Kirby Air Riders Announced: Masahiro Sakurai Returns to Revive Classic Racing on Nintendo Switch

Nintendo has officially announced Kirby Air Riders, an all-new title reviving the beloved legacy of Kirby’s Air Ride, now set to launch on Nintendo Switch.

This announcement was made just months ago, igniting excitement among longtime fans who remember the original GameCube cult classic created by Masahiro Sakurai.

The new Kirby Air Riders promises to deliver the same high-speed, whimsical racing action with modern enhancements suited for today’s Nintendo Switch audience. Masahiro Sakurai, a renowned game designer and the visionary behind both the Kirby and Super Smash Bros.

franchises, is once again at the helm of development for Kirby Air Riders.

Sakurai’s involvement reaffirms Nintendo’s commitment to maintaining the series’ trademark charm and quality.

According to recent insights shared by well-known gaming interviewer and industry insider Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly, the development of Kirby Air Riders was closely linked to ongoing discussions between Sakurai and Nintendo regarding the future of Super Smash Bros. Reilly highlights that Sakurai, after years of intensive work on the Super Smash Bros.

series, was feeling the effects of creative fatigue.

In clear terms, he conveyed that Sakurai agreed to take on the challenge of developing the next Super Smash Bros.

installment with the understanding that he would first lead his passion project—Kirby Air Riders.

This mutually beneficial arrangement showcases Nintendo’s appreciation for Sakurai’s contributions and underlines the importance of creative flexibility for veteran developers. Masahiro Sakurai has been a driving force behind the runaway success of Super Smash Bros.

since its inception, helping to solidify it as one of Nintendo’s premier franchises with millions of copies sold worldwide across multiple hardware generations.

By supporting Sakurai’s creative ambitions with Kirby Air Riders, Nintendo both strengthens its partnership with one of its most celebrated developers and answers fan demand for the revival of Kirby’s Air Ride 20 years after its original launch. Kirby Air Riders is set to arrive exclusively on Nintendo Switch, with more details, including a firm release date and gameplay footage, expected to be shared during upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations.

The game will be available digitally through the Nintendo eShop and at retail.

For updates on Kirby Air Riders, Masahiro Sakurai’s projects, and all the latest from Nintendo, keep an eye on future announcements and coverage. As with any early reports, details on internal negotiations reflect the information provided by trusted sources and interviews.

For confirmed updates and official news on Kirby Air Riders and Nintendo Switch releases, stay tuned to Nintendo’s official channels.

Kirby Nintendo Switch Nintendo Kirby Air Riders Masahiro Sakurai Switch Sakurai