Where to Start · Kirby
Where to Start with Kirby
Kirby is HAL Laboratory's Nintendo platformer franchise running since 1992 — the pink puffball who inhales enemies and copies their abilities, designed explicitly as an accessible alternative to the more demanding Mario and Mega Man games of the era. The franchise is deceptively cheerful — underneath the pastel colours and cute aesthetics is a series with genuine mechanical depth, some of the most creative boss designs in Nintendo's catalogue, and a hidden lore about ancient cosmic beings that the games reveal gradually across decades.
Each entry is standalone. No required play order.
If you only play one Kirby game
Play Kirby and the Forgotten Land (2021, Switch). It is the best game in the franchise and Kirby's first fully 3D mainline entry — Kirby exploring a post-apocalyptic world of abandoned human structures overgrown by nature, the Mouthful Mode mechanic letting him inhale and wear cars, vending machines, and traffic cones. Forgotten Land is accessible to all ages and skill levels while hiding significant depth in its challenge stages and boss rematches. Available on Nintendo Switch.
Kirby's Adventure and Kirby Super Star
Kirby's Adventure (1993, NES) is where the copy ability system was introduced and the franchise found its identity. Kirby Super Star (1996, SNES) — released as Kirby's Fun Pak in Europe — is the definitive classic era entry with eight different game modes each using the copy ability system differently. Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008, DS) remasters the SNES original with additional modes. Both are worth playing for the classic era. Kirby Super Star is on Nintendo Switch Online (SNES library).
Kirby's Return to Dream Land and Planet Robobot
Kirby's Return to Dream Land (2011, Wii) — remade as Return to Dream Land Deluxe (2023, Switch) — is the best traditional Kirby game since the SNES era with four-player co-op and Super Abilities. Kirby: Planet Robobot (2016, 3DS) adds a mech suit that scans and copies enemy properties — the most mechanically creative classic format entry. Planet Robobot requires a 3DS physical copy (eShop closed). Return to Dream Land Deluxe is on Switch.
Kirby's Dream Land and the Game Boy era
Kirby's Dream Land (1992, Game Boy) is the original — the only Kirby game without copy abilities, designed as an extremely accessible starter platformer. It is historically important and very short. The Game Boy era Kirby games (Dream Land 2, Dream Land 3) added the Animal Friends system. All available on Nintendo Switch Online (Game Boy library).
The hidden lore
Kirby's lore is significantly darker than the games' appearance suggests. The Kirby franchise contains ancient gods who consumed stars, a being of pure darkness that predates the universe, and recurring villains whose true forms are cosmic horrors. Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, Kirby's Return to Dream Land, and the Kirby's Dream Collection all contain references to the overarching mythology. It rewards attention across entries.
Pick any box — Every mainline Kirby is built to satisfy on its own. Lore threads are frosting — go deep if the cosmic stuff hooks you, ignore it if you just want great platforming.
What platforms you need
Kirby and the Forgotten Land — Nintendo Switch. Return to Dream Land Deluxe — Nintendo Switch. Kirby Super Star — Nintendo Switch Online (SNES library). Planet Robobot — 3DS physical. Classic Game Boy entries — Nintendo Switch Online (Game Boy library).
Recommended order
Forgotten Land first — the best game and best modern entry. Kirby Super Star for classic era context. Return to Dream Land Deluxe for the best traditional modern Kirby. Planet Robobot for the most mechanically creative classic entry.