While Nintendo has been pretty quiet about Kirby Air Riders since the game was first unveiled all the way back in April, director Masahiro Sakurai has revealed through a social media post (translation via Nintendo Life) that the title is still on track for release in 2025. Along with this, Sakurai also said that more information about the title will be revealed soon.
Sakurai’s post started off by thanking fans for supporting his studio, Sora Co., Ltd., which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. He also apologised for not having showcased any gameplay from Kirby Air Riders.
“It doesn’t matter to most people, but today, Sora Co., Ltd. is celebrating its 20th anniversary. …That’s a long time! Thank you for your continued support,” wrote Sakurai. “The new game *Kirby Air Rider* hasn’t even shown gameplay footage yet, but I think we’ll be able to share some information soon. Please wait!”
Kirby Air Riders was unveiled with a short announcement trailer that didn’t really show off any gameplay. Rather, the trailer featured a pre-rendered cutscene showing off Kirby riding a shooting star into a lush field before then being accompanied by other riders on their own strange vehicles.
The title is slated to be a follow-up to 2003 racing game Kirby Air Ride, which was originally released on the GameCube. In Kirby Air Ride, up to four players could race together by taking on the role of one of the various characters from throughout the Kirby franchise. It is also worth noting that Kirby Air Ride was the last Kirby game helmed by Sakurai as its director. Since then, he has gone on to work on a variety of other games, including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, before eventually returning to head up Kirby Air Riders.
Shortly after the game was unveiled, Sakurai also confirmed that he is working with Bandai Namco Studios for the development of Kirby Air Riders. He had previously worked with the studio on other Nintendo-exclusive games, including Super Smash Bros. For Wii U and 3DS, as well as its follow-up, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Bandai Namco has also previously worked on a host of first-party Nintendo franchises, including on titles like ARMS, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Sports Superstars.
When it comes to Kirby, Nintendo is currently gearing up to release the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World upgrade for Kirby and the Forgotten Land. The upgrade pack is slated for release on August 28, and is priced at $19.99 for those that might already own the Switch 1 version of Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Those who don’t can pick up Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World for $79.99.
Earlier this month, Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World got a trailer giving us a look at some of the changes that are coming to the game with the upgrade pack, including some new content like powered up boss fights, as well as new Mouthful Modes for Kirby that gives the character new abilities, like higher jumps or the ability to latch on to walls and roll around.
