Kirby Air Riders Expands Amiibo Lineup with Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Chef Kawasaki Figures Announced at Nintendo Direct

Nintendo continues its tradition of exciting reveals with the latest Nintendo Direct, spotlighting one of its beloved franchises: Kirby Air Riders.

The highly anticipated title, developed under the guidance of prolific creator Masahiro Sakurai, was the centerpiece of today’s presentation, offering both fans and collectors fresh reasons to celebrate.

Kirby Air Riders, set to launch globally on November 20, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch, represents the next major entry in the long-standing Kirby series.

The franchise, known for its creative gameplay and enduring characters, has cultivated a devoted following since its debut.

During the Nintendo Direct, Masahiro Sakurai delivered news that will delight both gamers and collectors: the expansion of the amiibo lineup dedicated to Kirby Air Riders. Initially, Nintendo announced two amiibo figures for the game—Kirby and Bandanna Waddle Dee, each featuring the iconic ability to swap riders, a feature central to the game’s mechanics.

In today’s event, Sakurai confirmed the future release of three additional amiibo figures slated for 2026.

These figures will spotlight Meta Knight paired with a Shadow Star, King Dedede equipped with a Tank Star, and Chef Kawasaki riding the Hop Star vehicle.

Consistent with their predecessors, these upcoming figures will also support the amiibo ‘rider swap’ functionality, further enhancing the interactive experience for collectors and players alike. In a statement during the Nintendo Direct, Masahiro Sakurai shared that adding these characters to the amiibo lineup "aims to bring more variety and fun for both game players and fans of Kirby’s universe." This commitment underscores Nintendo’s ongoing support for amiibo, the NFC-enabled figures that have expanded user engagement and in-game integration since their introduction in 2014. With Kirby Air Riders arriving this November and the promise of more amiibo to come in 2026, Nintendo continues to build on its track record of combining hardware innovation with fan-favorite IPs.

The release adds further momentum to the Nintendo Switch library and bolsters the collection opportunities on the Nintendo eShop and at retail stores worldwide. For Nintendo fans, amiibo collectors, and longtime Kirby enthusiasts, the latest announcements from the Nintendo Direct reinforce the company’s strategy of celebrating its legacy while pushing the boundaries of play and collectibility.

Stay tuned for more details as the launch of Kirby Air Riders and the new amiibo figures approaches.

Kirby Nintendo Nintendo Direct Kirby Air Riders amiibo King Dedede Meta Knight Amiibo King Meta Waddle Dee Chef Kawasaki Masahiro Sakurai Bandanna Waddle Dee Nintendo Switch