For a concept that started life as a side mode in 2014's Kirby's Triple Deluxe, Kirby Fighters 2 packs quite a punch. Nintendo's newest platform fighter borrows its gameplay structure from Super Smash Bros., which is appropriate considering that both games are developed by the home of Kirby, HAL Laboratory. Up to four players can pick various different Kirby copy abilities (or a few select side characters like Gooey or Bandanna Waddle Dee) and duke it out on stages reminiscent of boss arenas from across the Kirby franchise.
It's a simple setup, but it's one that works well, especially as a primer for a more complicated fighting game. Kirby's various copy abilities have limited move sets, but there is some depth to stringing different attacks together and timing attacks with teammates in 2v2 matches. There are also items for healing and causing chaos, although there are ultimately not enough of them to keep things going endlessly. While some fighting games can keep a party going all night, Kirby Fighters 2 might work best as part of a mix of different multiplayer treats.
If playing solo, Kirby Fighters 2 does offer up a single-player campaign that boils down to a series of arcade ladder challenges. The default mode pairs players with either a co-op partner or an AI buddy, but there is an unlockable solo mode as well. Common bosses like Whispy Woods appear in their own levels as Kirby climbs the tower, while others like Krako serve as stage hazards along the way. Fights start off easy and climb in difficulty slowly, helped by perks that Kirby collects after each victory. Much like any Kirby platformer worth its salt, the boss fights test player skill and clash considerably with the rest of the game's breezy atmosphere.
As one might expect, the real focus is on multiplayer. Players can join up online, go into random matches with other opponents, or gather around with local battles on one TV or multiple Switches. The gameplay operates on health bars rather than knocking players out of the ring, so cornering opponents and button-mashing often works well. Some stages will discourage such dishonorable behavior with everything from a runaway train to a giant robot attacker, but there are more than a few that let things devolve into Dynasty Warriors-esque combat.
Players accrue fighters points no matter what mode they play, which go towards 100 levels of unlockable fighters, stages, cosmetics, and perks for the story mode. It's questionable whether there's enough variety to justify the grind all the way up the ladder, but those who want to clear the system with every copy ability will likely get everything by the end. It is nice to see unlockables pop for having save files in the two other Nintendo Switch Kirby games, although that'd be even nicer if it recognized Kirby amiibo or had some way of communicating with the much more sizable 3DS library.
Outside of those who either have a completionist mindset or lack any fighting game experience, Kirby Fighters 2 will likely end up as a weekend fling. The presentation has that Nintendo shine, but there isn't much to the gameplay. Battles are fun, but every mode funnels into the same limited number of arenas dropping the same handful of items. While expanded, the game still feels like it has the scope of a side mode in a larger adventure. As is, it's a fun but forgettable brawler that franchise fans will gobble up.
Kirby Fighters 2 is available on Nintendo Switch. Screen Rant was provided with a Switch code for the purposes of this review.