"I can promise my game will be significantly less than $80": Indie dev stunned by Kirby Air Riders Switch 2 reveal after working on their own Air Ride successor for months

A screenshot from the Kirby Air Riders reveal trailer, showing Kirby waving to the camera.
(Image credit: Nintendo)

I'm pretty sure all but exactly one Nintendo fan had a big ol' goofy grin on their face when the upcoming Switch 2 game Kirby Air Riders was announced. It's a successor to a cult classic racing game from 22 years ago, Smash Bros. legend Masahiro Sakurai is back at the helm, and heck, it's Kirby on a hoverboard - what's not to like?

Well, from the perspective of someone working on their own independent Kirby Air Ride spiritual successor, there's quite a lot not to like about this situation, and that's exactly the position indie dev Isaac Kasdorf has found themselves in. See, Kasdorf has been working on Robo Ride & Glide, which is explicitly described as a "Kirby Air Ride Successor," since at least June 2024 according to its Steam update history. And now that Nintendo itself has announced an official successor, well, I can only imagine it puts a lot of pressure on Kasdorf to deliver something truly special.

The indie dev has been posting a series of increasingly unhinged tweets in reaction to the Kirby Air Riders announcement. One tweet reads: "If you're a true 'two cakes' believer make sure to wishlist Robo Ride & Glide! I can promise my game will be significantly less than $80," a stinging reference to the upsetting fact that Nintendo is indeed charging $80 for some games, including Mario Kart World (Kirby Air Riders doesn't have a price listed yet).

The next is a funny, but sad meme seemingly created by Kasdorf, which I'll leave here for your viewing convenience:

Another tweet/cry for help reads: "My game is going to have to do something really special to sell more than negative 3 copies now."

And finally, here's a tragic play-by-play of Kasdorf's reaction to the Kirby Air Riders announcement in their own words:

"Me watching the direct:
Mario kart open world? Wow

kirby air ride not in gamecube nso?

DELTARUNE!

who cares

Is that a smash bros dlc?
Wait..
KIRBY AIR RIDE?!?!
*vomits violently*"

In all seriousness, Robo Ride & Glide looks like an extremely cute little game with its own very distinct vibe, and I have no doubt in its ability to hover right alongside its admittedly formidable competition. That's actually not true as I haven't had the chance to actually play either game, but Ride & Glide's recent trailer looks great.

Here's everything we know about the Switch 2.

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Jordan Gerblick

After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer, I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

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