dream Land”. Since then, the franchise has expanded to more than 35 games, encompassing remakes and unconventional entries. Nintendo continues to launch new Kirby games regularly, up until the 2023 release of “Return to Dream Land Deluxe”. With numerous options available, there’s a fierce contest for determining which Kirby adventure is most enjoyable after more than three decades.

Over the years, a significant number of Kirby games – both primary and spin-offs – have achieved remarkable success. This popular video game series has not only excelled in its core gaming aspect but also opened doors for additional Kirby-related content. For instance, it gave birth to the anime series “Kirby: Right Back at Ya!” and various manga adaptations, as well as children’s books. In other words, throughout three decades of Kirby, these are some of the finest games the franchise has produced.

10 Kirby Air Ride

A Nostalgic Mario Kart Copycat

In this ranking, Kirby Air Ride scores lower because of its gameplay that is somewhat limiting, as it necessitates the player to operate a vehicle, like the Warpstar, which is also featured in other Kirby titles. Characters such as Meta Knight and King Dedede can be unlocked, but initially, players control Kirby who can switch between various vehicles while utilizing his Copy Ability to acquire power-ups, as usual.

Playing Kirby Air Ride brings back memories of earlier Mario Kart games with its track designs, but its basic mechanics and limited roster of playable characters can result in repetition over time. Compared to Mario Kart, Kirby Air Ride lacks the same level of competitive intensity.

9 Kirby’s Epic Yarn

A New Take On A Tried-And-True Formula

For fans of LittleBigPlanet, Kirby’s Epic Yarn shares similar gameplay mechanics. This game puts you in control of Kirby, who has been turned into yarn and finds himself in Patch Land, a world crafted from fabric. The game earns points for its distinctive graphics, as it takes Kirby on an excursion to unexplored territories. However, the main criticism for Kirby’s Epic Yarn is that it can be surprisingly simple. It provides limited challenges and plays more like a comforting game rather than an action-packed adventure.

Despite any reservations, Kirby’s Epic Yarn was showered with numerous prestigious gaming awards upon its debut – truly merited recognition. In fact, it sparked the creation of a spiritual successor, Yoshi’s Woolly World. It serves as an excellent choice for a mood-lifting session after a tiresome day, and there’s a unique pleasure associated with it that no other Kirby games have been able to emulate.

8 Kirby: Triple Deluxe

A Visually Stunning Entry

In an unexpected turn for the storyline of Kirby, the character Kirby finds himself compelled to embark on a mission in Kirby: Triple Deluxe, this time with the goal of rescuing his longtime adversary who is held captive by Taranza. This game boasts impressive level designs, visuals, and an outstanding soundtrack, along with user-friendly controls. Similar to Kirby’s Epic Yarn, the game’s main criticism lies in its simplicity, as many of the combat sequences are not particularly challenging.

In Kirby: Triple Deluxe, the boss fights are intriguing and the 3D elements are used effectively, but it doesn’t demand much expertise or mental effort to appreciate. Whether this is a positive or negative aspect depends on your perspective. The game’s color schemes are captivating, creating vivid depictions of the bizarre and enchanting landscapes that Kirby navigates.Moreover, Kirby: Triple Deluxe introduced an extensive array of power-ups, paving the way for subsequent games to leverage this diversity.

7 Kirby: Planet Robobot

A One-Of-A-Kind Adventure

In a spiritual succession to Kirby: Triple Deluxe, the narrative of Kirby: Planet Robobot unfolds with Kirby safeguarding Planet Popstar from extraterrestrial invaders, armed with a mechanical suit called the Robobot Armor. Similar to a persistent motif in the Kirby series, Kirby: Planet Robobot faced criticism for its relatively low challenge level. Yet, it earned acclaim for its music, visuals, and gameplay experience overall.

It can’t be argued that the game “Kirby: Planet Robobot” is enjoyable, even though its robotics theme may not appeal to everyone. It successfully blends mech-centric puzzles and stages with traditional Kirby action.

6 Kirby’s Return to Dreamland

A Stand-Out For Cooperative Fun

In contrast to Kirby’s Epic Yarn, which was also launched on the Nintendo Wii, Kirby’s Return to Dreamland stood out as a superior choice. This game allows players to command characters such as Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Bandana Waddle Dee in a cooperative multiplayer setting. Notably, Kirby’s Return to Dreamland served as a refreshing revival of the series, filling a void that had been noticeable in other releases, while retaining the elegance and nostalgic charm of earlier installments in its level design.

Although the multiplayer mode made “Kirby’s Return to Dreamland” less difficult, it turned out to be so captivating and well-liked that Nintendo remade it in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch. Many Wii games have struggled to remain appealing over time, but for those who still own a Wii console, revisiting “Kirby’s Return to Dreamland” is an incredibly satisfying experience.

5 Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

A Thoroughly Entertaining Platformer

Platform: Nintendo 64
Released: March 24, 2000
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Publisher: Nintendo
Genres: Platformer, Fighting, Adventure

Kirby 64 stands out as a trailblazer in the series, introducing 3D computer-generated graphics and a new mechanic called Power Combos, which are the blending of two Copy Abilities. To sum up, if there’s one key point about Kirby 64, it’s that it showcases the fun-filled era of Nintendo in the early 2000s. In simpler terms, Kirby 64 can be seen as a top-tier platformer during a transformative phase for the series.

“The fun factor of Kirby 64 is off the charts for players of all ages, but its length doesn’t quite match up to other popular platformers like Donkey Kong 64 from the same era. What sets Kirby 64 apart, though, is its unique power-combining feature, making it a great starting point for anyone new to the series.

4 Kirby Super Star Ultra

A True Delight For Nintendo DS Fans

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about the Nintendo DS version of Kirby Super Star Ultra, which is essentially an upgraded rendition of the 1996 SNES classic, Kirby Super Star. This remake preserves all the original game modes and adds a dash of fresh content for good measure. The visuals are polished and improved to boot!

Furthermore, the game Ultra offers expanded move sets for Kirby’s Copy Ability. For instance, Sword is able to produce numerous slashes for a satisfying combo instead of just a single strike. To some fans, Kirby Super Star Ultra significantly enhanced the formula that would be a cornerstone in the Kirby series as it progressed.

3 Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

A Shoo-In For Top Three Every Time

To enthusiasts of the Metroidvania genre, Kirby & the Amazing Mirror could arguably be the finest Kirby game yet. However, for those less familiar with the series, it remains a strong third place contender. Interestingly, the top three games in this list are quite flexible, each presenting a persuasive argument as to why they stand out among the rest.

Kirby and the Mirror World stands out among the traditional platformer games within the franchise, adored by fans, but what truly sets it apart is its multiplayer feature. As a GameBoy Advance title, it offers an exploration experience that seems endless, yet the multiplayer mode lets players roam the map at their leisure and regroup based on predetermined tasks. This dimension adds a layer of complexity often missing in the Kirby series. It would be delightful to witness the return of the “Kirbyvania” concept someday, as it amplifies his Copy Abilities in an immersive open-world setting.

2 Kirby’s Adventure

A Blast From The Past

As a devoted Kirby fan, I can confidently say that Kirby’s Adventure played an instrumental role in shaping our childhood gaming experiences. This timeless classic was celebrated for its one-of-a-kind enemy designs and overall originality, setting it apart from other games during the NES era. The game’s vibrant color palette showcases the best aspects of 8-bit graphics, without attempting to force 16-bit enhancements that were popular at the time. Instead, it aimed to make the 8-bit world as stunningly beautiful as possible, leaving an everlasting impression on us gamers.

Over time, Kirby’s Adventure has remained a favorite among Kirby fans, often attracting them back to it. This game is commonly placed among the top NES games, a position that most people would endorse. The Copy Ability feature was instrumental in shaping the characteristics of future Kirby games.

1 Kirby and the Forgotten Land

A Shining Product Of Technological Advancements

With the progression of technology, Nintendo has consistently updated and transformed. For the first time in its history, a Kirby game, specifically “Kirby and the Forgotten Land“, was entirely developed in 3D. Not only does it hold the title as the top-selling Kirby game ever made, but it also ranks among the Nintendo Switch’s most popular games overall.

In the game “Kirby and the Forgotten Land,” the problem of low replay value that was common in the Kirby video game series is addressed by incorporating exploration-driven level design and a variety of optional challenges, making each level more substantial. The Copy Abilities are greatly enhanced with the unique feature called Mouthful Mode, where Kirby swallows larger items than before. Characters like Car-Mouth Kirby have become iconic within the Kirby gaming community as a result.

2024-09-12 01:35