To unlock machines in Kirby Air Riders, complete the challenges shown in the game’s Checklist across its different modes. There is no single requirement that unlocks the whole roster: objectives can involve winning races, meeting time targets, combat, exploration, or Road Trip story progress. Some machines also become purchasable with Miles once they appear in the in-game shop.
How machine unlocks work
Nintendo says challenges in each game mode can unlock riders, machines, customization options, or Miles. The Checklist is therefore the best place to track what to do next. A challenge may be tied to Air Ride, Road Trip, City Trial, or Top Ride, and some machines have conditions in more than one mode. Not every machine is available through every mode.
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| 1 |
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Kirby Air Riders Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code] | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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For a particular machine, check its Checklist entry and follow the mode and objective listed there. The examples below are reported by Nintendo Life’s guide, dated November 24, 2025; Nintendo’s official pages explain the overall challenge and Miles systems but do not publish a complete per-machine condition list. See the guide’s machine list.
Examples of machine unlock requirements
These examples show why it helps to read each Checklist challenge closely: some ask for a result in one run, while others are cumulative or require a particular course or mode. Times and distances below are reproduced as the guide reports them.
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#1 Best Overall
- Charge, boost, and spin to attack your rivals in this vehicle action game featuring Kirby and crew
- Use the Boost Charge button to brake and control your turns as your machine fights for top speed
- Fill up your Boost Charge Gauge and then release to trigger an explosive dash
- Choose from a variety of riders like Kirby and Meta Knight, each with their own stats and Specials
- Zip around Skyah in City Trial: a free-for-all battle for 16 players online or 8 players via local wireless
| Machine | Reported requirement |
|---|---|
| Bulk Star | Air Ride: break three cargo pieces on conveyor belts in one race. City Trial: use eight attack items in one race. |
| Bull Tank | City Trial: take first place in Kirby Melee without being knocked down. |
| Chariot | Air Ride: finish Airtopia Ruins (Laps) within three minutes. Top Ride: finish Flower within 1:00.00. |
| Compact Star | Play City Trial for the first time. |
| Formula Star | Air Ride: finish Galactic Nova without touching laser columns. Top Ride: finish without hitting walls. |
| Hop Star | Road Trip: jump ten times in Top Ride challenges. Air Ride: fly over the wall to the road leading to the castle on Checker Knights. |
| Jet Star | Road Trip: ride 5,000 m during Stadium challenges. City Trial: stray beyond Skyah’s edge and get hit by lightning. |
| Paper Star | Air Ride: glide for three seconds on Crystalline Fissure. City Trial: fly 550 yards in Air Glider. |
| Rex Wheelie | Air Ride: defeat 20 enemies in one Waveflow Waters race. Road Trip: defeat three enemies with star-shaped projectiles in one challenge. |
| Rocket Star | Road Trip: ride for 180 seconds during a Top Ride challenge. City Trial: swap to vacant machines 30 times. |
| Shadow Star | Top Ride: copy enemy abilities twice in one race. City Trial: ride rails around the entire island once in a match. |
| Slick Star | Air Ride: defeat three enemies by spitting stars in one race. City Trial: finish Drag Race 1 within 0:35.00. |
| Swerve Star | Road Trip: clear ten Race challenges. Top Ride: win on Cyber with at least three seconds over second place. |
| Tank Star | Road Trip: make two perfect landings in an Air Ride challenge. Top Ride: pass through the hidden passage on Steam and finish within 0:55.00. |
| Transform Star | Air Ride: use a switch to make a platform appear twice on Cyberion Highway. Top Ride: complete a lap on Crystal after passing through all crystal dash zones. |
| Turbo Star | Road Trip: clear three Stadium challenges. City Trial: soar 110 yd and fly above the garden in the sky. |
| Vampire Star | Road Trip: defeat 15 kinds of enemies. |
| Wagon | Air Ride: complete a Cavernous Corners (Time) lap in 1:50 or less. Road Trip: enter the shop 15 times. |
| Warp Star | Air Ride: finish first on Nebula Belt. Top Ride: collect ten different items in one race. |
| Wheelie Scooter | Air Ride: finish first on Floria Fields. Top Ride: complete a Flower lap with no more than three wall crashes. |
| Wheelie Bike | City Trial: swap to three different machine types in one match. Road Trip: clear three City Trial challenges. |
| Winged Star | Road Trip: swap machines 30 times. City Trial: touch the underside of the garden in the sky. |
The guide also lists Battle Chariot for purchase at 9,700 points and Flight Warp Star for 3,600 points after each becomes available in the shop. It reports that buying a machine there enables its use in the editing suite.
How to get the legendary machines
The guide identifies four legendary machines and gives these requirements:
Rank #2
- Ready, set, battle! Charge, boost, and spin to attack your rivals in Kirby Air Riders, a fast-paced vehicle action featuring Kirby and crew – only on Nintendo Switch 2.
- Riders at the ready! Pick your rider, pick your machine, and mount up for competition! Take on your rivals in frantic arena battles or fast-paced races on the ground and in the air. Use the Boost Charge button to brake and control your turns as your machine automatically fights for top speed. Fill your Boost Charge gauge as you drift around the bend and release it to trigger an explosive dash!
- Ready, set, battle! Charge, boost, and spin to attack your rivals in Kirby Air Riders, a fast-paced vehicle action featuring Kirby and crew – only on Nintendo Switch 2.
- Roam around Skyah to find machines, collect power-ups, and survive through unpredictable Field Events ranging from falling meteors to powerful boss battles. After five minutes of powering up, you and your rivals will compete in one of a whole host of different Stadium contests, each with its own objective. These include drag races, battle arenas, skydiving for points and more, so it helps to be ready for anything!
- Race to the finish in Air Ride If straightforward racing is more your speed, check out Air Ride: a frantic dash where you can race against five other riders, or compete online or via local wireless. Attack opposing riders, or trail close behind their wake, to gather up stars – and use the speed boost they provide to beat your rivals to the finish line!
- Leo: Complete Road Trip’s True Ending, described by the guide as beating the story with all vehicles collected, and collect three parts from red boxes in City Trial.
- Gigantes: See the Normal story ending and collect three City Trial parts.
- Hydra: Collect three parts from red boxes in City Trial.
- Dragoon: Collect three parts from red boxes in City Trial.
Because these are guide-reported conditions rather than a complete official Nintendo checklist, use the in-game Checklist to confirm the relevant progress and requirements in your version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you buy machines with Miles?
Yes. Nintendo describes the Machine Market as a place to buy and sell custom machines using Miles. The guide says machines can be purchased once they have become available in the Miles Shop, so shopping is an additional route for eligible machines—not a substitute for meeting every unlock condition. Nintendo notes that machines differ in stats and handling, and some have additional effects; collection alone does not indicate which one is best for a particular player. Nintendo’s Kirby Air Riders feature page explains the Checklist and Machine Market.
Rank #3
- A table hockey inspired by Kirby's world!
- Hit Kirby puck with the paddle to slip him on. Hit the targets and collect items the most to win!
- Puck floats independently and glides over any smooth surface!
- For 2-4 players. Requires 2 "AAA" batteries, not included
- Suitable for children from 4 years.
What to do if a machine does not unlock
- Check the Checklist entry. Confirm the mode, course, run condition, and any result or time target; a similar-looking task may not count.
- Check the game’s software version. Nintendo’s support update history includes fixes related to Checklist completion and machine behavior. That history does not establish that a particular issue is currently widespread, but installing available updates is a sensible first check. Nintendo Switch 2 system updates and support information.
- Repeat the exact objective and verify progress. For a one-run condition, complete all parts in the same run or match if the entry says so. For cumulative tasks, check whether the Checklist has recorded progress rather than assuming one attempt must finish it.
Do amiibo unlock machines?
Nintendo’s amiibo support instructions say compatible figures can award Miles. Kirby Air Riders amiibo also have other uses, including updating the Main Menu Figure, appearing as figure players in certain modes, and granting unique rewards on a first scan. The support page does not identify direct machine unlocks as an amiibo reward, so amiibo should not be treated as a required or guaranteed way to complete the machine roster. Nintendo amiibo support instructions.
How complete is the published machine list?
Nintendo Life’s 2025 guide describes the roster as “over 28” machines and says its list may be updated. Treat that as the guide’s reported count, not a definitive current official total. Its per-machine requirements are useful starting points, while the in-game Checklist remains the direct way to track your own unlock progress.
Quick Recap
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