It’s been over two decades (yes,twenty years!)
Now, dreams are coming true in Warp Star-sized fashion.
Here’s everything we know so far and why you should beveryexcited.
What is Kirby Air Riders?
Kirby Air Ridersis a spin-off game from theKirbyseries.
This new game will fully exploit the Nintendo Switch 2s power.
It will bring exciting new features and mechanics while staying true to the spirit of the original.
Story
At this point, details about the story are still pretty scarce.
But, like mostKirbyspin-offs, we can probably expect a lighthearted and fun narrative rather than anything too serious.
From what weve seen so far, it seems like the plot will be all about the action.
The trailers suggest that the game will center around a big racing event or friendly competition in Dream Land.
Though the story is mostly about fun, dont be surprised if theres a surprise villain lurking around.
It wouldnt be aKirbygamewithout one.
Overall, it seems like the narrative will mainly be there to keep the races and action moving.
Its all about the fun and fast gameplay that fans know and love.
Players will race through the air using different Air Ride Machines, competing against each other or AI opponents.
Additionally, players will get to use the special abilities of the Air Ride Machines to gain an edge.
The good news is that some of those machines will return forKirby Air Riders.
Weve already seen the Wagon Star, Warp Star, Wheelie Bike, and Winged Star in the trailers.
Each of these will offer different playstyles, so players can mix things up depending on their preferences.
Another cool feature is the multiplayer mode.
Just like inKirby Air Ride, Kirby Air Riderswill offer both single-player and multiplayer modes.
Development
The development ofKirby Air Ridersis especially exciting because it marks the return of Masahiro Sakurai.
He returns as the director of aKirbygame for the first time in over twenty years.
In 2021, he was approached by Nintendo to create a game proposal.
After it was accepted, full production onKirby Air Ridersbegan in April 2022.
However, hes passionate about the project, which shows in the details weve seen.
Thisaction racing gameis being developed by Bandai Namco Studios, with whom Sakurai has worked on previous titles.
HAL Laboratory, the creators ofKirby,is also involved, though their exact role isnt clear.
The trailer shows off the stunning visuals and introduces both new and returningAir RideMachines.
It also teases some of the fun, creative courses players will race through.
One of the highlights in the trailer is the return of the Wagon Star and Warp Star.
For fans of the original game, these iconic machines will definitely bring back some nostalgic memories.
We also get a glimpse of the gameplay, with Kirby and other characters zooming through the air.
We see them collecting power-ups and racing through colorful courses.
Surprisingly, theres a course that looks similar to Fantasy Meadows from the original game.
However, its unclear if its the same course or a new one inspired by it.
Additionally, the trailers upbeat and fast-paced soundtrack adds to the excitement.
Notably, it gives us a taste of the game’s energetic experience.
It also hints at the multiplayer modes, with shots showing players racing against each other in dynamic environments.
If the trailer is any indication, were in for a thrilling ride when the game launches.
Release Date and Platforms
Kirby Air Ridersis set to release in 2025 for the Nintendo Switch 2.
While we dont have an exact release date yet, players can expect thisracing gameto launch worldwide simultaneously.
Currently, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the only confirmed platform forKirby Air Riders.
This means that players must have a new console to experience the game.
Cynthia Wambui is a gamer who has a knack for writing video gaming content.
Blending words to express one of my biggest interests keeps me in the loop on trendy gaming topics.
Aside from gaming and writing, Cynthia is a tech nerd and coding enthusiast.
