18. Kirby: Canvas Curse (DS)

Showcasing the touchscreen of its host hardware, Kirby: Canvas Curse was a delight back in 2005 and once again showed how Kirby is one of the most versatile characters in Nintendo's catalogue. Using the stylus to draw lines, create paths and guide our rolling hero around stages to a goal, it was a merry experiment which helped sell then-unique concept to the Nintendo DS.

Going back to Canvas Curse (or Kirby: Power Paintbrush as it was known in PAL regions) all these years later, it arguably doesn't hold up quite as well as you remember. Those touchscreen elements — which once felt so fresh — can feel frustrating, especially when things get frantic. It's still fun, but affection and nostalgia might be helpful in propping up your expectations these days.

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17. Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (GBA)

While the Metroid-esque gameplay is a refreshing change of pace for the Kirby series and works well in some parts, it also fails in others. The Metroid games have backtracking as well, yes, but it's not nearly as frequent and annoying as it is in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. The multiplayer features are optional, but the game was arguably designed around the multiple Kirby aspect and it's at its best with other people.

16. Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn (3DS)

Arriving nine years after its original launch on Wii (and a very late release for the 3DS), Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn is a textbook example of how focused gameplay design, creativity, and strong art direction are timeless qualities. The fact that this port released for 3DS rather than Switch is one of the very few negatives of this lovely game. It includes a bunch of ‘extra’ elements, such as Ravel Abilities, new mini-games, and optional harder difficulty, which range from being harmless to actively changing the base game for the better.

For those of you that never got the chance to play the original, this is certainly the best way to experience it IF (big 'if', there) you're willing to forgo the big screen experience — and that could very well be a deal-breaker if you want to enjoy this gem around the TV as a family. Cracking game, though.

15. Kirby Air Ride (GCN)

'Simple' needn’t equate to 'dull', and GameCube racer Kirby Air Ride features a fair amount of multiplayer fun in each of its three game modes. In fact, it might be the perfect way to introduce small kids and/or non-gaming spouses to the delights of race-based video games if you're not a fan of Mario Kart (which Kirby remains inexplicably absent from). However if you’re an adult looking for a game to play alone, or a hardcore racer looking for something that demands a higher level of strategy and skill, you'd be better off hitching a ride with Mario or Captain Falcon instead.

14. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64)

In Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, HAL Laboratory managed to keep the core structure many knew and loved about the Kirby series while glossing it up with a shiny coat of polygonal paint for the new console generation.

Kirby's 64-bit foray into the third dimension (well, kinda — it's 2.5D, or on-rails 3D, if you prefer) stands out as one of the more unique entries in the series, feeling somewhat fresh in comparison to the many, many 2D Kirby platformers and still pleasurable to play to this day.

13. 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure (3DS eShop)

There's no questioning the quality of Kirby's Adventure: it was one of the NES's standout titles, and much like Kirby's Dream Land, its charm remains intact. Hidden exits, fun mini-games and fantastic stage design all came together to make this an endlessly replayable experience, now with optional 3D thanks to this addition in Nintendo's short-lived 3D Classics line on 3DS. It doesn't really bring much to the table besides that (perfect performance and portability notwithstanding), but the autostereoscopic option here gives you a genuine reason to rebuy and replay this retro classic.

12. Kirby's Dream Land 2 (GB)

Kirby's Dream Land 2 is simple, solid fun from the Kirbster, and one of the better traditional-style Kirby titles. The technical mastery of Game Boy really shines through even now, with great presentation and a fairly large world to conquer. Even though its low level of challenge makes it seem smaller than it actually is, its length and numerous power-ups to experiment with make it ideal for repeat playthroughs. After all these years, this still plays like a dream.

11. Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land (GBA)

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land is a worthy remake of the pink puffball's first home console adventure. While what it offers is a tad basic compared to more modern Kirby titles, it's still very playable, and there are little creative moments where the game shines. As with practically every other game featuring the Kirbster, its delightful, colourful visuals make it a supremely charming experience, and one which will be most appreciated by players looking for only a very light challenge.

10. Kirby's Adventure (NES)

Kirby's Adventure is a vibrant masterclass of NES platforming whether you've got the 3D slider set to max in the 3D Classics version on 3DS or you're enjoying it old-school-style with just the two dimensions on NES or as part of the Nintendo Switch Online NES library offering. It's a high point in the pink puffball's illustrious career and its 8-bit visuals still look great all these years later. Even if you don't consider yourself a Kirby fan, this adventure will win you over. You might say... it sucks you in.

9. Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii)

A gorgeous, low-stress game that transports Kirby into a world of fabric and thread, Kirby's Epic Yarn was the first of Good-Feel's material-based platformers and is arguably still the best. We adore it, and anyone who says it's lacking in challenge is correct... but missing the point entirely. Kirby's Epic Yarn is one of the most joyous and creative games on Wii, or indeed any platform.