Kirby Air Riders Final Roster Confirmed: Key Character Additions and Notable Exclusions

Kirby Air Riders has swiftly become one of the most anticipated releases for Nintendo Switch owners in 2025, thanks to its fast-paced gameplay and the allure of an ever-expanding Kirby character universe.

Developed by the storied HAL Laboratory and directed by the legendary Masahiro Sakurai, this colorful racing title has roots that span decades of Kirby adventures.

The game's recent unveiling during a dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation brought not only a wave of nostalgia but also vital updates regarding its final content. In an era dominated by downloadable content and season passes, Kirby Air Riders is bucking the trend.

As announced during the Nintendo Direct, Sakurai and his development team confirmed that Kirby Air Riders will launch as a complete product with no post-launch DLC planned.

This ensures that players receive the full experience from day one—a move widely appreciated by fans who have grown accustomed to incrementally expanding rosters.

"We have included everything we intended into the game at launch, and there are no plans for additional character downloads," Sakurai stated in the presentation, emphasizing a commitment to release a fully realized title. Among the most celebrated revelations was the inclusion of fan-favorite characters like Marx, Taranza, Rocky, and Daroach.

Their addition follows considerable fan enthusiasm and aligns with HAL Laboratory’s history of acknowledging community feedback in their creative decisions.

Notably, the presentation left some ambiguity around whether every playable character has been revealed.

Sakurai, known for surprising fans with hidden or unlockable characters in previous titles, did not specify if the announced roster is truly comprehensive—a strategy reminiscent of his approach with Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate. However, some significant exclusions are drawing attention.

Elfilin, who quickly rose in popularity following his debut in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, does not appear as a playable racer.

Although elements from Kirby and the Forgotten Land, such as the Tortuilding enemy, have been integrated as course obstacles in the new Road Trip mode, Elfilin's absence is notable.

Historical precedent, like the exclusion of ARMS and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 characters from the base roster of Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate due to development timelines, may explain the omission. Further, Adeleine and Ribbon—both stars of Kirby 64—are absent from the current reveal, despite Kirby Air Riders featuring music and bosses from that installment.

Fans familiar with Kirby Star Allies may recall Adeleine and Ribbon joining forces as a unique team, prompting speculation about their potential roles.

Still, their omission is particularly curious given the attention paid to Kirby 64 content elsewhere in the game.

The Three Mage Sisters from Kirby Star Allies face a similar fate; although introduced in 2018 and therefore not too recent, their lesser popularity reportedly contributed to their exclusion.

HAL Laboratory’s focus appears to have been on more recognizable, in-demand characters like Magolor, Susie, and Taranza. Masahiro Sakurai’s penchant for hiding deep-cut or unconventional characters, such as Mr.

Game & Watch, R.O.B., and Duck Hunt in previous games, leaves the door cracked open for unlockable surprises, even if the main Kirby Air Riders roster is now believed to be complete.

Yet, for now, the confirmed lineup celebrates both classic and contemporary faces from across the franchise’s history. Kirby Air Riders is slated for launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch, bolstered by HAL Laboratory’s proven legacy and Sakurai’s vision.

With no plans for additional content via eShop or DLC, players can look forward to a robust and carefully curated roster straight out of the box.

As the release date approaches, fans will be eager to see whether any secret characters remain awaiting discovery on the racetrack.

Kirby Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Direct Kirby Air Riders Switch HAL Laboratory Masahiro Sakurai Marx Taranza Rocky Daroach Elfilin Tortuilding Adeleine Ribbon Three Mage Sisters Hyness Kirby Star Allies Kirby 64 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate