During the Nintendo Direct in September 2026, among many other announcements, a new chapter for the pink puffball was revealed: Kirby and the World Beyond was officially unveiled and is set to launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 in spring 2027.
What is Kirby and the World Beyond About?
In the trailer, Kirby initially explores a familiarly colorful 3D world, but then encounters an invisible wall, behind which lies a completely new, hidden realm – the titular “World Beyond”. There, he meets a new companion with whom he embarks on an adventure that reveals Dream Land is not what it seems. Nintendo is deliberately vague about the exact story details but emphasizes that the game focuses more on free exploration gameplay-wise than its predecessor.
How Does the Game Differ from Kirby and the Forgotten Land?
The fundamental 3D gameplay from 2022's Kirby and the Forgotten Land remains intact – including the ability to inhale enemies and objects and take on their powers. According to Nintendo, the major difference lies in the world design: instead of individual, clearly defined levels, World Beyond is intended to be significantly more open and freely explorable. This is notable because the Kirby series has traditionally been known for very linear, accessible level design – Forgotten Land in 2022 was already the first big step towards more open 3D worlds, and this new installment, according to the announcement, goes even further. Fittingly, the announcement comes amidst the series' 35th anniversary, which began in 1992 on the Game Boy with Kirby’s Dream Land.
Source: Nintendo Life
Are you looking forward to a more open Kirby adventure, or do you prefer the series to be classically linear? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
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