Kirby Air Riders, directed by Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai, is a Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive vehicle action game. It released on November 20, 2025, and Nintendo’s US page now lists it as available. Players race, battle in arenas and explore the island of Skyah across several modes, with online play requiring a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership.
What is Kirby Air Riders?
Kirby Air Riders is a vehicle action game built around riding machines in races and arena battles. Nintendo describes Kirby and other riders speeding across racecourses and the city island of Skyah, where they can collect power-ups, drift, boost, fly and switch to unoccupied machines. The Nintendo UK listing names riders including Kirby, Meta Knight and King Dedede, and machines including the Warp Star, Wheelie Bike and Chariot. Nintendo UK’s game listing
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Kirby Air Riders - Nintendo Switch 2 | $48.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Kirby Air Riders Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/412VOa-X12L._SL160_.jpg)
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Kirby Air Riders Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code] | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Kirby Star Allies - Nintendo Switch | $52.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
It is directed by Masahiro Sakurai, known for directing the Super Smash Bros. series. Nintendo’s October 23, 2025 recap presents the game as an expansion of the Kirby Air Ride concept, with returning machines, a roster of riders, customization and online play. Nintendo’s Direct recap
What modes can you play?
Air Ride
Air Ride is the main race mode, with courses that include ground and aerial sections. Riders can drift to charge a boost, then release it to surge forward: Nintendo’s product page describes holding B through a corner and letting go to accelerate. Nintendo’s US product page
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- 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!
Top Ride
Top Ride presents racing from a top-down perspective. Nintendo identifies it as a returning mode in its recap of the game. Nintendo’s Direct recap
City Trial
City Trial takes place around Skyah, where riders can roam and gather power-ups before competing. Nintendo includes it among the game’s modes. Nintendo’s Direct recap
Rank #2
- 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
Road Trip
Road Trip is the story-driven single-player mode. Nintendo says it follows the story of Zorah. Nintendo’s Direct recap
How riders, machines and abilities work
Rider-and-machine combinations are a core part of choosing how to play. Nintendo says machines have different handling, stats and Special moves, while riders can collect Copy Abilities. That gives you more to consider than a vehicle’s appearance: machine choice can affect how it handles, and rider abilities add another layer to a run. Nintendo’s US product page
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- Use friend hearts to charm enemies and they'll fight alongside you! drop-in/drop-out co-op: up to three other players can take control of Kirby's new friends
- Play through the entire game with up to four players or with CPU friends Kirby and his friends have fresh moves thanks to new and expanded Copy abilities
- Combine abilities with elements such as wind and water to create new friend abilities some bosses and enemies are weak to certain elemental attacks, so remember to Strategize
- Battery: no battery used;Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Cartoon violence
Multiplayer and Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo UK lists these player counts for Kirby Air Riders:
| Play method | Players listed |
|---|---|
| One system | 1–4 |
| Local wireless | 2–8 |
| Online | 1–16 |
For online features, Nintendo requires a Nintendo Account, internet access and a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo also notes that some online services vary by country. Nintendo UK’s game listing
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- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Release date, platform and download size
The game released on November 20, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo’s US page says it is available and offers a physical edition; Nintendo UK’s listing gives a download size of 21.9 GB. That file size is the UK store’s listed specification, not a guaranteed requirement for every edition or region. Nintendo UK’s game listing Nintendo’s US product page
Are amiibo required?
No. Nintendo presents amiibo as an optional extra: compatible figures combine a rider and machine and can be tapped into the game. Nintendo’s support history says version 1.3.3, released June 2, 2026, added support for Sword Kirby & Dragoon and Noir Dedede & Hydra amiibo. Compatibility details can change, so check Nintendo’s support page for the current list. Nintendo Support update history Nintendo UK’s game listing
Is Kirby Air Riders still upcoming?
No. The announcement and Nintendo’s October 2025 recap described a future launch, but the stated release date has passed: the game launched November 20, 2025, and Nintendo’s US product page says it is available. Availability at an individual retailer can vary. Nintendo’s Direct recap Nintendo’s US product page
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
