Kirby Air Riders Expands Character Roster: Full List of New Racers Revealed in Latest Nintendo Direct

Kirby Air Riders Expands Character Roster: Full List of New Racers Revealed in Latest Nintendo Direct Kirby fans received a significant update for Kirby Air Riders during the recent Air Riders Nintendo Direct, with developer HAL Laboratory and director Masahiro Sakurai spotlighting a robust lineup of new playable characters spanning the beloved franchise’s decades-long history.

The sequel builds on the original’s foundation, available exclusively on Nintendo Switch, offering both returning faces and surprising additions to its expanded character roster. Kirby Air Riders, officially set to launch on November 20th for the Nintendo Switch, refines and enhances the fast-paced racing action first introduced in the classic Kirby Air Ride.

The game's latest showcase underscored its commitment to fan service by introducing a plentiful selection of racers drawn from across multiple entries and spin-offs in the Kirby series.

Moving beyond a core group of Kirbys, as well as stalwarts like Meta Knight and King Dedede, the expanded roster is designed to appeal to new and veteran players alike. During the second Air Riders Direct, Masahiro Sakurai unveiled several more fan-favorite and unexpected racers.

The newly revealed lineup includes: - **Taranza** (from Kirby: Triple Deluxe) This spider character leverages his thread abilities to swiftly navigate curves and overtake rivals. - **Lololo & Lalala** (from Adventures of Lolo, Kirby’s Dream Land) The classic duo returns as a single racer.

Players can swap which character is at the helm, though the change is mainly cosmetic. - **Daroach** (from Kirby: Squeak Squad) The sneaky thief brings his signature skills to the track, capable of stealing Copy abilities from other racers and utilizing invisibility. - **Rocky** (from Kirby’s Adventure) As one of Kirby’s memorable enemies, Rocky serves as a heavyweight competitor, able to resist being shoved by opponents. - **Rick** (from Kirby’s Dream Land 2) The nimble hamster can swiftly maneuver through tight corners and deploys a speed burst as his special ability. - **Scarfy** (from Kirby’s Dream Land) Known for its transformation when angered, Scarfy gains speed after being provoked on the track. - **Marx** (from Kirby Super Star) Recognized for his cosmic antics, Marx boasts impressive stats but comes with lower durability.

His special skill briefly unveils his formidable true form. - **Waddle Dee** (iconic series regular) The friendly mainstay enters the race with no-frills approach, embodying the spirit of the series. Sakurai stated that these would be the final batch of playable racers publicly revealed ahead of launch.

While he did not disclose any further information regarding potential secret unlockables, the rich roster ensures coverage of numerous fan favorites.

Notably, while Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Elfilin was absent from the revealed lineup, Sakurai remained noncommittal about whether more additions remain hidden in-game. Beyond the playable roster, the Direct presentation highlighted further Kirby cameos throughout Kirby Air Riders.

Legendary antagonists such as Nightmare and 0² were shown acting as boss characters, while Galactic Nova and iconic objects like the Star Rod and Fountain of Dreams made notable appearances in cutscenes.

These deep cuts from the franchise enhance the game’s appeal by drawing from its vast mythology. As anticipation builds for Kirby Air Riders’ November 20th release on Nintendo Switch, further excitement surrounds potential amiibo figures, with three new Kirby Air Riders amiibo confirmed for 2026. Kirby Air Riders is shaping up to be a celebration of the franchise’s legacy, merging high-speed action with a cast that spans both mainline and spin-off titles.

Stay tuned for more updates as launch approaches, and prepare to race with your favorite Kirby characters on Nintendo Switch.

Kirby Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Direct Kirby Air Riders Switch Masahiro Sakurai Meta Knight King Dedede Taranza Lololo & Lalala Daroach Rocky Rick Scarfy Marx Waddle Dee Kirby: Triple Deluxe Adventures of Lolo Kirby's Dream Land Kirby: Squeak Squad Kirby's Adventure Kirby's Dream Land 2 Kirby Super Star amiibo