Originally released on Wii back in 2011, Kirby's sword swinging adventure is coming to the Switch in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe on February 24th, 2023.
The game is set to bring over all of the powered-up fun from the original and combine it with some new features such as the Mecha Copy Ability which seems to turn Kirby into something of a blaster-wielding transformer?
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe will support up to four players in local multiplayer mode, with the option for everyone to play as a variant of Kirby thanks to the copying abilities providing enough distinction between picks — we guess that puts any brewing sibling arguments to bed!
On top of the main adventure, the game is also going to contain a collection of minigames. The Direct revealed that we will see the return of the quick-draw subgame 'Samurai Kirby' as well as showing a peak at a new game in this collection called 'Magolor's Tome Trackers'.
There is still a little while to wait before the game is released next year, but pre-orders are now available on the Nintendo eShop and in the My Nintendo Store.
Are you still keen for more Kirby content? Enter mouthful mode and tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
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Comments 70
PUYO! Love this game! Such a fun surprise and it looks so nice ...Day one! 💫
Yaaaay...! 😃
Now I have a second chance to play that Kirby game on Switch.
Really wasn’t expecting this one. And it’s more then welcome.
Very cool. The new mech ability is amazing. A bunch of previous sub games showing up is awesome. Really hoping for online multiplayer and new extra modes and additions.
Bought this game on Wii U earlier this year because it was the only modern Mirby I hadn't been able to play yet...I've never been so salty about a game I'm excited for and will purchase at launch
Problem.
This game comes out on the same day as Octopath Traveler 2
Why not? It's a good game!
Dedede looks weird though, being based on his Forgotten Land design.
One of my favorite Kirby games. I hope more people check this one out as it got passed up a lot previously because it was a late Wii game.
I swear they're messing with me at this point.
I genuinely think this is the most surprising reveal I've ever seen in a Direct. I've never played RtD before though so this'll probably be a day-one purchase for me.
Also, I find it hilarious how the way they upscaled the original was just by adding border lines around everything, that's pretty clever.
@anoyonmus Indeed! Big problem!
@anoyonmus That sounds more like a problem for Octopath Traveler 2.
Nintendo is going soooo hard on Kirby this year, actually pretty impressive. Although this looks like a game I can safely skip.
And the wait to hear the amazing rendition of CROWNED...commences.
Definitely one of the very few bright spots of the direct for me, especially since it's a remake of one of my absolute favorite games in the series.
I do hope there's a lot more to this remake than just more mini games and a new Copy Ability, though.
@MoonCabin Not so much Nintendo themselves as HAL Labs. They go big with Kirby anniversaries.
@StephenYap3 If you look at the game cover art you can see a whole Magolor Kingdom/amusement part that wasn't a thing in the original
@Fizza I do hope the outline is optional. It kind of looks a little jarring to me, to be honest.
I’ll gladly take more Kirby. Skipped this one on the Wii, so I’ll be getting this one for the first time.
If only we had this many Zelda and Metroid games as Kirby during their anniversary year.
I will wait on a discount as I have the original and can play on my wiiu.
Kirby fans stay eating, sheesh. Happy for Kirby stans!... but other neglected Nintendo franchises have to feel some type of way at this point poor things.
That being said I think it's time for some other Kirby-verse characters to get some shine. Maybe a King Dedede (my main in Smash) Inside Story or Cooking Mama game... or maybe a Meta Knight Metal Gear Rising Revengeance type game?
... Wun can only hope.
Not a fan of the slightly updated artstyle (bold outlines) but its not for me anyway. I played it on the Wii.
I really hope this one has optional difficulty levels. Star Allies was fun but so absurdly easy.
I actually thought a little about whether this game could be remastered since it fell off the wayside over the years, so I’m happy to see this. Return to Dream Land is one of my favorite Kirby games. It revived 2D Kirby, the soundtrack is fantastic, and while the level design seemed basic, the co-op was solid when playing with my sister. That on top of more minigames is great! I’m glad they kept Dedede’s Kirby 64 style redesign from Forgotten Land.
I'm down for it.
As someone who stupidly skipped out on this game when it released I’m excited. (Also I appreciate the extra sub games based on older ones)
Not the remake I expected but a welcome one. Can never have too much Kirby!
I remember liking the Wii version. Not so sure about the huge outlines on everything in this new version, but I'll get it if they add new content to it. At the very very least, they should add the Kirby's Dream Collection bonus levels to this version!
I am crying I AM CRYING SO HARD. This, along with Tears of the Kingdom is making me go crazy today.
Another one of the best highlights.^^
Just when I was about starved for a couch co-op game, Nintendo comes flying in from the east! As someone who liked Star Allies but thought it was a little bland, I’m excited to play what some people think is the best game in the series, and the minigames look amazing! When it comes to value, the price gouging for the original is so insane that this might still be cheaper, so any way you slice it, I’m excited to play it.
I was pleased with this announcement. Kirby: RDL is a really fun platformer with nice artstyle and solid co-op gameplay. A great game to enjoy with family and friends in our game parties.
I'm up for this even though I still play this game quite regularly on the Wii today and sometimes on Dolphin too in upscaled 4K.
The #KirbySweep never stops
One of my favourite Kirby games, this announcement made me SO happy!! For anyone who hasn't played this gem before, I highly recommend
Should have been Robobot but maybe they can do that next, still neat though RTDL is great.
Kirby flies? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought he floated.
The snow level has the best music. I won't be getting this, as I already have the wii version, and haven't played the Forgotten Land yet. Definitely a plus for those who missed out though.
I somehow skipped this on Wii, so this is awesome news. It looks like an only marginally enhanced port at best, which I don’t mind, but I wish they would throw in Kirby Fighters 2 and Dream Buffet into the physical release to round out the package.
Loved this game on the Wii, looking forward to playing this version.
@ArchRex RtDL is WAY more popular than Planet Robobot in Japan and with the multiplayer it's more appealing to more folks also. Just seems like a good fit for the switch honestly.
A lot of people probably dismissed this game in favor of Skyward Sword back on 2011, but this was also a solid second swan song for the Wii.
I'm glad it's getting a second chance. I may not get it at launch, but it will eventually join my ever growing Kirby Switch collection.
One thing I hope is that Dedede can play the same way he does in Star Allies, I like his Super Dedede Jump and Head Slide (the one where he runs and slams the floor with his belly), which he cannot do in the original Return to Dream Land.
That, and a restock of the Waddle Dee amiibo or an actual amiibo of Bandana Waddle Dee, you cannot have RtDL without him.
Kirby fans eating way well lately.
I just checked the store page, I think they're adding online play! Hopefully it's not just for the mini-games. (Edit: I am going to scream.)
Hope to see more Wii games get released on Switch, though admittedly this one had very limited motion controls.
Seems the game is 60fps. Hope it stays that way throughout the game
@Kirby_Girl Unless if it's an actual new world, I'm gonna assume that that's where the new mini games are located.
@StephenYap3 I guess it reminded me more of the amusement park Magolor built after the events of Return to Dreamland as part of the 20 anniversary compilation. The compilation included new challenge levels similar to the extra levels in the Lor Star Cutter you could unlock in RtDL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvBP_aSB-DQ
It's possible that could just be where a lot of subgames will be. Maybe more challenge levels could be added tho.
I'm already excited for one game that has Return in its name, but I can make room for another, it's Kirby after all. I only have two real gripes so far:
1. I'm not sure how to feel about the cel-shading on the models. Feels a little off to me. Can't put into words why.
2. I'm ain't a fan of this logo. A downgrade from the OG logo imo.
but these are minor complaints. I'll probably get over them when the game comes out.
I love how this looks. I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I adore the Kaiji art style, and seeing something close to it (albeit softer) here makes me really happy. Plus, the cutscenes have the Valkyria Chronicles filter, if the trailer is anything to go by, and Valk is probably my favorite looking game on the Switch, so yeah, I really like this.
For some reason this direct made me feel like I should stay away from remasters and ports if the original is availabe for a reasonable price.
I have not played this game yet, but I really should. And please a physical version of Kirbys Dream Buffet. Recently I realized the game can be played offline.
I would prefer Kirby’s Epic Yarn. And even more Donkey Kong Country Returns HD!
Although I was expecting Wind Waker and Twilight on Switch - I am still excited for this, since I like the art style.
So we should assume based on all these Kirby games that this system is on its last legs.
Kirby gets mich more love for anniversary than Zelda
I’m honestly so surprised that we are getting ANOTHER Kirby game this year! I used to not care too much for Kirby, but Forgotten Land changed my mind, so I’ll definitely be picking this one up. The art style is great as well!
Personally, I'm finding the borders jarring. Love Kirby, but don't need this game right now, the Wii original will suffice.
This is my favorite Kirby game (and arguably one of my favorite games of all time). I'm really happy that it's coming to Switch. But it just feels like a weird choice for a remaster port.
@N00BiSH Unfortunately the logo looks like it's based on the Japanese Wii logo, it had the same colors, which are preserved for the Switch remaster. Here's a comparison of both Wii box arts. I honestly prefer the American one for showing the concept of the multiplayer and the Super Abilities.
Here's a look at the Japanese Switch logo, I'm guessing this is going to be the HOME Menu icon.
EDIT: Found what seems to be a North American boxart of the Switch remaster, also based on the Japanese/European cover, but now including Magolor.
As for the cel-shading. While questionable, it might (emphasis on might) be a reference to one of the 3 scrapped concepts that eventually became the original Return to Dream Land.
Sorry for the spam of images.
Another port lol
@gcunit agreed. I can't help but feel the borders make the game look worse, not better. Maybe it'll grow on me if I decide to buy it, but....
My Wii copy is sitting right there 😅
I would've been on this one in a heartbeat had I not just tracked down and played through the Wii version not even a month ago. Maybe some day!
Kirby's Return to Dream Land getting ported to the Switch?
I'll take it, it was one of my favourite reveals of the direct.
@RupeeClock dude he looks like he swallowed a bee.
Maybe too much to ask for making this a less ambitious release? I can understand their desire to remaster this game especially with those new graphics they achieved, but full price, at retail?
I expected DLC for the Forgotten Land, and since they are likely already making the next mainline game, DLC for that game would've been like a sneak peak for the future. The remake is looking pretty, but I don't think it deserves the same release treatment as The Forgotten Land
@Fizza not only that but I get Club Penguin vibes off of King Dedede's redesign(which was introduced in Kirby and the Forgotten Land).
Looks like someone at Nintendo downloaded Quick Outline from the Asset Store.
@Tyranexx to be fair to you, no amount of leaks could have predicted a Kirby's return to dreamland port, let alone a remake
@serouj2000
I personally was not surprised by this announcement. RtDL is the most popular modern Kirby entry in Japan. Recently on a top 100 video games of all time list, there were 3 Kirby games voted in. Air Ride, Super Star, and Return to Dreamland. There was talks about a possible compilation as well for the 30th anniversary and a third dev team whose project no one knew about. The character of Magolor is also very popular in Japan. So I thought it was possible for it to be put out again or even remade again.
Still I imagine a switch remake is still very surprising to most. Many games still haven't been ported over with a chance to play them again.
Anyway, it's worthy of the remake and I'm glad to see it on Switch.
@serouj2000 I don't typically seek out leaks, so it likely would have taken me by surprise anyway. I'm relatively new to the Kirby series and heard Return To Dream Land is one of the better ones. I was contemplating buying it digital on the Wii U until I learned how affordable the game was secondhand. Regardless of this announcement, I'm still glad I played through it.
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