• Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Oct 13, 2003
Metascore
61 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 56 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 56
  2. Negative: 12 out of 56
  1. Kirby has surprising depth and greater challenge than you might think. [Dec 2003, p.139]
  2. Kirby has surprising depth and greater challenge than you might think. [Dec 2003, p.139]
  3. The multiplayer is a blast and the challenge level is very, very high when the CPU is cranked up. [Nov 2003, p.90]
  4. The multiplayer is a blast and the challenge level is very, very high when the CPU is cranked up. [Nov 2003, p.90]
  5. 83
    The real fun began when I grabbed a few friends and switched from the main Air Ride to the Top Ride and City Trial modes. [Nov 2003, p.66]
  6. 83
    The real fun began when I grabbed a few friends and switched from the main Air Ride to the Top Ride and City Trial modes. [Nov 2003, p.66]
  7. 80
    Anyone from 5 years of age to 95 years of age can pick up a controller and compete for first place. That's the beauty of it, the incredible universal appeal that it offers.
  8. 80
    Anyone from 5 years of age to 95 years of age can pick up a controller and compete for first place. That's the beauty of it, the incredible universal appeal that it offers.
  9. 80
    It's more different than fun, but once you get the hang of it, Air Ride's quirks become strengths.
  10. 80
    It's more different than fun, but once you get the hang of it, Air Ride's quirks become strengths.
  11. If you pick up Kirby Air Ride expecting a great racing experience, you're not going to find it, go buy "F-Zero GX." The level themes seem more like platformer worlds than racing environments.
  12. 78
    If you pick up Kirby Air Ride expecting a great racing experience, you're not going to find it, go buy "F-Zero GX." The level themes seem more like platformer worlds than racing environments.
  13. Despite the huge amount of secrets to unlock we can't envisage this lasting too long and it might be just too sugary for a lot of people. But if you're looking for something to play with the whole family, or with a lot of friends then this is perfect. [Import]
  14. 77
    Despite the huge amount of secrets to unlock we can't envisage this lasting too long and it might be just too sugary for a lot of people. But if you're looking for something to play with the whole family, or with a lot of friends then this is perfect. [Import]
  15. 75
    The perceptive lack of lots of courses in Air Ride mode and the limited fun that the Top Ride and City Trial modes offer might shy away some gamers, but KAR is primarily a fast, fun, and novel take on the kart racing genre that shouldn't go ignored.
  16. A less-than-stellar multiplayer package coupled with an impressively addictive solo racer, Kirby Air Ride both entertains and annoys.
  17. A less-than-stellar multiplayer package coupled with an impressively addictive solo racer, Kirby Air Ride both entertains and annoys.
  18. 75
    The perceptive lack of lots of courses in Air Ride mode and the limited fun that the Top Ride and City Trial modes offer might shy away some gamers, but KAR is primarily a fast, fun, and novel take on the kart racing genre that shouldn't go ignored.
  19. 75
    One of this generation's most under-appreciated games.
  20. 75
    One of this generation's most under-appreciated games.
  21. Like Kirby's old games, its simple fun but it won't last very long. If you want a nice simple multiplayer game that anybody can step into without too much effort, this is a game to consider.
  22. Like Kirby's old games, its simple fun but it won't last very long. If you want a nice simple multiplayer game that anybody can step into without too much effort, this is a game to consider.
  23. It's neat, but after a couple of hours you won't really feel the need to keep playing. [Dec 2003, p.158]
  24. It's neat, but after a couple of hours you won't really feel the need to keep playing. [Dec 2003, p.158]
  25. This game is so supremely easy for anyone to pick up and play that what initially seems one-dimensional and lame ends up leading to awesome multiplayer. [Nov 2003, p.196]
  26. 70
    This game is so supremely easy for anyone to pick up and play that what initially seems one-dimensional and lame ends up leading to awesome multiplayer. [Nov 2003, p.196]
  27. 65
    The ability copying and multi-routed tracks are smart additions that would be a lot more enjoyable had other infuriating faults not let it down.
  28. 65
    The ability copying and multi-routed tracks are smart additions that would be a lot more enjoyable had other infuriating faults not let it down.
  29. 60
    The tracks are well designed, but with such simplistic gameplay it can get repetitive quickly. The greatest sin, though, is the lack of tournament or tally within the multiplayer game.
  30. 60
    The tracks are well designed, but with such simplistic gameplay it can get repetitive quickly. The greatest sin, though, is the lack of tournament or tally within the multiplayer game.
  31. 60
    With an impressive variety of creative and offbeat game modes, great multiplayer, numerous tracks and minigames, a horde of vehicles, and endearingly charming characters and gameplay elements, Kirby Air Ride is surprisingly enjoyable if you give it some time.
  32. 60
    With an impressive variety of creative and offbeat game modes, great multiplayer, numerous tracks and minigames, a horde of vehicles, and endearingly charming characters and gameplay elements, Kirby Air Ride is surprisingly enjoyable if you give it some time.
  33. Much of the game just isn't fun. Even with the three modes, there isn't enough variety to the actual racing game to make it fun.
  34. 57
    Much of the game just isn't fun. Even with the three modes, there isn't enough variety to the actual racing game to make it fun.
  35. Ultimately this is a game for the youngest of GameCube players and difficult to recommend to anyone who takes their racing seriously.
  36. 57
    Ultimately this is a game for the youngest of GameCube players and difficult to recommend to anyone who takes their racing seriously.
  37. 52
    So simple and so devoid of depth or challenge that most will dislike it -- will, in fact, be utterly bored with it.
  38. 52
    So simple and so devoid of depth or challenge that most will dislike it -- will, in fact, be utterly bored with it.
  39. The overly simplified gameplay really holds it back, and overall, it's a game that really can't be recommended to anyone, young or old.
  40. 51
    The overly simplified gameplay really holds it back, and overall, it's a game that really can't be recommended to anyone, young or old.
  41. This game is big, chunky and bright but no amount of bold colours and cuddly enemies can save Air Ride from being a rather short-lived and simple affair. [Jan 2004, p.120]
  42. 50
    This game is big, chunky and bright but no amount of bold colours and cuddly enemies can save Air Ride from being a rather short-lived and simple affair. [Jan 2004, p.120]
  43. It's not the speed that bothers me, it's the lack of depth and boring modes of play that kept it from being a keeper.
  44. 50
    It's not the speed that bothers me, it's the lack of depth and boring modes of play that kept it from being a keeper.
  45. The one button gameplay is frustrating and silly, resulting is an uneven, uninspiring racer that doesn't do the gumball justice.
  46. 42
    The one button gameplay is frustrating and silly, resulting is an uneven, uninspiring racer that doesn't do the gumball justice.
  47. If you do manage to get around the wacky premise and unintuitive controls, there is some longevity to the game, with a massive set of "challenges" to complete - but that's a bit "if." Otherwise, seer clear. [Dec 2003, p.96]
  48. 40
    If you do manage to get around the wacky premise and unintuitive controls, there is some longevity to the game, with a massive set of "challenges" to complete - but that's a bit "if." Otherwise, seer clear. [Dec 2003, p.96]
  49. I found it cliché, repetitive and not very much fun.
  50. I found it cliché, repetitive and not very much fun.
  51. 40
    An unintuitive mess. Never mind the fact that gamers are instinctively prepared to press a button to accelerate, but charging your boost by braking is an impractical affair that can also get you into trouble when you're stuck at the bottom of a hill and need a boost to get up.
  52. 40
    An unintuitive mess. Never mind the fact that gamers are instinctively prepared to press a button to accelerate, but charging your boost by braking is an impractical affair that can also get you into trouble when you're stuck at the bottom of a hill and need a boost to get up.
  53. Don't pick this one up unless you're really hard up for a multiplayer game or until it drops to $19.99.
  54. 33
    Don't pick this one up unless you're really hard up for a multiplayer game or until it drops to $19.99.
  55. None of this is very entertaining at all. The game offers some of the most slender, inconsequential, and ultimately, boring distractions to be found on the GameCube. [Sept 2003]
  56. 30
    None of this is very entertaining at all. The game offers some of the most slender, inconsequential, and ultimately, boring distractions to be found on the GameCube. [Sept 2003]
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. AprilB.
    6
    This game is for babies. You don't need to drive you leave it alone and it will drive for you. Buy it for your 3 year old they will love it.
  2. 10
    For most games, you can quantify their replayability, but this game, this glorious masterpiece of a game, could be played into infinitum. It was ingeniously crafted by the Nintendo gods themselves, painstakingly created after a thousand years, the mortals used to manufacture the disk were sent to death, as to ensure that such perfection would never be recreated. The entire game involves merely two buttons, catering to the massive ligament impaired audience. Yet even with such a simple control scheme, the complexity of this game is immeasurable. Like the game of Chess, computers are still unable to quantify the amount of possible moves can be made at any moment. This is the epitome of perfection and provides a sublime experience; get this game. Full Review »
  3. NickL.
    8
    This is a very original, creative game with a surprisingly high replay value. What could be better than racing along, sucking up a sword enemy, then whacking your buddies with your sword? Full Review »