Kirby's Adventure review

Kirby's Adventure is the friendliest game on the list. Nintendo calls it the only Kirby game ever made for the NES and credits it with introducing Kirby's ability to copy the powers of his enemies. Swallow a foe and Kirby can fire lasers, burst into flames or swing a giant mallet, and some powers combine with unexpected results. Add in minigames and secrets and there is a lot to see. That variety and the gentle difficulty earn it high marks for ease of setup, especially for children. Value pulls it down: the cartridge lists at $59.99 at DKOldies before sales, more than Metroid or Super Mario Bros. 3. Players who only want to play can find it in the Nintendo Switch Online NES library. Veteran players may finish it quickly, but for a family NES shelf it is the easiest recommendation here.

Who it is for

Younger players and families who want a friendly platformer with lots of secrets.

Price

Used NES cartridge from $59.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $59.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Kirby copies the powers of enemies he swallows
• Powers include lasers, fire and a giant mallet
• Powers can combine with unexpected results
• Minigames and secrets to find
• Included in the NES library for Nintendo Switch Online members

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Gentle difficulty that suits children
• Strength: Copy abilities give lots of variety
• Strength: Rated PEGI 3 on Nintendo UK
• Weakness: $59.99 used is high for a late NES release
• Weakness: Experienced players may find it easy
• Weakness: Not as deep as Zelda or Metroid

Key facts

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Genre: Platformer
• Main character: Kirby
• Signature mechanic: Copying enemy powers
• PEGI rating (Nintendo UK): PEGI 3

Where it ranks

Kirby's Adventure is No. 4 in our Best NES Games of All Time verdict.