Nintendo has just released a big statement that will make the fans of Kirby very happy; the pink ball of fluff is going to ride in Kirby Air Riders, which will be available on November 20. The game can be pre-ordered now, and to say that the gaming world has gone crazy is really an understatement.
So, what is Kirby Air Riders exactly? If we refer to the trailer, it shows Kirby flying with some very fancy vehicles. One of the things bubbling up excitement among players is the “clean machine transfer” that the tweet refers to. Giving Kirby the right to drive and getting a whole lot of flying machines to use sounds so much fun. The game looks like it will be all action revving-up or maybe even vehicle combat but for now, Nintendo has kept the details close to its chest.
The players’ responses have been nothing but positive. A user called luv has even gone so far as to pronounce the game “peak” and call the series’ father Masahiro Sakurai “the goat”. That’s really one of the largest praises you could give, especially considering how iconic Sakurai is in the gaming industry. Another user, Pixel, said, “Kirby’s taking the wheel,” and that they “can’t wait for that clean ride on November 20th.” What a strong anticipation there is!
On the flip side, a few of the users haven’t had a smooth sail through all this. Chaos brought up a possible concern with motion sickness and claimed that “city trial is so much faster than the first game.” Therefore, it sounds like Kirby Air Riders is a sequel with the previous Kirby racing games sharing some of the same mechanics. It is for sure that motion sickness caused by fast-paced games is something that people will have to consider, especially those who can’t handle it.
Without doubt, the hype is here to stay with people going over the top with their comments. Mari said they have “already pre ordered 6 copies,” and that is a bit too much? But still, who are we to dictate how people can spend their money on games? Conversely, Lamb Dude was almost yelling “GIVE IT TO ME NOW GRAHHHH” which more or less reflects the sentiment of many gamers when it comes to the release of a new Kirby game.
There is an interesting dialogue in the comments section. Mario4782 hinted that Nintendo is “tryna recover from MKWorld,” and this led to a discussion on how well Mario Kart World had sold. ElliottBros1 immediately pointed out that one should not need to “recover from a game that sold 10 million in three months?” A very valid argument, yet it does lead one to wonder about Nintendo’s timing with new releases of the titles.
Some of gamers have already set their minds on the competitive aspect of the game. Bardman says they’re “excited to get stomped out online when this launches,” which hints that there will be a significant volume of multiplayer action going on. There’s nothing that can really be more thrilling than getting utterly beaten by strangers online to really test your gaming skills, right?
All the while, controls are being praised as well. Yon Wicks expressed his appreciation for the “Global Test Ride” and said that “the controls are perfect!” This must be very comforting for players who are concerned about the handling and responsiveness of a vehicle-based Kirby game. Good controls are a key factor for racing games, so if there’s positive feedback from test sessions, it must be very encouraging.
There occasionally comes a person who throws a concerning and unflattering comparison into the discussion. ChaoticPriest made a funny comment that “Sony should sue Nintendo for copyright infringement, as Kirby has stolen Axel’s model from Twisted Metal.” That’s… quite exaggerated but it shows that people’s attention has been captured by the game’s vehicle design. Meanwhile, EspadaOfChaos also joked about “we got grand theft Kirby before gta6 wild” which actually does sound like a super fun concept that definitely has to happen.
The game is coming out on the 20th of November which is just in time for the holiday season. It was a smart move by Nintendo to release it at this time when people want new games to keep them amused during the holidays. It looks like the company is quite sure this one will be another hit for the Kirby franchise since they are already taking pre-orders.
Kirby games have always had the unique and charming quality that gets both casual and hardcore gamers hooked. They are beginner-friendly but usually have some built-in challenges that keep the experienced players interested. Based on the amount of buzz created, Kirby Air Riders is very good at claiming its place in the market. It’s just that, the combination of an already loved character being in an exciting car racing scenario could turn out to be a bombshell.
The time to wait will also the time for anticipation to grow bigger slowly until November 20th.
