Nintendo's powerful pink puffball Kirby is getting a new arcade game centered on his signature ability courtesy of Bandai Namco. Kirby's Gourmet Race challenges players to land multicolored balls and the iconic Maxim Tomatoes into Kirby's open mouth to score points. The new arcade game is unrelated to Kirby's ongoing 30th-anniversary celebration though it will be Kirby's first arcade game since the 2007 release of Kirby of the Stars: Magical Tower of Medal Land.
Despite only appearing in three arcade games, Kirby has starred in over 30 titles. Recent games starring Kirby include Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Kirby's Dream Buffet, with Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe coming in February 2023. Kirby is also one of the original Smash Bros. fighters, having appeared in every game in the series. Back in 2001, Kirby also starred in his anime series, Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, which was the inspiration for his last arcade game Kirby of the Stars: Magical Tower of Medal Land.
Kirby's Gourmet Race challenges two players to compete against each other in launching multicolored balls and Maxim Tomatoes, which are worth more points, into Kirby. Currently, Kirby's Gourmet Race is only expected to be available in Japanese arcades with no official announcements regarding release outside the country. The pair of Kirby's prior medal-tossing arcade games did not leave Japan. 30th-anniversary celebration merchandise, including the giant Kirby plush toy, has been made available for international Kirby fans to purchase.
Kirby's Gourmet Buffet looks like a reverse Hungry Hungry Hippos in action with players sending balls away instead of trying to collect them. With his long history in video games and the nature of his primary power-copying characteristic, Kirby is always well-positioned to star in spin-offs or make guest appearances in other franchises. Kirby has more spin-off games than most other Nintendo characters including titles that are just mini-game collections. Based on the trailer, Kirby's Gourmet Buffet looks like it would be a perfect mini-game addition in a future Kirby game.
The calendar is nearing the end of Kirby's 30th anniversary but new Kirby games and merchandise will continue to be released long into the future. Kirby fans can purchase 30th-anniversary merchandise including a Kirby dancing alarm clock. As a franchise, Kirby has sold over 44 million games worldwide since his debut on Nintendo's original Game Boy in 1992.
Kirby's Gourmet Buffet currently has no release date.