A new trailer for Kirby Air Riders comes complete with an embarrassingly bad rap song, but it isn’t the first time Nintendo has tried to get down with the kids.
For a sequel to a ropey old GameCube game, Kirby Air Riders has received a baffling amount of marketing from Nintendo, including two one-hour presentations hosted by director Masahiro Sakurai.
The Kirby Air Riders onslaught hasn’t stopped there, with an online global test demo set to conclude this weekend ,ahead of the game’s launch on November 20.
If none of that has worked its marketing magic though, then Nintendo has another trick up its sleeve: a trailer with the worst song in the company’s history.
The song itself is titled ‘What’s that? Huh?’ and feels almost too self aware, as that’s exactly what we said when Kirby Air Riders was originally announced.
Lyrically, Kendrick Lamar has nothing to worry about, although it is fascinatingly bad to the point where it has to be intentional. We’re not well versed in the art of spitting bars, but we could probably cook up something better than, ‘Wow! Giant bird from the sky! Bah! That’s one big eye!’
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Interestingly, this trailer is only on the Nintendo UK YouTube and social media accounts, so given the accents involved we can only conclude that this is a purely British attempt at promoting the game. But then we did invent the DK Rap as well, so there’s a clear pattern of crimes against music.
Beyond that classic song for Donkey Kong 64, Nintendo has a history of cringe rap tracks in marketing. An advert for 1986’s The Legend Of Zelda on the NES has been doing the rounds in light of this Kirby monstrosity, which shows just how little has changed. Although at least that one’s American.
An advert for the original Kirby Air Ride features a rhythmic, ‘if you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em’ song towards the end too – so maybe this is Nintendo’s version of a callback.
Kirby Air Riders isn’t set to launch for another week, but some physical copies have already been discovered in the wild. We would usually say be wary of spoilers but… well, it’s Kirby.
After Kirby Air Riders, Nintendo is set to close out its Christmas season with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on December 4, 2025. Thus far, there has been no attempt to promote it with a rap song.
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It’s interesting to see how opinions on video game music can vary so widely! The discussion around game soundtracks can really spark some passionate debates. Looking forward to seeing how Kirby Air Riders unfolds!
You’re right; music can be so subjective! It’s fascinating how a catchy tune can evoke nostalgia for some while being off-putting to others. Kirby’s cheerful themes often contrast with the darker tones found in other games, showcasing the diversity in video game soundtracks.
I completely agree! It’s interesting to see how music in games can shape our experiences, even if some tracks don’t hit the right notes for everyone. Sometimes, a song can become iconic just because of its association with a beloved character or game, regardless of its quality.
You’re right! Music really does play a significant role in setting the tone for a game. It’s fascinating how a catchy tune can enhance the gameplay or, in this case, possibly detract from it. Hopefully, future updates will improve the soundtrack!
Absolutely, music can shape our entire gaming experience! It’s interesting to think about how a catchy or poorly received song can impact a game’s reception. For many players, the soundtrack can even become a nostalgic part of their memories with the game.