Kirby Air Riders Hands-On: Chaotic Fun & Strategy Distinguish It From Mario Kart

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It’s astonishing to think that it’s been more than two decades since Kirby Air Ride first appeared on the Nintendo GameCube, and yet, at the same time, it seems inevitable given how quickly the game faded away. At first, critics dismissed it as overly simple and struggled to compare it favorably with other popular GameCube titles like F-Zero GX and Mario Kart: Double Dash. Sadly, Kirby Air Ride’s impact was limited. Now, a sequel titled Kirby Air Riders, set to release, takes a significantly different approach to gameplay compared to its 2003 predecessor, which could potentially earn it a place at the top of the charts.

Game Rant recently had an opportunity to play Kirby Air Riders for nearly two hours during a gathering in New York. The largest part of our session was dedicated to exploring City Trial mode, considered the highlight of this series. Despite having only a few hours with the game, it’s evident that Kirby Air Riders is not at all similar to Mario Kart, and that’s a wonderful development. Instead, it could potentially bring something unique to the table that could revitalize the Kirby Air Ride franchise, which has been lacking for over 20 years.

Kirby Air Riders Is Complete Chaos and All-Out Fun

The 47-minute Kirby Air Riders Direct left me utterly bewildered due to the abundance of various mechanics that were presented, making it feel like a dense showcase. This display effectively addressed criticisms about the first game’s simplicity by revealing a sequel that appears complex and mechanically sophisticated. Thankfully, developers eased us into the game by having us complete several lessons (many in total), providing a smoother start to help get the gears turning.

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, let me share my excitement about Kirby Air Riders – a game that sets itself apart from the conventional racing genre. While it might be technically categorized as a “vehicle action game” by its creators, it feels more like an exhilarating blend of Super Smash Bros and racing, with a level of mayhem that surpasses even the wildest Smash matchups in history!

While mastering drifting, flying, attacking, and Special moves certainly helped lay the groundwork, nothing could truly prepare me for the high-octane action I encountered later on. Despite these early lessons, they were indeed worth the time invested, paving the way for an unforgettable gaming experience!

As a game enthusiast, diving into Kirby Air Rider’s racing mode, Air Ride, might give an impression of simplicity at first glance. But don’t let its straightforward look fool you; there’s a depth to this game that reveals itself with each playthrough. Initially, it appears as a simple race to the finish line, with the objective being to be the first one to cross it. However, the path to that finish line is not set in stone, and it all begins with the choice of character and machine before the race commences. Each selection opens up unique strategies, making every race feel fresh and challenging.

In essence, the game titled Kirby Air Riders offers more than a dozen diverse characters for players to select, each one boasting a special skill and power (Kirby possesses four powers, one for each of his colors) that can be employed when their power meter is filled by engaging rival riders or enemies. Furthermore, every character in this game has the ability to utilize a “capture” talent that momentarily imbues them with the abilities of the character they subdue. While Kirby employs the conventional inhale technique for capturing foes, other characters use unique methods. Lastly, each character within Kirby Air Riders has unique statistics, so even if two players are using the same character, it doesn’t automatically guarantee a balanced match because each machine also boasts varying statistics.

Air Ride in Kirby Air Riders might seem straightforward at first glance, but approaching it with a casual Mario Kart mindset could lead to an unexpected challenge. The goal here isn’t just about crossing the finish line first; it demands that you utilize your rider, machine, abilities, specials, and skill to achieve this. However, the real adversary often lies not in the competitors, but rather in the high-speed, intense nature of each race itself.

While exploring the game, I managed to race through two tracks – Floria Fields in Kirby Air Riders and Waveflow Waters. Both races were incredibly fast, leaving me occasionally crashing into walls and struggling to keep track of the riders ahead due to the speed. However, after just a short while, a sense of rhythm began to emerge, helping me get a better understanding of what the game expects from the player.

Personally, I found it challenging to adapt from my familiar Mario Kart playstyle when I started playing Kirby Air Riders. However, once I realized that the game required a different approach, it felt like I had taken control. A significant part of this adjustment came from the fact that most actions except for Specials are executed with a single button, which might seem simpler but is actually quite hard to get accustomed to. Despite the steep learning curve, I found the Air Ride mode in Kirby Air Riders to be a lot of fun. Although it only represented a small part of my gameplay time, that time was well spent. Ultimately, it prepared me for the main event: City Trial in Kirby Air Riders.

Kirby Air Riders’ City Trial Mode Is the Main Event

Kirby Air Ride‘s City Trial mode was likely a significant factor behind its growing cult following over 20 years ago, and I can understand why, given that the version of it in Kirby Air Rider seems impressive. Our preview experience primarily revolved around this mode, enabling multiple players in our group to play it three times each and even compete against one another, while the remainder of the opponent roster consisted of CPU characters.

In Kirby Air Riders, every City Trial match takes me to an expansive island, which feels like it’s shrinking as I boost my speed to the max! It’s visually stunning with its vibrant colors and fascinating sights, such as a distant volcano or an underground cave glowing with neon crystals. The action-packed excitement of Air Ride is definitely amplified in City Trial, making it more intense and competitive due to the sheer amount of activity. Most of the gameplay focuses on enhancing my vehicle’s stats by gathering Power-Up Patches and taking part in spontaneous events. Once I’ve collected enough, I get to pick from a variety of stadiums, each with its unique mechanics and objectives.

In every City Trial match, a timer counts down for five minutes to start, allowing players time to get ready before entering the stadium. During this preparation phase, they can find Power-Up Patches scattered around that boost different machine capabilities. Some of these patches are easily accessible by just running over them, while others are concealed within boxes or require participating in random events to collect. Players also have the option to assault their opponents to gain extra Power-Ups. Moreover, there are some rare and valuable patches hidden in tricky spots throughout the island.

During City Trial, players might switch machines at times. If their current machine gets damaged, they should locate an unused machine on the island and continue playing with it instead. Additionally, the machine players are using when the five-minute time limit ends is the one they’ll bring into the Stadium. This choice is significant because while City Trial lets you adjust your overall stats, a machine’s type still matters. For example, machines without flying capabilities can’t traverse flying Stadiums, so it’s advisable to select a Stadium that doesn’t require flight if you own one like that.

Generally speaking, each City Trial match was a thrilling experience. The developers suggested focusing on which Power-Up Patches we collected because they could impact our performance in different stadiums. However, I enjoyed amassing as many Power-Ups as possible, using it like a roll of the dice to see what my machine would look like by the end of the game. This often involved plowing through boxes, adversaries, and other riders, sometimes chaotically depending on my speed. Despite the confusion, I found joy in collecting as much as I could within the given five minutes, aiming to reach a stadium with a machine that was often near its maximum in at least one or two stats.

The stadiums for Kirby Air Rider were a blast, offering diverse gameplay and objectives based on the chosen one. Among all, I found the Gourmet Race particularly enjoyable – it was essentially a speed contest to gather the most food within the timeframe. By that stage in the game, my machine had become incredibly swift and agile, allowing me to effortlessly soar across the map and nab some of the highest-value food items. Plus, there were watermelons and Italian ice strewn atop rooftops, adding extra points to my score.

In the thrilling virtual world of gaming, I found myself soaring through Sky Dive Stadium, dodging rings with scores attached, and evading treacherous traps at every turn. The excitement was intense as my total score was tallied up once the game ended, and the player with the highest points emerged victorious. Although other arenas like races or free-for-all battle royales can be a bit brutal, they’re undeniably fun in their own unique ways!

Kirby Air Riders Hands-On Preview: Final Thoughts

After more than two decades, Kirby Air Riders seems to be much more than merely a sequel or revival of a beloved niche title. Instead, it appears to be almost a complete reinvention, resisting being just another racing game. The Air Ride mode appeals to those who love speed and are keen on racing, but it’s the City Trial mode that sets this sequel apart with its abundance of unpredictability and strategic elements that make each match feel unique. Additionally, there’s a wealth of possibilities for exploration as you select from various riders and machines. Initially, Kirby Air Riders can be overwhelming, but once you find its groove, it demonstrates the potential to not just be a worthy continuation, but the game that sustains the series for many years to come.

Back in November 2025, I got the chance to dive into Kirby Air Rider’s action-packed world, all courtesy of a trip sponsored by Game Rant for this exclusive sneak peek on the brand new Nintendo Switch 2! Can’t wait to share more about my high-flying adventure with you!

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2025-08-20 10:07