Nintendo's latest attempt to dethrone the karting kingpins is Kirby Air Riders, an unexpectedly revitalized sequel that attempts to take on Mario Kart for supremacy. The game boasts a quirky roster of competitors, including a sentient rock, a slime with googly eyes, and Chef Kawasaki – but it's the variety and depth of its machines that truly set it apart.
Players will choose from six unique vehicles, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, allowing for a delightful cat-and-mouse experience as opponents unleash an arsenal of colorful chaos. With an auto-acceleration system in place, mastering the art of drifting becomes crucial, but once mastered, the game reveals a satisfyingly zen approach to competitive racing.
Kirby Air Riders' single-player mode, Road Trip, is a standout feature, boasting surreal boss fights, cleverly modified races, and beautifully budgeted cutscenes that feel like a dream from eating too much cheese. However, the multiplayer mode, City Trials, falls flat with its resource-gathering gameplay and mini-game showdowns feeling bewilderingly pointless.
On the other hand, customization options abound, allowing players to personalize their ride with unlockable stickers, color schemes, and even plushies – because why not? It's a tightly focused game that embodies Nintendo's fun-first ethos from the NES era, but at full price, it feels slightly overinflated.
Kirby Air Riders is a charming addition to Nintendo's racing family, with just the right balance of Sakurai magic and visual flair. While it may lack modes, its sheer charm and depth make up for it – if you can get past the initial steep learning curve.
Players will choose from six unique vehicles, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, allowing for a delightful cat-and-mouse experience as opponents unleash an arsenal of colorful chaos. With an auto-acceleration system in place, mastering the art of drifting becomes crucial, but once mastered, the game reveals a satisfyingly zen approach to competitive racing.
Kirby Air Riders' single-player mode, Road Trip, is a standout feature, boasting surreal boss fights, cleverly modified races, and beautifully budgeted cutscenes that feel like a dream from eating too much cheese. However, the multiplayer mode, City Trials, falls flat with its resource-gathering gameplay and mini-game showdowns feeling bewilderingly pointless.
On the other hand, customization options abound, allowing players to personalize their ride with unlockable stickers, color schemes, and even plushies – because why not? It's a tightly focused game that embodies Nintendo's fun-first ethos from the NES era, but at full price, it feels slightly overinflated.
Kirby Air Riders is a charming addition to Nintendo's racing family, with just the right balance of Sakurai magic and visual flair. While it may lack modes, its sheer charm and depth make up for it – if you can get past the initial steep learning curve.