Kirby Air Riders Announced for Nintendo Switch 2: New Details, Release Date, and Features Revealed

Nintendo has officially unveiled "Kirby Air Riders," the eagerly anticipated follow-up to the classic 2003 GameCube title "Kirby Air Ride." The announcement, made in today’s Kirby Air Riders Direct presentation, saw legendary developer Masahiro Sakurai take the stage to share extensive new gameplay features, characters, and modes.

Set to release exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 20, 2025, Kirby Air Riders is co-developed by Sora Ltd.

and Bandai Namco Studios, promising to deliver fast-paced racing action with a Kirby twist. **A Next-Generation Racing Adventure** Building on the foundation of the original Kirby Air Ride, Kirby Air Riders expands the gameplay to offer a roster of unique riders, each with their own traits and abilities.

Players will take control of classic and new characters—including Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, Bandana Waddle Dee, and other familiar adversaries like Cappy, Chef Kawasaki, and Starman.

Each rider's unique statistics and special moves add a strategic layer to the game, affecting machine performance depending on the chosen course and environment. Masahiro Sakurai provided an in-depth look at core mechanics, stating that each Air Ride machine hovers and moves automatically, allowing players to focus on steering and mastering advanced movements.

By pressing the B button, racers can perform a Boost Charge, executing rapid cornering maneuvers and boosting acceleration through skilled drifting.

Meanwhile, the Y button triggers special moves unique to each rider—Kirby, notably, features four special attacks, one for each of his available colors. **Features Highlight: Machines, Copy Abilities, and City Trial** Air Ride machines vary in speed, durability, and aerial abilities.

Racers can glide, rail grind, and combine maneuvers for tactical advantage.

All riders can use the classic Kirby "inhale" technique to copy enemy abilities, providing temporary power-ups for new attack options or speed boosts. Returning fan-favorite modes were also detailed.

The centerpiece, City Trial mode, now unfolds on Skyah—a sprawling floating island.

Here, players upgrade their machines, collect power-ups, and fight through randomized field events, including boss encounters with Kracko and Dyna Blade.

After the power-up phase, action shifts to Stadiums, where players compete in specialized challenges chosen based on the upgrades they've gathered. **Multiplayer and Accessibility** Kirby Air Riders supports local wireless play for up to eight players and online multiplayer for up to sixteen, complemented by GameChat features for voice and video chat.

Additional classic modes like Air Ride and Lessons return, with updated mechanics and tutorials for new players. To celebrate the launch, select tracks from the Kirby Air Riders soundtrack, including the English-language main theme, will be available via the Nintendo Music app for Nintendo Switch Online members starting today. **Hands-On Preview at PAX West 2025** Nintendo confirmed that fans attending PAX West 2025 in Seattle (Aug.

29 – Sept.

1) can preview Kirby Air Riders at booth #1923.

Demos require a Warp Pipe Pass reservation, with registration opening August 21. Kirby Air Riders launches November 20, 2025, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.

For more information on parental controls or features for Nintendo Switch 2, visit the official Nintendo website.

Stay tuned for further news as the release approaches.

Nintendo Switch 2 Kirby Nintendo Switch Nintendo Kirby Air Riders Masahiro Sakurai Switch 2 Switch Sakurai Bandai Namco Studios Sora Ltd. GameCube Meta Knight King Dedede Bandana Waddle Dee Cappy Chef Kawasaki Starman Kracko Dyna Blade PAX West Nintendo Switch Online