Summary
TheKirbygames have become a staple of Nintendo’s library, and their popularity doesn’t seem to be slowing down. However, after the latestKirbytitle,Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the series faces a major question about how to continue.
With more than 40 games under its belt, the series is one of theNintendo franchises with the most games, showing that the formula clearly works. But as the industry changes, games are forced to evolve and take new chances. The latestKirbygame,Kirby and the Forgotten Land, treated fans to the franchise’s long-awaited jump into 3D platforming. The game was a hit, which obviously pleased Nintnedo and HAL Laboratory, but it also created some uncertainty around the series’ future. It seems inevitable that a newKirbygame will be released eventually, but the success of the new 3D title leaves fans and developers wondering ifKirbyis better off remaining in 3D or returning to its 2D roots.
3D Success Might be a Double-Edged Sword for Kirby
Despite being known as a Nintendo character, Kirby is the creation of HAL Laboratories, a developer who works extremely closely with Nintendo.Kirbyis HAL’s most beloved creation, but it is also responsible for games likeEarthbound, theSuper Smash Bros.games, and theBox Boyseries. A look atHAL Laboratory’s best gamesshows that the company is most comfortable when developing games in 2D. While the success of HAL’s 3D games, likeSmash Bros.andPokemon SNAP, shows that the company has what it takes to tackle the third dimension, it’s clearly a move slightly outside the comfort zone of the developer. With that in mind, it may be in HAL’s best interest to return Kirby to his 2-dimensional world where success comes easiest.
HAL’s partnership with Nintendo has existed as long as the company itself, which is why many players consider the companies one and the same. However, it’s important to remember that Nintendo is a publisher for HAL. Their partnership has always been strong, and the two entities are usually on the same page, but they do have some differing opinions. With games likeSuper Mario OdysseyandThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nintendo has been focusing on high exploration in 3D environments, andKirby and the Forgotten Landfalls right in line with that trend. BecauseKirby and the Forgotten Landis one ofthe best 3D platformers on the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo might wantKirbyto remain in this new 3D realm.
Kirby’s Developers are Sending Mixed Signals
It seems that even HAL Laboratory itself is torn about what direction to take the future of theKirbyfranchise. In an interview with Nintendo shortly before the launch ofKirby and the Forgotten Land, it was revealed thatHAL team members want to create more “Wild and Free” 3DKirbygames. The interview teased some inclusions of the yet-to-release game, including Kirby’s new mouthful mode and the hub world of Waddle Dee Town, both of which helpedKirby’s jump to 3D succeed. The team members explained that they are interested in continuing to experiment with new mechanics and ideas forKirbygames, which might mean a continuation of this new perspective.
However, a separate interview conducted around the same time yielded different answers, casting more uncertainty onKirby’s future. This time, developers stated that they wanted to “go beyond what is currently imaginable” when creating newKirbygames. While this sounds promising for 3D Kirby fans, the representatives from HAL made sure to indicate that3D games might not be the future forKirby. It was explained that HAL wants to keep experimenting with its nextKirbygames, even if that means not keeping the new 3D setting. Keeping both interviews in mind, it’s hard to pinpoint whereKirby’s future might land, but either way, fans should be looking forward to more adventures.
