Nintendo is known for iconic franchises likeThe Legend of Zelda, Super Mario,andKirby,all of which have been around for decades. Throughout the current console generation of the Nintendo Switch, the developer has been following a trend of breathing new life into these decades' old series. This not only brings back old fans looking for something new and exciting, but ropes in plenty of new ones as well.
Kirby and the Forgotten Landis the most recent game to undergo this treatment. Just the fact that it is a 3D platformer is a huge departure from the traditionally 2D series, but there are tons of other changes to be excited about.Kirby and the Forgotten Landshould not be the last series that Nintendo reinvents, though, as there are many series just as old that are deserving of more love and attention.
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Nintendo’s Knack for Reinvention
The Legend of ZeldaandSuper Marioseries are two of the most beloved gaming franchises out there, but there is only a certain number of times that one can play through another port of an olderZeldagame, or the nextNew Super Mario Bros.game. Nintendo was quick to realize this, as with the release of the Nintendo Switch, both series' fundamentals were turned on their heads.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildreleased as a Switch launch title back in 2017 and completely changed the Zelda formula. For the first time in gaming, the game’s world felt truly open. Players were able to explore the world at their own pace, following any route, all while maintaining the typical charm of aZeldagame. Five years later,Breath of the Wild’sinfluence is still feltin many games— the most recent beingElden Ring,which adopts a very similar philosophy for its massive world. It is interesting to see howBreath of the Wild’ssequel will expand on this, given the knowledge that Link will be able to venture into the sky.
Super Mario Odysseytakes a similar approach, and gives the player more freedom than any pastMariogame. Each level feels like a jungle gym, filled to the brim with things for Mario to play with. Not only can players collect any given kingdom’s Power Moons in any order, but each Moon can also be obtained in numerous ways given the player’s skill over the game’s movement options.Super Mario Odysseyis the true next step for theMariofranchise, and if the bite-sizedBowser’s Furyfrom 2021 is any indication, the next main game will be fully open and even more impressive.
Besides these two games, Nintendo has perfected some other series on the Switch. BothSuper Smash Bros. UltimateandMario Kart 8 Deluxeserve as compendiums for their respective series. Even now,Mario Kart 8 Deluxeis getting new DLC, consisting of tracks from previous entries in the series. Though not developed directly by Nintendo, evenPokemoncompletely changed its stagnant gameplay formula withPokemon Legends: Arceus.This trend has been pumping out success after success, and is continuing on with everyone’s favorite pink puffball,Kirby.
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Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Changes to the Formula
Kirby and the Forgotten Landis a huge jump for theKirbyfranchise. The fact that this is the first timeKirby stars in a 3D platformeris exciting on its own— fans have wanted this since supposed “leaks” of a 3DKirbygame circled around during the GameCube era. The game has plenty more changes to help cement it as the next step for the 30-year-old series, though.
One of these additions isKirby and the Forgotten Land’smouthful mode. Similar to captures inSuper Mario Odyssey,mouthful mode allows Kirby to suck up and take control of regular, real-world objects. This includes a car, which allows Kirby to quickly zoom across the stages, and a traffic cone that grants the ability to ground pound.
Players can now upgrade Kirby’s copy abilitiesas well, marking another new change to a series staple. These not only cosmetically change Kirby’s abilities, but they gain more complicated movesets that all feel vastly different from the original. Players can experience a sliver of these changes inKirby and the Forgotten Land’sdemo before the game releases, and judging from it, this game is shaping up to beKirby’s ‘Mario Odyssey’or’Breath of the Wild’moment.
Nintendo’s Franchises in Need of Something New
Kirby and the Forgotten Landrepresents Nintendo’s most recent series to receive a dramatic overhaul, but it should most certainly not be the last. Nintendo is unique in that it has many beloved series that are anywhere from 20 to 30 years old, though most can do with freshening up. Takea newDonkey Konggame, for instance.Donkey Kong Country Returns,as well as its sequel,Tropical Freeze,are two amazing 2D platformers, albeit a bit similar to one another. A new take on a 3DDonkey Konggame could do wonders for the series, and hopefully be more indicative of the series’ great gameplay thanDonkey Kong 64.
Fromthe days of the NES, Nintendo has always been known for its ability to create unmatched gameplay. This knowledge is clearly alive and well, as new gameplay additions feel right at home inBreath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey,andKirby and the Forgotten Land.It is certainly an exciting time to be a Nintendo fan, if only to see what old series it reinvigorates next.
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