Kirby Air Riders Reviews
Kirby Air Riders' unconventional controls can get in its own way sometimes, but they don't stop it from being a fun, frantic action racing game with an almost unreal amount of stuff to do.
An experience where I'm constantly left thinking, 'just one more race' or 'just one final battle'.
Kirby Air Riders is an impressive package that makes the most of its deceivingly simple mechanics.
Kirby Air Riders is a cracking sequel that gives solo players much more to dig into with its story campaign, whilst also bringing all-new levels of shiny graphics, bells and whistles to its returning City Trial, Air Ride, and Top Down Racing modes. This is a chaotic and frenzied racer, there's no doubt, but it's got depth for those who wish to learn and plenty of competition to be had both online and at harder difficulties for diehards.With lots of excellent tracks, riders and machines to unlock, sat alongside some surprisingly deep machine customisation, Kirby's latest air riding adventure is off to a strong start. Oh, and that soundtrack!
Kirby Air Riders is a surprisingly deep and uniquely structured game, born from the obsessions of Masahiro Sakurai already seen in his previous works. Almost as if it were an auteur game, this new entry in the saga is clear proof of the finesse with which the Japanese creator operates, resulting in a remarkable title that blends the boundaries of several genres at once.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Kirby Air Riders is a charming addition to the racing genre. Its unique outlook might not appeal to everyone, but it's still liable to find it a raft of fans, just like its GameCube predecessor.
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Kirby Air Riders really didn't need a combined 107 minutes of Nintendo Direct presentations to sell players on its merits, because it only takes a few races to see how fun it can be. Road Trip mode's imbalanced win conditions will divide players, but the brilliantly diverse Road Trip (which is built with multiple playthroughs in mind) and the hefty 750-mission Checklist ensure solo players have plenty to do.
This is the kind of family-friendly kart racer only Nintendo – and more specifically, Sakurai – could make.
A kart game that challenges Mario Kart or Smash Bros. on floating vehicles? Kirby Air Riders has speed in its DNA and rewards the most skilled and patient players with tons of unlockable items. At the same time, however, the many facets of its playful soul risk being too much and confusing the "core" experience. Between dozens of mini-games, lightning-fast races, and boss battles with weapons, the game loses some of its focus but still remains a fun experience... especially in multiplayer.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Kirby Air Riders serves up a varied platter of quirky modes and features, but Sakurai’s buffet may not satisfy long-term unless you’re up for chasing down every last crumb. That said, while a bit lightweight, Kirby Air Riders' unconventional and surprisingly intense approach to racing certainly sticks out, even in a year with a lot of karting competition, which may be enough to blow folks looking for something different off their feet.
While I do hope Nintendo has plans to add to the overall package with at least some new Air Ride and Top Ride tracks, there is still a wealth of content here for fans to enjoy. If you’re a racing fan or looking for something fresh to play with friends, Kirby Air Riders should be a strong consideration for your Switch 2 library.
Kirby Air Riders is like a strawberry sorbet: sweet, refreshing, but not exactly essential. Yet, in the quieter stretch of the year, it might just catch you off guard. It's a simple game, but one that offers a surprising amount of depth, both in its content and gameplay. And it does justice to the Nintendo Switch 2, delivering smooth performance and solid graphics that make it a worthy addition to the system.
Review in French | Read full review
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Review in German | Read full review
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Review in Italian | Read full review
If you own a Switch 2, have additional controllers, and a group of gaming friends, get yourself Kirby Air Riders. This is an adrenaline-filled game that represents the essence of good party games. Just don’t expect too much when playing alone.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Kirby Air Riders delivers a distinct and fast-paced spin on the racing genre that is about so much more than just reaching the finish line. The unexpectedly offbeat story mode, clever course design, and surprisingly tense yet frenetic competitive play all come together to offer a well-rounded package full of joy and charm. While City Trial could use a few more maps, and the stop-start mechanics aren't immediately engaging, Kirby Air Riders is incredible fun, no matter how you play it or who you play it with.
Kirby Air Riders combines tight controls, excellent gameplay and a plethora of content to make the best mascot racing game on the Nintendo Switch 2.
While Air Riders might not be my personal cup of tea, it feels like a faithful and loving reward for all the folks who loved the original Kirby Air Ride. Without the benefit of nostalgia, though, you may find it harder to get up to speed.
Kirby Air Riders is exactly what it needed to be: a refined, expanded take on the 2003 classic that channels a style of game design focused purely on player fun rather than strict genre labels. That freedom can feel like a double-edged sword, broadly appealing, yet not perfectly satisfying for any one crowd. Still, for anyone with a Nintendo Switch 2, it remains a must-try experience, one that's dangerously easy to get hooked on.
Review in Italian | Read full review