"Mario Kart World blasted through the finish line this summer. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds rushed up the sales charts this fall. Now, after more than two decades, a sequel to a GameCube classic is launching in time for the holidays. This year been a banner year for such cartoony racing games, but Kirby Air Riders may take the crown with its deep customization and radically simple controls."
"The game stays true to the original Air Ride's minimalism. You accelerate constantly and steer with the left joystick. Hold nearly any other button to brake, which lets you drift through corners and charge up a boost gauge. Release the button once you're charged to sprint ahead. Tap a button instead to inhale a nearby enemy. If that enemy has a "copy ability," you'll absorb it to sling fireballs, spray ice crystals, shoot out spikes the list goes on."
"Every racer has their own stats and special moves. Machines have unique quirks on top of their own stats. One slides around when you brake. Another zips forward, only changing direction when you charge up. Yet another hops off the ground when you wiggle the joystick to spin into them. These varied playstyles serve different purposes throughout the game's many multiplayer modes."
Kirby Air Riders preserves Air Ride's minimalist control scheme with constant acceleration, left-joystick steering, and a brake that enables drifting and boost charging. The inhale mechanic grants copy abilities such as fireballs, ice crystals, and spikes, while spinning into opponents yields speed boosts. Racers and machines feature distinct stats, quirks, and special moves that create many playstyles. Air Ride mode includes new and returning courses. Top Ride provides an improved bird's-eye perspective but remains finicky. City Trial offers the most inventive experience through short exploration matches, upgrades, vehicle swaps, and climactic final showdowns across varied arenas and races.
Read at www.npr.org
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