Kirby Air Riders is a vehicle-action racing game for Nintendo Switch 2, directed by Masahiro Sakurai and released on November 20, 2025. Its four modes range from conventional races and a top-down racing option to an open-ended city trial and a single-player story journey.
What is Kirby Air Riders?
Nintendo describes Kirby Air Riders as a fast-paced vehicle-action game featuring races and arena battles on land and in the air. It is directed by Masahiro Sakurai and published by Nintendo for Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo lists physical and digital editions; the game is not listed for the original Nintendo Switch.
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Kirby Air Riders - Nintendo Switch 2 | $48.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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![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 |
Riders include Kirby, Meta Knight, and King Dedede. They pair with machines such as the Warp Star, Wheelie Bike, and Chariot. Riders and machines have different attributes and Specials, so the chosen combination affects how a run plays. Riders can also take Copy Abilities from foes.
How the controls and racing work
Machines generally move forward automatically. Players steer with the left stick. Holding B brakes and charges a boost; releasing B triggers a Boost Dash. Nintendo also describes drifting, flying, and collecting power-ups as parts of the action.
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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!
Riders contribute their own traits, including characteristics that can affect weight, durability, Specials, and close-range attacks. Machine choice changes handling and stats, so choosing a combination is part of the game’s strategy rather than a cosmetic decision.
Kirby Air Riders modes
Air Ride
Air Ride is the main race mode: choose a rider and machine, then compete on racecourses. It can be played solo or in multiplayer.
Top Ride
Top Ride is a race viewed from above, offering a different perspective from Air Ride. Nintendo lists it as playable solo or in multiplayer.
City Trial
In City Trial, players roam the island of Skyah, collecting power-ups and improving their machines before taking on challenges. It combines free movement and preparation with a competitive finish, rather than keeping players on a single racecourse throughout.
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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 a single-player story journey. It is the clearest choice for someone looking for a solo progression mode rather than a race or a multiplayer-focused city trial.
Multiplayer and online requirements
Nintendo UK lists these player counts for the game: single-system play for 1–4 players, local wireless for 2–8, and online play for 1–16. Those are product-page counts, not a guarantee that every mode supports every listed group size.
Online features require internet access, a Nintendo Account, and a Nintendo Switch Online membership, according to Nintendo’s US product page. Nintendo notes that online availability may vary by country. Nintendo Support’s update history says installing the game update is required for Internet features and that players must use the same software version to play together.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Release, editions, and current listing details
Nintendo announced Kirby Air Riders for November 20, 2025, and its product pages now list the game as available in physical and digital editions. Make sure a physical copy is the Nintendo Switch 2 edition: Nintendo lists the game for that system, not the original Switch.
Rank #3
- 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
Nintendo UK lists a download size of 21.9 GB. Treat that as the listing’s stated size, which may change as updates are released; check the regional store listing before downloading.
Updates and optional amiibo
Nintendo Support lists version 1.3.3 as released on June 2, 2026. The update history warns that replay data from earlier versions may not work with the newest version, so replays should not be assumed to remain compatible after updating.
Nintendo identifies Kirby Air Riders as amiibo-compatible and says amiibo are sold separately. Its update history names Sword Kirby & Dragoon and Noir Dedede & Hydra as supported figures. The figures are optional; Nintendo does not list them as a requirement to play.
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.
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