Kirby Air Riders, the latest high-speed title from HAL Laboratory and Nintendo, delivers a robust lineup of 21 unique racers, blending classic characters with new surprises for longtime series fans.
Released for the Nintendo Switch, the game emphasizes accessibility while remaining deeply rewarding for completionists, thanks to its expansive checklist system.
For players aiming to assemble the full roster, understanding the various unlock requirements is essential. At the outset, only four characters—Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Waddle Dee—are immediately available for play.
The remaining racers are obtained by completing specific tasks outlined in the in-game checklist.
Notably, players can instantly attempt any unfinished challenges by pressing the + button, streamlining the process of character collection. Unlocking Characters in Kirby Air Riders: Checklist & Amiibo Support Each unlockable character in Kirby Air Riders requires completing a designated objective.
For added replayability, most racers offer at least two unlock methods; if you obtain a racer via one challenge, earning the same reward again unlocks a new color palette instead.
Additionally, supported amiibo—particularly those from the Kirby and Super Smash Bros.
series—can grant exclusive character color variations.
For example, scanning a Kirby series amiibo might yield a unique costume, like the gray Kirby variant. Highlights of Character Unlock Requirements: - Bandana Waddle Dee: In City Trial mode, destroy two item boxes within the first 30 seconds. - Cappy: Clear City Trial without collecting any gray, stone-textured power-down items. - Chef Kawasaki: On the Mount Amberfalls course, eat one of the onigiri pieces located to the right. - Daroach: Win a Top Ride match after lapping at least one rider, using stars like the Winged Star for an edge. - Gooey: On the Air course in Top Ride, collide with a tornado on every lap, then secure first place. - Knuckle Joe: In Road Trip mode, boost all stats to at least level 1. - Lololo & Lalala: Complete Crystalline Fissure in Air Ride within 3 minutes and 30 seconds. - Magolor: Send the same opponent flying twice with the Drill Driver item. - Marx: In Air Ride Free Run, complete a full lap without dropping below 19 mph—using the Chariot vehicle is recommended. - Noir Dedede: Achieve the true ending in Road Trip mode. - Rick: Visit the shop three times within Road Trip. - Rocky: Use 30 items in Top Ride mode. - Scarfy: On the Waveflow Waters stage in Air Ride, defeat Scarfy enemies before they transform. - Starman: Place first in all four laps on the Crystal stage in Top Ride. - Susie: Execute five perfect landings within a single Air Ride race. - Taranza: Most consistently unlocked by traveling 5,469 yards in Beanstalk Park (after first unlocking this course by leading Mount Amberfalls for 60 seconds). - Waddle Doo: Finish Floria Fields in Air Ride without hitting any enemies. Masahiro Sakurai, the renowned creator and series director, has clarified that Kirby Air Riders will not receive downloadable content (DLC).
As a result, certain characters like Elfilin are not present in the roster.
Sakurai notes that development began in 2022, coinciding with the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, aligning with the current selection of playable characters. Kirby Air Riders continues to build on Nintendo’s rich legacy of inventive racing games and character-driven gameplay.
For additional details, resources, and developer insights, refer to the official Nintendo website or follow future Nintendo Direct presentations.
Released for the Nintendo Switch, the game emphasizes accessibility while remaining deeply rewarding for completionists, thanks to its expansive checklist system.
For players aiming to assemble the full roster, understanding the various unlock requirements is essential. At the outset, only four characters—Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Waddle Dee—are immediately available for play.
The remaining racers are obtained by completing specific tasks outlined in the in-game checklist.
Notably, players can instantly attempt any unfinished challenges by pressing the + button, streamlining the process of character collection. Unlocking Characters in Kirby Air Riders: Checklist & Amiibo Support Each unlockable character in Kirby Air Riders requires completing a designated objective.
For added replayability, most racers offer at least two unlock methods; if you obtain a racer via one challenge, earning the same reward again unlocks a new color palette instead.
Additionally, supported amiibo—particularly those from the Kirby and Super Smash Bros.
series—can grant exclusive character color variations.
For example, scanning a Kirby series amiibo might yield a unique costume, like the gray Kirby variant. Highlights of Character Unlock Requirements: - Bandana Waddle Dee: In City Trial mode, destroy two item boxes within the first 30 seconds. - Cappy: Clear City Trial without collecting any gray, stone-textured power-down items. - Chef Kawasaki: On the Mount Amberfalls course, eat one of the onigiri pieces located to the right. - Daroach: Win a Top Ride match after lapping at least one rider, using stars like the Winged Star for an edge. - Gooey: On the Air course in Top Ride, collide with a tornado on every lap, then secure first place. - Knuckle Joe: In Road Trip mode, boost all stats to at least level 1. - Lololo & Lalala: Complete Crystalline Fissure in Air Ride within 3 minutes and 30 seconds. - Magolor: Send the same opponent flying twice with the Drill Driver item. - Marx: In Air Ride Free Run, complete a full lap without dropping below 19 mph—using the Chariot vehicle is recommended. - Noir Dedede: Achieve the true ending in Road Trip mode. - Rick: Visit the shop three times within Road Trip. - Rocky: Use 30 items in Top Ride mode. - Scarfy: On the Waveflow Waters stage in Air Ride, defeat Scarfy enemies before they transform. - Starman: Place first in all four laps on the Crystal stage in Top Ride. - Susie: Execute five perfect landings within a single Air Ride race. - Taranza: Most consistently unlocked by traveling 5,469 yards in Beanstalk Park (after first unlocking this course by leading Mount Amberfalls for 60 seconds). - Waddle Doo: Finish Floria Fields in Air Ride without hitting any enemies. Masahiro Sakurai, the renowned creator and series director, has clarified that Kirby Air Riders will not receive downloadable content (DLC).
As a result, certain characters like Elfilin are not present in the roster.
Sakurai notes that development began in 2022, coinciding with the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, aligning with the current selection of playable characters. Kirby Air Riders continues to build on Nintendo’s rich legacy of inventive racing games and character-driven gameplay.
For additional details, resources, and developer insights, refer to the official Nintendo website or follow future Nintendo Direct presentations.
