Kirby Air Riders has officially received its first wave of critical reception ahead of its anticipated release on the Nintendo Switch 2.
With a Metascore of 78 on Metacritic, the follow-up to the GameCube classic Kirby Air Ride is already classed as "Generally Favorable" based on 62 professional reviews, signaling a promising start for Nintendo and HAL Laboratory’s latest racing adventure.
For context, the beloved yet polarizing original Kirby Air Ride holds a Metascore of 61, showing significant improvement in critical sentiment for this sequel. Kirby Air Riders continues HAL Laboratory's tradition of innovative and accessible gameplay, expanding on the formula with a suite of robust new features tailored for modern audiences.
The game offers a story-driven campaign, revitalized classics such as City Trial, Air Ride, and Top Down Racing, and welcomes both local and online multiplayer fans to its chaotic but satisfying mix of competition and customization. Critical consensus highlights the game’s depth and replayability.
Siliconera’s reviewer awarded Kirby Air Riders a perfect score, noting, "While I enjoyed the GameCube original, I didn’t anticipate how the new title would surpass even major competitors on Nintendo Switch 2.
It’s thoroughly enjoyable and robust, offering a compelling racing experience that, for some, could even eclipse Mario Kart." NintendoLife praised the enriched story campaign and improved graphical fidelity, stating, "Kirby Air Riders is a standout sequel, greatly enhancing the solo experience while providing a feast of content through its various modes.
Its track variety, unlockable vehicles, and deep customization system ensure that both newcomers and series veterans will have plenty to discover.
The energetic soundtrack and chaotic, frenzied gameplay set the tone for a memorable racing adventure." VGC's review emphasized the replay value and content density, noting, "Though some may find Road Trip mode’s victory conditions unconventional, the diverse design, replay-oriented structure, and a checklist of over 750 missions mean single-player enthusiasts have no shortage of challenges." Gamespot and IGN echoed these sentiments, highlighting the sheer volume of meaningful unlockables, unique achievements, and deep customization options.
Both outlets cautioned that the game’s swift pace and intuitive, single-button control scheme, true to its origins, may be both a novelty and a minor barrier for some players.
While Kirby Air Riders may not offer the pick-up-and-play accessibility of Mario Kart or the competitive depth of Super Smash Bros., it stands on its own as an engaging, content-rich racer ideal for group play and solo progression alike. Kirby Air Riders launches this week on the Nintendo Switch 2, available via retail and the Nintendo eShop.
As Nintendo and HAL Laboratory continue to evolve Kirby’s legacy, the positive critical response suggests that Air Riders may become the franchise’s most beloved entry in the racing genre to date.
With a Metascore of 78 on Metacritic, the follow-up to the GameCube classic Kirby Air Ride is already classed as "Generally Favorable" based on 62 professional reviews, signaling a promising start for Nintendo and HAL Laboratory’s latest racing adventure.
For context, the beloved yet polarizing original Kirby Air Ride holds a Metascore of 61, showing significant improvement in critical sentiment for this sequel. Kirby Air Riders continues HAL Laboratory's tradition of innovative and accessible gameplay, expanding on the formula with a suite of robust new features tailored for modern audiences.
The game offers a story-driven campaign, revitalized classics such as City Trial, Air Ride, and Top Down Racing, and welcomes both local and online multiplayer fans to its chaotic but satisfying mix of competition and customization. Critical consensus highlights the game’s depth and replayability.
Siliconera’s reviewer awarded Kirby Air Riders a perfect score, noting, "While I enjoyed the GameCube original, I didn’t anticipate how the new title would surpass even major competitors on Nintendo Switch 2.
It’s thoroughly enjoyable and robust, offering a compelling racing experience that, for some, could even eclipse Mario Kart." NintendoLife praised the enriched story campaign and improved graphical fidelity, stating, "Kirby Air Riders is a standout sequel, greatly enhancing the solo experience while providing a feast of content through its various modes.
Its track variety, unlockable vehicles, and deep customization system ensure that both newcomers and series veterans will have plenty to discover.
The energetic soundtrack and chaotic, frenzied gameplay set the tone for a memorable racing adventure." VGC's review emphasized the replay value and content density, noting, "Though some may find Road Trip mode’s victory conditions unconventional, the diverse design, replay-oriented structure, and a checklist of over 750 missions mean single-player enthusiasts have no shortage of challenges." Gamespot and IGN echoed these sentiments, highlighting the sheer volume of meaningful unlockables, unique achievements, and deep customization options.
Both outlets cautioned that the game’s swift pace and intuitive, single-button control scheme, true to its origins, may be both a novelty and a minor barrier for some players.
While Kirby Air Riders may not offer the pick-up-and-play accessibility of Mario Kart or the competitive depth of Super Smash Bros., it stands on its own as an engaging, content-rich racer ideal for group play and solo progression alike. Kirby Air Riders launches this week on the Nintendo Switch 2, available via retail and the Nintendo eShop.
As Nintendo and HAL Laboratory continue to evolve Kirby’s legacy, the positive critical response suggests that Air Riders may become the franchise’s most beloved entry in the racing genre to date.
