If you hear “Kirby” and think of a pink, fluffy, heartwarming character...... you're partly right, but perhaps also wrong. Kirby Air Ride, released on the GameCube in 2003, is an unconventional action racing game that breaks that stereotype. In this game, where you race fiercely while riding the floating vehicles called “Air Ride Machines,” it is actually an ambitious work by Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of Smash Bros.

Many people likely think racing games involve complex controls, such as acceleration, braking, drifting, and gear changes. But in this game, you only use the stick and the A button. Acceleration doesn't exist; the machine automatically starts moving when mounted—a novel specification designed for intuitive enjoyment even for beginners. However, it's not just simple. It also hides a deeply engaging gameplay where fierce competition unfolds between experts, requiring techniques like timely, light “pushes” on the ground to gain speed—a subtle yet deep mechanic.

Led by the “Warp Star,” which is synonymous with Kirby, numerous unique Air Ride Machines appear in this title. Each differs greatly in performance, such as speed, acceleration, and durability, and figuring out which machine suits you best is one of the pleasures. Furthermore, the floating-feeling races, which are mostly unaffected by the ground, are designed to be “addictive the more you play,” where gimmicks normally to be avoided, like ice stages and damage floors, can become weapons with a little ingenuity. The timing of item use and the choice of Copy Abilities also significantly affect victory and defeat, allowing you to approach the race with a consistently fresh feeling.

Surprising news arrived on April 2, 2025. “Kirby Air Riders” was officially announced during a “Nintendo Switch 2 Direct”! Moreover, with former director Masahiro Sakurai once again taking the lead, fan anticipation has immediately soared to an all-time high. It is a truly poignant development that he, having left HAL Laboratory, is involved with Kirby again. What machines, what techniques, and what excitement await us in the new game? The thought of how that “quick-tap dash” and “strategic push controls” will have evolved in a modern gaming experience makes the heart pound with excitement.

Kirby Air Ride is a title whose appeal lies in its unique world view and controls, setting it apart from a mere racing game. This work, which exquisitely blends the cuteness unique to Kirby with strategic game design, has not faded in the slightest even now. And with “Air Riders” returning in a new form in 2025, its appeal is sure to be re-evaluated. Whether you haven't played it before or you feel nostalgic, why not take this opportunity to dive into this unconventional experience of fluffy cuteness mixed with speed?