Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

A pink blob that swallows everything it comes across is usually synonymous with a laid-back, linear platformer. Kirby & the Amazing Mirror, however, breaks this pattern — and sets off on a trip into a world that resembles a metroidvania more than a classic Kirby.

Instead of a series of separate levels, the game drops you into one large, interconnected world that you explore freely. The individual areas link up, branch out and connect, so you get a sense of genuine discovery — you return, look for shortcuts and gradually uncover a map divided into mirror kingdoms. It's a refreshing detour that gives the series an entirely different rhythm.

Kirby naturally retains his most famous ability: copying the traits of swallowed enemies. Swallow a creature with a sword and you gain a blade, swallow a fiery one and you start spitting flames. This mechanic takes on new meaning in the open world — different abilities open up different paths for you.

Also unique is the co-op of up to four Kirbys at once, controlled either by fellow players or by artificial intelligence. You can summon helpers at any time, and their presence lends both exploration and combat a pleasant dynamic. Visually the game is exactly as cute, colorful and welcoming as you'd expect from the brand.

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror is an experiment that paid off: it takes the series' friendly, undemanding soul and combines it with an appetite for discovery. For fans of metroidvanias it's a welcoming gateway to the genre, for Kirby fans a pleasantly unconventional adventure.

Why play it: A cute Kirby in an open, interconnected world with a metroidvania flavor and four-hero co-op — a refreshing detour from the series.