The new Kirby game, Kirby Air Riders, is finally out, and it’s giving every racing game out there a run for its money. This dynamic racing/action game features a diverse cast of tracks, characters, and machines, ensuring things stay exciting. Now, the game features 28 machines, 18 of which return from the previous game. And while each machine performs well in its own capacity, not all of them are the same.
The exhilarating part of Kirby Air Riders is that it’s not always about speed. Sometimes you require gliding finesse, while other times you just need to smash your opponent out of bounds. That’s why I’ve compiled a concise Kirby Air Riders machine tier list for you today. This list will cover which machines are top-tier in general and other race-specific picks you can go with. Follow along if you’re looking for insight on which machines to invest in early.
Ranking Tiers
Before I get into the actual tier list, it’s important to understand how the rankings are divided. We’ll have machines that are good overall, rather than categorizing them by race. These machines can be used in almost every game mode and will provide you with great results.
They might need a bit of time to get used to them, but once you’ve got the handling down, they can become one-trick wonders. Don’t worry about unlocking them in-game since I will be providing side-by-side guides on how to unlock each machine.
As with every tier list, remember that these views are subjective. You might see machines no one uses topping your races now and again. While that is bound to happen, this tier list will give you a sense of direction regarding the better options for particular races. So without further ado, let’s get started.
Best Machines In Kirby Air Riders
- Leo
- Hydra
- Dragoon
- Rex Wheelie
- Bulk Star
- Winged Star
Leo
Leo is the cream of the crop when it comes to machines in Kirby Air Riders. It is one of the two new legendary machines (the other one being Gigantes) and has some of the best stats in the game. Unlocking Leo isn’t an easy feat, though; however, once you do get it, this machine can work in almost any race.
Now, if you’re just starting in Kirby Air Riders, it’ll be a while before you get your hands on this legendary beast. But if you want to focus on getting it, I’d suggest making rushing through Road Trip your utmost priority. Here’s how to unlock Leo for all modes:
- Defeat the true final boss and complete 140 checklist boxes (Road Trip)
- Collect 3 parts from Red Boxes in City Trial Mode (City Trial)
As you can see, to get started with Leo, you’ll need to finish Road Trip and defeat the True Final Boss at the end. On top of that, you need to complete at least 140 checklist boxes to qualify for this unlock. Once you’ve unlocked it in Road Trip, you can simply collect 3 of Leo’s parts in City Trial to unlock this machine completely.
Hydra
Hydra is one of the OG legendaries from the previous game, and it makes its return in Kirby Air Riders. Hydra definitely has one of the coolest designs in the game, and fortunately, it doesn’t have too many prerequisites to unlock. If you played Kirby Air Ride (2003), you know this machine is a must-have for every player.
The process of unlocking Hydra is pretty simple; all you need is:
- Collect 3 parts from Red Boxes in City Trial Mode (City Trial)
Once you’ve collected the 3 parts, Hydra should be unlocked for every race mode. This is a great machine for the mid-to-late game when you need something to up your game. Leave your opponents in the dust with this beastly machine.
Dragoon
I know you’re probably tired of me listing legendaries, but this is the last one, I promise. Kirby Air Riders brought back two legendaries from the previous 2003 version, Hydra and Dragoon. This bright and colourful machine was a fan favourite then, and not much has changed. With its vibrant design and top-tier stats, players can rest assured they won’t be anywhere near last place.
Similar to Hydra, Dragoon has an easy unlock method:
- Collect 3 parts from Red Boxes in City Trial Mode (City Trial)
That’s all you need to do to add this impressive machine to your catalogue. What sets Dragoon apart from the other legendaries, though, is its air time. This machine is one of the best picks for Flight Challenges, a part of the game where most other machines fail to perform.
If keeping up airtime is one of your main goals, there aren’t many machines that can top Dragoon. Unlocking it first would be a wise decision.
Rex Wheelie
We’re finally out of legendary-tier territory, and now we come to the normal machines. No matter what tier list you look at, Rex Wheelie is always ranked high. This machine is undoubtedly one of the most versatile machines in Kirby Air Riders, combining weight, control, and speed to give you all the necessary tools to get ahead.
Fortunately, Rex Wheelie doesn’t require you to collect 3 parts in City Trial mode. Rather, you must:
- Defeat at least 20 enemies in a single race in Waveflow Waters (Air Ride)
- Defeat 3 enemies with star-shaped projectiles in a single challenge (Road Trip)
Once you’ve met both these requirements, you can buy Rex Wheelie from the Miles Shop for 8,800 miles. And trust me, you want to unlock this as soon as possible. While other machines might shine in a few races, Rex Wheelie can outpace most machines in a variety of challenges, be it speed trials or battle challenges.
Bulk Star
The next machine on the list is Bulk Star. Bulk star, similar to Rex Wheelie, is good in several game modes. Whether you need to smash your opponent out of the arena, capture them to steal their buffs, or simply get ahead of them using pure speed, the Bulk Star can get it done.
To unlock the Bulk Star, all you need to do is:
- Use 8 attack items in a single race in the Field (City Trial)
- Break 3 pieces of cargo on the conveyor belts in a single race in Staemgust Forge (Air Ride)
Completing both of these objectives unlocks the Bulk Star in the Miles Shop, where it can be purchased for 5,200 miles. With the required miles being so low, the Bulk Star is a great early game pickup for newer players who’re struggling to get ahead. Bulk Star isn’t the best for flight challenges, though, since you need maximum air time to win. But this last machine should cover that base.
Winged Star
Our last entry for today is the Winged Star. The Winged Star doesn’t require much of an explanation on what it’s good for, but I’ll give some just in case. This machine excels in the air, whether it’s gliding, completing flight objectives, or simply going faster while airborne. It has a pretty niche function since its low defence makes it susceptible in other modes.
Here’s what you need to unlock it:
- Swap machines a total of 30 times (Road Trip)
Just like the others, you can purchase this from the Miles Shop for the minimal cost of 3,800 miles. Another benefit to the Winged Star is that it is available from the start, so if you’re a fan of aerial gameplay, make sure to prioritise this machine first.
Once you have these machines unlocked, check out the best rider-machine combo setups to dominate the race track.
