KIRBY STAR ALLIES: FOUR FRIENDS, ONE PINK HERO, AND NOT MUCH DANGER
7.0 of 10 bananas. HAL's 2018 Kirby lets you throw hearts at enemies to make them friends, then combine powers with up to four players. Charming, colorful, and great for small kids; easy, short, and light on surprises until the free updates.
By the Alpha. Switch cartridge listing. Updated Nov 1 2026.
Honest note: This is not a fresh hands-on playtest. I built this verdict from launch reviews, critic consensus, update history, and what is known about the game today. If I put real hours in on stream, I will update the score and say so.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, and it also plays on Switch 2 (developed by HAL Laboratory, published by Nintendo, released March 16 2018). The Amazon button is the Switch cartridge. At my Nov 1 2026 check it was sold by a third-party seller named eKings and shipped by Amazon, at the 49.99 dollar list price, which is a lot for a 2018 game. Sellers and prices change, so look at the seller before you pay.
Get Kirby Star Allies for Nintendo Switch on AmazonStore check, Nov 1 2026: new copies on offer from a third-party seller, eKings, shipped by Amazon. Prices and sellers change, so look before you pay.
Sit with me a moment. The youngest in my troop could not beat a single level of most platformers. Then I handed her a Joy-Con in Kirby Star Allies. She threw a heart, made a friend, and laughed for an hour. That is the whole promise of this game, and it keeps it.
What It Wants To Be
Kirby Star Allies is a 2D platformer. Kirby inhales enemies to copy their powers, and now he can throw a heart to recruit up to three enemies as allies. Friends can be played by the computer or by other players on one Switch. Powers combine, so a sword ally plus a fire ally makes a flaming sword that solves puzzles. Free updates added Dream Friends, famous characters from older Kirby games, plus new modes.
What Works
Critics praised the visuals, music, and the friend mechanic. Mixing powers is fun to discover, and co-op is dead simple, so a parent and child can play together without frustration. The free Dream Friend updates gave it more replay value, and reception improved after they arrived. It sold over 4 million copies.
What Breaks
Listen well. Critics landed on mixed reviews at launch, mostly for a lack of challenge and depth. Your AI allies can play much of the game for you. The main story is short, and the levels rarely surprise. At full price for a 2018 game, it is not a bargain, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the better Kirby on Switch.
Who Should Play
Play it if you have young kids or want a stress free co-op game for the couch. Skip it if you want a challenge or a fresh Kirby adventure; start with Forgotten Land instead.
STRENGTHS
- Friend hearts are charming
- Power combos are fun to find
- Easy four player co-op
- Free Dream Friend updates
HONEST COSTS
- Very easy
- Short main story
- Levels rarely surprise
- Full price for a 2018 game
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