Masahiro Sakurai’s unnamed game project, disclosed in October 2024, was later revealed as Kirby Air Riders, directed by Sakurai for Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo announced a November 20, 2025 release date. The 2024 report did not identify the project, and its suggestion that Sakurai might make another Super Smash Bros. was speculation.
What was the mystery game?
The project was Kirby Air Riders. Nintendo’s official development-insights page identifies Sakurai as the game’s director and lists Nintendo Switch 2 as its platform. Nintendo of Canada announced its November 20, 2025 launch date in October 2025. Nintendo’s announcement also covered features including Top Ride and online play.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
What did Sakurai reveal in 2024?
In the finale of his YouTube series Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games, Sakurai discussed an unnamed project he had been working on for years. BGR’s Jacob Siegal reported on October 22, 2024 that Sakurai had been finishing the final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate downloadable content characters in July 2021 when he received a request to write a game proposal. According to that report, the proposal was later approved for production, after which Sakurai needed to assemble a team.
Sakurai said he could not share more about the project, but, assuming they were able to get it made, it should be announced sooner or later. That statement did not name the game. BGR’s contemporary report suggested another Smash as a possibility, but that was speculation, not confirmation.
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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!
Is it a new Super Smash Bros.?
No. The project Sakurai had disclosed was later identified as Kirby Air Riders, not an announced new Super Smash Bros. game. The original report’s conjecture about another Smash should not be confused with the later official identification.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What kind of game is Kirby Air Riders?
Nintendo’s March 18, 2026 development insight describes design decisions behind the game. Discussing the addition of the Road Trip story mode, Sakurai said, “I know they’ll have fun playing City Trial and Air Ride, but I felt as though repeating a few minutes of gameplay isn’t quite enough for a modern title.” Nintendo describes Road Trip as a challenge-based single-player mode. Nintendo’s development insights provide further detail on how the mode was shaped.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- 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
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
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
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