Kirby Air Riders for Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date, New Features, and Sakurai’s Full Nintendo Direct Recap

Kirby Air Riders for Nintendo Switch 2: Complete Feature Recap, Release Date, and Everything Revealed in the Latest Nintendo Direct Kirby fans and Nintendo Switch 2 owners have plenty to look forward to with the upcoming exclusive, Kirby Air Riders.

In a comprehensive Nintendo Direct presentation led by series creator Masahiro Sakurai, Nintendo showcased the expansive gameplay, new features, and multiplayer enhancements that will mark Kirby Air Riders as a standout release for the platform.

The game is confirmed for both physical and digital release on the Nintendo eShop worldwide on November 20, 2025. A Fresh Spin on a Classic Franchise Building on the cult GameCube favorite Kirby Air Ride, Kirby Air Riders offers a major evolution of the series gameplay, expanding the roster of riders, customizable content, and game modes.

During the hour-long Nintendo Direct, Sakurai detailed several core additions and returning features designed to provide both nostalgic value and fresh excitement for new and returning players alike. Key Game Modes and Features Explained The update highlighted multiple game modes: - Top Ride: Returning from the classic Kirby Air Ride, Top Ride mode offers intense top-down racing with up to eight players online, or four locally alongside CPU opponents.

Players can select both their preferred riders and machines, utilizing new items and Copy Abilities such as Flash for electrifying races. - Road Trip: Debuting in Kirby Air Riders, Road Trip is a story-focused mode combining challenges from Air Ride, City Trial, and Top Ride.

Players compete in races, battles, and field events, collecting machines and items while learning why beloved characters like Kirby, King Dedede, and Bandana Waddle Dee have set out on their journey. - Paddock: The new online lobby system, called the Paddock, enables friends to gather, interact, customize emotes and music, and launch various multiplayer modes together.

Multiple matches can be hosted in a single paddock. - Swap Relay: This innovative mode keeps races dynamic by letting players select a different machine for each lap—swapping automatically as they progress, which encourages strategic experimentation with machine and rider combinations. - Transform Star: A new machine—the Transform Star—switches between a flight-capable star and a ground-based bike, controlled with rapid use of the left stick. - Checklist: Returning from the original game, the Checklist tracks the player’s objectives across all major modes.

Each completed challenge unlocks further content, and there’s no need to complete online-exclusive objectives to unlock key machines or riders. Expanded Online and Multiplayer Experiences Kirby Air Riders leverages the Nintendo Switch 2’s enhanced online capabilities with: - Global Win Power: This new ranking metric uses color-based class rankings to match players of similar skill, while your win record is tracked separately for each game mode. - Licenses: Customize your online profile with stickers, glitter, and a street name built from preset terms, helping you stand out in multiplayer matches. - Team Battles: Up to 16 players can compete in City Trial mode, dividing into teams that share legendary machine parts and battle for the highest scores. Customisation, Collectibles, and Music Sakurai unveiled the My Machine system, where players can earn and purchase machine decorations, accessories, music tracks, and more using the in-game Miles currency.

Machines can be sold in the new Machine Market, and a custom garage feature lets you showcase your collection to friends.

Collectible Gummies—earned for besting rivals—add a new collectible twist to competition. Players can also customize the in-game soundtrack with the My Music feature, selecting tracks from throughout the Kirby franchise.

The music roster is overseen by game composers Shogo Sakai and Noriyuki Iwadare, returning from their acclaimed work on Kirby Air Ride and the Super Smash Bros.

series. New amiibo and Expanded Character Roster The presentation included announcements for a new series of larger Kirby Air Riders amiibo, launching throughout 2026.

Amiibo revealed include Meta Knight & Shadow Star (March 5, 2026), King Dedede & Tank Star (2026), and Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star (2026).

Each combines swap-in riders and machines, and Figure Players can be leveled up for added gameplay depth. Rounding out the content, all nine classic Air Ride courses are included—now totaling 18 tracks alongside the new additions.

Players can expect new characters such as Taranza, Lololo & Lalala, and more, plus new items and the formidable boss Robo Dedede with multiple transformation phases. With its deep feature set, robust online play, and highly customizable experience, Kirby Air Riders for Nintendo Switch 2 is set to become a major highlight of Nintendo’s upcoming release calendar.

Stay tuned for more updates as the November 20, 2025 launch approaches.

Nintendo Switch 2 Kirby Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Direct Kirby Air Riders Masahiro Sakurai amiibo Switch 2 Switch Sakurai multiplayer King Dedede Bandana Waddle Dee Starman Dragoon Hydra Meta Knight Shogo Sakai Noriyuki Iwadare Chef Kawasaki Shadow Star Tank Star Hop Star City Trial Top Ride