Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The final game in theKirbyvideo games’ series,Kirby Air Ride, wasn’t exactly a fan favorite but somehow managed to become a commercial success. Mixed reception from the critics didn’t affect the sales, as the figure went on to 1.2 million copies sold across the globe.
Although it failed to touch the gamers’ hearts, there could’ve been a feature that may have changed things. In all probability, players might have experienced an immersiveKirbyworld, and the game’s critical reception would’ve been shifted from mixed to positive. However, that’s a story in the past, but players will be left longing for the feature they were robbed of.
Kirby Air Ride Could Have Been Music to The Gaming Ears
Players might not have been able to touch the sands slipping in Sky Sands or the ice at Frozen Hillside, but they sure could feel the environment inKirby Air Ride. Only if Masahiro Sakurai has not decided to kill the idea of implementing Dolby surround sound in the game. Though his intentions were to serve his game’s fans the best.
During a live stream, he clarified why the surround sound wasn’t added to the game. He says,
If you take one second from each user, that means you’ll be taking 10,000 seconds from 10,000 people. The more this repeats over the years, the more time you will cause players to lose.
The Dolby logo would appear during the start of the game, and Masahiro didn’t want to rob fans of the time.
Masahiro Sakurai refused to add Dolby Surround to Kirby Air Ride because the logo added extra waiting time for the player.
“If you take one second from each user, that means you’ll be taking 10,000 seconds from 10,000 people. The more this repeats over the years, the more time…pic.twitter.com/ROBeHZoFWO
— Wario64 (@Wario64)July 03, 2025
However, fans didn’t mind what went on. In fact, one user named Bryan Rivera went on to ask for the game’s sequel.
Sakurai needs to waste more of my free time with a sequel.
— Bryan Rivera (@thisbryanguy001)August 01, 2025
That’s too bad because Sakurai left HAL Laboratories exactly due to this, as he grew tired of the game’s constant sequels.
Only Mario Has Beat Kirby as Far as Versatility is Concerned
Masahiro Sakurai first createdKirbyat the age of 19 while working at HAL Laboratories in 1992. The character has also been featured inthe crossover platform fighting gameSuper Smash Bros.while also appearing as the protagonist in the anime dubbedKirby: Right Back atYa! In 2022,Masahiro created a YouTube channelwhere he can be seen discussing his journey in the video game industry.
8 Reasons Why Kirby’s Adventure Holds Up After 30 Years
Up until now, Masahiro Sakurai has designed and directed over a dozen of video games. Interestingly,Mario Smash Bros.was among them and gave his voice to games likeSuper Smash Bros. BrawlandSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Kirby has remained among the most versatile characters appearing in Nintendo video games, second only to the iconic Mario. The character once made it to the top 50 on the Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition list released in 2011. To this date, it is still deemed one of the most beloved characters in gaming history.
Have you played anyKirbygames? If yes, we would like to know your experience in the comments section below.
Anurag Batham
Gaming Journalist
Articles Published :425
Anurag Batham is a video games correspondent at FandomWire. With over two years of experience in writing for different industries, his past works show his passion for the metaverse and his awareness of the environment. He’s always playing with ideas to turn them into captivating stories.A gaming enthusiast who can prove it when you have a round of Call of Duty (COD) with him. And it may take more than a coffee with him if you are to talk to him about Marvel. One can find a reader in him who’s always keen to perfect what he already knows and to learn everything new.
