A few months back, Nintendo announced Kirby Air Riders, a follow-up to the cult-classic Kirby’s Air Ride developed creator Masahiro Sakurai.

According to game interviewer and insider Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly, the creation of Kirby Air Riders was part of negotiations between Sakurai and Nintendo to develop the next Super Smash Bros. title. Reilly claims that Sakurai was burnt out from constantly developing Super Smash Bros., and only agreed to develop the next one if he was allowed to create his passion-project Kirby Air Riders first.

Masahiro Sakurai has been a key figure in the Super Smash Bros. series since its inception, and Reilly speculates that Nintendo sees him as essential for ensuring the series’ success.

Of course as with all reports of this nature, we caution readers to take it with a grain of salt. Stay tuned for more as it comes.

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