#37: Kirby Air Ride

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Rating: E

Players: 1-4

Price Range: ~$76 USD

A racing spinoff of the Kirby series.

Okay, let's talk a little about this one.

Now, this game was torn to shreds by critics, but many consider this a hidden gem of a game.

A racing game still exclusive to the system all these years later, it is quite the fun multiplayer romp.

The racing surrounds only using the control stick and one button, the A button, making it admittedly simple, but allowing anyone of any skill level to have a great time.

Drifting to boost at the end and inhaling and using copy abilities with just one button is quite good as mechanic in a party game.

There are three modes.

You have your traditional racing mode, Air Ride. Nothing outlandish here.

However, the other two are fascinating.

Top Ride is a top-down mode where, instead of several machines, you only have two, one where you move left and right to turn, and the other where you turn in the direction you push. Okay, now this is how you establish top-down racing controls. You do this without copy abilities in small, condensed multi-lap courses. A nice distraction.

However, the game's claim to fame is City Trial.

You know that one mode in Smash 4? Well, that is this mode.

You and three other players have to use a time limit to either improve your machine or get a new one in the city while also toying with other players.

With several events that could happen with a random challenge to compete for first place at the end, it is truly a stellar mode, even if the city is too big to really interact with other players.

People playing solo also have a lot to munch on, as the Checklist, which is made up of squares that make up a goodie that also reveals criteria for other spaces is...just enough to keep you occupied. Some even give you characters and vehicles! Pretty good stuff!

Besides a decently high amount to pay for the admission, it's pretty great. If you have the coin and some people to play with, this is definitely not too bad to try out.

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