Please remember that WiKirby contains spoilers, which you read at your own risk! See our general disclaimer for details.

Air Ride: Checker Knights

From WiKirby, your independent source of Kirby knowledge.
Jump to navigationJump to search
Air Ride: Checker Knights
Clip of "Air Ride: Checker Knights" from Kirby Air Ride.
Details
Debut appearance Kirby: Right Back at Ya! (2001-2003, Japanese and Chinese versions only)
Last appearance Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition (2012, Japanese version only)
Other appearance(s) Kirby Air Ride
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Composer(s) Akira Miyagawa
 This box: view  talk  edit 

"Air Ride: Checker Knights" (capitalized as "Air Ride: CHECKER KNIGHTS" in the Sound Test, and occasionally simply called "Checker Knights") is the theme of the Checker Knights course in Kirby Air Ride. It was composed by Akira Miyagawa for the Japanese Kirby: Right Back at Ya! anime, where it was originally titled 強いぞ星の戦士 (Strong Star Warrior).

Composition[edit]

The Checker Knights theme is set at 155 beats per minute in the key of A minor. It uses a lush orchestral score with an upbeat "oompah" rhythm, giving it a somewhat militaristic flair. Horns, strings, flute, and xylophone feature prominently.

In Kirby: Right Back at Ya![edit]

In the Japanese and Chinese versions of the anime, the "Strong Star Warrior" theme is used during pivotal action scenes where Kirby pushes himself to his limits (for example, the climactic battle in Cappy New Year). In these instances, the theme overrides any other music, including the typical Copy Ability transformation theme. It also features an ending that is not present in the Air Ride version of the theme.

Game appearances[edit]

Kirby Air Ride[edit]

Returning from the anime, the song is used as the default theme of the Checker Knights course, as well as the main theme for the Stadium event Destruction Derby. As a checklist reward, clearing two laps of Checker Knights in less than 2 minutes, 40 seconds will unlock the theme in the Sound Test.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

"Checker Knights" appears as a default music track for the Halberd stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Akira Miyagawa is credited for its inclusion, which may be why it did not return in any future Super Smash Bros. game.

Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition[edit]

Exclusively present in the Japanese version of Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, the theme plays when Kirby 3D is selected in the Kirby's History mode.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese エアライド:チェックナイト
Earaido: Chekku Naito
チェックナイト
Chekku Naito
Air Ride: Checkknight
Checkknight
French Air Ride: CHECKER KNIGHTS
Checker Knights
-
German AIR RIDE: CHECKER KNIGHTS
Checker Knights
-
Italian Air Ride: CHECKER KNIGHTS
Checker Knights
-
Korean 체크 나이트
checkeu naiteu
Checkknight
Spanish AIR RIDE: CHECKER KNIGHTS
Checker Knights
-