Key Facts
- ✓ Seven Kirby games have been released on Nintendo Switch.
- ✓ Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the series' best-selling game with over 7.5 million copies sold.
- ✓ 11 retro Kirby games are available via Nintendo Switch Online.
- ✓ Kirby Air Riders is a Switch 2 exclusive released in 2025.
- ✓ Masahiro Sakurai directs Kirby Air Riders.
Quick Summary
The Kirby franchise has maintained a steady presence on the Nintendo Switch since its debut in 2018. To date, there are seven distinct titles starring the pink puffball available on the console, ranging from action-platformers to fighting games. The series reached a milestone with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, becoming the best-selling game in the franchise with over 7.5 million copies sold.
Beyond the main releases, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers have access to a library of 11 classic titles spanning the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and N64 eras. The future of the franchise looks bright with the release of Kirby Air Riders in 2025, a new exclusive for the upcoming Switch 2. This new entry marks a significant shift, bringing the racing genre back to the series with guidance from veteran director Masahiro Sakurai. As the transition to the new hardware begins, the franchise is set to expand further with new adventures and enhanced versions of existing hits.
The Current Switch Lineup 🎮
The Nintendo Switch library features a diverse array of Kirby titles released between 2018 and 2025. The franchise made its debut on the system with Kirby Star Allies in 2018, an action-platformer focused on multiplayer cooperation where Kirby combines abilities with allies to solve puzzles.
Following the debut, the series explored different genres. In 2019, HAL Laboratories and Nintendo released Super Kirby Clash, a free-to-play boss rush game. Unlike the platforming roots of Star Allies, this title focuses on team-based boss fights and equipment management. The fighting genre was represented in 2020 by Kirby Fighters 2, a sequel to a 3DS subgame featuring characters like Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Bandana Waddle Dee.
The standout release for the system arrived in 2022 with Kirby and the Forgotten Land. This title marked the series' first fully 3D platforming adventure, set in a post-apocalyptic world. It remains the franchise's commercial peak, selling more than 7.5 million copies by March 2024. That same year, Kirby's Dream Buffet offered a dessert-themed multiplayer experience featuring race, minigame, and battle royale modes.
The most recent entry for the original hardware is the 2023 release of Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. This game is a remake of the 2011 Wii title, featuring improved visuals, a new easy mode, and the original three abilities: Sand, Mecha, and Festival. It also includes an entirely new two-hour adventure titled Magolor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveler.
"you’re in for a chaotic action racing game that’s a great time with friends and offers a ton to do on your own."
— IGN Review
Retro Games via Nintendo Switch Online 🕹️
For fans looking to explore the history of the franchise, Nintendo Switch Online provides access to a substantial library of older Kirby titles. A total of 11 games are currently available to subscribers, covering various hardware generations from the original Game Boy to the Nintendo 64.
Standard subscribers can access nine titles from the NES, SNES, and Game Boy libraries. The list includes the very first game, Kirby's Dream Land for Game Boy, and the classic Kirby's Adventure for NES. Other notable titles available at this tier include Kirby's Dream Course, Kirby Super Star, and Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble.
Those with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription gain access to two additional games from the 64-bit era. These titles are Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards and Kirby & The Amazing Mirror for Game Boy Advance. There is also speculation regarding the future of the library, as a new GameCube library is set to be added to the Expansion Pack on the Switch 2, which may eventually include Kirby Air Ride.
Future Releases on Switch 2 🚀
The Switch 2 era for Kirby began in 2025 with the release of Kirby Air Riders. Announced during the April 2025 Nintendo Direct, this game serves as a follow-up to the 2003 GameCube title Kirby Air Ride. It is being directed by Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of both the Kirby series and Super Smash Bros.
Sakurai has described Kirby Air Riders as having a feel similar to Mario Kart. The game is characterized as a chaotic action racing experience that offers content for both solo players and groups of friends. While the controls have been noted as unique, the gameplay loop is designed to be engaging once mastered.
In addition to the new racing title, a Switch 2 version of Kirby and the Forgotten Land was released in late 2025. This edition introduces the Star Crossed World expansion, offering new content for players who wish to revisit the 3D platformer on the new hardware. As of now, no further announcements have been made regarding additional titles in the pipeline.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
How many Kirby games are on the Nintendo Switch?
There are seven main Kirby games released on the Nintendo Switch. These include Kirby Star Allies, Super Kirby Clash, Kirby Fighters 2, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby's Dream Buffet, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, and Kirby Air Riders.
What is the best-selling Kirby game on Switch?
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the best-selling game in the franchise to date. By the end of March 2024, it had sold more than 7.5 million copies.
Are older Kirby games available on Switch?
Yes, 11 retro Kirby games are playable via the Nintendo Switch Online service. This includes titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and N64, with the Expansion Pack tier adding Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards and Kirby & The Amazing Mirror.




