Kirby and the World Beyond announced for Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo has announced Kirby and the World Beyond, a new 3D Kirby adventure coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 in spring 2027. The game was revealed during the September 9 Nintendo Direct with a first trailer focused on exploration and expanded uses for Kirby’s familiar Copy Abilities.

Nintendo describes the game as an adventure through an “expansive world” that players can freely explore. It has not called the game fully open world or explained exactly how its different areas will connect.

Kirby can still inhale enemies and take on their abilities. In The World Beyond, some of those powers can also help him explore and move through the environment.

Bomb Kirby can launch himself into the air with explosive jumps, while Sword Kirby can stick his weapon into trees and use it to climb. Kirby can also move quickly across large fields, suggesting that traversal will be a more important part of choosing and using Copy Abilities.

The trailer also showed familiar abilities including Parasol and Cutter. Nintendo has not yet revealed the full Copy Ability lineup or explained how Kirby gains the more powerful versions seen during the footage.

The reveal moves Kirby through wide grassy fields, wooded areas, water and other large outdoor spaces rather than focusing entirely on tightly defined stages. Nintendo says players will be able to freely explore these environments while using Kirby’s abilities to reach different areas.

The World Beyond builds on the 3D platforming introduced in 2022’s Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Nintendo has stopped short of confirming whether the new game uses one continuous world, several large regions or another structure.

The adventure also introduces a new character described as a girl with mysterious powers. Nintendo says Kirby will need to rescue her from King Dedede, while her connection to a strange new power Kirby has gained remains unexplained.

Another central mystery involves a huge wall blocking Kirby’s path. The reveal shows a powered-up Sword Kirby cutting through a barrier and exposing a much larger landscape on the other side, tying the game’s exploration directly to the “World Beyond” name.

Nintendo has not announced an exact release date, price, multiplayer features or the full structure of the game. It has only confirmed a spring 2027 launch window for Nintendo Switch 2.

The timing will also coincide with Kirby’s 35th anniversary in 2027. Nintendo has not said whether additional anniversary plans are connected to Kirby and the World Beyond, leaving more details about Kirby’s next 3D adventure to be revealed ahead of its launch.