The 30thKirbyanniversary celebrations are bound to get started any minute. Nintendo has hinted at major plans to acknowledge the colorful platforming franchise’s major anniversary, but it has yet to share any further details.Kirbyfans may already haveKirby and the Forgotten Landto look forward to, but it seems natural to expect at least one side game to release as a part of the anniversary, since Nintendo has done that before. While there are many previousKirbygames that could get a revival for the anniversary, when it comes to spinoffs,Kirby’s Dream Courseseems like a particularly strong choice.
Kirby’s Dream Coursewas released for the SNES in 1994 when theKirbyfranchise was barely two years old. HAL Laboratory had a more generic mini golf game in mind but decided to rebrand its project after the newKirbyIP’s success. That move paid off;Kirby’s Dream Coursereceived positive reviews for its creative take on mini-golf, which made the most of Kirby’s signature Copy Abilities. Sadly,Kirby’s Dream Coursehasn’t gotten a sequel yet. HAL Laboratory ought to change that as a part ofKirby’s 30th anniversary celebration, providing Switch users with a sequel to the originalDream Coursenearly 30 years after the fact.
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Potential in Kirby’s Dream Course 2
The originalKirby’s Dream Coursetasked players with knocking outKirbyenemies and claiming stars scattered across each course until the course’s hole appeared. When knocking out certain enemies, Kirby could gain a Copy Ability which players can use to affect their movement. That’s one major way in whichKirby’s Dream Course 2could improve on its predecessor. TheKirbyfranchise has inventeda ton of new Copy Abilitiessince 1994, meaning aDream Coursesequel could incorporate these new abilities into its courses, resulting in a totally different gameplay experience from the original game. Copy Abilities like Ghost and Spider could inspire a multitude of new movement options.
The Switch also deserves aKirby’s Dream Coursesequel because it’s the perfect platform forDream Course.The originalDream Coursehad 2-player multiplayer, which isideal for the Switch, since two players can each pick up a Joy-Con and hop into multiplayer games whenever they like. Of course,Dream Course 2would also be a perfect opportunity to expand on the original game by bumping up the maximum player count. The hectic star-stealing gameplay ofKirby’s Dream Coursecould be even more exciting with four players.
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Good Timing for Another Kirby’s Dream Course
Although the originalKirby’s Dream Courseis nearly 30 years old, it’s still relevant thanks to Nintendo Switch Online.Kirby’s Dream Courseappears inNSO’s ever-growing game library, offering fans of all ages a look back at one ofKirby’s first major spinoffs. Switch users who’ve already had their fill of the originalDream Coursethrough NSO make up a strong market for a sequel. Even beyondDream Course’s NSO presence, however, theKirbyanniversary generally makes now a good time to revisit one of the franchise’s earliest titles. After all, franchise anniversaries are all fueled by nostalgia.
It’s hard to say how much hope there is for a secondKirby’s Dream Coursegame. HAL Laboratory supposedly once had plans for a sequel on the N64, buttheKirbytitle was canceled. More than 25 years later, HAL hasn’t revisited the concept, but opinions ofKirby’s Dream Courseremain positive, both in retrospect and among those playing it for the first time on the Switch. Whether HAL and Nintendo have consideredDream Course 2or not, there’s definitely an opportunity for the game right now. The Switch is the perfect platform for anotherKirby’s Dream Course,and the evolution of theKirbyfranchise offers lots of ideas for aDream Coursesequel to work with.
Kirby and the Forgotten Landreleases July 26, 2025, for Nintendo Switch.
