Nintendo Switch 2 Critic Reviews

I knew I’d like Kirby Air Riders, since I enjoyed the GameCube original, but I didn’t expect this game to feel stronger than Mario Kart World. It’s so enjoyable and robust. There’s room for both racers on the Switch 2, of course. But if I had to pick a favorite and never touch the other game again, I’d pick Kirby Air Riders every time.

It's very likely to become a timeless classic—perhaps misunderstood by many, but highly praised by the patient and the crazy ones. Sakurai has crafted a work that reflects his own tastes and everything he loves about the medium.

Kirby Air Riders lands on Nintendo Switch 2 as the comeback nobody expected, but once it’s in your hands, it feels almost inevitable. Sakurai brings back the experimental essence of Kirby Air Ride and boosts it with the ambition of a modern console: more modes, more characters, more vehicles, and a flood of ideas that keep the formula alive without betraying its spirit.

I was one of the biggest Kirby Air Ride fans back in the day, so the fact that we're getting a sequel to the divisive cult classic is a dream come true. Kirby Air Riders is everything I could have ever wanted and more. It's a project filled with love, passion, and a celebration of all things Kirby. From the robust character roster, surprising depth of customization options, and an impressive amount of content to see, do, and unlock, Kirby Air Riders is easily my favorite racing game of the year. It's a triumph from start to finish, and I can't wait to spend countless hours in City Trial and beyond.

Kirby Air Riders shines with creative and accessible gameplay that evolves from simple to deep, once again showcasing Sakurai’s brilliance. Its one-button mechanics, varied modes, addictive progression, and extensive unlockable content make it a fun, solid, and surprisingly complete experience. A unique title that stands out for its style, pacing, and personality.

Kirby Air Riders combines tight controls, excellent gameplay and a plethora of content to make the best mascot racing game on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Kirby Air Riders may fall short in terms of track selection compared to Mario Kart World, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t the best racing game released this year, and one of the best first-party Nintendo games to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2.

For me, Kirby Air Riders manages to stand head and shoulders above Mario Kart World as one of the definitive racing games on the Switch platform.

For those feeling nostalgic for the GameCube version, I promise you'll have an amazing time; it's the same concept, but executed almost to perfection.

Kirby Air Riders is a fun and addictive racing game with simple yet deep controls, featuring a variety of game modes, unlockable characters and vehicles, and a charming visual style that, combined with its smooth performance, delivers excitement and adrenaline in every race.