Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a delightful new take on the classic Wii game. It’s not especially complex, but a Kirby game doesn’t need to be. The new additions and art style make this the best version of Return to Dream Land, though the price may not be worth it for those who have already played the original.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Price: $60
Platform: Nintendo Switch (reviewed)
MonsterVine received a Switch code for review
Almost exactly a year after the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the suitably titled Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe has dropped. For those who never played the original Wii title, it’s a great way to get a good dose of 2D Kirby platforming, with some excellent minigames and a playable epilogue to fill the package out.
If you’ve played a 2D Kirby game before, you’ll know what to expect. As Kirby, you can jump and fly across stages while devouring enemies to absorb their unique abilities. There’s quite a wide variety of abilities available here, with everything from the original Return to Dream Land available alongside two new powers: Sand and Mecha, as well as Festival from Kirby Star Allies. Then there are the returning Super Abilities that wipe the screen of foes and change certain environmental features.
It’s refreshing to return to this more straightforward and simple style of Kirby, though that simplicity means it may not appeal to those who prefer the more diverse Kirby games like The Forgotten Land and spin-offs like Kirby’s Dream Buffet. Still, if you’re open to classic 2D Kirby, you’d be hard pressed to pass on Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Hopping around stages, experimenting with powers, and learning little tricks you can do with each one make for a consistently fun experience throughout the many different worlds and stages, which are all adorned with delightful music – as is par for the course for Kirby.
Stages have a number of collectibles to grab that will unlock rooms in Magolor’s ship. This lets you play unique challenge stages and multiplayer (or solo) minigames, some of which return from previous titles. The minigames are surprisingly fun and diverse, comprised of everything from target shooting challenges to little arena-based games that feel akin to some of the stronger Mario Party minigames. Playing them earns you items like festival masks of various characters from across the Kirby franchise that can be worn during stages. It’s a very tiny feature but it’s nice to see characters from games like The Crystal Shards and Squeak Squad get some kind of shout-out.
There’s also Magoland and a playable epilogue starring Magolor. Both provide players with new Magolor-themed content, with one being a Disney World-esque hub for minigames and fun little interactions and the other being a little playable extra campaign to show what Magolor is up to following the base game’s ending. They’re grand additions that do indeed add a good deal to the package, further making this the ideal way to play Return to Dream Land.
The new art style is quite pleasant and is more in line with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, especially with King Dedede’s appearance. I think it’ll age better than the previous style, as it’s a more stylistic and modern look.
The Final Word
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a stacked rerelease that features consistently fun Kirby gameplay and plenty of fun new side content. It’s not anything unexpected or game-changing, but Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a great little game for anybody looking for a charming and simple platformer to unwind with.
MonsterVine Rating: 4 out of 5 – Good
