Kirby Forgotten Land caught many players off guard when it launched, not just for being the pink puffball’s first proper 3D adventure, but for how impressively it performed on Nintendo Switch hardware. Digital Foundry’s technical analysis revealed that while the game doesn’t push boundaries in raw performance, it makes incredibly smart choices that result in a polished, beautiful experience.
Why Kirby Forgotten Land Runs at 30fps Instead of 60fps
Unlike Super Mario Odyssey, Bowser’s Fury, and Metroid Dread – which all target 60fps – Kirby Forgotten Land locks its frame rate at 30fps. John Linneman from Digital Foundry noted that while this initially seems disappointing, the decision makes sense given the game’s visual density. HAL Laboratory packed each stage with detailed geometry, dynamic shadows, and complex lighting effects that would be challenging to maintain at higher frame rates on Switch hardware.
The 30fps cap remains stable throughout gameplay, providing a consistent experience even during the most visually intensive sequences. This stability proves more valuable than an inconsistent 60fps that might drop during action-heavy moments.
Smart Resolution Scaling Keeps Kirby Forgotten Land Looking Sharp
The game implements dynamic resolution scaling that adapts based on what’s happening on screen. In docked mode, Kirby Forgotten Land reaches full 1080p resolution during less demanding scenes but can drop to around 810p when things get busy. Portable mode targets 720p and holds that resolution more consistently, delivering particularly crisp visuals on the Switch OLED screen.
This approach ensures smooth gameplay while maintaining visual quality. Rather than accepting stuttering or frame drops, the game intelligently reduces resolution when needed – and most players won’t notice the difference during actual gameplay.
Animation Excellence That Brings Kirby to Life in 3D
Digital Foundry praised the animation work as one of Kirby Forgotten Land’s greatest technical achievements. Kirby himself squashes and stretches with an impressive array of animations that perfectly capture the character’s personality in three dimensions. Enemies move and react naturally, while environmental details like spinning objects and physics-based elements add life to each stage.
There’s one minor technical compromise: animation frame rates decrease with distance from the camera. Objects close to Kirby animate smoothly, while those farther away update less frequently. This optimization saves processing power but can become noticeable with large moving objects in the background.
Lighting and Shadow Work That Elevates the Visual Experience
The game makes extensive use of shadow mapping, allowing both dynamic and static objects to cast realistic shadows. While these shadows aren’t always stunning in quality, they add significant depth to the world. Large enemies can cast dramatic shadows across entire playfields, creating memorable visual moments.
HAL Laboratory also implemented baked indirect lighting to simulate bounce lighting effects. You’ll notice subtle color reflections – like greenish hues on buildings near grassy areas – that make the world feel more realistic and cohesive.
How Mouthful Mode Showcases Technical Creativity
Kirby Forgotten Land introduced the innovative “mouthful mode,” where Kirby can swallow large objects and take their form. From a technical perspective, this system required careful optimization to handle the transformation animations and new physics properties without impacting performance.
Each mouthful transformation – whether it’s a car, vending machine, or water pipe – comes with unique animations and mechanics. The seamless transitions between normal Kirby and these transformed states demonstrate impressive technical execution that maintains the game’s stable 30fps target.
The Switch 2 Edition: Performance Improvements Worth Noting
Digital Foundry recently analyzed the Switch 2 edition of Kirby Forgotten Land, which includes technical upgrades alongside new content. While specific details vary, the enhanced version takes advantage of improved hardware to deliver better visual fidelity and potentially higher resolution targets.
These improvements validate Digital Foundry’s original assessment that Kirby Forgotten Land deserved more powerful hardware. The game’s visual design and technical foundation were clearly built with room to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kirby Forgotten Land support 60fps on any platform?
No, the original Switch version caps at 30fps. The Switch 2 edition may offer improvements, but the base game was designed around 30fps gameplay for consistent performance.
How does Kirby Forgotten Land compare visually to Super Mario Odyssey?
While Mario Odyssey runs at 60fps, Kirby Forgotten Land offers more visually dense environments with detailed lighting and shadow work. Both games excel in different technical areas suited to their respective gameplay styles.
What resolution does Kirby Forgotten Land run at in handheld mode?
Handheld mode targets 720p and maintains this resolution more consistently than docked mode, making it particularly sharp on the Switch OLED display.
Are there performance issues during co-op play?
According to player reports, co-op mode runs as smoothly as single-player, with the camera intelligently tracking both players without performance drops.
Why did HAL Laboratory choose 30fps over 60fps for this game?
The decision prioritizes visual quality and consistency over frame rate. The detailed environments, lighting effects, and animation work would be difficult to maintain at 60fps on Switch hardware.
Does the animation distance scaling affect gameplay?
The reduced animation rates for distant objects don’t impact gameplay mechanics, but can be visually distracting when large background elements are moving.
Technical Excellence in a Charming Package
Digital Foundry’s analysis shows that Kirby Forgotten Land succeeds through smart technical choices rather than raw power. By prioritizing visual consistency, stable performance, and creative animation work, HAL Laboratory created a game that feels polished and complete within the Switch’s limitations.
The 30fps target, dynamic resolution scaling, and distance-based animation optimizations all serve the greater goal of delivering a smooth, enjoyable experience. While more powerful hardware could unlock higher frame rates, the current implementation proves that thoughtful technical design often matters more than impressive specifications.