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KPR Susie artwork This article is about the Air Ride Machine in Kirby Air Ride. For the final level in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, see Dark Star. For the final boss in Kirby: Squeak Squad, see Dark Nebula.

One hit punishes all! Fly on evil wings!
— Flavor Text • Kirby Air Ride

The Shadow Star is an Air Ride Machine that appears in Kirby Air Ride. It also appears in Kirby: Right Back at Ya! in the episodes Air-Ride-in-Style (I and II), being one of the Air Ride Machines ridden by the Air Riders.

Physical Appearance[]

The Shadow Star's shape is reminiscent of that of a bat with wings, being a shiny dark purple color.

General Information[]

The Shadow Star is quite different from the other Air Ride Machines in some respects, having a different engine sound and shadowy "exhaust". Its gliding capability is almost as good as that of the Winged Star, being the fourth best in the game (tied with the Hydra). It has particularly excellent acceleration (the second best in the game, tied with the Wheelie Scooter and Meta Knight) and solid offensive ability, while having a lower HP.

One of the Shadow Star's defining characteristics is its drafting. Tailing another vehicle with it allows its speed to increase quickly towards 50 mph and pass it. This may reference how shadows indefinitely keep up with the object that created them, and can surpass said object if the light is shining on it at the right angle.

Strategies[]

The Shadow Star's punishing attack, good glide and acceleration make it a good all-around choice for a variety of Stadium events and Air Ride courses. Its above average attack power makes it ideal for Kirby Melee matches and VS. King Dedede, but its light weight and poor HP makes it easy to destroy and knock around, making it a risky choice for Destruction Derby.

In City Trial, much like the Wagon Star, the computer AI seems to prefer the Shadow Star over other machines, and will never replace it unless it is destroyed once they get it. If a computer player spots the Shadow Star, they will always go for it, and use it to great effect in races and Destruction Derby. This behavior can occasionally be exploited to the player's advantage in order to bait the CPUs to give up a potentially more desirable star, depending on the event (such as a Swerve Star for VS. King Dedede). However, this method could backfire; the AI will not hesitate to attack the player and even destroy their machine if given the Shadow Star, and even accidental collisions could result in the destruction of player's vehicles. Interestingly, if the AI is on the Shadow Star, they will not give it up for a Wagon Star.

In Kirby: Right Back at Ya![]

And last, but not least, there's the Shadow Star. When this shady machine shows up, it's lights out for the competition!
— N.M.E. Sales Guy • Air-Ride-in-Style - Part I
HnK ShadowStar

The Shadow Star in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!

The Shadow Star makes an appearance in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!. It is driven by the Top Air Rider. Kirby inhales the enemy's top, causing him to transform into Top Kirby. The hero then proceeds to destroy the Shadow Star by using his weapon to cut it apart, which also sends the Top Air Rider to his doom.

Related Quotes[]

This machine has equally high levels of offense and acceleration. You can do serious damage to your rivals by hurling yourself at them.
— Air Ride Machines • Kirby Air Ride Instruction Booklet

Trivia[]

  • Like Kirby's Cupid Copy Ability (called Angel in Japan), its name was changed in localizations to avoid religious connotations.

Artwork[]

Models[]

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