Nintendo’s Kirby Air Riders Global Test Ride has fans divided. Many longtime players were excited to try Sakurai’s classic reborn on Switch, but after a few hours with the demo, some are already questioning its $70 price tag.
Even though the nostalgia is strong for the game, fans are saying that this just isn’t hitting the same as the original. Many of the criticisms are because of the City Trial mode. Some hate the chaos of the online mode. Others, however, praise the chaotic City Trial mode and say it’s a faithful, if slightly messy, revival of one of Nintendo’s most beloved multiplayer racers.
City Trial Mode Is Fun But Divisive
A post on r/NintendoSwitch discussing the Kirby Air Riders Test Ride brought light to the issues with the game. The OP went into detail about their opinion on the game. Some agree with his points while others disagree. Here is a short snippet of what they said.
It’s definitely a decent amount of fun for what it is, but even during the demo, I started to get a bit bored with it after only a few matches, although I will admit that Multiplayer really isn’t something I engage with much in games. It just sucks because I really thought this would end up easily being my favorite of the Big 3 Racers to release this year, and I did have a lot of fun with the Original back on Gamecube, but for some reason, this one just isn’t hitting the same for me.
Fans had varying opinions under this post. Some agree with the OP, while others disagree. One commenter said the online mode is pretty good.
Yeah, I can see the chaotic City Trial being hit or miss for a lot, so it is nice to try it out at least in this setup if you have online. I am on the side that is really enjoying it and has put in almost 4 hours already of just City Trial.
The post captures a wide range of opinions from players who joined the demo, with some feeling disappointed and others completely hooked. For many, the excitement of seeing one of Nintendo’s most requested returns has turned into a debate over whether nostalgia alone can justify the full retail price.
At the center of the discussion is City Trial, the signature open-map mode where players collect power-ups before a final battle. For some, it’s the same wild fun they remember from the GameCube days — frantic, unpredictable, and endlessly replayable. But others found the mode visually chaotic and tiring, especially when playing solo.
In short, the Test Ride has reignited excitement for Kirby Air Riders, but it’s also raised questions about how much the nostalgic return of a cult favorite is really worth.
