Kirby’s Dream Buffet Review: When You Want a Delicious Treat, Not a Banquet

The pink Bubble Ball is back in 3D, and you can tell Kirby will definitely continue mouthful mode in Kirby’s Dream Buffet. Rather than inhaling the likes of cars and vending machines in Forgotten Lands, Kirby and their colorful clones (and lots of CPU Waddle Dees!) have to race to eat them up in raid courses made out of food Possibly more strawberries. If you saw the trailer and thought Dream Buffet looked like Kirby meets Fall Guys, you’d be absolutely right. But the mashup wasn’t as successful as I had hoped.

Each Gourmet Grand Prix (including multiple modes such as racing, mini-games or battle royale) has its own tasting menu at your disposal, including everything you need for a variety of desserts, burgers or perfect frying. They’re all designed to look pretty lavish as multiple Kirby characters roll around them, but I’m hoping for a little more at the end of each feast.

Regardless, Kirby’s Dream Buffet isn’t a bad game. Here’s another Kirby game without any skill barriers and can provide plenty of Kirby-themed party game fun for those who join, but sadly I don’t think it’s a game that gets pulled out of kitchen cupboards too often party game.

The race to be the biggest Kirby is fun, but Nintendo doesn’t do enough when it comes to thinking about how often to play party games. Kirby’s Dream Buffet was never going to be a Mario Party, but you’d think the largely multiplayer title would at least support local co-op for up to four players. That’s not the case, if you want to sit around a TV with a small group of friends, you can only play one or two players in turns using the Joy-Cons, must play online on their respective devices, or, like me, you Might suggest switching to Mario Kart instead.

You can play with up to four players in online and local game modes, provided you each have your own Switch console and copy of Kirby’s Dream Buffet. Alternatively, the main mode of the game is called the battle mode. This supports offline co-op play with up to two players from the same device. So if you’re planning on attending Kirby’s Dream Buffet with single friends, or even alone, you’re in luck and might get a lot of fun out of the title. However, for players who are expecting climactic party games to support four-player offline play, or even a mix of local co-op and offline play, you’re sadly limited.

As a huge Kirby fan, it’s almost blasphemous to say that my favorite bubblegum color ball disappointed me, but alas, Kirby is the redemption star of the show here. Kirby’s Dream Buffet may be a party game that can’t really be played at a party, and lag issues when playing online can be very frustrating, but Kirby and co. still when you’re roaming through what is in fact a fantastic buffet Can continue to attract your socks.

The game also stays true to the premise of Kirby’s title; it’s easy, like all Kirby games. There was no discernible skill gap between the players – although one man managed to triple my score and finish first. I still have a hard time with it. However, aside from the occasional Kirby pro, Kirby’s Dream Buffet is an enjoyable time every player can take part in.

This is what Kirby admires most; these games appeal to people of all ages and abilities. Kirby’s Dream Buffet was no exception, and I could easily see Waddle Dee and other Kirby peers rolling around in a variety of delicious courses that were a blast for families and Nintendo fans alike. I was certainly transported into a whimsical world full of Kirby references to previous games and characters, and as a longtime fan, it was touching to see and experience it.

Kirby also will never look good in all their 3D glory, especially when inflated to the size of a space funnel. Sadly, however, these arenas all look too similar and are all short. Once the fun of Kirby’s Dream Buffet begins, and you’re rolling (literally), it’s almost over. It’s kind of like going to a party and being greeted by a beige buffet. Sometimes you also want some lettuce.

Overall, Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a neat idea on the surface. When it comes to life, if it comes with more variety and better multiplayer support, it could really be a contender for one of the Switch’s top party games. That said, Kirby’s future is now well cemented in 3D, and I’m still looking forward to how Puff Ball ends after they decide they can’t stand another strawberry.