8 /10 21

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror stands as a fascinating anomaly in the franchise’s history, now easily accessible via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Unlike traditional linear platformers, this 2004 GBA classic introduces a sprawling, interconnected map that draws heavy inspiration from the Metroidvania genre. Its open-ended structure allows players to tackle bosses in almost any order, offering a sense of freedom rarely seen in the series. While the navigation can occasionally be confusing, the revival of its four-player co-op features on modern hardware breathes fresh life into this chaotic, colorful adventure.

How to Play Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

Players navigate a non-linear labyrinth, inhaling enemies to copy abilities while calling on three CPU or human partners via a cell phone mechanic to solve puzzles and fight bosses.

1. Controls – Standard GBA layout mapped to Switch; B to inhale/attack, A to jump, R to call friends. Simple to learn but chaotic in practice.
2. Progression – Exploration-based. You must find maps and switches to open new routes, with no fixed level order.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Classic copy abilities (Sword, Fighter, Smash) mixed with a “call” system to summon reinforcements for heavy lifting.
4. Tips – Use the cell phone to warp back to the central hub if you get lost; don’t be afraid to spam calls for backup during boss fights.

Who Should Play Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

This entry is perfect for players who love exploration over pure platforming precision, though the open map design might frustrate those who prefer linear progression.

• Co-op Groups – Up to four friends can wreak havoc together online, making it a premier multiplayer retro experience.
• Metroidvania Fans – Gamers who enjoy backtracking, map completion, and discovering secrets will feel right at home.
• Kirby Completionists – Essential playing for understanding the series’ experimental phase before Return to Dream Land.
• Skip if – You dislike getting lost or prefer straightforward, level-by-level action games.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Platform Performance

Running via the GBA app on Switch, the game benefits from sharp upscaling and stable emulation, though it faithfully replicates the original hardware’s framerate.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror System Requirements

As a console legacy title, requirements strictly depend on the emulation platform, primarily the Nintendo Switch Online service.

Similar Games to Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

If you enjoy the non-linear, exploration-heavy formula, these titles offer comparable mechanics or structural freedom.

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land – The modern evolution of exploring open zones, though in 3D.
• Metroid Dread – The pinnacle of the genre this game attempts to emulate, albeit much more difficult.
• The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords – Another GBA classic focusing on multiplayer cooperation and puzzles.
• Hollow Knight – A more mature, challenging take on the interconnected map and ability progression.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror vs Competitors

Compared to other co-op platformers, Amazing Mirror offers a unique “split-up” mechanic where players don’t need to stay on the same screen.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Story & World

The narrative departs from the usual King Dedede conflicts, taking place in the Mirror World found in the skies of Dream Land. The story begins when Meta Knight is defeated and trapped inside a mirror by his dark doppelgänger, Dark Meta Knight. Kirby is split into four colored versions of himself and must travel through nine distinct sectors of the Mirror World to collect shards of the Golden Mirror. The world-building is distinct, featuring a slightly darker, more mysterious tone than typical Dream Land settings, with environments ranging from candy-colored clouds to ominous, crystalline caverns.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Multiplayer & Online

The Switch Online version restores the game’s greatest feature: 4-player multiplayer, now playable online with friends rather than requiring link cables.

• Story Co-op – 2-4 players explore the same map independently or together; share health and battery power.
• Mini-Games – Competitive sub-games like Speed Eaters and Crackity Hack for quick bursts of fun.
• Communication – Use the in-game cell phone to summon other players to your location instantly.
• Cross-Play – Not applicable; ecosystem is closed to Nintendo Switch Online users.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror DLC & Expansions

As a retro title, there is no traditional DLC, but the “Expansion Pack” subscription serves as the gateway to access the game.

• Base Game – Included in NSO + Expansion Pack library.
• Rewind Feature – System-level ability to rewind gameplay to correct mistakes.
• Save States – Create suspend points anywhere, modernizing the save system.
• Free Updates – NSO app updates occasionally improve emulation stability.

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Community & Support

The community remains active largely due to speedrunning and the ease of online play via the Switch’s retro library.

• Official Forums – Nintendo Support (Technical issues only).
• Reddit/Discord – r/Kirby and dedicated speedrunning Discords are very active.
• Mod Support – None officially; ROM hack community exists on PC emulators.
• Updates – Rare emulator updates from Nintendo; game content is static.