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Kirby's Dream Buffet

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Kirby's Dream Buffet
Cover art, depicting four Kirbys of different colors on a large cake
Cover art
Developer(s)HAL Laboratory
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Shinya Kumazaki
Producer(s)
  • Tadashi Kamitake
  • Toyokazu Nonaka
Designer(s)
  • Yuya Kozuka
  • Ryosuke Sakamoto
Programmer(s)Hiroshi Ohnishi
Artist(s)Riki Fuhrmann
Composer(s)
SeriesKirby
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch
Release
  • WW: August 17, 2022
Genre(s)Racing, party, battle royale
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Kirby's Dream Buffet is a 2022 party video game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch as a spinoff title in the Kirby series. The game was announced via social media in July 2022 and was digitally released worldwide for the Nintendo eShop the following month. The game supports both local and online multiplayer.

Kirby's Dream Buffet revolves around four player characters known as Kirbys, each controlled by either a human player or artificial intelligence, competing in various dessert-themed race courses and minigames with the objective of collecting the most strawberries, growing larger in the process. Strawberries can be obtained through various means, including finishing races quickly, defeating enemies, and knocking out other racers, all of which can be achieved with food-themed power-ups that replace the series' traditional Copy Abilities.

Kirby's Dream Buffet received mixed reviews, with general praise for its visuals, divided opinions on its gameplay, and criticism for its online mode. Many reviewers compared the game to Fall Guys both before and after its release. Kirby's Dream Buffet was released just a few months after the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, a mainline Kirby game.

Gameplay

[edit]

Kirby's Dream Buffet is a multiplayer video game in which the player characters—four ball-shaped Kirbys—roll through dessert-themed levels and compete to collect the most strawberries.[1][2] In the game's frame story, Kirby is suddenly shrunken down by the Dream Fork,[3] causing him to land in the cake he was about to eat.[4]

Each Kirby can be controlled by either a human player or artificial intelligence (AI), with the latter having four difficulty levels.[5] Multiple non-player characters known as Waddle Dees are also controlled by AI.[6] As characters consume strawberries, they increase in size and speed, though hovering becomes more difficult.[7] Players can defeat enemies and use food power-ups on each level to attack one another or expand their lead.[8][9][10] For instance, chili peppers give characters a speed boost, while doughnuts temporarily turn them into wheels.[2][5] The game can be played locally with up to two human players (four if more than one console is used) and online with up to four players,[2][5][10] with the lattermost option requiring a Nintendo Switch Online account.[11] Matches can be randomized or played in private lobbies.[2][5]

There are three types of rounds, each with several different levels:

  • Race: The level is laid out like a race track. The first, second, and third players to reach the goal are granted 50, 20, and 10 additional strawberries, respectively.[8][12]
  • Minigame: Events that typically take place on a small level, wherein players have 20 seconds to gain strawberries while avoiding obstacles and defeating enemies.[1][2][4]
  • Battle Royale: Similarly to in minigame rounds, players compete on a small level with abilities and strawberries dropping over time. Players can steal others' strawberries and earn bonuses by knocking opponents off the level.[1][2][13]

Rounds can be played separately or in the main game mode, Gourmet Grand Prix, in which players compete in a race, a minigame, another race, and then a Battle Royale.[2][10][14] Afterwards, 40-strawberry bonuses are given out based on random statistical conditions, such as collecting the most strawberries, knocking down the most barriers, hovering for the longest amount of time,[2][8][12] or defeating the most players.[11] The player with the highest strawberry count wins the game.[1][10] Another game mode, Free Rolling, allows players to test out Kirby's abilities and customize their character.[2][5]

After completing individual rounds or a Gourmet Grand Prix, players are awarded points to raise their "Gourmet Rank". There are 135 ranks in total, and each time the player's rank increases, they unlock a new costume, color, level, or music track that can be used for customization.[2][7][10][11] In online matches, every player can customize their character, while in local matches, only one player can customize their character.[13] Players can also unlock "Character Treats", cookies based on characters from the Kirby series, which can be displayed on a cake in the hub world.[15]

Development and release

[edit]
Shinya Kumazaki, the game's director

Kirby's Dream Buffet was developed by HAL Laboratory[1] and directed by Shinya Kumazaki,[16] with Riki Fuhrmann serving as art director.[17] The game was revealed by Nintendo with an announcement trailer via social media on July 12, 2022, set to be released in the summer of that year[18][19][20][21] as a spinoff installment in the Kirby series.[22][23] Upon reveal, the game was widely likened to Fall Guys,[23][24][25] with similarities being noted between the games' obstacle courses.[26] Moreover, the party game atmosphere was compared to that of the Mario Party series.[26][27] Along with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby's Dream Buffet was believed to be part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Kirby's debut.[23][24]

The game's official release date was revealed in a new trailer shown during the Kirby 30th Anniversary Music Festival on August 11, 2022,[28][29] which also revealed that standard Copy Abilities would be replaced with food power-ups.[30][31] Kirby's Dream Buffet was digitally released worldwide for the Nintendo eShop on August 17, 2022, priced at $15 or £13.49.[28][30] On the same date of the game's release, the restaurant chain Kirby Café announced via Twitter that both its Tokyo and Hakata-ku branches would begin selling a dessert inspired by Kirby's Dream Buffet on September 1.[32]

Despite not featuring a typical storyline, Kirby's Dream Buffet was adapted into a light novel in which a witch's magical fork grants Kirby's wish to eat even more snacks, shrinking down Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and other characters, thus beginning a race to the Gourmet King's throne on a snack mountain.[33] The book was released on December 14, 2022, in Japan.[34]

Tetris 99's 31st Maximus Cup event, which ran from December 15–19, 2022, featured a new theme that could be unlocked by earning a total of 100 event points. The theme included art, music, and tetromino designs inspired by Kirby's Dream Buffet.[35][36] Additionally, in April 2023, it was announced that eight Kirby plushies based on Kirby's Dream Buffet would be released.[37]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

Kirby's Dream Buffet received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[38] The gameplay was widely compared to that of Fall Guys, as well as that of Super Monkey Ball.[2][40][41] In summarizing the game, Jasper Pickering of The Independent wrote, "While nothing groundbreaking, Kirby's Dream Buffet is like a macaron – bite-sized, sweet and colourful, but best enjoyed in small servings."[11]

The game's visuals were consistently praised by critics, many of whom referred to the food theme as "adorable".[5][8][10] Simon Reed of Gamezebo added that the setting was "admittedly amazing to gape at",[9] while Kirstin Swalley of Hardcore Gamer praised the attention to detail. Swalley likewise complimented the "utterly fantastic" music,[4] which GameSpot's Jessica Cogswell described as "delightful, being composed of upbeat and somewhat jazzy tunes".[5] Multiple reviewers also praised the variety of unlockable collectibles and customizations.[2][4][12][13] Kelsey Raynor of VG247 observed that there was "no obvious skill gap between players",[6] with The Independent's Jasper Pickering adding that the basic control scheme was easy for players of almost any age to learn.[11]

Critics were divided on the gameplay; Nintendo World Report's Neal Ronaghan and GameSpot's Jessica Cogswell both found it repetitive,[13] which the latter attributed to a lack of differences between race courses and minigames. Although Cogswell complimented the strawberry bonuses for allowing players to make comebacks while keeping the game "lighthearted and fun", she wrote that there was "a serious lack of content and incentives to keep playing".[5] Conversely, Kirstin Swalley of Hardcore Gamer believed that the "endearing and wonderful gameplay" was the game's biggest attraction.[4] Swalley, NME's Jen Allen, and The Independent's Jasper Pickering all found the game modes appealing due to their short lengths.[4][8][11] PJ O'Reilly of Nintendo Life noted variety in the tracks and arenas,[2] Christian Donlan of Eurogamer described the tracks as "inventive and tricksy",[1] and Giovanni Colantonio of Digital Trends highlighted the "wonderfully creative food levels".[12] However, Neal Ronaghan of Nintendo World Report opined that the minigames were "a nice way to break up the races, but they're overly simple, empty-calorie competitions",[13] while Kelsey Raynor of VG247 found the arenas too similar and short.[6]

Numerous critics expressed disappointment with local multiplayer being restricted to two players,[7][14] with many reviewers desiring a four-player split-screen option.[2][6][8] GameSpot's Jessica Cogswell and Destructoid's Chris Carter agreed that this was "a missed opportunity".[5][10] The online mode was also generally criticized for its connectivity issues,[4][5][13] including lag.[6][8][10] In a review for Common Sense Media, Dwayne Jenkins referred to this component as "a little inconsistent", noting that it was possible to be disconnected from an online game without warning or reason.[39] Giovanni Colantonio of Digital Trends wrote that "the game finds Nintendo's shaky online system at its worst here", with constant slowdown being "a real momentum killer, especially in a racing game".[12] Miscellaneous criticism was directed at the absence of a single-player campaign,[4] as well as a lack of enjoyment in playing against AI-controlled opponents.[8] Despite these flaws, many reviewers felt that the game's price was reasonable given the amount of content offered.[2][4][9][10]

Sales

[edit]

The download card for Kirby's Dream Buffet sold more than 7,000 units within its first week of release in Japan, making it the sixth-best-selling retail game of the week in the country.[42][43]

Accolades

[edit]

In 2022, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Kirby's Dream Buffet for Family Game of the Year during the 26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.[16][44]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Donlan, Christian (August 24, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet review - prepare to eat a lot of strawberries". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p O'Reilly, PJ (August 17, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  3. ^ Tolentino, Josh (August 13, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet Introduces a Gourmet Grand Prix". Siliconera. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Swalley, Kirstin (August 19, 2022). "Review: Kirby's Dream Buffet". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cogswell, Jessica (September 8, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet Review - Good Food, Tiny Portions". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Raynor, Kelsey (August 19, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet review: When you want a tasty treat rather than a banquet". VG247. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Mejia, Ozzie (August 26, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet review: Light snack". Shacknews. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Allen, Jen (August 23, 2022). "'Kirby's Dream Buffet' review: so cute yet so shallow". NME. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d Reed, Simon (September 13, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet [Switch] Review – Half Baked?". Gamezebo. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Carter, Chris (August 18, 2022). "Review: Kirby's Dream Buffet". Destructoid. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Pickering, Jasper (August 18, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet review: A moreish party game that's easy to gobble up". The Independent. Archived from the original on September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Ronaghan, Neal (September 4, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c Musgrave, Shaun (August 29, 2022). "SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection' and 'Kirby's Dream Buffet' and More". TouchArcade. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  14. ^ Olivieri, Joshua (August 29, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet: 8 Relatable Things Everyone Does". TheGamer. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2024. Every time you level up, you'll gain either a color, costume, or music track, on top of another cookie that you can use to decorate the cake in the hub menu.
  15. ^ a b "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Detail Kirby's Dream Buffet". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  16. ^ Aguasvivas, Luis (August 22, 2022). "Nintendo Makes Binge Eating Fun in Kirby's Dream Buffet". PopMatters. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
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  22. ^ a b Dinsdale, Ryan (July 12, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet is a Fall Guys-Style Party Game Coming to Switch". IGN. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  23. ^ Gach, Ethan (July 12, 2022). "Kirby Gets The Fall Guys Treatment In Surprise New Switch Game". Kotaku. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Rutherford, Sam (July 12, 2022). "'Kirby's Dream Buffet' looks like a mash-up of 'Fall Guys' and 'Mario Party'". Engadget. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  25. ^ Cryer, Hirun (July 12, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet is a new competitive eating game coming this Summer". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Bonthuys, Darryn (August 11, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet Launches Worldwide On August 17". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
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  28. ^ a b Hagues, Alana (August 11, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet Rolls Out Worldwide Release Date". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  29. ^ Dinsdale, Ryan (August 11, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet Launches Next Week". IGN. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  30. ^ Norman, Jim (August 17, 2022). "Random: Kirby Café Rustles Up A New Dessert To Celebrate Kirby's Dream Buffet". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on September 20, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  31. ^ Mosier, Nick (October 26, 2022). "Kirby's Dream Buffet is somehow getting turned into a light novel". Automaton. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  32. ^ Hagues, Alana (October 26, 2022). "Random: Kirby's Dream Buffet To Become A Literary Classic With Book Adaptation". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  33. ^ Doolan, Liam. "Reminder: Tetris 99 X Kirby's Dream Buffet Event Now Live". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  34. ^ "Tetris 99 - Official 31st Maximus Cup Gameplay Trailer". IGN. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  35. ^ Bueno, Daniel (April 18, 2023). "New Kirby's Dream Buffet Plushies Are Coming Soon". Siliconera. Archived from the original on April 29, 2025. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  36. ^ a b "Kirby's Dream Buffet Nintendo Switch Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  37. ^ a b Jenkins, Dwayne. "Kirby's Dream Buffet Game Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on August 11, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  38. ^ Reynolds, Ollie (August 17, 2022). "Bonus Music Available In Kirby's Dream Buffet For Players Of Past Switch Games". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on April 19, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  39. ^ Roth, Emma (July 12, 2022). "Kirby's rolling to your Switch this summer in Dream Buffet". The Verge. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  40. ^ Hagues, Alana (August 25, 2022). "Japanese Charts: Kirby's Dream Buffet Makes Sweet Debut Thanks To eShop Cards". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
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  42. ^ Kim, Matt (January 12, 2023). "26th Annual DICE Awards Game of the Year Nominees Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
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