History VideoGame / KirbyAirRide

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: Provides the page image; the Japanese box art has Kirby smiling, showing how he's clearly enjoying himself and exuding a cutesy look. The American box art removes the smile and gives him AngryEyebrows for a more intense image. [[http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/119/1192766/box-art-battles-the-kirby-series-20110907021411137.jpg See here for a comparison.]]

* MakeMeWannaShout: The Mic Copy Ability has Kirby scream into a microphone to damage surrounding enemies. Unlike other Copy Abilities, it immediately activates once received.

* RecycledSoundtrack: Many of the music tracks are reused songs from ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'' and previous games.

* FinalDeath: ...[[SubvertedTrope Sort of]]. Being busted as Dedede or Meta Knight in Free Run doesn't kill them, but they won't be able to move outside of flopping about on the ground helplessly. The only way to restore them is to quit the current match and start anew.

''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'''s one and only title on the UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube, ''Kirby Air Ride'' (or ''Kirby's Airride'' in Japan) is a game developed by Creator/HALLaboratory and directed by Creator/MasahiroSakurai that was released in 2003. It's a multiplayer MascotRacer that supports up to 4 players, or 8 with LAN support.

* OneHitKill: If Hydra collides with another machine, it will usually destroy the target instantly.

[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/karbox.jpg]]

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: The Japanese box art has Kirby smiling, showing how he's clearly enjoying himself and exuding a cutesy look. The American box art removes the smile and gives him AngryEyebrows for a more intense image. [[http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/119/1192766/box-art-battles-the-kirby-series-20110907021411137.jpg See here for a comparison.]]

''Kirby Air Ride'' has no sequels or follow-ups, though it's had some influence on other Nintendo games that Sakurai worked on. Its version of an AchievementSystem is used in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Brawl'', ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'', and ''Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U'', the menu layout and aesthetics are the basis for the ones used in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', and the Smash Run mode in ''Super Smash Bros. for 3DS'' is a SpiritualSuccessor to City Trial.

* InvisibleWall: The main area in City Trial and each of the races in Air Ride are surrounded with these to prevent escaping or cheating, although if you have enough flying power, you can make it over the wall. Some stages do have a way of getting off the track, but doing so results in Kirby falling into a BottomlessPit (and either reapparing on the track ''Franchise/MarioKart''-style (possibly [[HPToOne at minimal health]]) or being flat-out retired from the race, depending on what game mode is being played and whether or not finite HP is turned on).

* SecretCharacter: Meta Knight and King Dedede can both be unlocked for use in Air Ride and City Trial's free mode. Meta Knight acts like a permanent combination of Wing and Sword, while Dedede acts like Sword (using his hammer instead of a blade) on the Wheelie Bike.

* '''Air Ride:''' Your standard third-person racing mode (with some {{mooks}} running around to steal Copy Abilities from)--just complete the laps and get first place. Alternatively, turn on the optional HP meter and knock out the competition before they can complete the race. Also includes a TimeAttack.
* '''Top Ride:''' A mode that uses a top-down camera instead of a third-person perspective. You race on very small tracks that require completing a large number of laps, there are only two cart types that are only differentiated by their control schemes instead of stats, and items are used instead of Copy Abilities. Like Air Ride, it has a TimeAttack.
* '''City Trial:''' A unique mode with two stages. In the first stage, players are given a time limit to explore a large city where they need to find upgrades or replacements for their vehicle. When time's up they are taken to the second stage: a randomly selected final event that can involve an Air Ride race or some other contest, the outcome of which is used to determine the winner. Strange things may happen in the city during the first stage that can help or hinder progress, and unlike Air Ride mode the HP meter is not optional (though dying during the first stage doesn't disqualify you).

* AwesomeButImpractical: The Hydra is by far the strongest ''and'' fastest Air Ride machine. Sadly, it comes with its fair share of drawbacks. For starters, it's only limited to City Trial, even as an unlockable machine. It also has the second slowest charge time,[[note]]The Turbo Star takes last place, but only from a standstill. If it's in the midst of a turn, its charge is more up to par, meaning the Turbo Star only takes last place by technicality.[[/note]] which sucks because it's similar to the Bulk Star in this regard. Meaning, you're a sitting duck and/or stuck at the starting line until you can get a full charge. It's totally impractical against most minigames save for Drag Race, Single Race, and ''maybe'' Destruction Derby.[[note]]Even then, computer players take full advantage of its Bulk Star-esque charging mechanic, ''[[ArtificialBrilliance targeting the one riding it for free hits.]]'' The only thing saving you from their combined attack destroying the Hydra is its incredible health and defense.[[/note]]

* AwesomeButImpractical: The Hydra is by far the strongest ''and'' fastest Air Ride machine. Sadly, it comes with its fair share of drawbacks. For starters, it's only limited to City Trial, even as an unlockable machine. It also has the second slowest charge time,[[note]]The Turbo Star takes last place, but only from a standstill. If it's in the midst of a turn, its charge is more up to par, meaning the Turbo Star only takes last place by technicality.[[/note]] which sucks because it's similar to the Bulk Star in this regard. Meaning, you're a sitting duck until you can get a full charge. It's totally impractical against most minigames save for Drag Race, Single Race, and ''maybe'' Destruction Derby.[[note]]Even then, computer players take full advantage of its Bulk Star-esque charging mechanic, ''[[ArtificialBrilliance targeting the one riding it for free hits.]]'' The only thing saving you from their combined attack destroying the Hydra is its incredible defense.[[/note]]

* BoringButPractical: [[https://wikirby.com/wiki/Swerve_Star The Swerve Star.]] Its gimmick is having no turning ability whatsoever while in motion on the ground, coming to a dead stop while the A button is held, having the ability to quickly pivot while stopped, and instantly accelerating to top speed when the A button is released. While it's terrible at using charge-triggered track features like boost panels, its top speed is among the highest in the game, beaten only by even ''more'' gimmicky (to the point of AwesomeButImpractical) vehicles like the Formula Star, Turbo Star, Bulk Star, and Hydra (and the Dragoon, but that's a [[PurposefullyOverpowered flat-out]] GameBreaker). Once one gets used to how the Swerve Star handles, it becomes a ''very'' strong contender for the most reliable vehicle in the game.

* CollisionDamage: Dealing damage normally requires spinning, an item like the cannon, or a Copy Ability, but playing in City Trial's Free Run OR main game allows players to deal damage by ramming other players.
* CripplingOverspecialization: Many of the machines suffer from being too specialized in a certain stat or gimmick. For instance, the Rocket Star has the best boosting power in the game. But it suffers so much in almost every other category that it often becomes moot.
* DiskOneNuke: DownplayedTrope. The Wagon Star is one of the first machines you can unlock in Air Ride mode, and it's one of the better stars in the game. However, it's still beatable with the default Warp Star.

* InvisibleWall: The main area in City Trial and each of the races in Air Ride are surrounded with these to prevent escaping or cheating, although if you have enough flying power, you can make it over the wall. Some stages do have a way of getting of the track, but they result in Kirby falling to his death in a BottomlessPit.

* LightningBruiser: The Hydra is the single fastest machine in the game, has the highest health, and does huge amounts of damage to other machines just by colliding with them.

* NotCompletelyUseless: The Formula Star is often worthless despite its high top speed, as it has horrible acceleration, poor turning, and cannot glide. Some final events in City Trial are races on tracks that are just a straight line, which is perfect for the Formula Star's design.

** The Compact Star is the ride you start with in City Trial. While it's not the best choice for actual competition, it boasts a surprisingly good combination of charge, turn, and gliding ability which makes it good for collecting a lot patches before switching to a more suitable ride for the event.
* VideoGame3DLeap: This is the first game that allowed players to fully control Kirby in a 3D space. Beyond racing and battling on Air Ride machines, the City Trial mode also allowed you to dismount your vehicle and freely run and float around. Although just like in ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards'', your jumps are limited.

* YourSizeMayVary: In his City Trial event, King Dedede is ENORMOUS. When you're actually playing as him, he's barely bigger than Kirby.

* GrindBoots: Some tracks have grind rails that you can hop onto with your machine. They automatically take you forward at a fixed speed and occasionally lead to alternate routes.

* MakeMeWannaShout: The Mic Copy Abilty has Kirby scream into a microphone to damage surrounding enemies. Unlike other Copy Abilties, it immediately activates once received.

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: The Japanese box art shows Kirby smiling, showing how he's clearly enjoying himself and exuding a cutesy look. The American box art removes the smile and gives him AngryEyebrows for a more intense image. [[http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/119/1192766/box-art-battles-the-kirby-series-20110907021411137.jpg See here for a comparison.]]

* BubblyClouds: Beanstalk Park in Air Ride mode and Sky in Top Ride mode.

* CripplingOverspecialization: Many of the rides suffer from being too specialized in a certain stat or gimmick. For instance, the Rocket Star has the best boosting power in the game. But it suffers so much in almost every other category that it often becomes moot.

* EternalEngine: Machine Passage in Air Ride mode and Metal in Top Ride mode.
* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: Clicking the Control Stick left and right allows Kirby to execute a Quick Spin, allowing you to attack nearby enemies.

* PatchworkMap: The map of City Trial is made up of a volcano, a forest, a river, an icy cavern (found inside the volcano), several buildings, and the sea all quite close to one another.
* RecycledSoundtrack: A surprising amount of music is reused from the Japanese version of ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa''. Songs from other ''Kirby'' games get recycled too, but the anime takes the cake. How many video games refer to TV shows based on them for soundtracks?
* SecretCharacter: Meta Knight and King Dedede can both be unlocked for use in Air Ride and City Trial's free mode.

* WindmillScenery: Fantasy Meadows has a windmill in the background (to enhance the "Meadows" part of its name), and it has sails made out ouf ''dragonfly wings'' (and there is the "Fantasy" part alright).
* YourSizeMayVary: In his event, King Dedede is ENORMOUS. When you're actually playing as him, he's barely bigger than Kirby.

* '''Air Ride:''' Your standard third-person racing mode (with some {{mooks}} running around to steal Copy Abilities from); just complete the laps and get first place. Alternatively, turn on the optional HP meter and knock out the competition before they can complete the race. Also includes a TimeAttack.

!! ''Kirby Air Ride'' contains examples of:

** The Fog Event for City Trial, in which the city is trapped in an intense fogbank, is a possible one for a [[Franchise/SilentHill certain other game franchise]], especially with the eerie music.

* GoodBadBugs: If you jump off a high enough platform and mash the A button while riding the Bulk Star, it'll gain altitude for as long as you keep mashing. This even allows it to press itself against [[the skybox border]] without falling back down, something ''not even the Dragoon can do.'' This, of course, can be used to cheese the ever-loving hell out of the Air Glider mini-game[[note]]but not High Jump, as pressing the A button means you have to do a small dip before continuing your ascent, potentially stopping you at the game's first hurdle.[[/note]] as well as get an amusing reaction out of your friends.
** This isn't the only example of this trope, but it ''is'' the most memorable.

* CollisionDamage: Dealing damage normally requires spinning, an item like the cannon, or a Copy Ability, but Hydra is capable of dealing damage just by colliding with other machines.

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: The Japanese box art shows Kirby smiling, clearly enjoying himself. The American box art removes the smile and gives him AngryEyebrows for a more intense look. [[http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/119/1192766/box-art-battles-the-kirby-series-20110907021411137.jpg See here for a comparison.]]

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: The Japanese box art shows Kirby smiling, clearly enjoying himself. The American box art removes the smile and gives him AngryEyebrows for a more intense look. [[http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/119/1192766/box-art-battles-the-kirby-series-20110907021411137.jpg See for yourself]].

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: One of the most definitive examples in the series and serves as the trope's current picture. [[http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/119/1192766/box-art-battles-the-kirby-series-20110907021411137.jpg See for yourself]].

* GreenHillZone: Fantasy Meadows in Air Ride mode and Grass in Top Ride mode.

* LethalLavaLand: Magma Flows in Air Ride mode and Fire in Top Ride.

* ArbitrayMissionRestriction: Some Tasks require using certain machines while also winning races within a specific time limit.