Having not played the original Kirby’s Return to Dream Land when it released for the Wii in 2011, the upcoming release of the Deluxe version is exciting for several reasons. Kirby has just seen a resurgence thanks to the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land and his popularity with Nintendo Switch owners is likely at its peak. Primarily, though, the scale of entertainment that the game can offer families or co-op partners is sure to be a major selling point.

Game ZXC was able to attend a hand-off preview that showcased gameplay of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe in action on the Nintendo Switch with 3-player co-op. Amidst highlighting the qualities that made Kirby’s Return to Dream Land a critical hit on Wii, the presenters also explained what the Deluxe version has added to bring more depth and variety to the experience.

With support for up to 4 players, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land looks like a lot of fun for groups. It is a bit chaotic, but one of the things that Nintendo seems to focus on here is a way for even younger gamers to get involved. One of the cool things that Kirby’s Return to Dream Land does is keep the camera focused on Player 1, centering them at all times. That can work against the other players in the group, but it also lets that individual control the pace of play. Those who are not Player 1 are required to keep up, but should they fall behind the game will teleport them forward. It’s a useful trick that avoids having a very wide frame and will help prevent anyone from lagging too far behind.

The usual bunch of Kirby characters like Meta Knight are part of the game’s roster, as well as some different color variations of the iconic hero. Kirby’s Return to Dream Land also has a hub world called Merry Magoland where players can partake in mini-games with up to 3 partners or purchase masks that mimic even more characters. These are cosmetic-only touches that further deepen the customization for players to help players differentiate themselves amidst the chaos.

And chaotic it is, as Kirby’s Return to Dream Land can feature four characters smashing, inhaling, and blasting enemies and destructible items throughout the game’s stages. In trademark Kirby fashion, each character can inhale an object, enemy, or NPC to take on their ability. All the copy abilities from the original Kirby’s Return to Dream Land are available as well as some new ones for the Deluxe version. The one highlighted during our preview gave Kirby a mech suit and a ton of abilities – five pages’ worth, in fact.

There is also a stronger inhale that allows Kirby and friends to absorb even bigger objects and clear pathways for secrets. And at specific moments, Kirby can inhale a target and get a game-changing ability, like turning into a massive snowball and clearing a large swath through the stage. It wouldn’t be Kirby without a ton of forms, and Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is loaded with them.

For those who never played Kirby’s Return to Dream Land, the Deluxe version looks to be the type of signature Kirby experience that fans love. Co-op play is a key selling point for the game and should help bring in the Switch market of millions of young gamers. But, of course, the Deluxe version is bringing some completely new content beyond the tweaks and additions to the original game’s framework.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe includes the Magalor Epilogue that is a completely new adventure featuring the title’s main villain. As up to 4 Magalors running around, this is an experience that those who played the original might find enticing. Overall, it’s a complete package that brings a different perspective to the Kirby experience – a more traditional experience, if you will – for those whose first encounter with the character was Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe release February 24, 2023 for Nintendo Switch.