[REVIEW] Kirby Air Riders Review: The Long-Awaited Sequel to the Classic Racing Spin-Off
Kirby Air Riders Review: Ride Stars and Soar Through the Skies in the Long-Awaited Sequel
Kirby Air Riders has returned after more than 20 years, delivering the spin-off adventure fans have been waiting for. Back in the 2000s, no one expected Kirby Air Ride to become a beloved cult classic. Amid the success of Mario Kart and the dominance of Super Smash Bros. Melee, this racing spin-off flew under the mainstream radar. Yet it won the hearts of players thanks to its unique, detailed gameplay experience that could be found nowhere else.
The new Kirby Air Riders builds on the original, defining Action Racing with enhanced gameplay modes and mechanics. After years of anticipation, the sequel finally launched mid-year, and it’s now available for everyone to play. Let’s dive into what makes this game a must-try.
Classic Gameplay Modes, Refined and Ready
Kirby Air Riders features three core gameplay modes: Air Ride, the standard racing experience across various tracks; Top Ride, offering a top-down racing perspective; and City Trial, a sprawling Battle Royale-style arena where players gather upgrades to enhance their abilities. These modes originally appeared in the GameCube Air Ride 22 years ago and now are fully playable from the start—no unlocking required.
Air Ride remains the centerpiece, blending racing with action-adventure elements. Tracks aren’t just straight paths; enemies populate the course, and Kirby can absorb abilities from them just like in mainline games. From swords and fire to wide-range attacks like microphones, each skill adds strategy to both combat and the race to the finish line.
Top Ride shifts the focus fully toward racing, with an overhead view and expanded track options. Players can now choose different stars and engines, adjusting their “driving style” to match their stats and strategy. Returning characters like King Dedede and Meta Knight join as standard racers with unique weapons and specials, but they can also absorb abilities from enemies, keeping the combat dynamic and familiar.
Levels are designed for exploration and discovery. Secret paths, cinematic wide-angle shots, and interactive elements like spinning turbines open new routes. The attention to detail enriches the experience, making high-speed racing feel lively and immersive.
City Trial Returns Bigger and Wilder
City Trial, a fan-favorite mode, now supports up to 16 players simultaneously, up from 4 in the GameCube original. Players compete to collect upgrades, hijack stars, and outmaneuver rivals in chaotic, unpredictable matches lasting 3–7 minutes. The game’s arenas include classic biomes—cities, underground tunnels, floating gardens, volcanoes—plus new locations like pirate ships, colosseums, and racetracks. Players can swap in new or remixed classic tracks, spin-dash into colorful drop boxes for hidden upgrades, or face hazards like explosions, spiked rain, or giant boss enemies.
Stadium mode allows isolated gameplay, while the Free Run option lets players explore without time limits, perfect for photography or casual fun with friends.
Unlockables and Customization
All modes are available from the start, with content ready to unlock gradually. The game offers 18 racing tracks, remastered visuals, and over 700 hidden achievements rewarding players with artwork, vehicles, and characters. Players can also customize stars with stickers, patterns, or dangling ornaments, allowing personal flair without impacting performance.
Online Features Elevate the Fun
Online play is robust. Air Ride, Top Ride, and City Trial support both offline and full-capacity online modes. City Trial pits players against skilled rivals globally, with rankings calculated based on skill. The online hub, Paddock, functions as a social lobby where players can greet friends via quick messages and showcase their customized vehicles safely without worry about harassment.
Road Trip Mode: A Minor Weak Point
The Road Trip story mode loosely frames the narrative around Kirby discovering a star-shaped spaceship in a dream world. It adds context and unlocks new vehicles but doesn’t match the high-octane excitement of the main modes. The episodic structure, varied missions, and creative level design still provide a rewarding solo experience, even if the narrative isn’t the main attraction.
Top Ride remains challenging to master, but Air Ride and City Trial are the true highlights, consistently offering the series’ signature thrills.
Graphics and Sound
The game targets 60 FPS, with smooth performance even during high-speed sequences. Docked mode runs at 1080p, while portable mode is lower, prioritizing fluid gameplay over graphical fidelity. Colors are vibrant and flashy, capturing the kinetic energy of racing.
The soundtrack shines, blending new compositions with remixed classic tracks, including GameCube’s City Trial theme. Main menu music alternates between original and nostalgic tunes, honoring the series’ history.
Conclusion
Kirby Air Riders delivers colorful, endlessly replayable gameplay across multiple modes, enhanced by online play and vehicle customization. While it may not introduce groundbreaking innovations, it excels as fan service, faithfully reviving the charm of the original for a new generation. The game is perfect for both nostalgic players and newcomers, offering countless hours of racing, exploration, and creative fun.
Kirby Air Riders is available now on Nintendo Switch 2, both digitally via the eShop and as a physical cartridge, priced at 2,590 THB. Get ready to ride stars and dive into City Trial—you might even see us there!
Source: THISIS GAME SEA THAILAND
