Best Kirby Games Ever, Ranked

In 1992, Kirby's Dream Land kicked off the Kirby video game series. The franchise would go on to produce over 35 titles — including remakes and non-traditional installments. Nintendo has released new Kirby games consistently since then, all the way up until 2023's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. With so many titles to choose from, there's plenty of competition for Kirby's most enjoyable adventure in over 30 years.

Many of the Kirby games — main and otherwise — have performed exceptionally well. The video game series also paved the way for other Kirby-themed media, such as the anime series Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, as well as several manga series and children's novels. In three decades of Kirby, these are some of the best games to come from the franchise.

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10 Kirby Air Ride

A Nostalgic Mario Kart Copycat

Kirby Air Ride ranks low here due to its restrictive gameplay style, which requires the player to control a vehicle of some sort, such as the Warpstar (seen in other Kirby games). Both Meta Knight and King Dedede are unlockable characters, but players start out controlling Kirby, who can ride different vehicles and — as always — use his Copy Ability to gain power-ups.

Kirby Air Ride feels reminiscent of older Mario Kart games, and the tracks are well-designed. However, due to simplistic mechanics and a limited selection of playable characters, the gameplay can get repetitive after a while. Kirby Air Ride doesn't have the same competitive edge as Mario Kart.

9 Kirby's Epic Yarn

A New Take On A Tried-And-True Formula

For Little Big Planet fans, Kirby's Epic Yarn plays a lot like the PlayStation exclusive. The game sees Kirby transformed into yarn and transported to Patch Land, a world made of fabric. Kirby's Epic Yarn scores points for unique visuals, as the game takes Kirby on an adventure in new, unfamiliar territory. But the biggest drawback for Kirby's Epic Yarn is how disappointingly easy the game can be. It offers few challenges and plays more like a cozy game than an action-adventure one.

Regardless, Kirby's Epic Yarn took home many prestigious gaming awards upon release —​​​​​​ well-deserved at that. It ​​​even inspired a spiritual successor, Yoshi's Woolly World. It's perfect to play for a pick-me-up after a long day, and there's a certain joy to it that other Kirby installments could never replicate.

8 Kirby: Triple Deluxe

A Visually Stunning Entry

In a surprise twist to Kirby lore, Kirby: Triple Deluxe forces the titular protagonist to embark on an adventure to rescue his arch-nemesis from Taranza. Kirby: Triple Deluxe offers compelling level designs, graphics, and a killer soundtrack, as well as simple controls. As with Kirby's Epic Yarn, the game's biggest flaw is its simplicity, as much of the combat isn't challenging.

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Kirby: Triple Deluxe has interesting boss battles and utilizes 3D well, but doesn't require much skill or thought to enjoy. This could be a good or bad thing. The color palettes are mesmerizing, bringing to life the weird and wonderful worlds that Kirby must traverse. Kirby: Triple Deluxe offered Kirby more power-ups than ever before, which set the stage for future games to capitalize on the variety.

7 Kirby: Planet Robobot

A One-Of-A-Kind Adventure

Serving as a spiritual sequel to Kirby: Triple Deluxe, the story of Kirby: Planet Robobot sees Kirby defend Planet Popstar from alien invaders using a mecha suit known as the Robobot Armor. Once again, as seems to be a recurring theme for the Kirby series, Kirby: Planet Robobot received criticism for its low difficulty level. However, it was praised for its score, graphics, and overall gameplay.

There's no denying that Kirby: Planet Robobot is an enjoyable game, even if the unconventional theme of robotics isn't interesting to everyone. It strikes a good balance between mech-oriented puzzles and levels and regular Kirby antics.

6 Kirby's Return to Dreamland

A Stand-Out For Cooperative Fun

Kirby's Return to Dreamland was released for the Nintendo Wii along with Kirby's Epic Yarn, but the former outmatches the latter. Players can control Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Bandana Waddle Dee in a cooperative multiplayer mode. Kirby's Return to Dreamland marked a welcome return to the franchise's roots that had been lacking in other games, while the levels remained beautifully designed and nostalgic of earlier titles.

While the multiplayer mode made Kirby's Return to Dreamland​​​​​​​ much less challenging, the game became so memorable and beloved that Nintendo produced a remake in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch. Many Wii games have failed to hold up well over the years, but to anyone who still owns a Wii console, dusting off Kirby's Return to Dreamland​​​​​​​ couldn't be more rewarding.

5 Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

A Thoroughly Entertaining Platformer

• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Released: March 24, 2000
• Developer: HAL Laboratory
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Genres: Platformer, Fighting, Adventure

Kirby 64 was the first in the series to feature 3D computer-generated graphics. It also introduced Power Combos, which are combinations of two Copy Abilities. If there's one big take-away for Kirby 64, it's that Nintendo's early 2000s era was incredibly fun. Kirby 64 is an exemplary platformer during a transitional period for the series.

The replay value isn't very high, which is an issue with many Kirby games. Regardless, Kirby 64 is a shining example of pure, unadulterated fun for all ages. The game's disappointing length fails to compete with the other bohemoth platformers of the millennium, such as Donkey Kong 64. However, the ability to combine powers still sets Kirby 64 apart from the other installments and makes it an excellent introduction to the franchise.

4 Kirby Super Star Ultra

A True Delight For Nintendo DS Fans

Kirby Super Star Ultra for the Nintendo DS serves as a remake of Kirby Super Star, released for the SNES in 1996. The remake retains all original game modes and even sprinkles in a few extra, along with enhanced visuals. Kirby Super Star Ultra hass high replay value thanks to additional content, including four new game modes and even a multiplayer mode. It feels much more at home on the Nintendo DS than its late '90s counterpart, as the dual screens allow for a more accessible experience.

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Additionally, Ultra introduces larger movesets for Kirby's Copy Ability. For example, it allows Sword to generate many slashes for a nice combo, rather than just a one-and-done motion. In the eyes of some fans, Kirby Super Star Ultra fleshed out the formula that would carry through the Kirby series going forward.

3 Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

A Shoo-In For Top Three Every Time

For fans of the Metroidvania sub-genre, Kirby & the Amazing Mirror might be the best Kirby game ever made. For others, it's still a top-three contender. In fact, the top-three games on this list are interchangeable, as all of them can offer a compelling case as to why they rule above the rest.

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror is an easy fan-favorite of the "traditional" platformer games of the franchise, but it's the multiplayer aspect that takes the cake. As the GameBoy Advance title provides exploration that feels endless, the multiplayer mode allows for players to roam the map freely and reunite according to their set tasks. This adds depth to the game that is largely absent from the Kirby series. It would be enchanting to see the return of the "Kirbyvania" formula someday, as it enhances his Copy Abilities in an engaging open-world format.

2 Kirby's Adventure

A Blast From The Past

Kirby's Adventure shaped the childhoods of many Kirby fans. It received praise for its originality, especially in terms of unique enemy designs. The game is undeniably charming, encapsulating all the best bits of the NES era of gaming. The rich color scheme doesn't try and botch the 16-bit enhancements of the time, but rather strives to make 8-bit as beautiful as possible.

Kirby's Adventure has withstood the test of time as a title that Kirby fans find themselves gravitating toward. It is consistently ranked among the best NES games, a sentiment with which very few would disagree. The Copy Ability would go on to become a staple of future Kirby games.

1 Kirby and the Forgotten Land

A Shining Product Of Technological Advancements

As technology has advanced, Nintendo has adapted and evolved. Kirby and the Forgotten Land became the first-ever Kirby game to be made completely in 3D. Not only is it the best-selling Kirby game of all time, but also one of the Nintendo Switch's best-selling games overall.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land remedies the biggest issue with the Kirby video game series, which is poor replay value. With exploration-based level design and a whole host of optional challenges, each level in Kirby and the Forgotten Land felt more substantial. Copy Abilities were taken to a whole other level with the signature mechanic known as Mouthful Mode, which sees Kirby inhaling much larger objects than usual. Car-Mouth Kirby has even became something of a mascot for the Kirby community.