Kirby Air Riders is the long-awaited sequel to the 2003 GameCube unique. I say “long-awaited” however, in actuality, this sequel got here out of nowhere when it was introduced in Nintendo’s April 2025 Swap 2 Direct. With the unique having a cult following, maybe I meant to say “lengthy desired”. Both approach, followers now have the definitive sequel to Kirby’s racing journey, and, oh boy, does it go the space.
Kirby can do something. Actually. He’s in a position to undertake particular powers known as Copy Skills that permit him to rework into all the pieces from a spiky ball to a swordfighter. This works terrifically effectively in a platforming sense; from fireballs to karate chops, foes don’t stand an opportunity. However what if you happen to might use these identical talents whereas steering an overpowered hoverboard? With Kirby Air Riders, I believe we’ve our reply.
When this sequel was first introduced, you’d have been forgiven for questioning why Nintendo would launch two racing titles inside mere months of one another. In spite of everything, it took over a decade for a brand new Mario Kart outing to come back alongside (if you happen to think about 2013’s Mario Kart 8 because the final really new entry). With Mario Kart World dropping together with the Swap 2, did we’d like one other racer that includes Nintendo characters so shortly?
Let me be frank; Kirby Air Riders isn’t any Mario Kart. Certain, it has racing at its coronary heart, and the intention would possibly nonetheless be to win, however the way you get there may be startlingly totally different.
For one factor, the controls are very simple. The truth is, you possibly can technically play with out urgent something. You gained’t play effectively, thoughts you, however mainly your character strikes ahead routinely. Reasonably than utilizing a button to go ahead, in Kirby’s twisted model of racing, urgent the B button causes your machine to decelerate. This seemingly counterintuitive transfer serves a grander function, although; the longer you maintain down that little button, the extra your cost meter fills. Releasing it units you ahead with a burst of pace. It additionally supplies this sport’s model of energy slides. Maintain it down as you strategy a nook then launch as you flip to speedily take every nook like a professional.
Regardless of the simplicity, this truly takes lots of getting used to. As tempting because it could be to leap proper in, I strongly advocate going via the in-depth tutorial earlier than taking to correct races. I used to be lucky sufficient to strive Kirby Air Riders forward of launch at PAX Aus, after which once more in the course of the International Check Experience. By the point the complete sport was launched, I felt extra at house. Let’s simply say I’m accustomed to the methods of a sure plumber’s racing type; it took a short time to compensate for many years of muscle reminiscence.
When you get the hold of issues, Kirby Air Riders is filled with content material to get pleasure from. There are a number of modes to select from: Air Experience, Metropolis Trial, Prime Mode, and Highway Journey.
Air Experience is the primary racing mode. That is the place you choose between characters, machines, and tracks in a frantic race to win. There are 18 tracks in whole: 9 new and 9 retro. You’ll start with 10 upfront tracks whereas the opposite 8 are unlockable. The retro ones are simply as flashy because the newbies, offering zippy, colourful races. The range is excellent, taking Kirby and buddies throughout deserts, over waterfalls, and thru industrial zones. All the pieces appears to be like and runs completely.
Metropolis Trial is probably the most chaotic of the bunch. Right here you spend precisely 5 minutes driving round city gathering powerup gadgets. Wait, is that it? Not precisely. There are different drivers—on-line or CPU opponents—to be careful for. They’ll (and can) assault. Plus, they’re as busy scrambling round discovering gadgets as you’re. You too can discover town by traversing underground tunnels or flying to far-off sky islands. You’ll be able to even swap autos. The purpose? Gather as many gadgets as potential. It isn’t only a race to gather probably the most, although. The quantity and sort of powerups will enable you to with the following section of Metropolis Trial: a minigame.
After 5 minutes of dashing about, gamers vote for one in every of 4 outings. These might be chaotic melee battles, boss fights, and even hitting targets. This creates a strategic factor; for instance, if you happen to accumulate too many pace powerups, will you be capable of management your machine in a close-knit area? Then again, pace will enable you to launch into the air to seize the very best quantity in a bingo-style board minigame. The beauty of Metropolis Trial is that no two runs are fairly the identical.
In Prime Down, gamers race on maps from a unique viewpoint. It options the identical gameplay as common races—fees, Copy Skills, nook boosting—however from a top-down perspective. What might really feel like an add-on works effectively by itself, offering an alternative choice to the loopy speeds of the primary Air Experience mode.
Highway Journey is one thing fairly particular. This one-player story mode sees Kirby (or any of his mates, it’s your alternative) work via varied themed lands. Every is designed superbly, they usually actually showcase the Swap 2’s graphical talents. That is very true of the cutscenes between every degree, which inform the story of a machine laying dormant earlier than being introduced again to life…with penalties.
On prime of those modes, there are a complete host of collectibles. I’m not exaggerating once I say I don’t assume I’ve performed a sport with as many collectibles as Kirby Air Riders. Every mode includes a puzzle, with unlockable items being rewarded for achievements. It’s extremely satisfying to see the puzzle come to life as you play. Plus, you earn stickers, characters, tracks, machines, and extra as you go.
The machines themselves are unbelievable. As you’ll uncover within the one-player mode, these are sentient beings that bond with their riders. I didn’t fairly perceive the importance of those airborne crafts till I performed the sport for myself; the Direct and trailer don’t do them justice in any respect.
Every machine is exclusive in each design and skills. Some are higher at gliding, others speed up quicker. One doesn’t cost however compensates in different methods. One other is far quicker however more durable to manage. One transforms. After which there’s the Vampire Star, which routinely “bites” different riders and steals their Copy Skills. Yep, that’s undoubtedly a private favourite of mine.
As if that weren’t sufficient, there are additionally customizations on supply. You’ll be able to create your very personal licence—a cute addition that allows you to change the colour and theme, add stickers, and even create a enjoyable little title utilizing two phrases from a set checklist. A machine creator and storage additionally supplies a neat option to design your individual car. This sport is sort of countless; no marvel Sakurai doesn’t really feel the necessity for DLC.
Total, Kirby Air Riders is a breath of recent air. It takes the cuteness of Kirby and mashes it with fight inspirations from Smash Bros. to create one of many quickest, most chaotic video games I’ve ever performed. It’s loaded with content material to maintain you busy; even when racing isn’t your factor, there’s one thing for nearly everybody. We all know there’s no DLC or future video games deliberate for the franchise, Whereas that’s a disgrace, this outing serves as an excellent sequel and shining farewell. This speedy outing gained’t be for everybody, however for many who embrace it, Kirby air Riders is an absolute blast.
