Kirby Air Riders Review: A Surprisingly Fun Racing Spin-Off

Nintendo is set to release a number of highly anticipated titles in 2025, but one project has surprised many: Kirby Air Riders. The game, a spin-off of the popular Kirby series, is a direct sequel to the cult classic Kirby Air Ride from the GameCube era. But does this latest offering from the Japanese gaming giant live up to expectations?

Kirby Air Riders arrives as a notable addition to Nintendo’s lineup, particularly following the success of Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch, which has quickly become a record-breaking hit. The decision to simultaneously develop another racing title was unexpected for many industry observers.

However, the Kirby title takes a distinctly different approach than Mario Kart World, both in terms of gameplay and overall design philosophy. Nintendo sought to ensure the project was in capable hands, bringing back Masahiro Sakurai as director. This marks Sakurai’s first Kirby game since the original Air Ride and his return to the franchise after Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. The veteran creator was tasked with delivering a dynamic racing experience, but the question remains: can he recapture the magic of the past?

How Does Kirby Air Riders Play?

It’s important to note that Kirby Air Riders isn’t directly competing with Mario Kart World. While the timing of the releases raised eyebrows, Nintendo is targeting a different audience with a fundamentally different gameplay experience. The core mechanic – inherited from the original Air Ride – is that vehicles move automatically, eliminating the need to constantly hold down the accelerator. Players can “charge” their machines for short bursts of speed, but mastering the game involves strategically using opponents for speed boosts, finding track advantages, and timing movements effectively. This approach makes Kirby Air Riders surprisingly tactical, even as the auto-steering allows for accessibility for younger players.

The game’s dynamic shifts significantly when played at higher difficulty levels. Kirby Air Riders doesn’t forgive mistakes – every turn, jump, and boost landing must be precise. Players must leverage character abilities, vehicle advantages, and subtle environmental details to gain even fractions of a second. It’s a surprisingly demanding game, requiring players to learn and embrace its unique “driving” system. Even seasoned Nintendo fans may need to practice to recapture the feel of past titles.

What’s New in Kirby Air Riders?

For longtime fans of the Kirby series, this control scheme will be familiar. Despite this, Kirby Air Riders offers a refreshing take on the racing genre. The controls are simplified – primarily using the analog stick – but every additional maneuver, even a simple attack, provides a competitive edge. This blend of simplicity and depth is where the game truly shines.

Both the characters and the vehicles play a crucial role. Each character possesses a unique special ability, and each vehicle has its own set of stats that directly impact driving style and capabilities. For example, Kirby in his pink form wields the powerful Ultra Sword, King Dedede can unleash the force of his Jet Hammer, and Waddle Dee activates the Golden Waddle Dee form. These specials are activated by filling a meter, and a well-timed ability can dramatically change the course of a race.

The vehicle roster is equally impressive. Kirby Air Riders not only brings back classic machines but also introduces several new options. The iconic Warp Star seems almost… ordinary in comparison. The Battle Chariot resembles a tank, the Transform Star can change its shape and behavior during the race, and that’s just a taste. In total, the developers have prepared over 20 machines, and the differences in acceleration, weight, durability, and handling genuinely impact how you perform on the track. No two races are ever quite the same.

The biggest addition, however, is the Copy Abilities, now available to all drivers. Abilities found on the track allow players to attack opponents, boost their own acceleration, or play defensively. Cutter allows you to throw blades, Fighter automatically attacks anyone who gets too close, Fire sets opponents ablaze, and Missile literally turns your character into a flying projectile. Each ability can change the situation on the track – and adds a layer of tactics that I didn’t expect from such a “colorful” racer.

More Than Just Racing

The main game mode is, of course, Air Ride – a classic race featuring six drivers on a single track. The rules are simple: use all your abilities to be the first to cross the finish line. But the developers have ensured that this formula doesn’t get stale. One of the most interesting options is the ability to enable damage – if you sufficiently weaken an opponent with a series of attacks or abilities, their machine is simply destroyed. This means they’re out of the race, and you gain a valuable advantage. It’s a small change, but it significantly increases the dynamism and allows for a more aggressive driving style.

Each of the nine locations is also visually stunning. Some areas return from the previous installment, but even the “old” terrains look more impressive thanks to the more powerful platform and new technologies. The tracks are colorful, diverse, and often spectacular – honestly, it’s hard to look around during a race because of the pace, but you can still appreciate the developers’ work. Cyberion Highway is a dark, neon highway full of dangers, Floria Fields is a pleasant and colorful counterpart, and the returning Sky Sands looks much more impressive now. Similarly, Frozen Hillside and Magma Flows present unique environments.

Top Ride also returns in Kirby Air Riders, changing the perspective to a top-down view. The competition resembles classic Micro Machines, and the gameplay has been slightly refreshed with the ability to choose different machines – previously, developers imposed two specific vehicles. I wasn’t initially a fan of this variant, but ultimately I have to admit that it’s fun. Mastering the controls and skillfully using the elements of the location are key – just like in any other game mode.

City, Story, Training, or Online? Kirby Air Riders Offers Plenty to Do

The developers haven’t forgotten about City Trial, which now allows up to eight players offline or even 16 players online. The gameplay takes place on the Skyah island – for five minutes, we collect upgrades, take over machines, and experiment with vehicles, then the real fun begins. The developers have made several improvements over the previous part: the ability to take over other players’ machines and quick vehicle changes significantly improve the dynamics of the competition.

This is the basis for a completely new mode – Road Trip, a story-driven variant where… well, we actually learn the basics of the gameplay. A light story unfolds in the background, we can observe events, but the whole thing is still based on competition. The player travels a route, chooses one of three competitions, then faces bosses, jumps to new levels, spends earned money on upgrades, and acquires new vehicles to defeat more difficult opponents. I can’t say that the story itself is particularly engaging, but the mode as an addition and a form of learning works great.

I didn’t hide the fact that I treated Road Trip mainly as an extension of expanded “lessons.” The developers know that Kirby Air Riders isn’t the easiest game, so they’ve prepared a set of precise tasks that teach the basics, advanced driving, using Copy Abilities, and the mechanics of City Trial and vehicles. I highly recommend everyone – even experienced players – check out these materials, because they really prepare you for the other modes.

A Positive Surprise

Going into Kirby Air Riders, I knew exactly what to expect from Nintendo: three known modes, one additional variant, and a specific, yet highly engaging gameplay. I didn’t expect how enthusiastically the title would be received by my family, who immediately started honing their skills.

Kirby Air Riders quickly became a key title for family afternoons – it’s a game that “everyone can play,” and each subsequent session allows you to better understand the rhythm and character of these crazy races. The competition isn’t easy, it can be terrifyingly chaotic, and the pace changes like a kaleidoscope, so it’s best to dose it in shorter, dynamic series. But one thing remains constant: it’s just plain fun to play Kirby Air Riders.

I am also convinced that this title won’t appeal to everyone. The unusual driving model, the lack of a classic sense of speed, and the large number of elements happening on the screen may deter players raised on standard racing games. However, Nintendo consciously (once again!) focused on a specific target audience, and for that audience, this will be a great experience.

Is Kirby Air Riders Worth Playing?

Kirby Air Riders clearly demonstrates how Nintendo understands its niche brands. This game doesn’t try to compete with Mario Kart World, doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not… instead, it focuses on its own, crazy formula of driving, where charged turns, controlled chaos, and unique tactics dominate. If you quickly grasp this rhythm, the races stop being just a simple race and become a series of micro-decisions, attempts to improve your style, and a fight for every hundredth of a second. This game builds pace on different principles, and that’s what makes it so surprising.

For me, the biggest surprise was how much my family enjoyed Kirby Air Riders. It’s one of those games that’s perfect for family sessions – kids immediately felt the vibe, and subsequent races quickly turned into small tournaments for first place. Sure, the gameplay can be chaotic and tiring, so it’s best to dose it in shorter sessions, but it’s hard to deny the game’s magnetism. It’s a game in the “just one more race and then we’ll go to sleep” category, which surprisingly often ends with several more attempts.

At the same time, it must be honestly said: Kirby Air Riders won’t appeal to everyone. The unusual driving model, the lack of a classic sense of speed, and the sheer amount of activity on the screen may discourage players accustomed to standard racing games.