One of Nintendo's classic IPs, Kirby remains incredibly popular among fans, leading to the gaming giant teaming up with McDonald's to offer Kirby plushies with Happy Meals in Japan. Players have enjoyed the Kirby video game franchise for many years, and this latest team-up with McDonald's has already caught the attention of fans across the globe.

First introduced in 1992, Kirby is an action platformer series featuring a number of 2D and 3D games starring the titular pink hero. Kirby became popular for his cute appearance and accessible gameplay, making him a beloved character among new and long-time gamers. To promote the adorable hero, Nintendo has teamed up with McDonald's for an exclusive offer in Japan.

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Announced by the official McDonald's Japan Twitter account, a series of Kirby plushies will be available for a limited time with all Happy Meal purchases at participating locations in Japan. Two separate collections will be available, with the first running from February 23 to March 8, and the second run beginning March 1. Series 1 will feature three pink Kirby plushies and one Orange Kirby, while Series 2 will feature three different pink Kirby options and one Yellow Kirby. Each plushie will feature Kirby with a unique pose and facial expression, allowing fans to try and collect them all. Previously, a Kirby cafe in Japan helped introduce the Nintendo icon to the food industry, and this latest offering from McDonald's is continuing the trend of Nintendo providing new experiences for its players.

Nintendo Continues To Expand Its Franchises Beyond Games

Nintendo continues to offer fans a variety of ways to enjoy their favorite franchises and characters. From the Super Nintendo World lands at Universal Studios theme parks to cafes inspired by Kirby and more, Nintendo fans are able to experience video games well-beyond the realm of consoles and screens. Other fun offerings such as exclusive merchandise at brick-and-mortar stores and even pre-order bonuses for upcoming first-party games have helped Nintendo to expand its brand presence and draw in wider audiences. Teaming up with a fellow powerhouse company like McDonald's is yet another way in which Nintendo is working to diversify its offerings to fans, though some of these opportunities remain limited to Japanese audiences.

Nintendo continues to keep consumers engaged with the success of major releases like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and the excitement for upcoming titles like Princess Peach: Showtime. While recent rumors have led to drops in Nintendo stock prices, fans remain loyal and enthusiastic for these cute Kirby collectibles and other unique offerings from Nintendo.

Kirby

The Kirby game franchise stars the adorable pink blob with a voracious appetite. Kirby games have covered the 2D and 3D platformer genre for decades and are set across multiple consoles, with plenty of spin-offs along the way. Kirby’s unique ability allows him to suck up enemies to gain their powers.