Kirby Air Riders Officially Announced for Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo has finally confirmed the news fans have been waiting for. Kirby Air Riders, the long-awaited sequel to the legendary Kirby Air Ride on the GameCube, will officially launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 20, 2025. The announcement came during a Kirby Air Riders-themed Nintendo Direct, with Masahiro Sakurai personally introducing the game’s new features.

Major Changes in the Control System

One of the biggest changes comes in the control mechanics. While the original Kirby Air Ride only relied on a single button, the new Kirby Air Riders introduces a second button. This addition brings fresh depth to the gameplay by allowing unique special moves for each character.

For example, Kirby can now unleash a quick sword slash attack, adding more strategic options to races and battles.

Expanded Character Roster

The character roster is significantly larger than in the previous game. In addition to Kirby, players can now choose from:

• King Dedede

• Meta Knight

• Chef Kawasaki

• Bandana Waddle Dee

• Cappy

• Magolor

• Gooey

• Waddle Doo

• Knuckle Joe

• Susie

• Starman

A major highlight is that every character can now use copy abilities, creating a more balanced and varied gameplay experience across all races.

New Machines and the Return of City Trial

Alongside the expanded roster, new ride machines are making their debut. One standout is the Swerve Star, a vehicle with a dash-and-stop mechanic, enabling extreme speed bursts and sharp turns.

The fan-favorite City Trial mode is also returning, now upgraded with a larger sandbox-style map divided into multiple areas. The mode supports up to 16 players online and 8 players via local wireless, making it one of the biggest multiplayer experiences in Kirby’s history.

Teasers for Upcoming Features

Nintendo teased that there are still undisclosed features waiting to be revealed. With the official release date just a few months away, fans can now mark their calendars. On November 20, 2025, Kirby’s iconic racing chaos will return on a bigger and more exciting scale than ever before.