《Kirby Air Ride 2》重磅回归：樱井政博时隔二十载再执导，策略竞速新体验

Kirby Air Ride 2 (Kirby Air Riders) is slated for release on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 20, marking director Masahiro Sakurai's return to the Kirby franchise after two decades. The game expands on the 2003 original with new characters like Chef Kawasaki and Knuckle Joe, additional gameplay modes, and refined controls. Unlike the original's single-button boost, the sequel introduces a second button, which Sakurai humorously acknowledges as a potential complication. Each character possesses unique special moves impacting speed, offense, or abilities, such as transforming into a giant snowball.

Initial comparisons to Mario Kart are tempered by Kirby Air Ride 2's distinct gameplay. While lacking manual acceleration, requiring players to manage forward momentum proactively, the game emphasizes skillful timing of boosts, enemy-based power-up acquisition, and track drifting. The City Trial mode offers a unique, time-limited upgrade phase where players gather power-ups, steal vehicles, and engage opponents to enhance their rides before competing in various stadium events. This mode is characterized by its frantic pace, constant motion, and the strategic necessity of adapting vehicle builds to specific competition types, such as flight-focused or battle-oriented challenges.

“Kirby Air Riders” Is Coming to Switch 2, and It’s “Basically Like ‘Mario Kart’”

The game, a sequel to 2003’s “Kirby Air Ride” on GameCube, launches in November.

WIREDMegan Farokhmanesh