Kirby Air Riders promises to be much more than a Mario Kart-like game
On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, a Nintendo Direct took place, during which the Japanese company unveiled its new delivery, Kirby Air Riders. It was presented by Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the game, who recalled the original title, Kirby Air Ride, released on July 11, 2003, exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube.
This racing video game featured Kirby’s iconic character, which many recognize from Mario Kart’s saga. However, it remained like an untapped Nintendo IP for more than two decades. Now, the popular pink creature returns in the company of more playable characters, something impossible in the 2003 title.
The new catalogue of pilots incorporates Kirby, a light runner with a lot of agility in the closed curves. King Dedede, a heavy conductor who in physical duels is always dominated by his hammer force. Goal Knight, a skilled flyer who will always attack his enemies in the back.
Bandana Waddle Dee, with impressive speed and a sting ready to hurt. And finally, Chef Kawasaki, a pilot who only eats, recovers his energy and speed. These were the other news from Kirby Air Riders and of course its release date and its price for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Las pruebas urbanas están de regreso en#KirbyAirRiders, ¡ahora con soporte para hasta 16 jugadores en línea! pic.twitter.com/5mugY8gEcV
— Nintendo Latinoamérica (@NintendoLatam) August 19, 2025
When is it coming out and how much worth?
Kirby Air Riders arrives exclusively for Switch 2, premiered less than three months ago, on November 20 20, 2025. It will do so with a local competitive mode of up to eight gamers and a competitive online mode of up to 16 players.
In addition, its version in digital format, purchased and downloaded from Nintendo’s eShop, will have a price of 70 euros ($330,000). With regard to its physical version, it is still unknown whether it will be sold, and if it does, in which regions it will.
Beyond the above, judging by its price and the way its ad and presentation were handled, Kirby Air Riders is shaping up to be one of the most important video games of the year for Switch,2, and of which millions of copies are expected to sell.
What is Kirby Air Riders about?
Unlike the first video game, Kirby Air Ride, this new proposal is by Bandai Namco, a toy manufacturer. In addition, the development team is the same one that made Super Smash Bros possible. Ultimately.
The game bears a resemblance to Mario Kart, but Kirby Air Riders’ biggest attraction does not lie in the races,” explained Masahiro Sakurai, director of the title, who also tried the video game several times during the live event.
Sakurai also said most of the video game’s action occurs in the air, when pilots float or plan. In that sense, Kirby Air Riders has very different movement mechanics than Mario Kart has used to us.
What else can you do in Kirby Air Riders??
Each runner has a special skill, except for Kirby, who has four, which can help them knock down rivals or boost their speed. Additionally, some elements and bodies allow them to be faster or resistant to rival attacks.
Nintendo and Bandai Namco have paid special attention to the diversity of pilots, cars, and powers. A must from the game 22 years ago. Maglor, Gooey, Waddle Doo, Knuckle Joe, and Susie complete the proposal for new playable and customizable characters. Still, there are many more pilots and elements to discover.
In conclusion, Kirby Air Riders also shows its different circuits as a complement to a project that hopes to be popular and successful. Even if it can be a major buying factor for those who haven’t decided on a Nintendo Switch 2.
