Kirby Air Riders Review: A High-Speed Party on Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo has delivered a new chapter in its iconic platforming franchise with Kirby Air Riders, released November 20, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Developed in collaboration with Bandai Namco and the storied Sora Ltd., and published by Nintendo, this long-awaited sequel to the 2003 cult favorite Kirby Air Ride is a robust reimagining, blending frantic racing action with the charm and variety that the Kirby series is known for. A Fresh Take on Kirby’s Racing Legacy Kirby Air Riders headlines an innovative approach to the kart-racing genre.
While Kirby’s history includes everything from puzzle and fighting games to battle royales, this title represents both an homage and an evolution, retaining the single-button acceleration and accessible gameplay of the original while dramatically expanding its content and features.
With 18 courses—including nine completely new tracks and nine reimagined classics—players are invited to blaze through visually stunning environments like Waveflow Waters and Cyberion Highway, each designed with unique mechanics and memorable set pieces. What sets Kirby Air Riders apart is its emphasis on diversity and experimentation.
Players select from a wide slate of iconic characters and machines, each combination offering distinct handling and abilities.
The mechanic of swapping machines and riders ensures that no two races feel alike.
Unlike traditional racing games with fixed setups, Air Riders encourages experimentation, and each racing machine—from the agile Jet Star to the momentum-based Swerve Star—fundamentally changes the gameplay approach. Innovative Modes and Multiplayer Excellence The game features several core modes that appeal to both solo racers and party-focused fans.
The main Air Ride mode focuses on high-speed, split-path races, where offensive maneuvers like spinning into enemies or activating copy abilities become crucial for victory.
The game’s unique approach to acceleration—requiring players to charge up for boosts rather than holding a throttle—adds tactical depth to each lap.
Players can also slipstream behind rivals for extra speed, increasing the frenetic pace. Top Ride mode reimagines the racing experience from a top-down perspective, offering quick, arcade-style matches, ideal for local or online bursts of play.
However, the true star for many is City Trial, which returns from the original with a larger, more interactive city map called Skyah.
In this mode, players explore, upgrade machines, and compete in dynamic stadium events.
While the randomized upgrades and bite-sized minigames keep the action fresh, some may find the longevity limited if they seek deeper strategy or more extensive maps. Robust Unlockables and Single-Player Adventure Kirby Air Riders boasts a thorough achievements system, rewarding players with cosmetic items and gallery content for completing hundreds of in-game challenges.
Although individual motivation to unlock every item will vary, this feature adds replay value for completionists and fans of customization. For those preferring solo play, Road Trip mode offers an engaging progression-based adventure, reminiscent of beloved sub-mode stories from previous Nintendo titles.
Across eleven stages, players strengthen their rides, choose from branching challenges, and face familiar Kirby adversaries.
Short playthroughs and New Game+ options ensure that Road Trip can be replayed for new experiences and story content. A Celebration of Kirby and Technical Excellence Kirby Air Riders stands out as a meticulous showcase of the Switch 2’s capabilities, delivering smooth performance in both split-screen and online multiplayer, even with the chaos of multiple racers and environmental effects.
The soundtrack revisits and remixes classic Kirby tunes, enhancing the sense of celebration for longtime fans.
From animated character models to environmental spectacle, the presentation underscores Nintendo, Bandai Namco, and Sora Ltd.’s commitment to quality. Final Thoughts Kirby Air Riders isn’t just a sequel—it’s a joyful reimagining, balancing nostalgia with fresh mechanics and significant replay value.
While some modes may feel less fleshed out and progression could be deeper for dedicated players, the game’s accessibility, speedy action, and party potential make it a worthy addition to any Nintendo Switch 2 library.
For fans of Kirby, party games, or unique racing experiences, this is a celebration not to be missed.
Developed in collaboration with Bandai Namco and the storied Sora Ltd., and published by Nintendo, this long-awaited sequel to the 2003 cult favorite Kirby Air Ride is a robust reimagining, blending frantic racing action with the charm and variety that the Kirby series is known for. A Fresh Take on Kirby’s Racing Legacy Kirby Air Riders headlines an innovative approach to the kart-racing genre.
While Kirby’s history includes everything from puzzle and fighting games to battle royales, this title represents both an homage and an evolution, retaining the single-button acceleration and accessible gameplay of the original while dramatically expanding its content and features.
With 18 courses—including nine completely new tracks and nine reimagined classics—players are invited to blaze through visually stunning environments like Waveflow Waters and Cyberion Highway, each designed with unique mechanics and memorable set pieces. What sets Kirby Air Riders apart is its emphasis on diversity and experimentation.
Players select from a wide slate of iconic characters and machines, each combination offering distinct handling and abilities.
The mechanic of swapping machines and riders ensures that no two races feel alike.
Unlike traditional racing games with fixed setups, Air Riders encourages experimentation, and each racing machine—from the agile Jet Star to the momentum-based Swerve Star—fundamentally changes the gameplay approach. Innovative Modes and Multiplayer Excellence The game features several core modes that appeal to both solo racers and party-focused fans.
The main Air Ride mode focuses on high-speed, split-path races, where offensive maneuvers like spinning into enemies or activating copy abilities become crucial for victory.
The game’s unique approach to acceleration—requiring players to charge up for boosts rather than holding a throttle—adds tactical depth to each lap.
Players can also slipstream behind rivals for extra speed, increasing the frenetic pace. Top Ride mode reimagines the racing experience from a top-down perspective, offering quick, arcade-style matches, ideal for local or online bursts of play.
However, the true star for many is City Trial, which returns from the original with a larger, more interactive city map called Skyah.
In this mode, players explore, upgrade machines, and compete in dynamic stadium events.
While the randomized upgrades and bite-sized minigames keep the action fresh, some may find the longevity limited if they seek deeper strategy or more extensive maps. Robust Unlockables and Single-Player Adventure Kirby Air Riders boasts a thorough achievements system, rewarding players with cosmetic items and gallery content for completing hundreds of in-game challenges.
Although individual motivation to unlock every item will vary, this feature adds replay value for completionists and fans of customization. For those preferring solo play, Road Trip mode offers an engaging progression-based adventure, reminiscent of beloved sub-mode stories from previous Nintendo titles.
Across eleven stages, players strengthen their rides, choose from branching challenges, and face familiar Kirby adversaries.
Short playthroughs and New Game+ options ensure that Road Trip can be replayed for new experiences and story content. A Celebration of Kirby and Technical Excellence Kirby Air Riders stands out as a meticulous showcase of the Switch 2’s capabilities, delivering smooth performance in both split-screen and online multiplayer, even with the chaos of multiple racers and environmental effects.
The soundtrack revisits and remixes classic Kirby tunes, enhancing the sense of celebration for longtime fans.
From animated character models to environmental spectacle, the presentation underscores Nintendo, Bandai Namco, and Sora Ltd.’s commitment to quality. Final Thoughts Kirby Air Riders isn’t just a sequel—it’s a joyful reimagining, balancing nostalgia with fresh mechanics and significant replay value.
While some modes may feel less fleshed out and progression could be deeper for dedicated players, the game’s accessibility, speedy action, and party potential make it a worthy addition to any Nintendo Switch 2 library.
For fans of Kirby, party games, or unique racing experiences, this is a celebration not to be missed.
