Kirby games timeline

1992

The Kirby franchise began when the first game, Kirby’s Dream Land was published in 1992 for the Game Boy. Unlike other games, the story was minimal - Dedede hoarded food that was supposed to go to Popstar’s citizens. Initially, Kirby was white instead of pink and was not able to absorb powers.

1996

A major step for the Kirby franchise was the release of Kirby Super Star on SNES in 1996. It was a compilation of 8 games. By that point, most Kirby conventions, such as playable partners and absorbable abilities were already established. It was later remade for DS in 2008 with the number of games doubled.

2000

In 2000, the first 3D Kirby game, Kirby: The Crystal Shards, was published. It raises the stakes when compared to previous storylines, as Kirby has to save not just his planet Popstar, but five other planets as well.

2022

The latest game in the Kirby franchise, Kirby and the Forgotten Land was released in 2022 on Nintendo Switch. It is the first game with 3D gameplay. Set in the New World, the game has Kirby rescue Waddle Dees from a militarized animal group called the Beast Pack.