TheKirbyfranchise is starting 2023 with a bang. Early in the year, it will bring one of its most acclaimed 2.5D titles to the Switch, turning its 2011 Wii title intoKirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe. After a single mainline title on the N64 and onlyKirby’s Air Ridegracing the GameCube, fans had been waiting a decade forKirbyto get another big console title while it experimented on the DS. Not only didReturn to Dream Landdeliver, but it also introduced four-player local co-op multiplayer using multiple distinct characters. Complete with a great art style and a good spread of Copy Abilities, it’s no wonder that this title has been brought to the Switch asKirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe.
Indeed,Kirbyis literally on a roll right now if one accounts forKirby’s Dream Buffetreleasing midway through 2022. Although this game didn’t make a big splash, it was undeniably an impressive feat for this major Nintendo franchise to debut in true 3D withKirby and the Forgotten Landand then release a spin-offin the same year.Kirby’s ability to give every spin-off and side game polish while upholding a frequent output stands out among Nintendo’s biggest franchises. This trait looks to be present in the upcomingKirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxeas well, as marketing materials indicate this is far more than a simple remaster.
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New Copy Abilities Are A Big Deal For Kirby
So far,Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxeseems to be taking an additive approach to adapting the original game. The art style has been changed to have shading somewhat similar to a comic book, andKing Dedede now has his updated designfromKirby and the Forgotten Land. Such details feel trivial when compared to everything else inReturn to Dream Land Deluxe, however. One of the largest possible additions aKirbygame can get are two new Copy Abilities that have never been seen before: Mecha and Sand.
It really can’t be understated how transformative debuting newKirbypowers is forReturn to Dream Land Deluxe. With that alone, the case could be made thatDeluxeis not only a remaster and a port, but a full-scale remake of the Wii classic.New Copy Abilities imply new enemiesas well, and possibly even new mini-bosses. The additions don’t stop there, as a screen-clearing Copy Ability in the vein of Crash and Mike has been added in the form of Festival. This Copy Ability debuted inKirby Star Allies, but that still makes it another new power added to this old game.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe Will Feel Distinct
With multiple new Copy Abilities,Kirby’s Return to Dream Landwill feel like a whole new game. That appears to be the intent, asDeluxeholds many more changes.Old Copy Abilities such as Hammer and Stonehave been updated to be more like later incarnations, and Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Bandana Waddle Dee have received their updatedKirby Star Alliesmovelists. New challenge stages have been added to the Lor Starcutter, and the minigame section will be separated into a new area called Merry Magoland. On top of the new minigames, one of which is aTetris 99-like adaptation of the classic Samurai Kirby, there are even new collectibles like stickers and Magoland tickets.
At this point, it’s abundantly clear thatKirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxeis just about aground-up remake ofReturn to Dream Land. Playing it will still feel similar most of the time, but it has more than enough differences to make it the clear definitive version. With so many new things to see and do, even owners of the original title should still enjoy their time with this new release. Above all else, the new changes made up front will definitely keepKirbyfans attentive for any other additions made late in the game.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxelaunches February 24 for the Nintendo Switch.
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