Is Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Switch 2 Star-Crossed World Content Worth $20? A Comprehensive Review

Analyzing the Value Proposition of the Switch 2 Upgrade

Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Switch 2 upgrade, featuring the Star-Crossed World expansion, presents a compelling yet complex proposition for players. At $20, it’s the most expensive upgrade path among recent Nintendo Switch title enhancements, significantly exceeding the free upgrades offered for games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and the $10 upgrades (or Nintendo Switch Online bundled options) for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. This disparity necessitates a thorough examination of the added content’s value to determine if the price justifies the investment.

Performance Enhancements: 60 FPS and Beyond

The Switch 2 upgrade boasts a substantial visual improvement, jumping from 30 FPS on the original Switch to a smooth 60 FPS experience. This enhancement, coupled with a higher resolution, markedly elevates the gameplay fluidity. While the original 30 FPS was generally well-received and rarely hindered the experience, the added smoothness provided by the doubled frame rate is undeniable. This improvement alone, however, doesn’t fully justify the $20 price tag, as it functions more as a refinement than a revolutionary change to the core gameplay. It’s an improvement, undoubtedly appreciated, but not a game-changer akin to the generational leap seen in Breath of the Wild’s Switch 2 upgrade.

Star-Crossed World: New Levels and Mechanics

The core of the upgrade lies in the addition of Star-Crossed World, which introduces twelve new levels integrated into the existing campaign and a challenging new boss rush mode. For first-time players, these levels are seamlessly woven into the main storyline, providing a refreshing change of pace throughout their adventure. Returning players, however, benefit from the option of directly accessing the new content, making it a perfect addition for those looking for more Kirby action within the already fantastic world.

Level Design and Mechanics: A Familiar Yet Fresh Experience

The Star-Crossed World levels cleverly utilize existing locations, but cleverly remix them, adding unique twists to familiar environments. These are not mere rehashes; they venture into unexplored areas and introduce new mechanics, keeping the experience engaging and preventing it from feeling stale or repetitive. This strategic approach ensures a fresh feeling even for experienced players well-versed in the original Forgotten Land’s landscapes. The addition of new enemy types and Mouthful modes adds an extra layer of challenge and variation, adding new dimensions to the gameplay.

Challenge and Innovation Within Familiar Territory

The new levels maintain the game’s signature lighthearted tone while introducing subtly enhanced challenges. Enemies are tougher than in the original game, demanding more strategic thinking and skillful execution from the player. The new Mouthful modes add variety to Kirby’s abilities and require clever approaches to conquer certain levels and challenges. It’s worth noting these new challenges never venture into overly difficult territory, maintaining the game’s accessible nature even with the added complexity.

The Culmination: A Demanding Final Boss Encounter

Star-Crossed World culminates in a remarkably challenging final boss fight. This is no mere afterthought; it’s a true highlight of the expansion. This fight requires significantly more attempts than any other encounter in the game, marking a notable departure from the generally straightforward nature of the main campaign. This change in difficulty is a welcome surprise, providing a satisfyingly challenging conclusion to the additional content. Far from being a negative aspect, this challenging encounter adds depth and reinforces the value of the Star-Crossed World content.

Assessing the Overall Value: A Balanced Perspective

The Star-Crossed World expansion undeniably delivers high-quality content that aligns perfectly with the established strengths of the original game. The new levels are well-designed, the mechanics are engaging, and the final boss fight offers a rewarding and challenging experience. The performance upgrade provides a noticeable enhancement, although it is not game changing. However, the question of value remains. For the price of $20, is this added content truly necessary?

A Luxury, Not a Necessity

The fundamental question is whether the addition of new levels and a challenging final boss fight constitutes enough value to justify the $20 price tag, especially considering the already substantial amount of content in the original game. The answer is nuanced. While the additional content is undeniably high-quality and enjoyable, it doesn’t fundamentally alter or enhance the core experience to a degree that necessitates purchase for everyone. For players who already completed the game and thoroughly enjoyed it, the expansion feels like a rewarding treat and a worthwhile continuation. However, for those who may not have played Forgotten Land yet and are looking at the Switch 2 upgrade, the steep overall price of $80 may be prohibitive. If you are hesitant about the original game, consider playing it first before committing to the upgrade.

Conclusion: A Recommendation with Caveats

The Switch 2 upgrade for Kirby and the Forgotten Land, including Star-Crossed World, offers a significant performance boost and a substantial amount of high-quality new content. The performance enhancements alone elevate the existing experience. However, the $20 price point makes it a luxury rather than a necessity. For dedicated fans of the original game, the upgrade is a very strong recommendation, offering a well-executed expansion that adds value and replayability to an already excellent title. However, prospective buyers should carefully consider the overall cost of $80 for the complete package, especially if they’re unsure about the base game. It is a fantastic game, but it remains a very expensive purchase considering that the enhancements, while enjoyable, may not be necessary for everyone to enjoy this game. The ultimate value proposition depends heavily on individual preferences and prior experience with the original game.