Kirby's Air Ride Impressions

I just picked up my copy of Kirby's Air Ride, it was released this morning here in Japan. I must admit, I wasn't expecting this to be such a great game. It was being sold for the equivalent of about $40 USD at most Japanese game shops, so I thought what the heck I might as well pick it up at that price. I'm glad I did!

The game is very deep, don't believe the BS around the web from big game web sites (*cough* IGN *cough* *cough*), they obviously haven't played the final version. This is a racing game like Mario Kart, and with that you have fantastical levels, lots of weapons to hurt your enemies with, and tons of secrets.

The sense of speed in this game is excellent, it runs at a rock solid 60fps, and it NEVER drops in the frame rate. The worlds are bright, colorful, and very detailed. There is NO popup and you can see for miles ahead. I couldn't help but grin as I was speeding through the levels, it gives you that pure adrenaline rush that only the best games can deliver.

The music is fantastic, and that's really what I was surprised by most with this game. It's really, really good stuff, especially for a supposedly "kiddie" game.

Yeah there is the "A button does everything" system in this game. But it works perfectly, really. And there's a lot of strategy to it. You also have to use the analog stick to push up and down, in order to change the angle of approach or descent after a jump, depending on how you do this, you can get a lot more air, and sail way ahead into the front.

After playing for about an hour, through all the courses they gave me at the start (about 9 or 10), I have to say this isn't an easy game. I only got 1st on 2 courses, and most of them I finished 3rd or 4th.:( I'm not the biggest racing guy, but I've played through all the mario karts and the like, unlocking all the secrets. This game will take awhile! :lol: After you get 1st on a level (or 2nd), there's like this big grid that appears with little squares, and one of the squares gets highlighted as green or red. I don't know what this means yet, but apparently it unlocks something or other.

There are tons of different vehicles. You start off with the air star and the wagon star. I just unlocked some sort of motor bike thing that's really cool. Each vehicle has different advantages/disadvantages, like the different characters in Mario kart. I'm not sure how many there are, but in the intro I see over 10.

I know most people are waiting for F-zero for a great racer on the GC, but do give this game a try if you're so inclined. It is a GREAT racing game that I can honestly say is worthy a place in any GC-owning racing fan's collection. This is easily the best Kirby game EVER, and if you're a kirby fan you'll be in heaven. The level design is so well-done, there are multiple paths, and tons of hidden nooks and crannies to discover. It's really a joy to behold in action. Though if you really hate Kirby, you probably won't like this.

The game has absolutely NO ENGLISH anywhere, as far as I can tell. ALL the menus, etc are in Japanese. So it's not incredibly import friendly in that respect, but the menus are pretty self explanatory and unless you're retarded you'll figure out what to do pretty quickly, even if you can't read Japanese.

BTW, famitsu rated this 8/8/9/9 (34/40), which was pretty good. I'd give it a 9/10.

Anyway, anyone else have this yet?

:kirby:

wait wait wait... you're in japan?

Fucking awesome. I was about to order a copy of Viewtiful Joe anyway, and if this is really that good, I may as well get Kirby now as well and save on shipping.

http://www.stormy-waters.com/images/kirbypunch.gif

It's totally worth importing, the USA version isn't due until October or November, I believe. Kirby fans will BE IN HEAVEN with this game, it's really fantastic. There's really no english anywhere, but like I said before it's totally self-explanatory and easy to navigate. Actually, if I were you I'd get Kirby now and wait for the domestic release of Viewtiful Joe, if you can only choose one! :lol:

I have to say, my fave "kirby form" so far in this game is the "Link" form, where he has a green hat and sword like Link from Zelda. It's so fun blazing by at hyper fast speeds, slashing your opponents left and right as you whip by them.:lol:

This sounds insanely awesome, and is tempting to import with the Freeloader on my AR :cool:

But I have too much to catch up on playing as it is so I'll probably end up just waiting for the domestic release.

I should also mention there are 3 game modes. One is just the regular racing game. The other is an overhead 2d-ish race on a small course, sorta like Super Off-Road (on the NES/Arcade). There are about 5-7 courses like this (maybe more to unlock). The third is the "city race", where you have a number of courses in which to battle it out in a big city with up to 4 players (or more through a LAN hookup). Kirby can even get off his vehicle and walk around here!! It makes me long for a 3D kirby adventure game.:(

I was just playing it some more, and I'm getting better at it! I hope there are more courses to unlock in the main race game though, you only start with like 9, and one hidden box that I haven't unlocked yet.

I've also gotten about 3 more vehicles to ride around in, I have 6 now! Fun stuff.

Sweet!

I never had any doubts. I've been waiting for this one for a long time.

This actually sounds pretty damn good. :)

You say the music is good. Is it orchestrated like the stuff HAL put in Smash Bros melee?