Kirby Air Riders Is Tougher Than It Looks

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Gamers were surprised to learn Nintendo is making a sequel to Kirby Air Ride for the Switch 2. The announcement was unexpected, but many are excited because the game is being developed by Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of Super Smash Bros.

Nintendo held several promotional presentations for Kirby Air Riders before its launch, creating a lot of excitement. Now that the game is available, it’s clear it’s a significant step up from the previous installment. It looks and plays wonderfully, with a lively feel that will immediately grab players’ attention.

Kirby Air Riders’ Controls Are More Complicated Than They Seem

The original Kirby Air Ride only needed one button to play, and Kirby Air Riders keeps it simple with just two: B and Y. Don’t let the easy controls fool you, though – this game is surprisingly challenging!

As a fan, I’ve noticed the game keeps things simple with the controls – there’s only one button for a lot of different actions. Like, you use the B button to brake, but also to boost! It’s cool they did that, but it can be a little tricky. I’ve definitely accidentally hit the brakes when I was trying to get a speed boost, and it’s super frustrating when that happens!

Okay, so if you’re hoping Kirby Air Riders will play exactly like Mario Kart, you might be a little surprised. It’s not quite as easy to pick up and play, so I’d definitely recommend going through some of the in-game tutorials first. It’ll help you get the hang of things before you really start racing!

The game does a really good job of teaching you how to play Kirby Air Riders. It has lessons for beginners and more experienced players, so after completing a few, you’ll be well-prepared for most of the game’s challenges.

The game’s two-button control scheme can be tricky, leading to some accidental moves, particularly for new players. Kirby Air Riders isn’t immediately intuitive, and although playing online is enjoyable, it might be difficult to get others to try the game.

Kirby Air Riders Has Multiple Gameplay Modes

Players familiar with Super Smash Bros. will quickly recognize similarities in Kirby Air Ride, and it’s more than just how the menus look. Kirby Air Ride offers a lot of different ways to play, which should keep players engaged for hours.

City Trial lets players compete against computer opponents or each other, building and customizing their machines with a focus on power, speed, or a well-rounded approach. When 16 players battle it out in City Mode in Kirby Air Riders, the game becomes a fast-paced and exciting free-for-all.

So, the City Trial mode culminates in this awesome stadium battle, and we get to decide what kind of match it’ll be – super cool! It really makes you think about how you build your bot. But honestly, it feels different depending on if you’re playing online with everyone else or just locally with friends. The whole experience changes up!

Players can compete online in the event they chose, or locally with up to seven other people – but everyone at a local event must play the same one. Both ways to play are fine, though it’s a bit annoying that the options aren’t the same.

If you enjoy playing alone, Road Trip Mode is for you! It’s similar to the World of Light mode in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where you’ll race through various stages, improve your vehicles, and compete in different stadium challenges.

While most of the game modes in Kirby Air Riders are enjoyable, the Top Ride mode doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s a top-down racing mode with a promising concept, but the awkward controls make it feel difficult to steer and can leave players feeling frustrated.

Beyond its various ways to play, Kirby Air Riders keeps things interesting with tons of in-game achievements. These achievements reward players with new characters, vehicles, and other goodies simply for playing the game, offering a long-lasting stream of unlockable content.

Kirby Air Riders Looks Fantastic On the Switch 2

Kirby Air Riders is a brand new game coming only to the Nintendo Switch 2, and it really showcases the power of the new system. The graphics are stunning, with each racing track beautifully designed. The water effects are particularly noteworthy – especially on the Waveflow Waters track, where the way the water moves is captivating.

The game’s art style works wonderfully with the music, created by Shogo Sakai and Noriyuki Iwafare. The soundtrack is memorable, and it dynamically increases in intensity alongside the on-screen action. With its fast-paced, chaotic gameplay, Kirby Air Riders is perfectly matched by its exciting visuals and music.

Kirby Air Riders Is a Phenomenal Blend of Racing and Brawling

Kirby Air Riders isn’t like most racing games, and that’s both a good and bad thing. It’s unique, but it might not appeal to all players. The controls take some getting used to, and the initial learning process could be frustrating for some.

Once you get the hang of how to play, Kirby Air Riders becomes quite fun. The basic racing is simple enough, but the game offers a variety of other modes to keep things engaging. Although Top Ride can be a little difficult to control, all the other game modes are really enjoyable.

The best thing about Kirby Air Ride is how addictive it is. As you play, you’ll unlock achievements that keep you coming back for more. It’s obvious Masahiro Sakurai put a lot of love and detail into the game he envisioned back in 2003, and that passion is really evident throughout.

Kirby Air Riders is now available on the Nintendo Switch 2.

This review was written with a review code of Kirby Air Riders provided by Nintendo.

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2025-12-02 00:13