Kirby Air Ride Sequel: City Trial Mode or Bust?!

by

Anticipating some groundbreaking announcements from Nintendo, given their history of unexpected reveals during major Direct events, fans were indeed hoping for significant and exciting news to emerge from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. Among these, Kirby enthusiasts are particularly excited about the Switch 2 version of Kirby and the Forgotten Land. However, it was the announcement of Kirby Air Riders, a follow-up to the GameCube racing game Kirby Air Ride, that truly caught the attention of Kirby’s loyal fanbase.

Originally launched on Nintendo GameCube in 2003, Kirby Air Ride was sometimes overshadowed by games like Mario Kart: Double Dash and F-Zero GX. However, despite mixed reviews, this game has earned a dedicated fanbase due to its unique game modes and diverse vehicle options, which resulted in thrilling races that preserved the whimsical essence of Kirby. The sequel, titled Air Riders, is being helmed by series creator Masahiro Sakurai and expected in 2025. While specifics about Air Riders are yet to be revealed, one crucial element from the original game should make a return for it to truly embody its name: the City Trial mode.

Kirby Air Riders Wouldn’t Be the Same Without City Trial

In the game Kirby Air Ride for GameCube, there were distinct and catchy game modes. The main mode, Air Ride, allowed players to race any machine they had unlocked against CPU opponents or other gamers. An alternative mode called Top Ride provided a distinctive top-down racing experience with exclusive vehicles that controlled uniquely. The third mode was City Trial, where players found themselves in a beautiful city filled with power-up patches for air ride machines. Players collected these power-ups within a given time frame to customize their optimal vehicles before facing a random challenge at the end. Each playthrough of City Trial offered new events and legendary air ride machines, making it a fresh experience each time.

City Trial is Kirby Air Ride’s Most Memorable Mode

Among the three modes available in Kirby Air Ride, it’s the City Trial mode that has left a lasting impression on many players. This mode is said to account for a significant portion of their time spent playing the game. In the two decades since its release, only one experience has come close to what City Trial provided. The Smash Run mode in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS replicates this experience, tailoring it to fit the popular fighting game. While Smash Run satisfies the craving, it’s been over a decade since its release. Fans have longed for a sequel to Kirby Air Ride for more than two decades, and now that one is finally here, whether or not City Trial is included in the new version could make or break the game.

I recently stumbled upon a video on Sakurai’s YouTube channel where he discussed the development of Kirby Air Ride, focusing on the significance of the City Trial mode in its gameplay. Given that the returning director appreciates how vital this mode is to both the game and its fans, there’s a good chance we might see the timed sandbox mode make a comeback in the upcoming Kirby Air Riders for Nintendo Switch 2. While we don’t know exactly when it will be released yet, I’m excited at the prospect of discovering more details about this highly-anticipated racer over the coming months. Fingers crossed that City Trial mode is part of the ultimate gaming experience!

Read More

2025-04-07 22:56