So, you’ve probably rolled the credits on Kirby’s big 3D debut and felt like a champion. But honestly? If you haven't hit that 100% mark, you’ve basically only seen half the game. Most people treat a Kirby and the Forgotten Land guide like a quick checklist for Waddle Dees, but there is so much weird, hidden depth in the post-game that it's easy to overlook.
The game is deceptively huge. You think you're done after the "final" boss, but then the Isolated Isles show up and suddenly you're hunting for Leon’s soul pieces like your life depends on it.
The Completionist Trap: What You Actually Need for 100%
Getting that gold medal on your save file isn't just about finishing levels. It’s a grind, but a fun one. To see that "100%" splash screen, you have to do a lot more than just reach the end of the Redgar Forbidden Lands.
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First off, you need all 300 of Leon’s soul pieces from the Isolated Isles: Forgo Dreams. Yeah, all of them. Then there’s the figure collection. You need 256 figurines. Most come from the Gotcha Machines in town, which is basically a massive coin sink. Tip: if you're missing just one or two, talk to the Trader Waddle Dee. He’ll swap a Rare Stone for a specific figure you're missing. It’s expensive, but it beats pulling the lever for the 500th time.
You also have to beat every cup in the Colosseum. The Ultimate Cup Z is no joke. It features the "True" final boss, Chaos Elfilis, and if you aren't prepared, it'll wreck you in seconds.
Don't Ignore the Treasure Roads
Treasure Roads are those little rift trials on the map. Most players skip them because they're optional, but they’re actually the only way to get Rare Stones early on.
You need those stones to evolve your Copy Abilities. Here’s a secret: you don't actually need to beat the "Target Time" to get the 100% completion. You just need to finish the stage. Beating the target time only gives you a few extra Star Coins, so don't stress if you're a few seconds late. Just get the stone and move on.
Blueprint Locations Most People Walk Right Past
Blueprints are the lifeblood of your arsenal. Without them, you’re stuck with basic abilities that just won't cut it in the late game. Some are easy, like the one you get for beating the Meta Knight Cup. Others? Kind of a pain.
Take the Dragon Fire Blueprint. It’s tucked away in the "Windy, Freezing Seas" stage of Winter Horns. You have to unfreeze a scissor lift and move it to the left side of a room with a cannon. If you’re just rushing through, you’ll miss the chest entirely.
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Then there’s the Deep Sleep Blueprint. This one is arguably the most useful for Boss Rushes. It’s in the "Burning, Churning Power Plant" level. Look for a hidden path at the very end of the level near a moving platform. Using Deep Sleep before a big fight gives you a random buff—attack up, speed up, or a double health bar. It's basically a legal cheat code.
The "Best" Ability Debate
Everyone has a favorite, but if we're talking pure efficiency for a Kirby and the Forgotten Land guide, two abilities stand at the top: Morpho Knight Sword and Toy Hammer.
The Morpho Knight Sword is ridiculous. It heals you when you hit enemies, has a massive projectile at full health, and its dodge roll is essentially a teleport that makes you invincible for a long window. You unlock it after beating the secret boss in the post-game.
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But wait, don't sleep on the Toy Hammer. Specifically, when you fully power it up at the shop. The DPS (damage per second) on a fully charged Toy Hammer swing is actually higher than almost anything else in the game. Speedrunners use it to delete bosses in seconds. It looks silly, but it's a monster.
Surviving the Ultimate Cup Z
The final challenge of the game is the Ultimate Cup Z. It’s a boss rush that doesn't hold your hand.
- Stock up: Buy an Attack Boost or a Life Up from the Item Shop before you enter.
- Abilities: Bring the Morpho Knight Sword or Blizzard Ice. Blizzard Ice lets you hide behind a shield that makes you immune to almost everything.
- The Dodge: Learn to "Perfect Evade." If you flick the stick just as an attack hits, time slows down. This is mandatory for Chaos Elfilis.
Waddle Dee Town Upgrades You Might Miss
As you save more Waddle Dees, the town grows.
- 50 Waddle Dees: Kirby’s House and Waddle Dee-liveries.
- 145 Waddle Dees: The Item Shop.
- 155 Waddle Dees: The Fishing Pond.
- 180 Waddle Dees: The Tilt-and-Roll Kirby mini-game.
The "Deedly Dees" band stage also needs your money. You have to donate 1,000 coins and then another 2,000 to fully upgrade their stage. It's purely for the music and the 100% requirement, so don't do it until you have cash to burn.
Actionable Next Steps for Completion
If you're stuck at 98% or 99% and losing your mind, check these specific things:
- Check the Map: Hover over every world. Does it have a gold cup icon? If not, you missed a mission or a Waddle Dee.
- The Cinema: Make sure you've unlocked and watched every movie. Sometimes you need to "buy" the credits to make it count.
- The Café: You have to complete all three difficulty levels of the "Help Wanted!" mini-game. Just doing the easy one isn't enough.
- Fish for the Big One: You need to catch the "Bling Blipper" at the fishing pond to get a specific figure. It takes a few tries, but look for the massive gold fish.
Go back to Waddle Dee Town, talk to Wise Waddle Dee (the one with the graduation cap), and ask him for "Global Info." He will literally tell you if there are blueprints or Waddle Dees left in the world that you haven't found yet. It's the most underrated tool for finishing the game.