Nintendo Patents Watch

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Knowledge-based discourse

Machine Stealing in Kirby Air Riders

In Kirby Air Riders’ City Trial mode, the player can upgrade their machine by acquiring items (img 1 below), or outright steals another player’s machine. To do that, you first weaken the opponent to a point at which you can lock on (img 2) and ram them from behind (img 3).

Drawing from patent publication US 20260295439: FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting example of actual performance values in a state where a player character is riding a machine
Drawing from patent publication US 20260295439: FIG. 9 illustrates a non-limiting example of a game screen
Drawing from patent publication US 20260295439: FIG. 10 illustrates a non-limiting example of a game screen

A slow-motion video will show whether the capture is successful (video below; from Game8.co). After capturing, you gain a temporary speed boost and cannot be knocked off for a set time. The opponent, on the other hand, can quickly hop on your old machine left nearby.

The camera angle of the slow-mo video is chosen from eight candidates equally sectioned around the midpoint. The angle that best shows the two machines side-by-side (#224 in img below) without being blocked by any obstacles (#200) is used.

Drawing from patent publication US 20260295439: FIG. 11 illustrates a non-limiting example of an imaging direction of a virtual camera at the time of machine capture

Source: US 20260295439

Related: Kirby Air Riders’ City Trial Rubber-Banding

[Originally posted on 2026-10-23 Pacific Time]