Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Co-op & Age Rating Guide

You want a game your child can actually finish without needing a parent walkthrough. Kirby and the Forgotten Land might be that game — a colorful 3D platformer that landed on Nintendo Switch in March 2022 to a Metacritic 85, but the real question is whether the co-op mode and gentle difficulty make it a no-brainer for families. We looked at age ratings, multiplayer limits, and what reviewers actually said, so you can decide if this pink puffball is worth the cart.

Release Date: March 25, 2022 (Target product page) ·
Developer: HAL Laboratory ·
Publisher: Nintendo ·
PEGI Rating: 7 (EE GameSmart)

Here’s a quick glance at the official specs before we dig into the details.

Is Kirby Forgotten Land worth it?

• CNET called it “worth it,” especially when played with a friend or child in co-op (CNET).
• Co-Optimus described the co-op experience as “uneven but fun most of the time” (Co-Optimus).
• The game takes about 15 hours to finish the main story, with plenty of collectibles.

For families, the question isn’t “is it a good game?” — it’s “does the co-op add enough value?” CNET’s review (CNET) notes that the second player can’t absorb abilities or use Mouthful Mode, making them feel like a sidekick rather than an equal partner. Pure Nintendo (Pure Nintendo) went further, saying “the second player can feel dragged along” and that co-op seems added late.

The implication: If you’re buying it mainly as a co-op experience for two skilled players, the limitations might disappoint. But as a tool for a parent to help a younger child through the game, the design makes practical sense.

Is Kirby the Forgotten Land co-op?

• Yes, local two-player only
• Player 2 always plays as Bandana Waddle Dee, who cannot copy abilities (CNET).
• No online multiplayer (EE GameSmart).

How co-op works: From the start of the game, a second player can drop in using any controller. Bandana Waddle Dee uses a spear, can ride on Kirby’s back, and has infinite lives — perfect for a child who might fall into pits often. The host (Kirby) controls the camera and progression.

The pattern: This is a “helper” co-op, not an equal-partner one. For the intended audience (young children and their caregivers), that’s a feature, not a bug.

What age is Kirby and the Forgotten Land appropriate for?

• ESRB: E10+ for cartoon violence
• PEGI: 7 with mild violence (EE GameSmart).
• Common Sense Media: Recommends ages 8+
• Mom Player Character: Recommends for ages 5+ (Mom Player Character).
• BeforeTheyWatch: Family score 10/10, recommends ages 6+ (BeforeTheyWatch).

No sexual content, no strong language, no real violence — just puffs and cartoon clashes. The game also includes a Spring-Breeze Mode that gives Kirby more health and reduces damage, making it even gentler for younger players (Mom Player Character).

Is Kirby ok for kids?

Yes, with a small asterisk. The ESRB E10+ label is conservative — the “cartoon violence” is Kirby slapping enemies who vanish in a puff. Common Sense Media (Common Sense Media) notes there’s “no inappropriate content otherwise.” For a 5- or 6-year-old who can handle mild fantasy conflict, the game is perfectly fine, especially in Spring-Breeze Mode.

Why this matters: The broad age range of recommendations (5+ to 10+) means parents should assess their own child’s sensitivity. If your child scares easily, the PEGI 7 warning about “potentially frightening images or sounds” (EE GameSmart) applies to later levels with darker environments.

What is the best Kirby game for kids on Switch?

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the best entry point for beginners (Common Sense Media).
• Kirby Star Allies (2018) also rated E10+ and offers 4-player co-op.
• Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (2023) is a remake of a Wii classic with similar co-op.

For young children, the 3D freedom of Forgotten Land is less frustrating than the side-scrolling precision of older titles. The game auto-saves frequently and the camera follows Kirby reliably. Co-op works seamlessly as a drop-in/drop-out system, and the second player never truly dies (Bandana Waddle Dee respawns immediately).

What’s a good Kirby game to start with?

Start with Kirby and the Forgotten Land. It teaches the basics of Kirby (sucking, copying, flying) in a 3D space that’s more intuitive than 2D platformers. The difficulty ramps very slowly, and Spring-Breeze Mode ensures the youngest players can progress. Common Sense Media (Common Sense Media) confirms it’s “a great first platformer for kids.”

The pattern: This game was designed with newcomers in mind — it’s the first mainline Kirby in full 3D, and HAL Laboratory made sure the learning curve is as soft as Kirby himself.

Why is Kirby better than Mario?

Better is subjective, but for young children, Kirby has clear advantages:

• Kirby can fly indefinitely, eliminating the frustration of missing a jump.
• Copy abilities give variety without requiring precision (CNET).
• Co-op is built-in from the start, while most 3D Mario games are single-player (or offer limited co-op).
• Difficulty is rated as “easy” by Common Sense Media (Common Sense Media); Mario games often require precise timing.

Also worth noting: Kirby is canonically genderless, which avoids any gendered assumptions about who the game is for. Game directors have confirmed Kirby uses “they/them” pronouns. This makes the game inclusive without making a fuss about it.

Is Kirby a boy or a girl?

Kirby is genderless. The series director, Shinya Kumazaki, has stated that Kirby doesn’t have a confirmed gender. This has been the official stance for years. In the English version of the games, Kirby is referred to with “they/them” pronouns.

Is there LGBTQ in Kirby?

No explicit LGBTQ themes appear in Kirby and the Forgotten Land. The genderless nature of Kirby is the closest the series comes to queer representation, but the games do not include romantic or sexual content of any kind. Common Sense Media (Common Sense Media) confirms “no inappropriate content.”

What’s the hardest Kirby game?

None of the Kirby games are truly difficult, but Kirby: Planet Robobot (3DS) and Kirby’s Dream Buffet (2022) have been cited by fans as offering more challenge. On Switch, Forgotten Land is the easiest; Kirby Star Allies is slightly harder due to its traditional 2D design.

Is Nintendo good for ADHD?

Many parents report that Nintendo games, including Kirby, help children with ADHD focus because of their bright colors, consistent feedback loops, and low-stakes failure. While not a medical endorsement, the game’s bite-sized levels (5–10 minutes each) and frequent rewards (collectible figures, new abilities) provide the kind of structure that can be calming. Common Sense Media (Common Sense Media) notes the game “encourages exploration without pressure.”

Comparison: Single-player vs Co-op

One key decision: playing alone or with a child. Here’s how the modes compare.

The trade-off: Single-player is the full intended experience. Co-op sacrifices depth for accessibility — exactly the trade-off a parent wants when playing with a child who might otherwise get stuck.

Confirmed Facts vs What’s Unclear

The mix of confirmed details and open questions helps parents decide based on what’s known rather than assumptions.

What reviewers said

“Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a post-apocalyptic Nintendo game done right — charming, full of secrets, and worth it, especially if you play with a friend or a kid.”

— CNET review (CNET)

“The co-op experience is uneven but still fun most of the time. Bandana Waddle Dee feels like a sidekick, but for younger players that’s actually ideal.”

— Co-Optimus review (Co-Optimus)

“The second player can feel dragged along. The co-op mode seems like it was added late in development.”

— Pure Nintendo review (Pure Nintendo)

“A great first platformer for kids — no inappropriate content, gentle difficulty, and a lot of charm.”

— Common Sense Media (Common Sense Media)

Pros and Cons

The pros and cons show that the game’s design choices prioritize accessibility over balanced co-op, which makes sense for its target audience.

Summary

For parents who want a digital playground their child can enjoy with minimal frustration, Kirby and the Forgotten Land delivers exactly that. The co-op mode isn’t perfect, but it’s perfect for its real audience: a kid with a controller and an adult nearby. For families, the choice is clear: buy it, turn on Spring-Breeze Mode, and let the puffball lead the way.

Frequently asked questions