Kirby Air Riders is the long-awaited sequel to the 2003 GameCube authentic. I say “long-awaited” however, in actuality, this sequel got here out of nowhere when it was introduced in Nintendo’s April 2025 Change 2 Direct. With the unique having a cult following, maybe I meant to say “lengthy desired”. Both means, 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 referred to as Copy Skills that permit him to rework into all the things from a spiky ball to a swordfighter. This works terrifically nicely in a platforming sense; from fireballs to karate chops, foes don’t stand an opportunity. However what in case you might use these similar talents whereas steering an overpowered hoverboard? With Kirby Air Riders, I believe we now have 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 any case, it took over a decade for a brand new Mario Kart outing to come back alongside (in case you take into account 2013’s Mario Kart 8 because the final actually new entry). With Mario Kart World dropping together with the Change 2, did we want one other racer that includes Nintendo characters so rapidly?
Let me be frank; Kirby Air Riders isn’t any Mario Kart. Positive, it has racing at its coronary heart, and the intention may nonetheless be to win, however the way you get there may be startlingly totally different.
For one factor, the controls are very simple. In actual fact, you’ll be able to technically play with out urgent something. You received’t play nicely, thoughts you, however mainly your character strikes ahead mechanically. 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 offers 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 really takes lots of getting used to. As tempting because it is likely to be to leap proper in, I strongly advocate going by the in-depth tutorial earlier than taking to correct races. I used to be lucky sufficient to attempt Kirby Air Riders forward of launch at PAX Aus, after which once more through the World Check Journey. By the point the total sport was launched, I felt extra at dwelling. Let’s simply say I’m accustomed to the methods of a sure plumber’s racing fashion; it took a short while to compensate for many years of muscle reminiscence.
When you get the cling of issues, Kirby Air Riders is stuffed with content material to take pleasure in. There are a number of modes to select from: Air Journey, Metropolis Trial, High Mode, and Highway Journey.
Air Journey 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 great, taking Kirby and friends throughout deserts, over waterfalls, and thru industrial zones. All the things 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 accumulating powerup objects. Wait, is that it? Not precisely. There are different drivers—on-line or CPU opponents—to be careful for. They will (and can) assault. Plus, they’re as busy scrambling round discovering objects as you might be. You too can discover town by traversing underground tunnels or flying to far-off sky islands. You possibly can even swap autos. The aim? Accumulate as many objects as potential. It isn’t only a race to gather probably the most, although. The quantity and kind of powerups will show you how to with the following section of Metropolis Trial: a minigame.
After 5 minutes of speeding about, gamers vote for one in every of 4 outings. These could possibly be chaotic melee battles, boss fights, and even hitting targets. This creates a strategic ingredient; for instance, in case you acquire too many pace powerups, will you have the ability to management your machine in a close-knit area? Then again, pace will show you how 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 High Down, gamers race on maps from a distinct 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 nicely by itself, offering an alternative choice to the loopy speeds of the primary Air Journey mode.
Highway Journey is one thing fairly particular. This one-player story mode sees Kirby (or any of his buddies, it’s your alternative) work by numerous themed lands. Every is designed superbly, and so they actually showcase the Change 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 after I say I don’t assume I’ve performed a sport with as many collectibles as Kirby Air Riders. Every mode contains 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 unimaginable. 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 talents. Some are higher at gliding, others speed up sooner. One doesn’t cost however compensates in different methods. One other is way sooner however more durable to regulate. One transforms. After which there’s the Vampire Star, which mechanically “bites” different riders and steals their Copy Skills. Yep, that’s positively a private favourite of mine.
As if that weren’t sufficient, there are additionally customizations on provide. You possibly can 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 record. A machine creator and storage additionally offers a neat method to design your personal automobile. This sport is nearly limitless; no surprise Sakurai doesn’t really feel the necessity for DLC.
General, 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 received’t be for everybody, however for individuals who embrace it, Kirby air Riders is an absolute blast.
