A new trailer has dropped in the lead up to Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. What initially seemed like a simple remaster that updated the art style and added a new Copy Ability has turned out closer to a full-scale remake. Although the levels won't be touched (outside a few new enemy placements), most of the game around the original campaign has been expanded. This title may already be the definitive version of Kirby's Return to Dream Land.
Beyond adding multiple new Copy Abilities, the game's other playable characters receive their expanded move sets from Kirby Star Allies. The old mini-game selection has been swapped out in favor of Merry Magoland, a special attraction that brings back games from across the series while introducing some of its own. Even new cosmetics can be purchased at the souvenir shop. Combined with the original game's challenge courses, Arena, collectibles, and second campaign, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a stuffed package. HAL Laboratory has even introduced a new epilogue featuring villain-turned-friend Magolor. This shares a lot of DNA with prior post-game modes, but it's also the most ambitious version yet.
Meta Knightmare and Other Bonus Playthroughs are a Kirby Staple
Extra campaigns have been part of the Kirby series since its inception. Kirby's Dream Land debuted the Extra Game and Kirby's Adventure featured an Extra Mode, unlockable playthroughs that cut Kirby's health and increased the challenges he'd face. These have spawned plenty of bonus side modes throughout the franchise, including an especially memorable hard mode in Kirby's Return to Dream Land. Recent iterations such as Kirby Star Allies' Heroes in Another Dimension and Kirby and the Forgotten Land's Isolated Isles: Forgo Dreams have even served as the true endings to their respective stories.
However, some of the most memorable iterations of these extra modes have involved Kirby passing the torch to another hero. After beating Extra Game in Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land, the player unlocks Meta Knightmare: a tough time attack mode featuring Meta Knight. This proved popular enough that Meta Knightmare Ultra was added to Kirby Super Star Ultra, and Meta Knightmare Returns was placed in Kirby: Planet Robobot. Even King Dedede got in on the action with Dededetour in Kirby: Triple Deluxe. Now that Kirby Star Allies' Guest Star mode has expanded the concept to the entire Kirby cast, it's safe to say that regular Extra Game modes and things like Meta Knightmare will continue cropping up.
The Magolor Epilogue is a Big Step Up From Meta Knightmare
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe introduces Magolor Epilogue: The Interdimensional Traveler, bringing a Meta Knightmare-style mode to this entry. Although adding such modes into Kirby remakes is a trend, this is considerably different from past examples. Where prior games would show Meta Knight, King Dedede, or other allies playing through the same adventure again, possibly in a condensed form with a couple new bosses, the Magolor Epilogue seems to be something new. Picking up from Magolor's defeat at the end of the regular story, this shows how he returned in future spin-offs as a true ally.
Magolor's journey is significantly different from past protagonists, including his own Star Allies run. Now sporting tattered white clothing, Magolor is significantly weakened and must gain magic points from enemies to both upgrade his stats and his repertoire. With at least 20 levels to play through, this mode has a significant amount of new content, and it can still be tackled in Return to Dream Land's signature multiplayer. Such ambitious extra modes may not always be feasible, especially for more grandiose 3D Kirby titles. However, when possible, it would be great to see more canon side modes that give Kirby's extended cast their own adventures.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe will release on February 24, 2023, for Nintendo Switch.
