Like most Nintendo franchises, right after the early era Kirby games saw a need to innovate through various means, while keeping the core gameplay concept alive and well. In some cases, it was a change of art style, while in others it was a new control concept. Here are the games that were released during the modern age, and their possibility of appearing in the Kirby collection:

Name: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

System: Nintendo 64

Release Date: June 26, 2000

What is it?

Kirby's very first 3D adventure mixes 3D graphics with classic 2D gameplay. Its main claim of fame is the ability to mix two completely different powers to create one unique one for a more devastating effect on enemies.

Will it make the Kirby Collection?

Kirby 64, despite its fame as being the first Kirby game for the N64, is still a relatively underrated game, some claiming that the graphics were too cute and that its innovations weren't enough to make it stand out. Still, Nintendo has released it as a Virtual Console title in the past, and if they want to represent Kirby's 3D outings, this might be the best one to use.

Name: Kirby and the Amazing Mirror

System: Game Boy Advance

Release Date: July 2, 2004

What is it?

Kirby is now able to summon up to three other Kirbys in order to help him conquer the challenges that lie hand in gameplay that once again presents the best of classic Kirby gameplay while presenting new ideas, levels and features.

Will it make the Kirby Collection?

Like its handheld brethren, HAL could still surprise us with an appearance of the game in the collection, but it is still up in the air.

Name: Kirby Canvas Curse

System: Nintendo DS

Release Date: June 13, 2005

What is it?

Kirby's 2005 DS debut also acted as a showcase game for the young handheld. Players guided the pink hero—stuck in ball form and without most of his standard abilities—by drawing on the touch screen, carefully creating rainbow lines and paths to move through levels, collect medals, and defeat enemies.

Will it make the Kirby Collection?

While the inclusion of this unique and successful adaptation of Kirby platforming on the collection would be a pleasant surprise, the handheld-specific mechanics probably hinder its chances. The movement of Kirby and the operation of his abilities were designed around the preciseness of physically drawing on a touch screen—a quality the Wii Remote doesn’t quite match.

Name: Kirby: Squeak Squad

System: Nintendo DS

Release Date: December 4, 2006

What is it?

After his first DS outing being an experiment of touch screen based control, Kirby returns in an adventure that is just as classic as past endeavors on classic systems.

Will it make the Kirby Collection?

The DS's nature as being one of Nintendo's most experimental handhelds, emulation of its software could be troublesome on a system that wasn't designed to feature any of its innovations, so Squeak Squad might not make it in the end, even if gameplay wise it is one that relies on classic Kirby conventions than any drastic new ideas.

Name: Kirby's Epic Yarn

System: Wii

Release Date: October 17, 2010

What is it?

Featuring one of the most drastic graphical changes to the Kirby franchise ever, Kirby's Epic Yarn ditches the ability to suck up an enemy's power and use them against them in favor of a more relaxed game pace in a visually stunning world.

Will it make the Kirby Collection?

Kirby's Epic Yarn received grand critical acclaim, not just for its wonderfully charming aesthetic but for its relaxing gameplay that may not challenge gamers but still entertains them. Still, even if this is one of Kirby's more popular games, with it still being relatively new in the canon, it will not appear on the collection.