Key Takeaways
- Kirby director Shinya Kumazaki hints at potential unique 3D experiences for the character in the future.
- Remakes and ports of Kirby games are uncertain, with a focus on adding new experiences to any potential remakes.
- Balancing approachability and challenge in Kirby games remains a key focus for franchise director Shinya Kumazaki.
- Nintendo officially ends Kirby's 30th-anniversary celebrations, with Kirby and the Forgotten Land winning 'Best Family Game' at BAFTA Game Awards.
Kirby director Shinya Kumazaki has hinted at the possibility of more unique 3D experiences for the beloved character.
Speaking at the Game Developers Conference, Kumazaki explained that while he couldn’t share specific plans, the development team at HAL Laboratory aims to provide a new gameplay experience that doesn’t necessarily conform to existing genre boundaries.
Remakes and Ports on the Horizon?
While Kirby fans have enjoyed a mix of new and old games, including Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby’s Dream Buffet, Kirby’s Dream Land 2, and the recent remake of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land: Deluxe, it remains unclear whether more remakes and ports will be released in the future.
Kumazaki emphasized that developers would only remake Kirby games if they can add something new to the experience, such as the Merry Magolor theme park in Return to Dream Land Deluxe.
Balancing Approachability and Challenge
Kirby games have a reputation for being accessible to players of all skill levels.
Shinya Kumazaki, the franchise director, acknowledges the challenge in striking the right balance between approachability and difficulty, particularly in Kirby and the Forgotten Land.
He admits that the final boss may have been slightly too challenging but expressed a desire to explore this aspect further to ensure a satisfying experience for all players.
While Kirby fans have enjoyed a mix of new and old games, including Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby’s Dream Buffet, Kirby’s Dream Land 2, and the recent remake of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land: Deluxe, it remains unclear whether more remakes and ports will be released in the future.
End of Kirby’s 30th Anniversary Celebrations
Nintendo has officially announced the end of Kirby’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, thanking fans for participating and encouraging them to continue enjoying Kirby’s adventures for years to come.
The past year has seen the release of several new and old Kirby games, with Kirby and the Forgotten Land winning the ‘Best Family Game’ award at the BAFTA Game Awards.
BAFTA Game Awards Recognition
In addition to Kirby’s win, Nintendo had a relatively light representation at the BAFTA Game Awards.
Splatoon 3 was nominated for Best Multiplayer but lost to Elden Ring. Tunic, which debuted on Xbox before coming to Switch, won two awards, while Endling: Extinction is Forever took home the ‘Game Beyond Entertainment’ award.
The biggest winner of the night was Sony Santa Monica’s God of War: Ragnarok, which secured six awards, including the audience-voted EE Game of the Year.
