Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the first time Nintendo's lovable pink blob has received the 3D platformer treatment.  The franchise seems to have made the jump without issue, pulling in generally favorable reviews and living up to all the hype surrounding its release.

Mario tends to steal the spotlight when it comes to platforming games, but Kirby has built up a sizable following over the past few decades. More than 30 games have been released featuring the Dream Land native — most of which have been of the 2D variety. However, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Nintendo and HAL Laboratory finally decided to give the game a third dimension, and both critics and fans couldn't have been happier with the result.

The game sees Kirby getting pulled into a ruined world known only as the Forgotten Land. In this mysterious world, innocent Waddle Dees are being help prisoner by the evil Beast Pack — and it's up to Kirby to rescue them and put an end to the Beast Pack's nefarious ways.

Offering a combination of rigorous platforming, off-beat characters, and the constant introduction of new gameplay mechanics, Kirby and the Forgotten Land has quickly become one of the best Switch releases of 2022. The game is rather short, however, with its main story wrapping up after about 20 hours of gameplay.

Thankfully, Nintendo Switch is home to a handful of excellent 3D platformers and other Kirby titles. If you don't mind jumping to another console, you'll have even more luck finding a suitable replacement for Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

Here are 10 games like Kirby and the Forgotten Land to play next, ranked by Metascore.

Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)

Metascore: 97
Best for: Fans of wacky 3D platforming
Where to buy:

Super Mario Odyssey ranks as one of the best games of the past few decades, earning a remarkable 97 Metascore. The Nintendo Switch exclusive took all the mechanics that made past Mario games so fun — that is, fluid movement, brilliant level design, adorable graphics, and an approachable learning curve — and threw them into one of the biggest Mario games ever. Most players can easily finish the main story in 15 hours, but dedicated fans can dive back in to uncover even more secrets to keep them busy well past 60 hours. Super Mario Odyssey continues to stand as a hallmark entry in the popular franchise (and 3D platforming in general), making it the perfect game to replace Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

"It's a world that feels huge at first, then small as you get to know it, and then huge again as you realize how fantastically dense it is with secrets and challenges." — Forbes

It Takes Two (PS5)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of cooperative platforming
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PC, PS4, XB1, XBX

Unlike every other game on this list, It Takes Two is an entirely cooperative experience. You'll step into the shoes of a couple going through a rough patch in their marriage, before they're magically trapped into two of their daughter's dolls. They'll need to work together to get out of the predicament, overcoming a variety of dangerous bosses, difficult platforming segments, and dozens of puzzles that require advanced teamwork. It Takes Two walked away the Game of the Year Award during The Game Awards 2021, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more innovative co-op adventure.

"It's not just one of the best action platformers in recent memory, but also a fantastic and unique story representing a dynamic that you don't often see represented in games." — PlayStation LifeStyle

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of third-person shooters
Where to buy:

The lovable Lombax and his robotic sidekick's first PlayStation 5 outing was a runaway success, leveraging the console's improved hardware to offer stunning graphics that wouldn't be out of place in a Pixar movie. Hiding behind the sleek visuals is a surprisingly deep game, one that merges fast-paced platforming with intense third-person gunplay. You'll play as both Ratchet and Rivet (a newcomer to the franchise) as you attempt to thwart an evil plan that threatens all of reality. From gameplay and graphics to narrative and replayability, Rift Apart delivers a feature-complete game that'll keep you busy for hours.

"Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the game you've been waiting for, filled with stunning visuals, magnificent gameplay, and so much more." — God Is a Geek

Psychonauts 2 (XBX)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Fans of emotional narratives
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PC, PS4, XB1

It took nearly two decades, but Psychonauts 2 finally became a reality. It picks up right where the original Psychonauts left off, with Raz doing everything he can to become a full-fledged Psychonaut. The quirky, off-beat charm is entirely intact with this sequel, including the surrealist art style, hilarious dialogue, and mildly disturbing character design. Platforming is the main draw of the game, with Raz running, jumping, sliding, and levitating his way across more than a dozen levels. Once you've wrapped up the journey, there are literally hundreds of collectible items to discover — some of which are particularly nefarious.

"I've rarely played anything that is so unashamedly itself. Each hour is different, each character distinct and memorable, each new psychic playground full of surprises." — Guardian

Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Switch)

Metascore: 82
Best for: Fans of RPGs
Where to buy: 

The long-standing Pokémon format of picking a starter and battling Gym Leaders came to an end with Pokémon Legends: Arceus. You'll still be hunting down Pokémon and leveling them up, but this time your goal is to build the world's first Pokédex. You're also free to roam its gigantic map, encountering and catching monsters without the need for turn-based combat. It's a bit light on platforming, but its fun-loving world and sense of adventure will be right at home with fans of Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Arceus has already received a bit of post-launch DLC, and more is bound to arrive over the next several months.

"Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a refreshing take on the Pokémon formula, stripping back the game to focus on the titular creatures with such great success." — GamesRadar+

Spyro Reignited Trilogy (PS4)

Metascore: 82
Best for: A blast of nostalgia
Where to buy:

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is an HD remaster of the original three games from more than 20 years ago. While plenty of modern adjustments have been made (including new menus and animations), much of the games remain the same — making this a fun trip down memory lane for gamers old enough to remember the originals. You'll chase a variety of bad guys throughout the trilogy, jumping across platforms, flying over chasms, and breathing fire to defeat anything that gets in your way. The game is approachable enough for players of all skill levels, although completists will have their work cut out trying to chase down some of its most difficult collectibles.

"The new, vibrant graphics make Spyro a playable fantasy cartoon. It's one of the most attractive kid-friendly games you'll find." — GamesBeat

Kena: Bridge of Spirits (PS5)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Fans of old-school platforming
Where to buy: Epic Games Store
Also available on: PC, PS4

Despite releasing in 2021, Kena: Bridge of Spirits feels like a game from another era. Its combat is rather simple, its platforming is incredibly fun, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting as you rescue lost spirits and attempt to save a dying forest. Kena pulled in impressive reviews, although some critics thought it leaned too heavily on borrowed features and didn't do enough to push the genre forward in new directions. Anyone seeking a fun platforming game, however, will find Kena to be both visually appealing and with enough substance to make gameplay engaging all the way to the final credits.

"With its elegantly simple combat and beautiful world, Kena: Bridge of Spirits harkens back to the days of the N64/GameCube-era Zeldas, Okami, and Star Fox Adventures." — IGN

New Super Lucky's Tale (Switch)

Metascore: 76
Best for: Fans of classic action platforming
Where to buy:

New Super Lucky's Tale is a remake of Super Lucky's Tale from 2017, sprucing up its graphics and updating its story. It follows Lucky as the eponymous hero treks across a variety of hub worlds to help his sister protect something known as the Book of Ages. The game expands on several of the backstories developed in the original, giving you a closer look at the bizarre cast of characters inhabiting its world. As a 3D platformer, the action plays out in a similar fashion to Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and although it never quite hits the same highs as Kirby or Mario, New Super Lucky's Tale is still a fun romp through a colorful, charismatic wonderland.

"Easy enough for newcomers to just pick up and play, and providing just enough fun and familiar challenge for veterans of the genre." — GameGrin

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania (Switch)

Metascore: 76
Best for: Fans of the Labyrinth board game
Where to buy:

The name gives it all away — you play as a monkey inside a ball, whose main objective is to collect as many bananas as humanly (or monkey-ly) as possible. The premise is just as bizarre as it sounds, yet both critics and longtime fans found Banana Mania to be another fantastic installment in the long-running franchise. It all plays out a bit like a digital version of the old, wooden Labyrinth board game, with players navigating precarious beams and challenging platforming sections before rolling to the end of each level. With hundreds of stages and several multiplayer modes, Banana Mania gives you more Super Monkey Ball than you'll know what to do with.

"Yes, Banana Mania is essentially just the kind of Super Monkey Ball game that you'd expect. I just didn't realize how much I've missed this series." — GamesBeat

Super Kirby Clash (Switch)

Metascore: 74
Best for: Diehard Kirby fans
Where to buy: Nintendo eShop
Also available on: N/A

While it launched to mixed reviews, Super Kirby Clash is an easy recommendation thanks to its free-to-play price tag. Not only does it offer fans of the series a boatload of familiar faces and locations, but it also boasts some impressive combat and fun RPG elements such as unlockable gear and upgradeable stats. The action plays out in 2D, with you and up to three other players facing off against a variety of deadly foes — and it'll take careful coordination and planning to take them down. Its gameplay doesn't offer much variety, but considering you can dive into the action without opening your wallet, it's a great way to keep Kirby on your screen after wrapping up their latest 3D adventure.

"As a standalone game, Super Kirby Clash holds up well to the Kirby series standard with its impressively diverse boss roster, straightforward RPG-lite mechanics, and deep potential for replayability." — Nintendo Life