In a recent update for fans, renowned game designer Masahiro Sakurai has officially announced that Kirby's Air Riders, the acclaimed entry in the Kirby franchise for Nintendo Switch, will not be receiving any downloadable content (DLC).
Launched on the Nintendo Switch eShop, Kirby's Air Riders quickly attracted attention for its vibrant visuals, accessible gameplay, and innovative mechanics—hallmarks of Sakurai’s creative legacy at Nintendo. Sakurai shared the news directly with fans via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, referencing details first explained in the Air Riders Direct 2 broadcast.
He clarified that there is no plan or infrastructure in place to support future downloadable content for Kirby's Air Riders.
"As outlined in the recent presentation, we do not have a production setup for DLC or similar post-launch content for Kirby's Air Riders," Sakurai stated.
He emphasized that the existing release represents the game’s final vision from the development team. In a noteworthy development for the Kirby community, Sakurai also confirmed that the team behind Kirby's Air Riders will soon be dissolving.
"The team will be disbanding in the near future, with members moving on to pursue other projects in the gaming industry," Sakurai said, underscoring the end of collaborative work on this title.
While there remains a brief window for possible balance adjustments, the focus is now squarely on ensuring the game delivers a polished, enduring experience for players. "Our aim is to achieve a final game balance that will remain enjoyable for years to come.
There may be an opportunity for one last update, but after that, we encourage players to appreciate Kirby's Air Riders as a completed work," Sakurai explained.
This move aligns with Nintendo’s strategy for certain first-party titles, where post-launch support is limited in order to deliver a definitive, well-balanced experience out of the gate. Kirby's Air Riders joins a prestigious line-up of Kirby games developed for Nintendo Switch, contributing to the enduring popularity of the Kirby franchise.
Although fans may be disappointed by the absence of future DLC, the final version of Kirby’s Air Riders is intended to stand as a complete product.
The game’s development cycle highlights both the dedication of Sakurai’s team and their commitment to quality over ongoing content updates. Since launch, Kirby's Air Riders has earned positive feedback from critics and Nintendo Switch owners on the eShop, praised for its engaging gameplay and charming design.
As the development team prepares to move on, the game is poised to retain its place as a memorable entry in the storied Kirby series—carrying forward Sakurai’s vision of accessible fun and replayability on Nintendo’s flagship hybrid console.
Launched on the Nintendo Switch eShop, Kirby's Air Riders quickly attracted attention for its vibrant visuals, accessible gameplay, and innovative mechanics—hallmarks of Sakurai’s creative legacy at Nintendo. Sakurai shared the news directly with fans via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, referencing details first explained in the Air Riders Direct 2 broadcast.
He clarified that there is no plan or infrastructure in place to support future downloadable content for Kirby's Air Riders.
"As outlined in the recent presentation, we do not have a production setup for DLC or similar post-launch content for Kirby's Air Riders," Sakurai stated.
He emphasized that the existing release represents the game’s final vision from the development team. In a noteworthy development for the Kirby community, Sakurai also confirmed that the team behind Kirby's Air Riders will soon be dissolving.
"The team will be disbanding in the near future, with members moving on to pursue other projects in the gaming industry," Sakurai said, underscoring the end of collaborative work on this title.
While there remains a brief window for possible balance adjustments, the focus is now squarely on ensuring the game delivers a polished, enduring experience for players. "Our aim is to achieve a final game balance that will remain enjoyable for years to come.
There may be an opportunity for one last update, but after that, we encourage players to appreciate Kirby's Air Riders as a completed work," Sakurai explained.
This move aligns with Nintendo’s strategy for certain first-party titles, where post-launch support is limited in order to deliver a definitive, well-balanced experience out of the gate. Kirby's Air Riders joins a prestigious line-up of Kirby games developed for Nintendo Switch, contributing to the enduring popularity of the Kirby franchise.
Although fans may be disappointed by the absence of future DLC, the final version of Kirby’s Air Riders is intended to stand as a complete product.
The game’s development cycle highlights both the dedication of Sakurai’s team and their commitment to quality over ongoing content updates. Since launch, Kirby's Air Riders has earned positive feedback from critics and Nintendo Switch owners on the eShop, praised for its engaging gameplay and charming design.
As the development team prepares to move on, the game is poised to retain its place as a memorable entry in the storied Kirby series—carrying forward Sakurai’s vision of accessible fun and replayability on Nintendo’s flagship hybrid console.
