When Kirby and the Forgotten Land released on Nintendo Switch in 2022, it was a turning point for the series. Kirby had been in 3D before, but this was the first time the concept was fully realised in a large-scale adventure. Fans and critics alike praised how it balanced accessibility with creativity. Copy abilities, new forms, and light puzzle solving made the game approachable for children while still giving long-time players something fresh to enjoy. The launch was one of the most successful Kirby titles to date, and it quickly earned a reputation as a must-play on Switch. Fast forward to today, and Kirby returns on new hardware with Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World (quite the mouthful!) The bundle includes the original adventure, a new expansion, and upgrades designed to take advantage of Switch 2’s improved performance. The question is how much of a difference does the new system make in practice?
To find out, I replayed the opening level of Forgotten Land on both Switch and Switch 2. This gave me a controlled space to test performance while also highlighting one of the most memorable early moments: the car transformation. By focusing on the same area across both systems, it was possible to capture differences in graphics, frame rate, loading speed, and environmental detail. The car sequence in particular serves as a strong benchmark because it combines speed, destruction, and environmental effects all at once. Any stutters, drops, or inconsistencies become noticeable when you are crashing through obstacles at full tilt. With both versions side by side, it becomes clear how the Switch 2 hardware enhances the original design.
On the original Switch, the game was already well optimised. It held to a 30 frames per second cap for most of the adventure, with only occasional dips when the screen became crowded. It was smooth enough to enjoy without distraction, but there were moments where the system’s limits could be felt.
By comparison, the Switch 2 edition is much sharper. Textures have noticeably higher resolution, and smaller details such as environmental objects, ground surfaces, and background structures stand out more clearly. Character models also appear more refined with cleaner edges and brighter colours. The bump in resolution makes the world feel more alive and polished. The most significant change comes from the frame rate. On Switch 2, the game now runs at a fluid 60 frames per second. That improvement makes platforming feel snappier and combat more responsive, while also giving movement a sense of weight and smoothness that the 30-frame limit could not match. The difference is particularly obvious in the car sequence, where the higher frame rate keeps every crash and turn seamless. Load times also appear improved. The transition from menus into the first stage feels faster, reducing the wait before gameplay begins. While not a dramatic difference, it adds to the overall impression of a smoother experience. The original release pushed the Switch hardware impressively far, but the new system gives the game room to breathe. Visuals pop, performance is stable, and the whole adventure feels more immersive.
While performance is the main draw, Nintendo has also introduced new content and packaging options. The Switch 2 Edition is not a simple port. It includes:
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A new story expansion: Star-Crossed World. This continues the narrative and introduces fresh environments and abilities for Kirby to explore.
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Improved graphics and frame rate. Visual fidelity takes a noticeable step forward with sharper resolution, smoother animations, and more stable performance during busy scenes.
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The complete original adventure. Players who missed Forgotten Land the first time around now get the entire package in one purchase.
The inclusion of Star-Crossed World positions the release as a definitive edition of Forgotten Land, blending technical upgrades with additional content that justifies revisiting the game.
Nintendo has provided flexibility in how players access the new edition. For those who already own Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the Star-Crossed World expansion can be purchased as a separate upgrade pack. This means returning players do not need to repurchase the base game to enjoy the new content. Newcomers, on the other hand, can buy the full Switch 2 Edition as a standalone product. This includes both the original game and the new expansion, packaged together as the definitive version. Offering both options is a smart move because it lowers the barrier for existing fans while also giving fresh players the complete experience on new hardware.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land was already a high point for the pink puffball, and the move to Switch 2 makes it even more appealing. Between the technical upgrades and the addition of Star-Crossed World, this edition feels like a celebration of Kirby’s leap into 3D. This will actually be my first full journey through the Forgotten Land, so I will be digging into the expansion and visiting the core adventure in the coming days. Keep an eye out for my full review, where I will break down how the new content stacks up alongside the improved performance.
