Every new Nintendo platform has a list of must-haves games. A new Super Mario Bros. platformer, fresh chapters in The Legend of Zelda, plus multiplayer hits like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. come to mind. Nintendo has already ticked off one of the boxes, playing a strong opening hand with Mario Kart World zipping onto the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch. One surprise announcement is Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to a long-lost GameCube gem.
The original game, Kirby Air Ride, was met with a mixed reception back in 2003. Cubed3’s Kirby Air Ride review praised the concept’s potential but pointed out its flaws – a sentiment echoed by other reviewers at the time. Since then, the game has picked up a legion of fans along the way, becoming a cult classic for Nintendo’s purple box of tricks. After two decades, is the return to the concept a good idea?
On paper, both Kirby Air Ride and now Kirby Air Riders sound deceptively simple: vehicles move automatically, while a single button brakes/boosts and the analogue stick steers. But the restrictive handling and track design make mastering those tight turns a genuine skill, especially if you come straight from a kart racer expecting Mario Kart‑style drifting. Ultimately, Kirby Air Riders carves out its own genre, one of that takes some patience and time to get familiar with.
To gain the edge and navigate corners, tap and hold a button. Your vehicle slows down dramatically. With a quick tilt of the analogue stick, change direction and release – a boost is earned to get right back on track, literally. Initially it’s such an alien concept, but eventually it becomes second nature – the shorter pauses in speed used to sneak past the competition.
Avoiding crashing is one thing, but air riding isn’t just about plodding along. In true Kirby series fashion, there are critters to gobble up, each granting the racer an ability. Bombs, fire, flying blades, ice – the list is extensive. There is a lot on screen at one time – stage obstacles, jumps, flight sections, the odd pit of doom. This time, racers also have unique special moves for even more unbridled chaos. Despite all the action, Kirby Air Riders performs exceptionally well, running at a consistent 60fps on Nintendo Switch 2. Even playing handheld, performance is on point, just as good as on the big screen.
In some ways the Air Ride setup has always leant more toward a 3D action-platformer-fighting-game on wheels. It feels like a substitute to consuming copious amounts of sugar and energy drinks – far healthier and just as fun. With so much to think about, it could put off players at this point. In-game lessons are available, and highly recommended. Once the concept clicks, zipping around as Kirby and pals is a joy. Rewarding, refreshing and just fun, because it’s not a reskinned kart-racer. Air Riders also benefits from the “Star Slide” technique; a slip-stream trail that lets players catch-up for a tighter, less brutal race for those lagging behind.
With Kirby Air Riders, creator Masahiro Sakurai could have toned things down, made the follow-up a little more accessible for the masses. But with the Switch 2 successor, Sakurai has unapologetically doubled down on what makes the Air Ride series so unique. Alongside the special moves, the game includes a wealth of additional characters from the Kirby series and machines (vehicles) to use. Of course, the usual favourites like King Dedede, Meta Knight, Waddle Dee make their compulsory appearance, joined by the adorable Rick, Daroach, Susie and more. There’s a surprising amount of depth beyond cosmetic differences – stats, machine and character choice can go a long way. Overall, there’s a good amount of balance to encourage exploring the different combinations.
Racers are nothing without the courses to compete on and Air Riders features a wide range of locations – lush fields, waterfalls, futuristic set pieces and serene mountain paths. Fans of the original can also enjoy the full GameCube roster with a sprinkling of modern polish as extra unlockable tracks, too. It’s not the most extensive list out there, but there’s a solid amount to keep things fresh.
The core modes from the GameCube game make a welcome return. Air Ride is the standard racing fare, complete with rich customisability and rulesets – fun for a quick handful of races. Top ride, a top-down mode, is also included – a nice to have addition for those wanting a Micro Machines or table-top style.
City Trial also joins the returners, taking placing on a large floating island called Skyah. Here players nip around to boost stats, before trying out an event challenge to put their pumped-up machine to the test. The highlight here is the island design and the various events – each can be played separately, without having to do the main City Trial build-up. The island itself can even be explored solo, too, much like Free Roam in Mario Kart World. There is a surprising amount to do – in some ways it feels like a party game of its own.
The three returning modes maintain the heart of Kirby Air Riders; they are the bread-and-butter (building) of the experience but are far more refined. One of the newer features is the story campaign, Road Trip. It’s essentially a set of stages made up of smaller challenges from the main three modes – races, event battles, bosses. At first everything is barebones – a slow sailing star, but eventually things ramp up as players reap the rewards and upgrade their machines along the way.
There’s a good amount of depth and variety – multiple routes, strategic attribute distribution and a range of challenges to try, with a choice of three at each step of the journey. Bosses, cutscenes and survival challenges are a neat addition, too – nods to the likes of Super Smash Bros. Brawl – though some do lean towards more frustrating than fun.
Road Trip, and the game as a whole, truly embodies Masahiro Sakurai’s signature touch, reminiscent of his other “baby,” Super Smash Bros. There’s immense attention to detail – from the vast number of collectables to the familiar menu/UX design from his wife, Michiko Sakurai. Much like the Nintendo fighting series, there’s a striking and memorable soundtrack to weave everything together, as well as a number of granular options to cater to all sorts of players.
