Kirby — one of the most famous faces (with little podgy arms and feet attached) in Nintendo's stable of stars — has been wowing players with his impressive abilities and sheer versatility for well over 30 years now.
In fact, Kirby and his catalogue represent an odd dichotomy. He's a super approachable platforming protagonist ready to onboard novices and younger gamers with sedately iterative adventures, but he's also (and perhaps fittingly seeing as he's the product of a company named HAL Laboratory) the subject of numerous madcap gameplay experiments; a guinea pig for new game mechanics and ideas.
Kirby is all-at-once video gaming's blandest and most exciting character. Perhaps such adaptability is to be expected from an individual who can transform at will and adopt the characteristics of literally anyone or anything he comes into contact with!
We've compiled this list of the Best Kirby games ever, and for the sake of comprehensiveness, it includes every spin-off, 'Deluxe' re-release and upgrade, compilation, and port of his previous hits. So jump aboard your warp star and hold on tight — we're about to take you through every single Kirby game ranked from best to worst.
Well, worst to best, actually. There's nothing wrong with a little suspense.
38. Kirby Battle Royale (3DS)
Kirby Battle Royale falls into a 'C' or 'D-list' category of Nintendo releases. While the main games in the series on 3DS offer creativity, smart design and generous amounts of content, this one falls short on all counts. It's not a bad game, but it is mediocre.
For families and minigame enthusiasts able to dabble in local multiplayer, there's some fun to be had, but a repetitive Story Mode and sparsely populated online servers will sap anyone else's enthusiasm. Kirby may have many of his iconic abilities here, but the copy-paste approach and limited minigames mean this doesn't come close to the quality and fun of the mascot's other games.
37. Team Kirby Clash Deluxe (3DS eShop)
A free release based on the Team Kirby Clash mode in Kirby: Planet Robobot, Team Kirby Clash Deluxe was a neat free-to-start multiplayer experience combining the action-RPG gameplay of that mode with a peppering of F2P mechanics (battle limitations and Gem Apples as a currency, for example).
It also used the 3DS' Streetpass feature — oh how we miss it! — which enables the Kirby's of people you pass in the street to join you in battle.
36. Kirby Fighters Deluxe (3DS eShop)
Expanding on the original Kirby Fighters minigame from Kirby: Triple Deluxe with team battles, boss fights, collectable cosplay and several new stages, Kirby Fighters Deluxe is both a worthwhile upgrade and a great game in its own right.
The lack of online play is a letdown, but this one’s worth finding friends for; local multiplayer is an amazingly good time, and simple controls, helpful handicaps and Download Play make it accessible for all.
35. Super Kirby Clash (Switch eShop)
An upgraded version of fellow free-to-start Kirby game, Team Kirby Clash Deluxe, Super Kirby Clash holds up the series' standard with its impressively diverse boss roster, straightforward RPG-lite mechanics, and deep potential for replayability.
Online multiplayer is unstable and unreliable, but as a free-to-play release, Super Kirby Clash handles its monetisation smartly and doesn’t hold back too much, offering you a fair amount of time-gated content relative to how much you feel like paying. There's little reason not to give this a try if it passed you by.
34. Kirby's Blowout Blast (3DS eShop)
A standalone version of the Kirby 3D Rumble sub-game from Planet Robobot, Kirby’s Blowout Blast leans back into the series’ Dream Land roots despite its added third dimension. Blowout Blast looks beautiful, controls well and is easy to pick up, play, and replay. It's also just a bit too simple in its construction, and could have benefited from some surprises to spice things up in the main stages.
Younger players will likely have a blast, and there's still plenty of Kirby love for completionists, but anybody not fully down with the score-chasing element might find the experience a tad deflating.
33. Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe (3DS eShop)
Another standalone update of a mode from a previous game, Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe is a hit for rhythm game fans; short but very sweet, it offers wonderful tunes, clever levels, and tons of trademark Kirby charm.
It’s also an excellent expansion of the original minigame, with all new stages and lots of fun gameplay tweaks. Anyone looking for a fresh take on musical platforming should hunt this one down. It's Dedede-lightful.
32. Kirby's Star Stacker (GB)
If you enjoy falling block puzzlers, then Kirby's Star Stacker is a fun little one of those. The Round Clear mode gives you some fixed levels to play through, after which you'll be left with high score attempts, just like most puzzlers.
It got a Japan-exclusive Super Famicom remake very late in that system's life, although it never came to the West because the mainstream market for SNES games had disappeared by 1998. All told, it's quite fun.
31. Kirby's Avalanche (SNES)
Relabelled as Kirby's Ghost Trap in Europe, this is simply Compile and Banpresto's Super Puyo Puyo with a lick of pink paint from HAL.
In the battle of the 16-bit Puyo puzzlers, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine arguably has a slight edge over Kirby's Avalanche (for casual players, at least) due to the password system and a better soundtrack. It's hard to go too far wrong with Puyo Puyo, though, and this one's got Kirby in it. Score!
30. Kirby's Dream Buffet (Switch eShop)
Kirby's Dream Buffet is a colourful and chaotic slice of slapstick party game action that serves up a nice range of modes to play either offline, in online ranked matches, and with friends in split-screen or local play modes.
This is an easy, breezy game to jump into, perfect for beginners and young gamers, with plenty of courses, lots of unlockable goodies, and a budget price point to boot, making for one delicious treat that we're gonna be digging into for some time to come.
29. Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble (GBC)
Released in 2000 in Japan and the following year in North America, this GBC spin-off never came to PAL shores, at least not until it was added to Nintendo Switch Online in June 2023. The cartridge included a tilting sensor which enabled you to control Kirby by rolling him around levels, guiding him to the goal.
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble isn't ground-breaking, but it's a fun Kirby curio and worth playing if you can track it down. Make sure you're playing it in a regular GBC or GBA, though — the accelerometer doesn't like being held upside down in a GBA SP, and you won't get very far plugging it into a Game Boy Player, either. Thankfully, the version on Switch uses that console's gyro sensors.
28. Kirby Fighters 2 (Switch eShop)
Given that it arrived with practically zero fanfare, Kirby Fighters 2 is a surprisingly brilliant Smash Bros.-style platform fighter spin-off that simplifies its big brother's control system but still offers a healthy amount of depth with its 22-character roster.
Its Story mode, in particular, is a clever and compelling way to make each battle feel important, and that mode alone lasts long enough to make it worthwhile for solo and co-op gamers looking for a meaty Kirby experience. Scrappy, but in a good way.
27. Kirby's Block Ball (GB)
A first playthrough of Kirby’s Block Ball lasts about three hours — it’ll take most players longer to surmount each world’s benchmark high score and unlock the final world — and there’s replay value to be found in score-making.
The classic gameplay of Breakout and the delightful Kirby presentation, music, and unique power-ups come together well, even if there can be a tad too much waiting and hoping in later worlds. Still, Block Ball is a solid block of entertainment.
26. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (Wii U)
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon: a pleasant roll through a gorgeous world, with some novel concepts, and one of the most beautiful games on the Wii U.
However charming the game may be, though, Rainbow Curse is a few strokes from greatness: overly repetitive mechanics, underused ideas, and a failure to integrate its clay theme into gameplay in any meaningful way keep it from reaching the lofty heights its art style promises.
Well-crafted, then, but not a masterpiece.
25. Kirby's Dream Course (SNES)
Kirby's Dream Course is an isometric crazy golf-style game starring everyone's favourite marshmallow with feet. The control mechanics are surprisingly deep, and battling through some of the courses can be a real test of skill.
It's a cheerful, challenging game — certainly more of a test of skill than many of Kirby's platformers — and with a fun two-player mode it's definitely worth checking out.
24. Kirby Star Allies (Switch)
Kirby Star Allies is a fun, relaxing game that does a good job of showing off what makes the main Kirby series so great.
The slow pace, diverse powers, beautiful environments, adorable enemy designs, and light difficulty ensure that this is an enjoyable ride from start to finish. But with that being said, there’s a lingering sense that HAL was a little too keen to play this one safe, and the lack of new ideas may come as a disappointment to series veterans.
It's not the Mario Odyssey or Breath Of The Wild of the Kirby series, then, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad game. If you’ve never played a Kirby game before, this is a fantastic place to jump in, but long-time fans will find little to get their pulses racing.
23. Kirby's Pinball Land (GB)
Kirby's Pinball Land isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but it serves up a solid game of digital pinball starring everyone’s favourite pink amorphous ball.
It's an experiment that didn't quite come together properly, but it's a fun little mashup that showcased the potential for future 'Nintendo X pinball' crossovers involving Pocket Monsters and intergalactic bounty hunters.
22. Kirby's Dream Land 3 (SNES)
Kirby’s Dream Land 3 is a 16-bit sequel to the two previous Game Boy Dream Land entries, and a game which uses the SNES' extra horsepower to up the ante in every way.
The improvement in visuals is a given, but the presentation here gives the sublime Yoshi's Island a run for its money, and there's also multiplayer support. The gameplay might not be the deepest, but Kirby's always got charm to spare and you won't regret giving this one a try.
21. Kirby Squeak Squad (DS)
Arriving just a year after the much-loved Kirby: Canvas Curse, the next DS entry, Kirby Squeak Squad (known as Kirby: Mouse Attack in Europe), suffers from doing little to build upon the tried and tested Kirby formula and was always destined to be overshadowed by its predecessor.
While it may lack originality or a truly captivating new mechanic, Kirby Squeak Squad remains a solid, enjoyable platformer and a worthy — if unremarkable — addition to your Kirby collection.
20. Kirby's Dream Land (GB)
Kirby’s Dream Land was and remains an exceptionally charming platformer, although you might find that the pink puff’s debut Game Boy adventure feels a bit too elementary these days.
Many years' worth of nostalgia gives us huge affection for Kirby, but looking over the top of those rose-tinted glasses for a moment reveals a slightly pedestrian title being carried by that charm - a game that was outpaced by its descendants in virtually every way.
Kirby’s genesis is still strong, especially considering the hardware, but he's done better since. Naturally.
19. Kirby Mass Attack (DS)
Kirby Mass Attack offers a unique take on the Kirby series with the ability to command up to 10 pink puff balls at a time. If you're interested in a downsized and linear title that takes inspiration from the likes of Pikmin, Mass Attack is one to consider.
In terms of Kirby's DS adventures, this probably isn't his grandest outing, but it certainly evolved with the times and showed that the developers understood that it took more than gimmicky touch controls to provide an appealing game experience on the portable system.
More traditional Kirby outings still reign supreme, but it's definitely an experimental standout in the Kirby canon that has aged surprisingly well.
18. Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn (3DS)
Arriving nine years after its original launch on Wii (and a very late release for the 3DS), Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn is a textbook example of how focused gameplay design, creativity, and strong art direction are timeless qualities. The fact that this port released for 3DS rather than Switch is one of the very few negatives of this lovely game. It includes a bunch of ‘extra’ elements, such as Ravel Abilities, new mini-games, and optional harder difficulty, which range from being harmless to actively changing the base game for the better.
For those of you that never got the chance to play the original, this is certainly the best way to experience it IF (big 'if', there) you're willing to forgo the big screen experience — and that could very well be a deal-breaker if you want to enjoy this gem around the TV as a family. Cracking game, though.
17. Kirby: Canvas Curse (DS)
Showcasing the touchscreen of its host hardware, Kirby: Canvas Curse was a delight back in 2005 and once again showed how Kirby is one of the most versatile characters in Nintendo's catalogue. Using the stylus to draw lines, create paths and guide our rolling hero around stages to a goal, it was a merry experiment which helped sell then-unique concept to the Nintendo DS.
Going back to Canvas Curse (or Kirby: Power Paintbrush as it was known in PAL regions) all these years later, it arguably doesn't hold up quite as well as you remember. Those touchscreen elements — which once felt so fresh — can feel frustrating, especially when things get frantic. It's still fun, but affection and nostalgia might be helpful in propping up your expectations these days.
16. Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (GBA)
While the Metroid-esque gameplay is a refreshing change of pace for the Kirby series and works well in some parts, it also fails in others. The Metroid games have backtracking as well, yes, but it's not nearly as frequent and annoying as it is in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror.
The multiplayer features are optional, but the game was arguably designed around the multiple Kirby aspect and it's at its best with other people.
15. Kirby Air Ride (GCN)
'Simple' needn’t equate to 'dull', and GameCube racer Kirby Air Ride features a fair amount of multiplayer fun in each of its three game modes. In fact, it might be the perfect way to introduce small kids and/or non-gaming spouses to the delights of race-based video games if you're not a fan of Mario Kart (which Kirby remains inexplicably absent from).
However, if you’re an adult looking for a game to play alone, or a hardcore racer looking for something that demands a higher level of strategy and skill, you'd be better off hitching a ride with Mario or Captain Falcon instead.
14. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64)
In Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, HAL Laboratory managed to keep the core structure many knew and loved about the Kirby series while glossing it up with a shiny coat of polygonal paint for the new console generation.
Kirby's 64-bit foray into the third dimension (well, kinda — it's 2.5D, or on-rails 3D, if you prefer) stands out as one of the more unique entries in the series, feeling somewhat fresh in comparison to the many, many 2D Kirby platformers and still pleasurable to play to this day.
13. 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure (3DS eShop)
There's no questioning the quality of Kirby's Adventure: it was one of the NES's standout titles, and much like Kirby's Dream Land, its charm remains intact. Hidden exits, fun minigames and fantastic stage design all came together to make this an endlessly replayable experience, with optional 3D thanks to this addition in Nintendo's short-lived 3D Classics line on 3DS.
It doesn't really bring much to the table besides that (perfect performance and portability notwithstanding), but the autostereoscopic option here gave you a genuine reason to rebuy and replay this retro classic.
12. Kirby's Dream Land 2 (GB)
Kirby's Dream Land 2 is simple, solid fun from the Kirbster, and one of the better traditional-style Kirby titles. The technical mastery of Game Boy really shines through even now, with great presentation and a fairly large world to conquer.
Even though its low level of challenge makes it seem smaller than it actually is, its length and numerous power-ups to experiment with make it ideal for repeat playthroughs. After all these years, this still plays like a dream.
11. Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land (GBA)
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land is a worthy remake of the pink puffball's first home console adventure. While what it offers is a tad basic compared to more modern Kirby titles, it's still very playable, and there are little creative moments where the game shines.
As with practically every other game featuring the Kirbster, its delightful, colourful visuals make it a supremely charming experience, and one which will be most appreciated by players looking for only a very light challenge.
10. Kirby's Adventure (NES)
Kirby's Adventure is a vibrant masterclass of NES platforming whether you've got the 3D slider set to max in the 3D Classics version on 3DS or you're enjoying it old-school-style with just two dimensions on NES. It's a high point in the pink puffball's illustrious career and its 8-bit visuals still look great all these years later.
Even if you don't consider yourself a Kirby fan, this adventure will win you over - and it's easy enough to find as part of the Nintendo Switch Online NES library. You might say... it sucks you in.
9. Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Switch)
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a fantastic remaster of one of our favourite Kirby adventures. With slick new visuals, some meaningful gameplay tweaks, and two excellent new modes to dig into, this is a big, loud, colourful celebration of all things Kirby that should delight new and returning players alike.
Magalor's Epilogue is a surprisingly chunky addition to the core action that gives the campaign a nice boost, whilst Merry Magoland ensures that you and your pals are kept busy with plenty of minigames, missions, and online challenges to best once you're done with the main story mode.
8. Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS)
Kirby: Triple Deluxe is a pleasant platforming package that doesn’t push the envelope very far. The Story Mode is an elegant but conservative adventure that trades too greatly in familiarity and simplicity, the same type of neo-nostalgia that Nintendo courts so successfully with the Mario and Zelda franchises. Triple Deluxe is sure to scratch that Kirby itch — or create one for new players — but fails to move the franchise forward in any meaningful direction.
However, the rest of the package holds its own quite well and birthed more than one standalone title in Kirby Fighters and Dedede's Drum Dash. A fine introduction to Kirby's brand of adventuring, then, just not a very ambitious one.
7. Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii)
A gorgeous, low-stress game that transports Kirby into a world of fabric and thread, Kirby's Epic Yarn was the first of Good-Feel's material-based platformers and is arguably still the best.
We adore it. Anyone who says it's lacking in the challenge department is correct... but missing the point entirely. Kirby's Epic Yarn is one of the most joyous and creative games on Wii, or indeed any platform. (It's also available on 3DS in Extra Epic form.)
6. Kirby Super Star (SNES)
This is less a game and more a smorgasbord of ideas thrown at the SNES which — somewhat unexpectedly — congeals into a satisfying blend of games, sub-games, and minigames.
There are nine in total but the titular character is a versatile hero that manages to suck up these experimental bits and pieces and meld them into a whole greater than the sum of its parts. 'Cohesive' might be generous, but Kirby Super Star is thoroughly entertaining and well worth a look.
5. Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition (Wii)
A 20th anniversary collection of some of the most popular Kirby games ever, 2012's Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition spans the puffball's debut on Game Boy through his NES and SNES adventures and also includes his N64 outing; so, that's Kirby's Dream Land, Kirby's Dream Land 2, Kirby's Adventure, Kirby's Dream Land 3, Kirby Super Star and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards in one very convenient package.
Convenient for Japanese and North American players, that is — it never saw the light of day in PAL regions. Cue our sad European Kirby eyes.
4. Kirby's Return to Dream Land (Wii)
Taking Kirby back to his classic game style following a couple of genre departures, Kirby's Return to Dream Land was a worthy return and yet another glittering gem in the Wii's platforming lineup.
With all the colour and creativity you'd expect from HAL, and a ton of content to delve into, this was a wonderful trip to Kirby's land of dreams.
3. Kirby Super Star Ultra (DS)
Kirby Super Star Ultra is a magnificent update of the SNES original with high production values and all the charm you've come to expect from the pink puffball over the years.
HAL added a host of new modes and minigames for veterans, but this is accessible to all age groups. Though it may be a little on the easy side, the Kirby series is hardly known for its teeth-grinding difficulty and this is an outing for the saviour of Smash that's worth rediscovering.
2. Kirby: Planet Robobot (3DS)
Building on the solid foundation of Kirby: Triple Deluxe, this is a game where the pink ball can transform into Mech Kirby. Personally, we would have scribbled that into the design doc, grinned from ear to ear and gone down the pub for a celebratory pint, but the consummate professionals at HAL took that winning central idea and surrounded it with brilliantly designed worlds, trademark rainbow visuals and enough charming moments to make Kirby: Planet Robobot the finest outing on 3DS — and arguably on any system — for The Most Powerful Video Game Character Of Them All™.
We always knew he was more than candyfloss with a face.
1. Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch)
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a great big colourful joyride of an adventure for our little pink pal.
This first fully three-dimensional mainline entry in the franchise is bursting at the seams with fun and inventiveness, managing to transpose everything we know and love about past Kirby games to this all-new arena whilst adding plenty of delightful new aspects as it goes.
Mouthful Mode is daftly entertaining, each and every level is packed full of secrets and dripping in wonderful detail, and there are enough side activities, collectibles, and co-op fun here to keep you entertained and coming back for more for a good long while. Recommended if you're looking for a fun platformer to play with kids.
Congratulations on making it to the end of that enormous Kirby collection!
Kirby Games FAQ
Before we go, let's answer a few common Kirby questions we get from readers.
Who created Kirby?
Kirby was created by Smash Bros. boss Masahiro Sakurai.
What was the first Kirby game?
The first entry in the Kirby series was Kirby's Dream Land, his 1992 Game Boy debut. Since then, as you can see above the pink one has built up a very impressive library of games across a variety of genres.
What's the latest Kirby game?
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is the most recent game in the series. It launched on Friday 24th February 2023 and is a remaster of the 2011 Wii game.
What's the best Kirby game on Switch specifically?
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the best entry originally released on Switch, according to our list above!
At the time of writing, these are the best Kirby games on Switch:
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land (#1)
- Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (#6)
- Kirby Star Allies (#24)
- Kirby Fighters 2 (#28)
- Kirby's Dream Buffet (#30)
- Super Kirby Clash (#35)
What Kirby games are on Nintendo Switch Online?
Also the games above were first released on Switch, loads of older Kirby games are playable on Switch if you have an NSO subscription.
Here's the full list of Kirby games on Nintendo Switch Online, listed by original platform: