Kirby Dream Ride

Kirby Dream Ride
Developer(s)	Existence Software, HAL Laboratory
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Platform(s)	Nintendo Switch
Genre(s)	Adventure/Racing
Series	Kirby spin-off
Predecessor	Kirby Air Ride (2003)
Mode(s)	1-4 Players
Age Rating(s)	E for Everyone

Kirby Dream Ride, known in Japan as Kirby's Dream Airride (カービーの夢エアライド), is a Kirby racing title developed by Existence Software and HAL Laboratory for the Nintendo Switch. The game is a successor to the 2003 Nintendo GameCube title Kirby Air Ride, and features the same simplistic control scheme consisting of turning and boosting. While Kirby Dream Ride retains the core gameplay as its predecessor, a larger focus has been placed on the City Trial game mode, and the top-down Top Ride mode has been removed from the game altogether. Aside from the aforementioned removal of the Top Ride mode, the game includes all content from the original Kirby's Air Ride, and can be seen as an expanded remaster of the original title.

Gameplay

Similar to how the Kirby series was created to be a simple sidescrolling game that can be enjoyed by both beginning or advanced players, Kirby Dream Ride features a simplistic control scheme that mimics the design philosophy of the main titles. In Kirby Dream Ride, the player accelerates automatically, and the player simply has control on the direction that they move in - either by using the or via motion controls - and their ability to boost - which can be done via the or buttons. The player can also hold down the boost button in order to charge their vehicle up and increase the power of their boost, and doing so is necessary for some vehicles.

In addition to boosting, the or buttons also allows Kirby to inhale enemies when close enough, allowing him to gain certain Copy Abilities for doing so. Copy Abilities are comparable to the items present in the Mario Kart series, as they offer different advantages (or disadvantages) to Kirby when they are activated. Unlike in the mainline Kirby games, Copy Abilities are only kept for a short amount of time, though the player can hold down the two bumper buttons (either and or and ) in order to force the Copy Ability to end. Many of the game's Copy Abilities serve as attacks, and while many are automatically performed by Kirby when he nears another player, some can only be used by holding down the or buttons, though the player is also capable of switching this to the or buttons instead.

Playable Characters

Many of the game's playable characters are different colours of Kirby. A the beginning of the game, the player can choose between several different colours of Kirby; all other characters must be unlocked through the completion of different challenges. Unlike in the original Kirby Air Ride, the player does not need to unlock each character separately for use in each mode; once unlocked in one mode, the character becomes available in all other modes. Only the different colours of Kirby are capable of inhaling enemies.

Kirby, and the different variations of him, and Waddle Dee are capable of changing the vehicles they race with, while Meta Knight and King Dedede are instead bound to specific, and unique, modes of transportation. King Dedede rides a large burgundy-coloured Wheelie, while Meta Knight uses his wings to fly.

Default Characters

Pink Kirby

Blue Kirby

Red Kirby

Green Kirby

Yellow Kirby

Purple Kirby

Orange Kirby

White Kirby

Brown Kirby

Shadow Kirby

Unlockable Characters

Waddle Dee

King Dedede

Meta Knight

Marx

Adeleine

Magolor

Susie

Air Ride Machines

Machine	Description

Enemies and Copy Abilities

A number of different enemies can be found on the different race courses in Air Ride mode, as well as in certain Stadium events following City Trial. A large majority of these enemies grant Kirby Copy Abilities when they are inhaled, allowing him to perform certain offensive or defensive actions while racing.

Enemy	Copy Ability
Gemra	Beam As the boost button is held down, Kirby will spin around on his Star and fire a stream of orbs around himself as he does so, dealing damage to anyone in the vicinity. This action can not be performed indefinitely, as a small meter will deplete as Beam is used. Kirby will lose the ability once the aforementioned meter empties.
Foley	Bomb Bomb, as its name implies, allows Kirby to throw bombs. As the boost button is held down, Kirby will charge up a meter, and, once it is let go, he will throw the bomb; the more the meter is charged up, the further he will throw it. Depending on how quickly Kirby throws a bomb, he may be able to throw another one before the ability's timer runs out.
Poppy Bros. Jr.
Broom Hatter	Clean
Sir Kibble	Cutter
Chemitory	Doctor
Burning Leo	Fire
Chilly	Freeze
Sanchang	Ghost
Capsule J2	Jet
Walky	Mike
Simirror	Mirror
Spikey	Needle
Ghost Knight
Plasma Wisp	Plasma
Plugg
Noddy	Sleep
Como	Spider
Golem	Stone
Blade Knight	Sword
Sodory
Twister	Tornado
Wheelie	Wheel
Birdon	Wing
Gim	Yo-Yo
Bronto Burt	None Upon being inhaled, pressing the boost button will see Kirby simply spit out a star-shaped projectile, which damages foes. The sole exception is Gordo, who can not be inhaled and acts as an indestructible obstacle.
Cappy
Gip
Gordo