Bulk Star Artwork of theBulk Star fromKirby Air Riders. Details First game Kirby Air Ride (2003) Latest game Kirby Air Riders (2025) Type Star Strength(s) Top Speed Weight Offense HP Defense Weakness(es) Glide Boost Needs fuel to move Similar to Hydra Bull Tank

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TheBulk Star is a star-typeAir Ride Machine that appears inKirby Air Ride andKirby Air Riders. It is remarkable for being one of the most durable machines in the game, and has a unique mechanic where it needs tocharge fuel in order to move.

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.

InKirby Air Riders, the Bulk Star remains mostly unchanged, with most of the updates in its design stemming from it having a higher quality model. More wires are present between the gauge and the red exhaust pipes. The silver exhaust pipes are now darker in color, too. These pipes still expel smog, though it is far darker than in the previous game and is present when the machine is not in motion. Holding the boost button causes these fumes to cease, and releasing it close to or at full charge causes flames to burst out before dissipating. The yellow-orange bumper at the front is also slightly more yellow, and the word "HEAVY" has been removed from its underside. While it is in the air, trails can be seen from the two outermost points on said bumper.

Game appearances[edit]

Kirby Air Ride[edit]

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. TheHydra, 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'sCopy Abilities or Items) and HP stats, only matchable byRex Wheelie but totally outclassed by the Hydra. However, its gliding is very poor, and it cannotBoost 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 aglitch.^[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-centricStadiums ofCity Trial, particularlyDestruction Derby.

How to unlock[edit]

To unlock the Bulk Star for play inAir Ride mode, the player must finishCelestial Valley'sTime Attack under 03:20:00 with any machine.

InCity 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'sFree Run as well, stored in the same basement with the other machines if not selected.

Kirby Air Riders[edit]

InKirby Air Riders, the Bulk Star reappears as one of the Air Ride Machines that can be used inAir Ride,Top Ride,City Trial, andRoad Trip. It maintains its impressive defensive stats, high HP, and high top speed, as well as its poor turning. However, the Bulk Star has received substantial improvements since its last appearance, with one of the most central ones being a drastic increase to the amount of time its boost gauge lasts. Additionally, the time it takes to charge up a boost has been considerably reduced. Combined, these changes enable the Bulk Star to move far more efficiently. WithKirby, it can reach a top speed of 31 mph (50 km/h) on the ground, and 36 mph (59 km/h) in the air. The Bulk Star no longer appears to have the strange property of accelerating on terrain that slows other machines down, though it does appear not to decelerate on rough terrain, either. Additionally, it can no longer infinitely fly, and will not exceed its normal top speed upon repeated pressing of the boost button.Uniquely, upon switching machines to a Bulk Star, the machine will always start with a full boost gauge. The only other machine with this functionality is theHydra. Also, while all machines will have their boost gauge reset upon making a poor landing, this is particularly punishing for the Bulk Star, as it will immobilize it and force the machine to charge the gauge back up to move.

The improvements that the Bulk Star has received make it very well-suited forAir Ride mode, as well asCity Trial stadiums that require speed, such asDrag Race. Courses with lots of turns might reduce its efficiency due to its low handling, but pairing a rider that has a high grip (such asCappy) with it can mitigate this considerably. Additionally, its high defense and offense capabilities make it a strong option for combat-centric stadiums, likeDustup Derby andBig Battle. It is also worth noting that the Bulk Star has a boost stat of zero, which means collectingBoost Patches has no impact on its performance in any way. It does, however, benefit greatly fromCharge Patches, as one might expect.

How to unlock[edit]

The Bulk Star can be obtained through theChecklist, or via theMiles Shop, where one costs 5,200Miles. Obtaining any extra copies will make them available to edit inMy Machine.

• Air Ride:Steamgust Forge (Laps) - Break 3 pieces of cargo on the conveyor belts in a single race
• City Trial: Field - Use 8 attack items in a single race

InRoad Trip, the player must unlock the Bulk Star before it can be used. It can be obtained by jumping onto the machine while on the road, and is found inCrystal-Clear Crossing. If it is not obtained this way, it may be purchased in a shop.

Update history[edit]

Gallery[edit]

• 
  Artwork fromKirby Air Ride
• 
  Smaller but transparent artwork
• 
  Group artwork ofTarget Flight, featuringYellow Kirby on the Bulk Star
• 
  Ripped model from the game's data
• 
  The Bulk Star as seen in theCity Trial ending
• 
  The Bulk Star icon fromKirby Air Riders
• 
  Gummy of the Bulk Star
• 
  My Machine decal of the Bulk Star's icon, fromKirby Air Riders
• 
  The Bulk Star's idle animation fromKirby Air Riders
• 
  The Bulk Star in the Retirement screen inKirby Air Riders
• 
  Three Kirbys riding the Bulk Star inFind Kirby!! Big Gathering at the Party!

Names in other languages[edit]

References

• Air Ride Machines in Kirby Air Ride
• Air Ride Machines in Kirby Air Riders

• Articles which list Japanese names
• Articles which list Chinese names
• Articles which list Dutch names
• Articles which list French names
• Articles which list German names
• Articles which list Italian names
• Articles which list Korean names
• Articles which list Portuguese names
• Articles which list Spanish names