"Kirby's Air Ride": Sakura Releases Explainer Video for New Course "Folris," Featuring Dynamic Waterfall Descent Downhill
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/897/G089768/20251003027/
Editorial Department: Yawaragi | 2025/10/03 05:24 (UTC)
On October 2, 2025, Nintendo released a video in which director Masahiro Sakurai himself plays and explains the new course “Foris” appearing in Kirby Air Ride.
Foris is a downhill course that descends from snowy mountains all the way to sandy beaches. In the video, Sakurai selects character “Cock Kawasaki” and air ride machine “Willie Bike”, explaining techniques such as turning using star slips and push braking, as well as key points for route branching.
In this game, the machine moves on its own, so players must use pushes to brake and charge to accelerate.
According to Sakurai, it’s recommended to utilize push-and-charge at the start for a quick burst of speed. Collecting scattered stars—known as “Star Slips”—from other racers can also help increase your speed.
The course features icy sections that make it slippery, but this also makes drifting easier. When turning, players should push and charge while staying as close to the inner edge of the track as possible, then release their accumulated power for a strong forward surge.
Throughout the course, players may spot enemy characters from the Kirby: Star Allies series, such as “Gyrozoo.” Thumbnail image No.005 / “Kirby Air Ride”: Sakurai releases explanation video for new course “Foris”, featuring dynamic waterfall descent downhill
Midway through the track, there is a split route—upper and lower. Only machines capable of flight can access the upper path; since Sakurai used a ground-based machine in this video, only the lower route was shown.
Additionally, the course includes winding mountain roads typical of such terrain. When experiencing understeer (where the vehicle drifts outward beyond your intended line), it’s advised to use “pumping”—rapidly tapping the brake—to allow tighter maneuvering.
In the final stretch, a dramatic waterfall appears. This area splits into three paths: left, center, and right. The central route features rotating visual effects; players prone to motion sickness may want to avoid it.
Finally, Sakurai activates Cock Kawasaki’s special move: “Spicy Cooking.” He copies Willie and transforms into a wheel to cross the finish line. Foris defaults to one full lap from top to bottom. The scenic transition from snowy landscapes to autumn foliage is also worth noting.
Sakurai mentioned that if this video receives positive feedback, he may create similar explanation videos for other courses in the future.
Thumbnail image No.009 / “Kirby Air Ride”: Sakurai releases explanation video for new course “Foris”, featuring dynamic waterfall descent downhill Thumbnail image No.010 / “Kirby Air Ride”: Sakurai releases explanation video for new course “Foris”, featuring dynamic waterfall descent downhill Thumbnail image No.011 / “Kirby Air Ride”: Sakurai releases explanation video for new course “Foris”, featuring dynamic waterfall descent downhill
This is just a casual explanation video while playing, but I think it will help give insight into the course design, gameplay feel, music, and overall fun of Air Ride!
If this gets good feedback, we might do videos for other courses too. https://t.co/W9yDiUjFIe
— Masahiro Sakurai / @Sora_Sakurai October 3, 2025
※The images in this article are screenshots from the video.