I had yet to play Return to Dreamland, but I did play Planet Robobot, Triple Deluxe, and Star Allies. These were made based on the same engine as the original Return to Dreamland. I also played Superstar Ultra, The Crystal Shards, Squeak Squad, and Forgotten Lands.  So I know the series pretty well at this point.

While nothing is wrong with the game it seems more like a port with a few added features. There is now a Helper Magalor to assist in single player mode. I never used this unlike in Star Allies and Superstar Ultra it seemed entirely optional. The co op is similar to New Super Mario Bros. in which levels can be done and challenges completed no matter how many players there are. As for the abilities each player has a different set completely I like this in comparison to Super Mario the differences are more than this player can run slightly faster or do a small float. Kirby has the most diverse move set thanks to his copy ability but those don’t last forever if you get hit you lose the ability if you can’t eat the star it turns into, Meta Knight has the sword ability forever, King Dedede has the hammer power up, and Bandana Waddledee has the spear ability. Each power controls differently mirroring the copy power they are based on.

The only bad thing I have to say about this game are the Ultra Abilities while fun unlike having entire stages like Robobot would later in the series based around upgraded powers it seemed more like they were there to just be there sure the power was fun to use but the sections were normally at the end of a level to gain access to a portal rather than be its own real added benefit.

Plot

Kirby is running from King Dedede and Bandana Waddledee who wants a cake while Meta Knight is just there by coincidence. A portal opens and a ship crashes the group run into Magalor inside and agree to help him with repairs. Soon it is revealed that Magalor is evil and plotted to have Kirby and his friends defeat Landia to get a crown made of absolute power. Leading to the last fight in the game against Magalor.

As for the plot itself a villain tricking Kirby to end the world has happened multiple times before. So much like Mario the plot really doesn’t change. I just find it fun that rather than rivals or enimies King Dedede and Meta Knight are treated as allies and Kirby’s friends. As for Bandana Waddledee we know from Superstar he is loyal to King Dedede but has helped Kirby multiple times and is able to stay on good terms with him through the series.

Finally Magalors quest is I think new to this game it is a single player adventure unlocked after the main game where you play as the villain after the events. Magalor lost all his powers and now needs to recover them. For the most part I had fun with this but his Dark Needles move was difficult to pull off consistently it is supposed to cause damage and shield you when your combo meter is full but it never worked for me unless I was lucky. Making it unreliable compared to just getting the shield power up and normal attacks.

Score: 7/10