Kirby Air Riders is ridiculously packed with content. You can, if you are completely unfamiliar with the GameCube original and its gameplay style, hop straight into a multi-stage tutorial that, bit by bit, which takes you through the basics and some of the more advanced mechanics, which is where the game’s genius instantly shines through. Like its predecessor – which a significant portion of the game’s audience will obviously be unfamiliar with, given the gap between the series’ two entries – Kirby Air Riders is extremely easy to grasp, with a control scheme that’s extremely easy to grasp. You accelerate automatically, steering is easy, and nearly all actions that are necessary to compete and win and straightforward and easy to understand.

"Starting with the basics, there’s a good amount of different tracks, characters, riders, power ups, and items on offer here, each of which spices up and injects healthy doses of chaos into the gameplay in different ways."

The game’s two button control scheme, however, is both a strength and a weakness. As much as it makes Kirby Air Riders an immensely accessible game that’s easy to pick up and play, some might also find it a little too simplistic. When most actions in the game work as intended with the simplest of inputs, it makes things feel a bit too straightforward at times, which means there is obviously going to be plenty of scope for victories based exclusively (or almost exclusively) on button mashing- you know, like any other party game.

But getting the balance right between skill and accessibility is something that the developer tends to be quite good at, and they do not disappoint with Kirby Air Riders, when all is said and done. The skill ceiling here is high, primarily because the game hides a lot of mechanical depth at its core in spite of its deceptively simple controls, but also because, almost equally importantly, there’s a shocking amount of gameplay variety on offer here- which maybe shouldn’t necessarily be shocking¸ given the talent responsible for this game.

That variety takes several different forms. Starting with the basics, there’s a good amount of different tracks, characters, riders, power ups, and items on offer here, each of which spices up and injects healthy doses of chaos into the gameplay in different ways. Different rides control in entirely unique ways, changing the way you move about and speed through courses on even a moment-to-moment level, which in and of itself is enough to change your approach to any given race. The character that you are controlling is another major factor, primarily because each of them offers a different ultimately ability that can hand you varying advantages during races. On top of your ultimate abilities, you can gain power ups by smashing boxes and, of course, in true Kirby fashion, by sucking up both enemies on the track and direct rivals in races and copying their abilities, from shooting out fireballs to stabbing enemies with spikes that explode outward from your body and more.

"When you’re not casually racing through the individual races on offer, you can check out the Top Ride mode, which is a fun (if an even more simplistic) way of experiencing bite-sized races."

On top of that, how well you can master the base mechanics also obviously affects gameplay. On paper, Kirby Air Riders uses a two-button control scheme, and for those that don’t want to invest too much time and energy into the game, that’s going to be more than enough to get to grips with the goings-on. However, for those who’re looking for greater depth, there’s plenty on offer. From boosts and jumps to gliding, perfect landings, drifting, and more, there’s a lot going on here that requires a certain level of practice and precision.

Making your way through a perfect lap (or even a perfect race) can, as such, be immensely enjoyable. That is make more enjoyable still by the incredible track design. The solid selection of courses on offer strikes an even split between new introductions and returning locations, but each is an absolute delight in its own way. From striking visual design to delightful attention to detail to an unabashed love for controlled chaos that somehow still makes you feel like you’re (only just) in constant control, making your way through each track is an absolute delight, time and time again, no matter how often you do it.

And there’s plenty of content on offer to hone all of those skills in a variety of different ways. When you’re not casually racing through the individual races on offer, you can check out the Top Ride mode, which is a fun (if an even more simplistic) way of experiencing bite-sized races.  Reduced mechanics, shorter courses, and a (literally) top-down view make Top Ride races a fun distraction, though it wouldn’t surprise you to know that, given their very nature, they usually are little more than just that.

Then there’s the City Trial mode, which is, in many ways, the central attraction of the show, given how much it puts the sheer chaos of the core gameplay loop front and center. The inherent variety of the gameplay styles available in Kirby Air Riders really shines through here, with players cycling between races, drag races, challenges, time trials, battles, and more on each run. For those looking to maximize replay value, this is likely going to be Kirby Air Riders’ meat and potatoes.

"A sequel to Kirby Air Ride was definitely not something that most of us expected, but Nintendo and Bandai Namco have banded together to bring back the GameCube cult classic with flying colours."

Of course, all of that content would probably not feel quite as engaging as it does if not for how rewarding it feels in the game’s current state, which, of course, is down to the inordinate amount of unlocks on offer here- which, again, should not be a surprise. Tracks, characters, rides, customization options, music tracks, and so much more- there’s a long, long list of things that you will be unlocking as you play the game, and chances are that no matter which mode you’re tackling, you will be unlocking stuff at a regular clip one way or another, making an already addictive experience that much easier to invest in.

A sequel to Kirby Air Ride was definitely not something that most of us expected, but Nintendo and Bandai Namco have banded together to bring back the GameCube cult classic with flying colours, in a way that very few would have expected.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo Switch 2.

EA Sports FC 26 claimed the top spot again, while Battlefield 6 hopped to third place. While the fall of Black Ops 7 may not seem all that bad in isolation, it’s part of a worrying trend, especially with how middling the reception has been. And let’s not forget that this is the title’s second week on sale.

Black Friday deals also helped titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Ghost of Yōtei reach the top ten revenue earners in eighth and ninth place, respectively. Otherwise, the only new entry this week is Kirby Air Riders, and it failed to chart in unit sales (digital sales weren’t accounted for).

It reached tenth place in revenue, though, so that’s something, but as Chris Dring of The Game Business notes, “it is a considerably smaller brand in Europe.”

Now, shallow analysis over; let’s get to the point. What does this data mean? Well, there is significant hunger for couch or local multiplayer games. But here’s the kicker: most studios aren’t cooking, so here’s where Kirby Air Riders is set to swoop in.

While most racers chase competitive matchmatching, battle passes, and cosmetic drops, Kirby Air Riders feels like it’s gliding in from another era. It’s bold, bright, and unashamedly built for shared screens. Nintendo always excels in frictionless, together-on-the-sofa play, but here, with simple mechanics, easy to learn controls, a wealth of engaging modes, plus a thoughtful suite of accessibility features, Kirby Air Riders might just attract anyone, friends, parents, siblings, kids, and even non-gamers, to grab a controller.

First thing to clear up though: Kirby Air Riders is not just a racing game. It’s a “vehicle action game”, with Arena Battles, City Trials, and Air Rides alongside a suite of race modes, from lapping circuits to white-knuckle drag racing. Single player story “Road Trip” aside, each playmode is compatible in multiplayer, both local and online.

Here’s the deal, these multiplayer modes aren’t couch co-op in the strictest sense. You’re not always sharing the same screen. Rather, each player gets their own split view, vertical, horizontal, and the frantic Top Ride where players track the action from a birds-eye view. It all depends on how you set it up, this is chaos easily customised to suit every player’s hunger for mayhem. Add in the quick-access tutorial available in every mode, and even novice gamers will be up to speed in seconds.

And the best part? There’re no DLC. Everything in Kirby Air Riders is available day one. In 2025, “complete at launch” feels almost rebellious.

Hazelight boss Josef Fares, the man behind It Takes Two and Split Fiction, says he doesn’t like live-service games. He goes on, stating: “they’re bad for the industry”. Instead, he proposes that “we should focus on pushing our medium forward: no microtransactions, no BS, just pure gaming love”.

Kirby Air Riders development team echoes this sentiment. To them, Kirby and his pals don’t need a roadmap, they already know where they’re going, and they’re taking you with them. And here’s where it matters: The team’s confidence in Kirby Air Riders’ simplicity might just signal the start of local multiplayer’s real comeback.

Think about it. How often can you boot up a game and worry only about who’s got player two? There’s always a connection, a queue, a grind, or learning curve. Instead, Kirby Air Riders nails immediacy. If MIDiA’s data shows one thing, it’s that lots of people want instant access and shared laughter. Quick drop-in, swift tutorial, go. Multiplayer simplicity like this used to define gaming, now, it feels radical.

If Split Fiction’s playerbase during its first month is anything to go by, approximately four million, for anyone asking, then side-by-side multiplayer is back and Kirby Air Riders’ intensity by proximity is only going to cement its return. Sure, you can play online; there’s no reason to believe it won’t thrill in online spaces. But, the real joy will be in shouting across the room when your friend steals a power-up, or barging elbows as you both sprint to the finish line. Sure, the option is there but Kirby Air Riders won’t be at its best when competing against random usernames, it’ll be when you and your mates, Joy-Cons in hand, flow through Kirby’s latest rush together.

There’s an interesting prediction we can make here too. Kirby Air Riders won’t just revive nostalgia for those who lived through the GameCube era, but will form new habits amongst its younger players. See, those youngsters disinterested in online games and live-service design, which, for the record, are currently the minority, will get to experience how good it feels to share physical space while gaming. It’s too early to say whether the way people consume games will morph into a new social era, but Kirby Air Riders, we suspect, will bridge the gap that’s been growing since the industry shifted focus to online.

Okay, lofty predictions aside. Above everything else, Kirby’s gameplay maintains the one thing Nintendo does better than anyone else: it’s plain fun. Kirby Air Riders is the ultimate party game. See, party games often trade depth for accessibility, but Kirby’s latest side-steps this. Beneath its pastel shades, spritely explosions, and energetic soundtrack lies a surprisingly layered racer. Vehicle choices raise airtime, give weight to bully other racers, or maximise gains from boosting.

We’ve already touched upon its simple-to-learn mechanics, but worth mentioning is the game’s auto-acceleration. See, boosting, intrinsic to lapping quickly, admittedly requires skill to perform. With rides automatically shooting forwards, players instead can focus on squeezing every drop of performance out of boosting. Couple this with deep customisation options, race tweaks, power-up balance, even camera sensitivity, then no-one gets left behind. Each design detail adds up to smoother, friendlier experiences for everyone, and this is underlined by the game’s suite of accessibility options.

And, the inclusivity available here is quietly revolutionary, baked into every system rather than an exercise in box ticking. There’s a visual intensity limiter that adds clear borders around the screen to reduce motion sickness. Colour filters adjust hues for visually impaired or colour-blind participants, while button remapping allows for one-handed control setups without locking you into awkward compromises.

Each feature exists for a reason: to allow anyone to play. The margins are shrinking, but there are still assumptions across the industry that players have full dexterity, perfect vision, and a strong stomach. Kirby Air Riders shows us that accessibility isn’t about lowering the challenge, but about widening participation. It vying for “ultimate party game” status only works if everyone can join in, how many games can you think of that achieve this? Many claim it, Kirby Air Riders means it.

You don’t need to call it anti-live-service to feel a difference. Kirby Air Riders just happens to be one of those games that arrives already full, no post-launch promises, no DLC, no asterisks. It’s confident enough to let you have fun now, with whoever is beside you. And maybe that’s why it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest games of 2025. Because, when other vehicle-based games chase constant engagement, Kirby Air Riders reminds you, if you’re old enough, why you started playing games in the first place: not for progression points and log-in bonuses, but for laughter, rivalry, and chaos shared in the moment. These moments only happen when everyone is in the same room, sharing the same screen. So buckle up, join your mates, and grab a controller.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

If you’re a fan of the original GameCube title, or perhaps have been a fan of Kirby through any of the character’s appearances across a variety of other media, the chance of playing a new game should sound exciting to you.

Or perhaps you’re just diving into what looks like it could be a lot of fun? Either way, you’re going to want to know a few key details before you pick up a copy for your Switch 2. Join us and learn more about Kirby Air Riders.

1. An Expanded Roster of Characters

While the first game featured a relatively limited set of playable characters, Kirby Air Riders doesn’t suffer from that particular issue. There are 20 playable characters already confirmed for the game, each of whom comes with Kirby’s ability to “copy” their opponent’s powers.

Expect to see some familiar faces – and some new ones – when you dive into the action later this month. Of course, Kirby is still the star of the show, but it never hurts to have some variety, doesn’t it?

2. Expanded Fleet of Vehicles

We’ve seen quite a few memorable vehicles in the Kirby universe. We’re happy to tell you that many of them are making their way to the game, and you can swap between them as you go between races and events.

Legendary vehicles are also making a return, and collecting them all is probably going to keep you occupied for many an hour. The Transform Star, for instance, can switch between an aerial Flying Star form and a driving bike form for exploring on the ground, making it a versatile addition to your fleet of vehicles.

3. Dive Into Multiplayer For Some Fun

Fans of the original game will be delighted to know that the Aire Ride, City Trial, and Top Ride modes are in the new game, with expansions and improvements that can make them really addictive very quickly.

With both local and online options there for the taking, Air Ride can have up to 6 players racing at the same time, a number that goes up to eight for Top Ride and 16 for City Trial. That’s going to be a convenient choice for different groups of players, and is a potential gold mine for some multiplayer mayhem.

4. Get Those Miles In

Kirby Air Riders takes an interesting approach to unlocking customization options for your characters. You earn Miles by simply playing the game, and unlock a steady stream of accessories for you to use for your characters and vehicles.

You’re probably going to rack up quite a few of them as you take on your buddies and other players and tear across different courses in your race to the top. Having your fun while also being rewarded with more in-game options for self-expression is a reward system that deserves credit in our book.

5. The My Machines Mode

Those customization options are going to come in quite handy when you begin to create and possibly sell unique vehicle designs using the My Machines mode. You can personalize your entire fleet and put designs that you think are exceptionally eye-catching up for sale.

You might just earn a chunk of in-game currency, and in case you’re worried, no, you don’t lose the vehicle you’re selling. That’s a win-win, and getting to put creative spins on some iconic vehicles from the Kirby universe is definitely a fun way to spend a few hours.

6. Go On A Road Trip

Kirby Air Riders features a main story via the Road Trip mode that puts Kirby and friends on a journey that puts them on a winding road with a lot of excitement and moments to be had along the way.

We’re quite curious to know what has Kirby, King Dedede, Starman, and other characters choosing to travel together, although presentations of the game might have some clues for an eagle-eyed Kirby enthusiast.

7. Diving Into Top Ride

Aside from being an option for local multiplayer, Top Ride mode also comes with a few exclusive items that give you reasons to check it out as early as you can. The kaboom, Drift Flames, Drill Driver, and other cool discoveries await.

If you’re new to the game, Top Ride features a top-down perspective of the races you play in Air Raid mode, although the core gameplay loop of using your abilities to stay ahead of your rivals remains the same.

8. The Paddock

This is Kirby Air Riders’ take on a multiplayer lobby, where you’re going to spend time between your online events. You can move around with your rider character and interact with friends, choose your next race, switch up your tunes, and even show off your emotes and create character poses.

If you’re a social butterfly looking to wander around a Kirby-based world, this is a lobby you’re going to want to visit.

9. Swap Relay Race Type

Exclusive to Air Ride mode is the Swap Replay race. It essentially has you swapping between different machines between individual laps in a race, the choice of which is based on the challenges you’re likely to encounter.

You’re going to have to get creative with your combinations of riders and machines, while the option to relay in local multiplayer races can be quite a amazing when you’re tackling harder challenges with your friends in tow.

10. The Checklist Returns

The checklist from the original game makes a triumphant comeback to Kirby Air Riders, acting as a very handy progress tracker that lets you know what you need to do to unlock new content in the game.

There are a lot of objectives for you to achieve across the different game modes on offer, and it’s certainly going to be easier when you have an easy way to know what’s been done and what still needs doing.

11. Amiibo Figures

Of course, characters as iconic as the ones in Kirby’s cast deserve Amiibo figures. Nintendo has been enthusiastic to announce a bunch of riders and machines, all of which are swappable and compatible with the Switch 2. Your figure is going to be a part of your experience via the Figure Player functionality.

What’s more, swapping out either your rider or vehicle is going to make the new combination reflect on your Figure Player in the game. Talk about immersion!

12. Miles Of Road To Cover

While the game’s premise and controls might be simple enough, there’s a total of eighteen different courses, and a lot of challenges laid out for you to take on over their expansive roadways. Expect to have both your reflexes and tactical chops tested out as you try and take the lead in a gameplay loop that’s probably going to be a blast.

All nine Air Ride courses from the original game are making their way to the new one. We can’t wait to see what Fantasy Meadows and the Nebula Belt look like in their latest avatars.

13. Boss Battles

Probably the feature we’re all most excited to see, the game’s going to have quite a few boss characters, and battles against them that might require some very nimble fingers to win. Robo Dedede, for instance, can freely switch between his Dedede Mode and Car Mode to keep the pressure on you.

We can’t wait to see what else Bandai Namco and Sora have in store for us in this one.

14. Copy and Special Abilities

While we did mention that all playable characters will be able to copy their opponent’s abilities, those Special Abilities are unique to each character, activating via a gauge that you’re going to have to through your actions in-game. Kirby has access to four of them, with each one tied to a specific selectable color for the character.

Using your Copy and Special abilities wisely is going to be an important part of a successful race, and you might want to try out new characters at every opportunity. You never know if the next one has an ability that makes things go very well for you.

15. Global Win Power

Kirby Air Riders is probably going to see a lot of you really put in the miles you need to get ahead, and that might create concerns with balancing in its multiplayer mode for a more casual crop of players. However, the Global Win Power system is poised to manage that problem quite effectively.

Your in-game Licence features a Class Ranking that improves or declines based on your online performances, with levels spread across the colors of a rainbow. This helps keep your skill level matched with players at relatively the same level, ensuring a more competitive online experience for everybody looking to dive in.

And that’s a wrap on everything you need to know about Kirby Air Riders. We hope to find you along the road on this exciting new adventure!

It will be available on November 8th at midnight PT to 6 AM PT and 4 PM PT to 10 PM PT, then on November 9th at 7 AM PT to 1 PM PT. The test returns on November 15th at midnight PT to 6 AM PT and 4 PM PT to 10 PM PT before finishing on November 16th at 7 AM PT to 1 PM PT.

Air Ride and City Trial are the main modes, with the former offering tracks such as Flora Fields, Waveflow Waters and Mount Amberfalls. City Trial, meanwhile, will support up to 16 players for the test. Lessons to learn the mechanics and how to race are playable throughout all listed days, regardless of timings.

Kirby Air Riders launches on November 20th for Nintendo Switch 2, with the playtest available to download on November 7th. Suffice it to say that there’s a lot more to look forward to, from the return of Top Ride to the brand-new Story Mode, so stay tuned.

“Just so you know, we’re not planning any DLC. Everything is here. Also, I’m not planning on making this an ongoing series. I’ve thrown everything I have into this game from the start. So I hope you don’t miss this opportunity,” said the director. Earlier, he thanked fans for their support of the first game, which, alongside the “efforts of a great many people,” resulted in the sequel finally becoming “reality.”

Plans could always change later, especially if the title becomes a huge success (see: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch). However, this could happen without Sakurai, who could move on to something else entirely.

Kirby Air Riders is available on November 20th for Nintendo Switch 2. Alongside the return of City Trial, it features Top Ride Mode, where players can race against the CPU and each other from a top-down perspective. There’s also a Story Mode, and fans with a hankering for Kirby lore appear to be in for a treat. Check out the opening movie here for more details.

As it turns out, the Machines by themselves can’t move. It’s only when someone shares their will that they spring to life. Kirby is one such notable character alongside Meta Knight, King Dedede, Waddle Dee, Knuckle Joe, and more. While this results in changes on Planet Popstar, the Machines are drawn to something strange: an “inorganic life-form” called Zorah.

Nothing is known about it, but its “wishes” are what ultimately set everything into motion. Even more intriguing is that the Fountain of Dreams and Nova, the powerful mechanical comet from Kirby Super Star, are somehow involved. The latter ominously opens its eyes, seemingly responding to Zorah’s wish.

How this will pan out remains to be seen, but Sakurai emphasized that everyone is the main character in this mode – yes, even Chef Kawasaki. Kirby Air Riders launches on November 20th for Nintendo Switch 2. Head here for more details or learn about the return of Top Ride Mode.

Upon selecting your Rider and Machine, you can customize the number of CPU players, their level, the Machines, and a handicap before starting. It features the same rules as Air Ride Mode with no changes to Boost Charges or drifting. The biggest change is that every player has their own screen and that all Riders and Machines are available.

There are also two control schemes – Free and Steer – to choose from, and courses inspired by Air Ride Mode will appear. Of course, you can set the view to a single screen for everyone and enable a diorama-style effect to capture the original’s color palette. While up to eight players can partake in a Top Ride race, four are recommended.

It even features exclusive items like Kaboomb (explodes when picked up), Drift Flames (leave a flame trail), and Drill Driver (attaches a drill to the front). And yes, it’s playable online.

Kirby Air Riders launches on November 20th for Nintendo Switch 2 at $69.99. Stay tuned for more details from the Direct shortly.

It’s intriguing considering the last Direct ran for about 45 minutes and offered tons of information, including a peek at the different racers, their abilities, various Machines, and a few tracks. Sakurai even delved into the returning City Trial, which supports up to 16 players and mixes battle royale mechanics with competitive mini-games.

What could the next Direct have in store? Time will tell, so stay tuned for more details later this week. Kirby Air Riders launches on November 20th for Nintendo Switch 2. It retails for $69.99 and will launch alongside new amiibo for Kirby and Bandana Dee with swappable vehicles. Head here for more details.

The amiibo based on Kirby Air Riders are quite unique when compared to other amiibo that Nintendo has released over the last decade. Rather than just being figures, the amiibo can be swapped around with each other, plugging into various vehicles that will be available in the upcoming title. Aside from making cosmetic changes, this ability to swap vehicles also serves other functions.

The vehicles have chips embedded in them to let them recognise the amiibo placed in them. Along with this, Nintendo has also confirmed that these amiibo will be able to level up over time as players take on more challenges and races from Kirby Air Riders.

To kick things off, two of these amiibo – dubbed Swap Riders – will be launched on November 20: Kirby and Bandana Dee. Both of these amiibo will be paired with their own vehicles which can also be swapped around.

Kirby Air Riders is slated for release on the Nintendo Switch 2, and will be priced at $69.99. For more details, check out our coverage detailing some of its tracks and gameplay mechanics, like vehicles having their own distinct traits that change up how well they fly and control throughout a race.