If the Super Mario franchise pushes the boundaries to new heights, the Kirby franchise takes a more laid-back approach. Rather than see what’s possible, the Kirby games have always been about platforming at its purest.
These games aren’t going to push players to their limit. Still, they encourage exploration and reward venturing off the beaten path. You could blitz through the Kirby games quickly with little to no challenge.
Regarding Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe, the formula has been perfected. This is a pure platformer that delivers an experience customized to the player.
t resembles 2021’s Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. Again, Nintendo brought a platformer that people overlooked upon release, added additional content, and showcased a game that has aged gracefully.
2D KIRBY PLATFORMING AT ITS FINEST
For whatever reason, the original release of Kirby’s Return to Dreamland was slept on by many, myself included. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, consider the state of the Nintendo Wii in 2011.
A common critique is the game’s difficulty or lack thereof. I’d argue that this is a common characteristic of the Kirby series. We’re not playing these games to be pushed to our limits.