My first Kirby game! I knew about the little guy from Smash Bros., but this was the first time I experienced one of his games directly for myself. I have some nostalgia for this particular release that I don't hold for the original Kirby's Adventure. I remember cruising through the main adventure in less than a day - very unusual for me, I generally wasn't good enough at video games to do so back then - but getting my mileage for the title out of Extra mode, then Meta Knightmare, then 100% completion. In some ways, this was my gateway into expanded fandom, since while I was already poking around Pokémon fansites around this time, this is what got me to discover Kirby's Rainbow Resort, which got me into The Mushroom Kingdom, then SMBHQ, then a whole gaggle of other fansites.
These days, I think I mostly prefer Kirby's Adventure over this game, since a lot of the game's original purpose has been lost here. Adventure was a miracle showcase of the NES's capabilities; this is just an average Nintendo GBA remake, of which you spoiled for choice. But it's still a rock-solid title, and probably the most average Kirby game in my eyes. I'm very fine-tuned to this game's momentum, something I'm always struck by when revisiting Adventure, in no small part because everything's been made so fast and smooth. I think your preference between the two titles, absent nostalgia, will come down between whether you're more taken by spectacle and tone (Kirby's Adventure wins hands-down) or by mechanics and momentum (NiDL edges out the original there). I hold more respect with what the team was able to wring out of the NES's big swan song release, but I can respect folks who love what the remake did, too.
Meta Knightmare is a fine new addition here. I think Modern Kirby has rendered the mode sort-of quaint, since Knightmare doesn't have any surprises at the end - the Orange Ocean boss goes unchanged, and the game cuts after Dedede. But it does better preserve the full intent of the core game than most post-game speedrun modes. Depending on who you are, that may make up the difference.
Regarding the subgames - Bomb Rally was a solid choice to bring back for Return to Dream Land Deluxe, but I always preferred Air Grind back in the day. You get some really fun momentum once you achieve a certain level of mastery there. Quick Draw being rebranded to Samurai Kirby is fine, I guess, but I kinda miss the western motif.
These days, I think I mostly prefer Kirby's Adventure over this game, since a lot of the game's original purpose has been lost here. Adventure was a miracle showcase of the NES's capabilities; this is just an average Nintendo GBA remake, of which you spoiled for choice. But it's still a rock-solid title, and probably the most average Kirby game in my eyes. I'm very fine-tuned to this game's momentum, something I'm always struck by when revisiting Adventure, in no small part because everything's been made so fast and smooth. I think your preference between the two titles, absent nostalgia, will come down between whether you're more taken by spectacle and tone (Kirby's Adventure wins hands-down) or by mechanics and momentum (NiDL edges out the original there). I hold more respect with what the team was able to wring out of the NES's big swan song release, but I can respect folks who love what the remake did, too.
Meta Knightmare is a fine new addition here. I think Modern Kirby has rendered the mode sort-of quaint, since Knightmare doesn't have any surprises at the end - the Orange Ocean boss goes unchanged, and the game cuts after Dedede. But it does better preserve the full intent of the core game than most post-game speedrun modes. Depending on who you are, that may make up the difference.
Regarding the subgames - Bomb Rally was a solid choice to bring back for Return to Dream Land Deluxe, but I always preferred Air Grind back in the day. You get some really fun momentum once you achieve a certain level of mastery there. Quick Draw being rebranded to Samurai Kirby is fine, I guess, but I kinda miss the western motif.