‘Kirby Air Riders’ New Menu UI: A ‘Smash Bros.’ Desk Aesthetic That Wins Critical Acclaim

The recent Nintendo Direct showcased a wealth of information for the highly anticipated racing game, ‘Kirby Air Riders,’ and one of the most unexpected highlights was the reveal of its Main Menu design. The user interface (UI) has immediately garnered a passionate response from fans and critics alike, drawing direct comparisons to the iconic, tangible desk aesthetic first seen in ‘Super Smash Bros.’ The menu is being hailed as a triumph of video game UI design, proving that simplicity and creative personality can still be a winning formula in modern gaming.

Masahiro Sakurai, the legendary director behind both the Super Smash Bros. and Kirby franchises, has once again demonstrated his commitment to memorable UI/UX (User Experience) design. This dedication is often attributed to his wife, Michiko Sakurai, who has served as the UI design lead on many of his past titles, creating a distinctive and beloved style across his games. The new Kirby Air Riders menu eschews the typical flat, digital interface in favor of a wonderfully nostalgic, physical desktop environment.

A Breakdown of the Beloved Desktop Design

The genius of the Air Riders menu lies in its ability to translate the game’s various modes and features into familiar, charming desktop items. The player navigates the menu using a small, customizable figure of Kirby himself as the cursor, essentially turning the menu into a digital playset. This approach is reminiscent of the backstage feel of the original Super Smash Bros. menu, which treated the game’s options as items laid out for a grand event.

• Physical Menus: Core game modes are represented by small signs or plaques sitting on the desk.
• Checklist Challenge: The returning, fan-favorite Checklist of objectives appears as a realistic clipboard that can be summoned on most screens, tying game progression directly to the visual style.
• Information & Options: Game information screens are projected onto a sleek, acrylic board, adding a touch of modern, yet tactile, design.
• Online Mode Integration: In a clever touch, the Online play modes are represented by a smartphone lying on the desk, a clear nod to the contemporary method of connecting with others.
• Amiibo Functionality: The game even ties Amiibo functionality directly into the UI, with a scanned figure becoming the actual icon used for your main menu cursor, further blending the real world with the game’s interface.

The overall aesthetic is more than just cute; it is highly functional. By giving each menu option a distinct visual identity and a physical space on the screen, it makes navigating the game’s surprisingly deep array of modes—from the return of City Trial and Top Ride to the new Road Trip story mode—feel intuitive and engaging. This attention to detail has positioned the menu as an early contender for the “greatest menu of all time,” a title not bestowed lightly in the competitive entertainment software space.

The Sakurai Legacy: UI as a Core Game Feature

This menu is a masterclass in how UI can elevate a product. In an industry where a simple, user-friendly menu is often enough, Sakurai’s commitment to injecting character and thematic consistency into the interface stands out. His games consistently make menus feel like an extension of the game world itself. This philosophy of prioritizing UI as a central component of the player experience is what often gives his projects their exceptional polish and high-quality gaming feel, which is a major factor for driving console sales and maintaining brand loyalty.

The new Kirby Air Riders menu is a perfect convergence of nostalgia for the original GameCube title and the signature design principles of the Smash Bros. series, all while incorporating new features like online play seamlessly. It successfully delivers a premium entertainment experience before the player even starts the first race.