Racing game fans are going crazy over the Kirby Car

Mario Kart 9 may not have been announced at last night's Nintendo Direct, but Nintendo surprised us by announcing that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is getting some overdue DLC. Over the next two years, the Booster Course Pass will add 48 retro tracks to MK8 in six DLC packs.  

But let’s be honest: Kirby was the real star.

Kirby eating a car makes for hilarious memes

During Nintendo Direct, a new trailer for Kirby and the Forgotten Land was shown introducing a new ability called Mouthful Mode. In this mode, Kirby can gobble up large real-world items like vending machines and traffic cones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B-qk4_V2jY

This bizarre ability lets you solve puzzles, navigate levels, and kill enemies in unusual ways. For example, eating a vending machine lets you hit enemies with drinks cans.

In one scene from the trailer, the adorable pink blob swallows an entire car. After inhaling it, we get to see Kirby race around the level, leap over platforms, and smash into boxes to collect items as a car.

Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for the Kirby car to become the latest internet meme. Some fans are calling for Nintendo to call him “Carby” when he turns into a car.   

https://twitter.com/cysketch/status/1491548767501180930

You wouldn't inhale a car. Unless you're Kirby.

https://twitter.com/docky/status/1491539659524124678

Racing game fans can’t get enough of the Kirby Car

The racing game community has been getting creative by adding the Kirby Car to some of our favourite racing games with hilarious results.

From the racing game podcast Time Extend, here’s what the Kirby Car looks like in GRID, Ridge Racer 7, Forza Motorsport 2, and Assetto Corsa Competizione.

https://twitter.com/time_extend/status/1491710239938428931

Maybe Nintendo should add the Kirby car to Mario Kart 8: Deluxe as DLC?

https://twitter.com/Gameghoul/status/1491546900302073857

Codemasters wants Kirby Car in GRID Legends

Even racing game developers have joined in the fun. Community Managers with Photoshop skills have been having a field day.  

Codemasters Tweeted to Nintendo asking how many likes it would take to add Kirby Car to GRID Legends.

https://twitter.com/gridgame/status/1491711174190288896

The official WRC game account also asked if a Kirby livery should be added to WRC 10.

https://twitter.com/WRCTheGame/status/1491550072726859776

Let’s hope Nintendo listens to fans because we would love to race the Kirby Car in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.