Talking Point is Kirby Informer’s column where our staff and readers can respond to trending questions and topics! Be sure to join the discussion in our comment section below or head on over to our social pages and share your thoughts with us there!
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After 2023's Kirby extravaganza that could fill the pink puff's insatiable appetite, how could you not expect HAL Laboratory to bless us with even more content during the Year of the Dragon? While much of our team is already keeping their expectations in check for 2024, there is no denying that there is still so much we want to see from Kirby as Nintendo enters the Switch's twilight moments.
So far, both Nintendo and HAL Laboratory may have not announced much for this year, but should we still have high expectations for the coming months? Will we be getting tons of new Kirby merchandise drops? Another manga series? A new Kirby game? One big spin-off on Switch? Perhaps the announcement of HAL Laboratory's next-generation Kirby game? Who knows! Let us know what you think in the comments! Without further ado, this is the Kirby Informer Staff's expectations for our favorite pink puff in 2024.
Editor, Marc Kaliroff
While I think a new Kirby game is just about guaranteed for 2024, my opinions on whether or not that title will be a sequel to Kirby and the Forgotten Land have been constantly shifting these past few months. Will this be the Nintendo Switch's final hurrah before its successor hits the market? I certainly think so—after all, it's been almost seven years since the system launched! If we have learned anything from Nintendo and HAL Laboratory over the years, a Kirby game usually helps close off a system's first-party lifespan. Previously, these titles have notably been ports and spin-offs (Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn and Kirby's Dream Collection).
If Kirby Star Allies showed us anything, I think HAL Laboratory will not be afraid to publish Kirby's next big hit relatively early into the lifespan of Nintendo's next system. Nonetheless, at this moment in time, I think it's safe to assume that we are more likely to receive a new Kirby port or spin-off during Switch's last year rather than Forgotten Land's sequel. I think we will also see games like Kirby's Block Ball and Nightmare in Dream Land make their way to Nintendo Switch Online services.
All in all, when it comes to games, I'm keeping my expectations in check for Kirby this 2024. I am extremely excited for what Nintendo has planned this year and how that will affect HAL Laboratory's upcoming projects. When it comes to Kirby merchandise... every year is a good year, so I don't think we have anything to worry about there! Give me more Nendoroids, Good Smile Company!
Editor, Aurora
The 30th Anniversary celebrations started in January 2022 and concluded in April 2023. While we may expect things to slow down due to this, Kirby has, at the same time, exponentially grown in popularity. With that being said, it would not be surprising if there are some months that may be more announcement-filled than others during 2024!
In regards to mainline game announcements, while I feel it isn't all that likely, I could somewhat see something being announced toward the latter half of this year, as that is usually when Kirby games get revealed. However, if a new Kirby game were to be announced, I think it would more than likely be a spin-off to hold fans over until the next mainline game. I would personally love to see a Kirby Café-themed cooking game!
As for literary adaptations, I'm expecting that there will be at least two new light novels announced this year. We will also see new chapters in currently-running manga, such as Yurutto Pupupu! More and more literary adaptations have been popping up as of late, and there doesn't appear to be any indication of them slowing down! We will, of course, continue to see plenty of new merchandise each and every month as well. It may not be on the same scale as it was for the 30th anniversary, but we are still seeing more and more products being made!
Lastly, I am hoping we will finally get an announcement in regards to an official Forgotten Land soundtrack release! It's been almost two years since Kirby and the Forgotten Land launched, and it would be awesome if we were to get some news about it very soon!
Editor-in-Chief, Eliza
Honestly, I am not personally expecting a lot from Kirby in 2024. I mean, I know they’ll keep producing a lot of amazing merchandise drops because everything Kirby sells like hotcakes—and we’ll eat it up like we always do—but I think we’ve been fed so much content over the last few years that maybe it’s possible we won’t get a new Kirby game or even some sort of remake this year. I know we get some sort of big piece of Kirby media every year, but I just don’t know about this year. We are living in Kirby's peak and his popularity is only growing each year. I know I’ll be proven wrong in a month, but something is just telling me that, in terms of games, this might be HAL Laboratory's break year before the company goes nuts again with a big Kirby release. Again, I'll probably be proven wrong soon...
Writer, Gigi
I don't have any big expectations for Kirby in 2024, and honestly, I feel we may not even get any game news. The 30th anniversary was still not that long ago, and I feel like HAL is busy working on the next big surprise for us. If I were to guess a new game to be at least announced this year, I would bet on a spin-off. I feel it's time for us to get a new major Kirby spin-off. The last Kirby spin-off to be full-priced was Kirby Battle Royale back in early 2018. The Switch only has had eShop spin-offs—it needs a bigger one! As for what it could be, I am not really sure, but I will forever hope that we get a Kirby RPG one day.
Though this wouldn't be my preference, I think we may we get another eShop spin-off this year. If we do, Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe is still the only 3DS eShop spin-off to not get a sequel (Blowout Blast pretty much did with Forgotten Land, c'mon), and I would love to see it on the Nintendo Switch in some form... Pretty please, HAL?
Lastly, while I feel this is more unlikely, I think it's also possible that we may actually get news about the next mainline game. I would only expect it later this year. I mean, Forgotten Land was announced in late 2021, and if the next mainline were to be announced in late 2024, that's a three-year gap, which would be enough for HAL to develop a new game.
Writer, Crafty
2022 and 2023 were such great years for Kirby and his fans. From books to concerts to series-defining games, Kirby has really stepped up his game lately, and it shows. With the last two years being so incredibly eventful and important to the series, what could 2024 bring for our pink puffy pal? To be honest, I think this will probably be a quiet year for Kirby, at least in terms of games. But outside of games, I think Kirby is going to be a very busy puffball this year. It is very likely we will see a light novel release as well as manga and other books. I’m definitely expecting a few big merch drops this year, more exciting collaborations, and Ichiban Kujis!
Personally, I am hoping to see a rise in Magolor merchandise, including plushies, figures, and maybe even a Nendoroid announcement. I would absolutely love to see a Manager Magolor plushie release as well! It’s hard to believe we will be seeing a big game release this year, given that we already received three incredible new Kirby titles in the last two years, but that’s not to say we won't see a spin-off or maybe even another remake or remaster. Perhaps towards the end of the year, we could have our first look at the next mainline Kirby game, considering Kirby and the Forgotten Land will be celebrating its second anniversary this March! (How has it been two years!?)
2024 also marks the 10th anniversary of Kirby: Triple Deluxe for the Nintendo 3DS, and I think it would be incredible for the series to honor that in some way. Whether it be something as small as a social media post or something as big as a switch port of the beloved 3DS title, I’m hoping this game's 10th anniversary doesn’t go unnoticed. Many folks in the Kirby community have been begging for Kirby's 3DS adventure to come to Switch, but after 2023’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, I’m not sure they would release another remake or remaster so soon. Even if we don’t see a big game release this year, I’m positive HAL has another exciting year planned for Kirby and his fans. I truly can’t wait to see what 2024 brings!
Writer, Soup
I am expecting a pretty lowkey year for Kirby in 2024. We got Return to Dream Land Deluxe last February as a final celebration for Kirby's 30th anniversary and a couple of Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) drops throughout the year. I am expecting this year to be similar, with one new game drop and a couple of NSO releases to fill in the lineup's gaps. For the one new game drop, I am expecting a smaller spin-off to be released in early fall.
That has been a common trend in Kirby releases for a while now, and it seems to be a bit too soon for another mainline platformer release after two big releases in a fiscal year. It's hard to know what to expect when it comes to the smaller spin-offs, as they can be anything from an enhanced 3DS game (Super Kirby Clash or Kirby Fighters 2) to something completely new (Kirby's Dream Buffet). I would love to see an older spin-off concept revisited, whether it's Kirby's Dream Course or even Kirby Air Ride. Air Ride especially has been highly demanded for years, and if it had online multiplayer like the other Kirby spin-offs on Switch, it would be a huge draw to the service.
Speaking of NSO, I could see Kirby getting a few titles dropped through this year. Kirby's Pinball Land and Kirby's Block Ball are the only two Game Boy titles missing from the service, and I certainly could see either of them dropping this year. I also believe this is the year that Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land will make its way to NSO. We got Kirby and the Amazing Mirror last year, and that was particularly exciting because it allowed users to play the game with wireless multiplayer, something that wasn't possible with an official release of the game before. Nightmare in Dream Land would be exciting for the same reason, especially since the online multiplayer justifies its addition to the service alongside Kirby's Adventure (the game it is a remake of).
Overall, I am expecting a pretty quiet year for Kirby. While Nintendo's lineup for this year continues to remain a mystery beyond the first quarter, HAL Laboratory is generally pretty predictable with how they're continuing to handle Kirby's releases.