Nintendo’s powerful pink puffballKirbyis getting a new arcade game centered on his signature ability courtesy of Bandai Namco.Kirby’s Gourmet Racechallenges players to land multicolored balls and the iconic Maxim Tomatoes into Kirby’s open mouth to score points. The new arcade game is unrelated toKirby’s ongoing 30th-anniversary celebrationthough it will be Kirby’s first arcade game since the 2007 release ofKirby of the Stars: Magical Tower of Medal Land.
Despite only appearing in three arcade games, Kirby has starred in over 30 titles. Recent games starring Kirby includeKirby and the Forgotten LandandKirby’s Dream Buffet,withKirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxecoming in February 2023.Kirby is also one of the originalSmash Bros.fighters, having appeared in every game in the series. Back in 2001, Kirby also starred in his anime series,Kirby: Right Back at Ya!,which was the inspiration for his last arcade gameKirby of the Stars: Magical Tower of Medal Land.
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Kirby’s Gourmet Racechallenges two players to compete against each other in launching multicolored balls and Maxim Tomatoes, which are worth more points, into Kirby. Currently,Kirby’s Gourmet Raceis only expected to be available in Japanese arcades with no official announcements regarding release outside the country. The pair of Kirby’s prior medal-tossing arcade games did not leave Japan. 30th-anniversary celebration merchandise, including thegiant Kirby plush toy, has been made available for international Kirby fans to purchase.
Kirby’s Gourmet Buffetlooks like a reverseHungry Hungry Hipposin action with players sending balls away instead of trying to collect them. With his long history in video games and the nature of his primary power-copying characteristic, Kirby is always well-positioned to star in spin-offs or make guest appearances in other franchises.Kirby has more spin-off gamesthan most other Nintendo characters including titles that are just mini-game collections. Based on the trailer,Kirby’s Gourmet Buffetlooks like it would be a perfect mini-game addition in a future Kirby game.
The calendar is nearing the end of Kirby’s 30th anniversary but new Kirby games and merchandise will continue to be released long into the future. Kirby fans can purchase 30th-anniversary merchandise including aKirby dancing alarm clock. As a franchise, Kirby has sold over 44 million games worldwide since his debut on Nintendo’s original Game Boy in 1992.
Kirby’s Gourmet Buffetcurrently has no release date.
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