Kirby Air Riders Races to Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date, Modes, and Character Roster Revealed

Nintendo fans received an electrifying announcement during the latest Kirby Air Riders Direct showcase, as the long-awaited sequel, Kirby Air Riders, gears up for its debut on Nintendo Switch 2.

Scheduled for release on November 20, 2025, Kirby Air Riders is the collaborative work of Sora Ltd.

and Bandai Namco, with legendary game designer Masahiro Sakurai taking the director's chair once again.

This partnership brings together celebrated talent responsible for some of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises, promising a fresh take on the beloved Kirby racing experience. Kirby Air Riders blends high-speed racing with a suite of inventive gameplay modes, expanding well beyond its genre roots.

In today’s Direct, Sakurai emphasized that the game’s central attraction is City Trial mode—a robust sandbox where players freely explore the floating island of Skyah.

Here, competitors gather resources, swap rides, and engage in power-up hunts and skirmishes, all to upgrade and customize their signature Air Ride Machines.

Within City Trial, the action escalates thanks to sub-modes like Dustup Derby, Short Race, and Field Events, each designed to deliver dynamic challenges and replay value. For players who crave a more competitive edge, Stadiums mode offers an array of specialized events where strategic thinking and Machine customization play crucial roles.

Air Ride Mode revisits the traditional high-speed race concept, allowing up to six players to dash to the finish with one goal in mind—outmaneuver and outpace rivals by combining racing skill with offensive tactics. To help newcomers master the controls, the Lessons mode delivers hands-on tutorials covering every facet of gameplay.

Notably, control mechanics have been optimized for accessibility: Machines auto-accelerate, allowing players to focus on navigation and combat.

Key controls include the B button for Boost Charge, the Y button for Special abilities, and the left control stick for adjusting glide height. Kirby Air Riders boasts a diverse character roster, each offering unique special moves that can swing the momentum mid-race.

Confirmed playable characters include Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, Bandana Waddle Dee, Chef Kawasaki, Cappy, Magolor, Gooey, Waddle Doo, Knuckle Joe, Susie, and Starman.

Signature character techniques—such as King Dedede’s Jet Hammer, Meta Knight’s Night Wing, and Kirby’s Ultra Sword—add unique flair and tactical variety. Additionally, the game features a wide array of Copy Abilities, allowing riders to harness powers like Sword, Wheel, Fire, Bomb, Mike, Steel Ball, Jet, Cutter, and Plasma.

This marks an intriguing reversal of roles, with all riders—not just Kirby—leveraging superpowers to outclass opponents. Fans won’t have to wait until release to get a taste of the action.

Nintendo will offer a hands-on demo of Kirby Air Riders at PAX West 2025, running in Seattle from August 29 to September 1.

With its innovative gameplay, iconic developer pedigree, and a host of new features, Kirby Air Riders is poised to be a highlight of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 lineup. For more on Kirby Air Riders, including media from today’s Nintendo Direct and eShop updates as launch approaches, stay tuned to official Nintendo channels.

Nintendo Switch 2 Kirby Nintendo Switch Nintendo Kirby Air Riders Masahiro Sakurai Bandai Namco Switch 2 Switch Namco Bandai Sakurai Sora Ltd. King Dedede Meta Knight PAX West