Kirby Air Riders for Nintendo Switch: Sakurai Returns to Direct Long-Awaited Sequel in 2025

Kirby Air Riders Set for 2025 Release on Nintendo Switch: Sakurai Directs First Kirby Game in Over Two Decades Kirby Air Riders, the highly anticipated successor to the classic Kirby Air Ride, is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch in 2025, marking the first Kirby title to be directed by Masahiro Sakurai since the original GameCube release more than 20 years ago.

As fans worldwide continue to discuss major racing games debuting next year—including the much-hyped Mario Kart World—Kirby Air Riders stands out as a significant return for both the franchise and its legendary creator. Background: Development and Sakurai’s Return The original Kirby Air Ride, developed for the Nintendo GameCube, debuted to mixed reviews in 2003.

Despite its initial reception, it has since gained a devoted fan following, primarily due to its addictive City Trial mode and approachable controls.

Remarkably, the first game was developed in just three and a half months.

In contrast, Kirby Air Riders benefits from a much longer development timeline: Masahiro Sakurai has confirmed that the game entered active development in April 2022, allowing the team over three years to refine and expand upon the formula. In a recent statement, Sakurai detailed, “Kirby Air Riders has been in development since April 2022, giving us the opportunity to deliver a larger and more fully realized experience than the original.” This expanded production period signals Nintendo and developer HAL Laboratory’s commitment to creating a worthy successor on the Nintendo Switch platform. What We Know: Features, Modes, and Characters Official information regarding Kirby Air Riders remains scarce.

At present, only four returning Air Ride Machines have been confirmed, and Kirby is the only playable character publicly revealed.

Neither new course details nor a full gameplay trailer has been released, though fans remain eager for updates, especially around major industry showcases such as Nintendo Direct. One of the most beloved features of the original game was City Trial mode.

On GameCube, this mode unfolded in a singular, dynamic cityscape filled with secret areas and power-ups, supporting both competitive and cooperative play.

While Nintendo has not detailed changes or updates for Kirby Air Riders, the extended development time suggests potential enhancements, such as additional stages or expanded mechanics, bringing new depth to the multiplayer experience. Air Ride mode, which featured nine distinct tracks on the GameCube, is also expected to return; however, it is unclear how many courses will be available in the upcoming game.

Historically, Sakurai has focused on simplicity and accessibility in controls, but fans anticipate additional depth to modernize the gameplay, possibly inspired by features found in titles like Mario Kart World. Character selection is another area of keen interest.

The original Kirby Air Ride included several color variants of Kirby, while unlockable characters like King Dedede and Meta Knight offered unique playstyles.

Notably, Sakurai is selective about incorporating characters from Kirby games he did not directly work on, both in the Kirby franchise and in the Super Smash Bros.

series.

Still, modern Kirby titles have seen some representation across Nintendo’s crossover games, hinting at possible surprises for the Air Riders roster. Legacy and Anticipation With over three years of development behind it and Sakurai at the helm, Kirby Air Riders aims to recapture the approachable yet deep design that made the original a cult favorite.

The Nintendo Switch’s popularity and robust multiplayer capabilities only heighten anticipation for what could become a standout racing experience on the platform.

As the 2025 release draws closer, fans can expect more details from Nintendo, with the promise of new features and nostalgia-fueled action driving excitement for this long-awaited sequel. Stay tuned to official Nintendo channels and the Kirby Air Riders website for updates and announcements leading up to launch.

Kirby Nintendo Switch Nintendo Kirby Air Riders Masahiro Sakurai Kirby Air Ride Switch Sakurai GameCube City Trial Air Ride mode King Dedede Meta Knight Super Smash Bros. Kirby series