Even if you don’t win, you still gain points toward your Gourmet Rank, which unlocks cute cosmetics like a little burger hat. I still own a GameCube for playing Air Ride - my bias is showing - but Dream Buffet feels more like a party game than a racing game, with an approach that feels primed for giggles over competitive mastery. Race tracks are short and sweet, in contrast to racing predecessor Kirby Air Ride, which had longer tracks that felt more substantial when played as individual levels (though that game also had hilariously limited racing controls, making for a wonderfully disastrous time). As Kirby eats more strawberries he grows in size, making him a more intimidating adversary in minigames. Pleasant haptic feedback accompanies Kirby’s rolling, punctuating the slow sticky roll through icing, jelly, or syrup. Little Bronto Burts and Kabus fly around with whipped-cream-topped heads just like mine. There are waffle-ridged bridges, fork platforms, and pancake stacks to traverse. Out the gate, Dream Buffet’s dessert theming is absolutely adorable. My life is now complete Image: HAL Laboratory/Nintendo It’s also incredibly appealing to me, a person who really enjoys watching streams of Fall Guys or Mario Kart more than actually playing them.

It’s ultimately a kinder approach to the chaotic racing party game.

You can play alone against CPUs, online against friends or strangers, or in-person via couch co-op or local Switch communication. The objective is to collect the most strawberries by winning a series of challenges - which include races, along with minigames like a battle royale or collecting strawberries as they appear in large teacups. In Dream Buffet, you play as the iconic puffball rolling around levels made of delectable desserts.

Around me, several other Kirbys in a range of colors - some wearing Carby as a hat, which I hope to unlock soon - are waving and saying “hey.” These other players and I are in the waiting lobby for Kirby’s Dream Buffet, and we’ll soon go head to head in a series of challenges. I’m rolling around on jelly cubes, wearing an adorable dollop of whipped cream on my head.

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