Kirby and the World Beyond Revealed With Gameplay Ahead of Spring 2027 Nintendo Switch 2 Launch

Nintendo has revealed Kirby and the World Beyond with a first-look gameplay trailer ahead of its launch on Nintendo Switch 2.

In what will almost surely come as a surprise to Super Smash Bros., Nintendogs, and even Kirby fans everywhere, everyone’s favorite powerful pink hero closed out today’s September 2026 Nintendo Direct. This first look at Kirby and the World Beyond came with an early look at gameplay, showing that, per usual, Kirby will be able to use his copy abilities to slay foes.

This looks like a much more open adventure than Nintendo has offered in the past. In fact, Kirby and the World Beyond might be Kirby’s most open experience yet when it launches for Nintendo Switch 2 spring 2027.

"A new 3D adventure is on the horizon for Kirby!" Nintendo confirmed in a press release. "Freely explore an expansive world and put Kirby’s Copy Abilities to creative use as you uncover what awaits in Kirby and the World Beyond."

As noted during the Direct, Kirby and the World Beyond's spring 2027 launch for Switch 2 just so happens to coincide with the franchise's 35th anniversary. Nintendo's Yoshiaki Koizumi promised that more details on this front will be shared "in the future."

Kirby and the World Beyond Reveal Trailer - Screenshots

It's been a while since we got a proper new Kirby game. Aside from spinoffs like 2025's Kirby Air Riders and reimaginings like 2023's Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe, the last mainline installment in the classic Nintendo franchise arrived with Kirby and the Forgotten Realm when it launched for the original Switch in early 2022.

With a fresh look at a new, more open world and refreshed copy-ability gameplay, fans have already begun to imagine how this next new game will take the series forward. Part of that has seen some drawing comparisons between Kirby's world-hopping antics and Jim Carrey's 1998 film, The Truman Show.

They put Kirby in the Truman show pic.twitter.com/y06tfl8CBH — Gazun 💮 (@Gazungamer) September 9, 2026

They put Kirby in the Truman show pic.twitter.com/y06tfl8CBH

kirby and the world beyond pic.twitter.com/OeLExIjtTL — zac (@TNiZac13) September 9, 2026

kirby and the world beyond pic.twitter.com/OeLExIjtTL

It sounds like there are big plans in store for Kirby, but we'll have to wait to see what's in store. Until there's more to share about Kirby and the World Beyond, you can check out IGN's 7/10 review for the Kirby and the Forgotten Land Star-Crossed World re-release.

In case you forgot, this is Nintendo’s second Direct of the week. For everything announced during yesterday’s Zelda Direct, click here . For everything announced during today’s Direct, click here .

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).