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    Kirby Air Ride

    Game » consists of 4 releases. Released Oct 13, 2003

    Kirby Air Ride is a high-speed, simple racing game starring HAL's flagship pink puffball.

    Short summary describing this game.

    Kirby Air Ride last edited by reverendhunt on 03/05/22 05:29PM View full history

    Overview

    Kirby's Air Ride is a kart racer starring the puffy, pink hero, Kirby. The game is notable for its simplistic control scheme that only uses the analog stick for direction and one button on the GameCube controller for decelerating and using power ups. Unlike most other driving games, acceleration occurs regardless of player input. The game is primarily intended to be played with multiple people, as there are no dedicated career mode

    Game Modes

    Air Ride

    Race to the Finish on one of several courses. Kirby can utilize boost pads, triggers, copy abilities and more to gain an advantage. Free Run mode also acts as a Time Trial mode that allows to set records.

    Top Ride

    This mode plays the most differently compared to the other two which the various tracks only fill a single screen (reminiscent of Super Off Road) Kirby has access to only two vehicles in this mode; the free star (where Kirby can be pointed in the direction the player wants him to go) and the steer star (which has relative controls).

    City Trial

    Players have a limited time to traverse a city, collecting stat-building power-ups to be used against other players in various mini-games after the allotted time limit expires. Kirby starts in the Compact Star which has lower stats. By holding the action button and down on the control stick, Kirby can dismount his Air Ride in order to board another one. However he won't be able to obtain any power-ups while not riding a vehicle. Playing in Free Run mode allows Kirby to use any unlocked vehicle.

    LAN Play

    Four players playing in system link mode.
    Four players playing in system link mode.

    This game is one of the few titles compatible with the Broadband Adapter. Up to four systems can be linked together. When two systems are linked, up to two players can play on one system, however when playing with three or more systems, only one player per console can play. Any unlocked content located on the memory card can be used for LAN play. Only Air Ride and City Trial modes are playable with most of the customizable options available.

    Checklist

    The game also features several unlockables that become available via an achievement system labeled as the Checklist. This consists of a board with several panels that turn around only when certain conditions have been met. Some challenges will also reward additional vehicles, characters, songs in the Sound Test and more. Revealing purple spaces also allows Kirby to clear a challenge without actually having to fulfill its normal requirements. Not all challenges can be unlocked through this method however. This system would later appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Kid Icarus Uprising.

    Air Ride Machines

    Machine NameDescriptorGame Modes
    Free StarMachine will steer based on the control stick's direction.Top
    Steer StarMachine can be steered left or right.Top
    Compact StarSlower, but easy to control. Starter for City TrialCity
    WarpstarAll-round type of vehicleAir, City
    Rocket StarGrants a strong speed boost after 100% chargeAir, City
    Winged StarGoes faster in the airAir, City
    Shadow StarAttacks the strongestAir, City
    Wagon StarUnable to charge for boosts.Air, City
    Swerve StarCan only steer while charging (Which immediately stops the vehicle)Air, City
    Slick StarHas slippery handlingAir, City
    Turbo StarVery fast, tough steeringAir, City
    Formula StarBest top speedAir, City
    Bulk StarMoves after charging, very strong.Air, City
    Jet StarMoves faster while in the airAir, City
    Wheelie BikeControl is unorthodox.Air, City
    Rex WheelieVery fast if it can be kept under control.Air, City
    Wheelie ScooterHigh jumper, can quick turnAir, City
    King DeDeDeAlways has hammer ability, great power.Air, City
    Meta KnightAlways has sword ability, great at flyingAir, City
    Flight WarpstarHas upgraded gliding capabilitiesAir, City
    HydraLegendary machine, has extra battle power. Must be assembled in City mode.City
    DragoonCan stay in the air for as long as possible. Must be assembled in City mode.City

    Courses

    Course NameDescriptionGame Modes
    Fantasy MeadowsAir, City
    Celestial ValleyAir, City
    Sky SandsAir, City
    Frozen HillsideAir, City
    Magma FlowsAir, City
    Beanstalk ParkAir, City
    Machine PassageAir, City
    Checker KnightsAir, City
    Nebula BeltAir, City
    GrassTop
    SandTop
    SkyTop
    FireTop
    LightTop
    WaterTop
    MetalTop
    CityCity

    Copy Abilities

    Defeating enemies with the different copy abilities allows Kirby to gain a speed boost. He can attack rival racers to slow them down.

    AbilityDescription
    SwordRun into enemies to attack
    PlasmaTap the control stick to charge, press Action to fire
    WingGain a speed boost
    WheelObtain better flying abilities
    SleepWiggle the control stick to regain control.
    BombHold the action button to throw a bomb farther. This also causes Kirby to break however.
    NeedleAttack enemies around Kirby.
    MicrophoneImmediate use, has greater area of damage
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