- The Gameplay: Combination Rider and Machine defines the style, with 17 characters and various vehicles for different racing strategies.
- Game mode: There is Air Ride, Top Ride, City Trial, and Road Trip (open world/story) offers great variety.
- Duration & platform: It takes 55-60 hours for 100%, exclusive on Switch 2, price around USD 70 (± IDR 1.2 million).
Kirby Air Riders Gameplay and Review
Imagine if Nintendo's flagship platforming franchise had a racing title, Kirby Air Riders would be it! Yep, who doesn't know this round, pink creature that never gets enough?
As one of Nintendo's signature mascots, Kirby's lineup isn't limited to the platforming genre. So, if you're curious about this installment, check it out!
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Driving
Starting with the basic mechanics, namely the basic driving as the micro of this game. There are two aspects you must understand: the rider character (Rider) and (2) the vehicle (Machine).
Each character has its own specialty and abilities. Initially, players can only play as four characters, but a total of 17 characters can be unlocked later.
Not only that, the vehicles also come in various shapes and uses. There are those that are better at cornering (Wheelie Bike), there are also those that can fly (Winged Star), and many more.
By combining the right character and vehicle abilities, you can overcome various obstacles, track types, and win various game modes available.
Game Modes in Kirby Air Riders
Many gamers think this game is limited to racing. In fact, there are many modes you can play! From offline to online, here's the list:
Air Ride
The first is the most basic mode, and the one that gives the game its title: Air Ride. Simply put, this is a racing mode that involves navigating various courses and obstacles.
Against five other characters, you'll race, overtake, and smash into each other. Whatever it takes, you must come out on top and finish in first place!
Top Ride
Next, there's Top Ride mode. As the name suggests, this mode features a point-of-view (POV) from above, blending racing and platforming gameplay.
And because of the limited top-down view, the courses are also kept short. Overall, it's perfect for racing game fans looking for a different experience.
City Trial
Here, Nintendo is trying to combine the racing, platforming, and battle royale genres into one gameplay! For veteran gamers who've played Twisted Metal, this is quite similar.
Players will compete against 16 other players. Before the stadium begins, they'll gather various resources. Each stadium also has a different objective—you won't get bored!
Road Trip
Now, this feature is what brings the open world to life: Road Trip! Essentially, this is story mode (single player): "touring" through the wilderness of the Kirby universe and completing various challenges.
Here you can also unlock characters, buy new vehicles, build a career, collect collectibles, play mini games, platforming, decorate items and personalize, and much more!
Price and Equivalence
From all the summaries above, if players want to complete 100%, the total play hours this game requires are around 55-60 hours – a large number for a racing game.
This game is already available and you can enjoy it both digitally on the Nintendo eShop and on physical cartridge. However, as the latest sequel, it's exclusive to Nintendo. Switch 2 just.
There's no word yet on whether this title will be ported to the Switch 1 as well. However, given the complexity of the engine, it seems likely that the performance will be excellent. Switches 1 won't be strong enough to play.
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So, for those of you interested, it's a good idea to start saving as early as possible. The price is hefty: USD 70, or around 1.2 million Rupiah (February 2026 exchange rate).
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