Summary
- Kirby Superstar offers multiple smaller campaigns packed with classic Kirby gameplay.
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land is Kirby's successful transition to 3D exploration.
- Kirby Fighters 2 is a passable fighting game but plays similarly to Super Smash Bros.
Kirby is one of the most memorable characters in Nintendo's history, and leave it to them to make a pink circle, two eyes, and a mouth a cultural juggernaut that is taken with the same level of respect as Mario, Sonic, and Link.
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PostsThe Nintendo Switch is a home for both the newer and older titles in the Kirby series, thanks to Nintendo Switch Online's retro collection and Hal Laboratory's dedication to keeping the Kirby renaissance going. But, with every great series comes a question: which game is the best, and which should I spend my money on?
Updated on April 24, 2025, by Kyle Chamaillard: Kirby has starred in many games, and fortunately, most of them are available in one way or another on the Nintendo Switch. We've updated this list to include more information about each title to help you decide which ones to play first.
17 Kirby Fighters 2
Another Brawl
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Like Follow FollowedKirby Fighters 2
Fighting Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 66/100 Critics Rec: 34% Released September 23, 2020 ESRB e Developer(s) HAL Laboratory Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Super Kirby Clash game engine. Franchise KirbyWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALKirby Fighters 2 is okay for what it is: a fighting game consisting entirely of Kirby characters. With 22 playable fighters (17 of which are Kirby abilities, and the remainder, buddies), it does exactly what it needs to be a passable fighting game.
The thing that drops it to the bottom of the list is that it plays so similarly to Super Smash Bros. that you might as well just play that since it offers more content and overlaps a decent amount with Kirby Fighters 2. If you just can't get enough of Kirby, though, this is the game for you.
16 Super Kirby Clash
A Party Of Kirby
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Like Follow FollowedSuper Kirby Clash
Action Systems 3.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Released September 4, 2019 ESRB E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence Developer(s) HAL Laboratory Publisher(s) Nintendo Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise KirbyWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALSuper Kirby Clash is a fine free-to-start experience that doesn't touch any of the highs of the rest of Kirby's titles but is still a fun time nonetheless. You'll spend most of your time taking on challenging missions, which are essentially mainline Kirby boss fights, with three other players (or CPUs) of varying RPG classes.
While there is a lot of content here, most of it revolves around a singular experience that you can only play in small bursts before running out of in-game currency, which either restores by itself over time or is purchased for real money. If you like Kirby boss fights to the max, maybe Super Kirby Clash will scratch your itch.
15 Kirby's Dream Buffet
Rollin' Over
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Like Follow FollowedKirby's Dream Buffet
Action Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 67/100 Critics Rec: 29% Released August 17, 2022 ESRB E For Everyone: Mild Cartoon Violence Developer(s) HAL Laboratory Publisher(s) Nintendo Multiplayer Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer Franchise KirbyWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALLike most of the games on the top half of this list, Kirby's Dream Buffet is just okay– there aren't any terrible titles, only games that are underwhelming. Kirby's Dream Buffet centers around a gameplay loop of racing three other players to the end of food-filled tracks to get the biggest bounty of strawberries.
There are a decent amount of tracks, a variety of bonus game modes, and cute costumes that you can make Kirby wear, but at the end of the day, the core of the gameplay is more something you might pull out at a party than call your favorite Kirby game.
14 Kirby's Star Stacker
Stack 'Em All
CloseKirby's Star Stacker
Puzzle Strategy Systems Released January 24, 1997 ESRB E Developer(s) HAL Laboratory Publisher(s) Nintendo Franchise Kirby Platform(s) Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Game Boy Powered by Expand CollapseKirby's Star Stacker launched on the Game Boy internationally, but the Super Famicom version of the game - the one that is currently available on Nintendo Switch Online - was only available in Japan until recently. The console version features better graphics and a competitive multiplayer mode, which makes it superior to the handheld Star Stacker.
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PostsIf you enjoy puzzle games like Tetris or Dr. Mario, it won't take long for you to be sucked in by Star Stacker's surprisingly engaging gameplay. The colorful blocks and character portraits create a friendly atmosphere for a game that can also be incredibly challenging if you play on one of the higher-difficulty settings.
You must have a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to access this title.
13 Kirby's Avalanche
A Copy Of Puyo Puyo
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LikeKirby's Avalanche
Puzzle Action Systems Released February 1, 1995 ESRB E Developer(s) HAL Laboratory Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Puyo Puyo Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise KirbyWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALKirby's Avalanche is Puyo Puyo. No, not like Puyo Puyo, and not borrowing from Puyo Puyo– Kirby's Avalanche is, one for one, a Puyo Puyo game with a coat of paint resembling the pink puffball and his world.
There's not much to say here– if you like Puyo Puyo, this does the job and provides something new to look at while playing. Even so, you won't be blamed if you're looking for a little more that actually concerns Kirby in a game that has his name on it. At least Kirby gives you something to look at by hopping around the screen as you play.
You must have a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to access this title.
12 Kirby's Dream Land
Kirby's First Adventure
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Platformer Adventure Shooter Systems Released April 27, 1992 ESRB E Developer(s) HAL Laboratory Publisher(s) Nintendo Franchise KirbyWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALKirby's Dream Land for the Game Boy was the protagonist's first adventure, though most of his iconic features wouldn't be introduced until Kirby's Adventure for the NES. Here, Kirby can eat and spit out enemies, but he doesn't have the power to copy their abilities yet.
While Kirby's versatility is a defining characteristic, Dream Land is still a great platformer that introduces iconic characters, like Whispy Woods, King Dedede, and Kracko. If you're a completionist who wants to play every Kirby game available, the first chapter of his story should take roughly an hour to complete.
You must have a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to access this title.
11 Kirby Tilt 'N' Tumble
Move The Console, Move The Kirby
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Action Puzzle Systems Released April 11, 2001 ESRB E For Everyone Developer(s) HAL Laboratory, Nintendo R&D2 Publisher(s) Nintendo Franchise KirbyWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONKirby has starred in some interesting spin-offs and Tilt 'N' Tumble was one of the first examples of how flexible and weird the pink protagonist is willing to get. When it first launched on the Game Boy, the cartridge had a built-in accelerometer, so you could tilt your console to control which direction Kirby rolls toward.
It's a fun gimmick that only gets frustrating when it misreads what direction you want Kirby to go in. This mechanic has been carried over to Tilt 'N' Tumble on Nintendo Switch Online, so you can move your console around - preferably in handheld mode- to get Kirby to the goal in this unique title.
You must have a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to access this title.
10 Kirby's Dream Course
A Fun Spin On Golf
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Sports Systems Released September 21, 1994 ESRB E for Everyone Developer(s) HAL Laboratory, Nintendo EAD Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Special Tee Shot Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise KirbyWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALYeah, Kirby's Dream Course might just be golf, but it does such a great job of combining the sport with the world and key elements of Kirby that it can be excused. Rather than get to the hole in as few strikes as possible, you want to eliminate all the enemies on the field to reveal an exit to escape to.
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PostsEven further, copy abilities play a core role in gameplay, altering how Kirby moves when struck and causing you to be more intentional about the order in which you eliminate enemies.
You must have a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to access this title.
9 Kirby And The Amazing Mirror
A Metroidvania With Friends
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Fighting Metroidvania Shooter Systems Released April 15, 2004 ESRB e Developer(s) HAL Laboratory, Flagship, Dimps Publisher(s) HAL Laboratory, Nintendo Engine havok Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise KirbyWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALKirby and the Amazing Mirror originally arrived on the Game Boy Advance and introduced a couple of fun twists to the classic Kirby formula. Firstly, the game's map is less linear than other titles and feels more like a Metroidvania than a straight platformer, and you can play it with up to three friends as long as everyone owns a copy of the game.
It's refreshing to see Kirby break the mold, but Amazing Mirror still has a handful of flaws that prevent it from being a better game. Still, it's great that you can play it wherever you like, and if your friends also subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online, you can play the entire game with them through online co-op.
You must have a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription to access this title.
8 Kirby's Dream Land 2
With A Little Help From My Animal Friends
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Platformer Action Released March 21, 1995 ESRB E Developer(s) HAL Laboratory Publisher(s) Nintendo Franchise Kirby Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo 3DS How Long To Beat 3 Hours Powered by Expand CollapseKirby's Dream Land 2 takes everything from its predecessor and expands upon it to create one of Kirby's greatest adventures. While the first Dream Land lacked some personality and Kirby's iconic copy abilities, the sequel remedies this with colorful flair and seemingly endless possibilities.
More than anything, Dream Land 2 is often viewed as one of the more challenging games in a series that's often perceived to be for younger audiences. Earning 100% completion will require you to solve some tough puzzles with the help of some new friends - Rick, Kine, and Coo.
You must have a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to access this title.
