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

Bulk Star

From WiKirby, your independent source of Kirby knowledge.
Jump to navigationJump to search
Bulk Star
BulkStarKAR.jpg
Artwork of the Bulk Star from Kirby Air Ride
Details
Flavor text "Charging gives it fuel! It can take a beating."
Unlock for Air Ride Complete Celestial Valley's Time Attack under 03:20:00
Emphasis Top Speed
Weight
Offense
HP
 This box: view  talk  edit 
This machine races using charged-up Boost power as fuel. It's very sturdy and can hit a very high top speed, so learn how to fill your Boost Gauge and give this machine a try!
— Kirby Air Ride North American instruction booklet, page 32

The Bulk Star is a rideable machine in Kirby Air Ride. It is remarkable for being one of the most durable machines in the game, albeit also being one of the least suited for standard racing.

Appearance[edit]

The Bulk Star is one of the largest non-legendary machines available. Its most apparent features are a jagged, yellow-orange pattern extending out the front, and a large engine placed in the rear. This rear engine contains two giant silver exhaust pipes extending backward, which expel large amounts of thick gray smog as the machine propels forward. The engine also features two smaller red pipes extending upwards, and a gauge which represents how much charge-fuel remains. Gameplay-wise, the gauge is completely useless, as the charge meter in the heads-up-display is much more apparent. On the underside of the machine, the word "HEAVY" is written, a reference to its Japanese name.

Mechanics[edit]

Unlike most other machines, the Bulk Star requires charge to accelerate and maintain speed, functioning as the machine's fuel. If the charge runs completely out, then it will come to a dead stop until more is built up. The Hydra, one of the two legendary machines in the game, has a similar mechanic of using charge as fuel.

As its name implies, the Bulk Star is a heavy-weight machine with very high offense (the machine itself, but does not increase the damage output from the rider's Copy Abilities or Items) and HP stats, only matchable by Rex Wheelie but totally outclassed by the Hydra. However, its gliding is very poor, and it cannot Boost well, as charging works almost completely for fueling. This machine actually has a top speed of 39.15 mph (63.00 km/h) in a single charge, one of the highest of all machines, but it can rarely maintain that speed due to the constant need to slow down and recharge.

A strange characteristic of the Bulk Star is that on many terrains which cause other machines to decelerate slightly, such as magma, this machine actually accelerates. In addition, by charging very quickly to refuel, its speed can further increase over its normal top speed in a single charge. This can be performed by tapping the A button rapidly in a particular rhythm, which can make the machine glide almost endlessly when used in the air due to a glitch.[1]

Main article: Glitches in Kirby Air Ride#Bulk Star Infinite Glide

Due to its constant need to recharge, this machine is relatively poor for racing, especially for those who are not accustomed to maintaining its fuel. However, its incredible durability and offensive stats make it one of the best in the more battle-centric Stadiums of City Trial, particularly Destruction Derby.

How to Unlock[edit]

To unlock the Bulk Star for play in Air Ride mode, the player must finish Celestial Valley's Time Attack under 03:20:00 with any machine.

In City Trial, this machine can occasionally be found randomly throughout the city and be mounted like most other air ride machines. It is always available in City Trial's Free Run as well, stored in the same basement with the other machines if not selected.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ヘビースター
Hebī Sutā
Heavy Star

References