Nintendo and game director Masahiro Sakurai recently held a dedicated presentation revealing extensive details about the upcoming Kirby Air Riders highlighting new gameplay modes, customization options, and announced a demo event for early November.

The presentation introduced Road Trip, a story-driven mode where players complete various challenges from different game types including races, battles, and field events. Players collect machines and items between challenges while following a story involving Kirby, King Dedede, Bandana Waddle Dee, Starman, and other characters.

Top Ride, originally from the 2003 GameCube title Kirby Air Ride, makes its return with top-down racing gameplay. The mode features courses inspired by Air Ride mode and includes exclusive items like Kaboomb, Drift Flames, and Drill Driver. Players can use Copy Abilities such as Flash, which electrifies the rider and shocks any rivals hit. Top Ride supports online play with up to eight players or local play with three players plus four CPUs.

New Features and Customization

Air Ride mode introduces Swap Relay races, where players select different machines for each lap and automatically switch between them. Players can experiment with various rider and machine combinations, and even pass the controller between local players like a relay baton. A new machine called the Transform Star can switch between a flying star type and a driving bike type by rapidly moving the control stick, allowing players to adapt their strategy during races.

The Paddock serves as an online lobby where players can move around, set up matches, interact with friends, and choose game modes. Multiple matches can run simultaneously within a single paddock, and players can change music and send emotes.

Players create a License for online identification, which can be customized with glitter effects, stickers, and a personalized Street Name. The game includes a Class system represented by rainbow colors that matches players with similar skill levels. Each mode has its own Global Win Power ranking based on total wins. Team Battles allow up to 16 players in City Trial to split into two teams of eight, with the ability to share legendary machine parts between teammates.

The Checklist system from the original game returns with five tabs covering Air Ride, Top Ride, City Trial, Road Trip, and Online. Completing objectives unlocks new content, and players can click unopened boxes next to completed ones to jump directly to that challenge. No riders or machines are locked behind the Online tab.

Players earn Miles currency while playing, which can be spent at the Miles Shop on machines, decorations, music tracks, and headwear for riders. The My Machine feature lets players add decals, accessories, patterns, and effects to their machines, which can then be listed on the Machine Market for other players to purchase with in-game currency.

Gummies are collectible trophies shaped like machines of defeated opponents. Players earn a Gummy for every rival they finish ahead of in competition. My Music allows players to select tracks during City Trial from across the Kirby series, including bonus and hidden tracks. The game also offers announcer voices in different languages and styles, customizable button mapping, and visual effect options.

amiibo Figures

Three sets of Kirby Air Riders amiibo figures were revealed, which are larger than typical amiibo. The sets include Meta Knight & Shadow Star (launching March 5, 2026), King Dedede & Tank Star (2026), and Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star (2026). Each rider attaches magnetically to their machine and can be swapped with other Kirby Air Riders amiibo, with the new combination appearing in-game. Players can train their amiibo Figure Player and increase experience levels.

The game includes all nine Air Ride courses from the original game, bringing the total to 18 courses ranging from Fantasy Meadows to Nebula Belt. City Trial features a new power-up item called the Mega Cannon and introduces Robo Dedede as a boss battle exclusive opponent that transforms between Dedede mode and Car mode. Players can collect and rebuild legendary machines Dragoon and Hydra.

Newly revealed playable riders include Taranza and the duo Lololo & Lalala, expanding the game’s roster.

Global Test Ride Demo

Nintendo Switch Online members can try the game demo during the Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride event, taking place over two weekends on November 8-9 and November 15-16. The demo runs during specific time windows:

• November 8: 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. PT and 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. PT
• November 9: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT
• November 15: 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. PT and 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. PT
• November 16: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT

The Kirby Air Riders demo includes Lessons, Air Ride (with Floria Fields, Waveflow Waters, and Mount Amberfalls courses), and City Trial. Players can join paddocks that support up to 16 people during the demo, while the full game will allow up to 32 players. The demo software will be available for download from the Nintendo eShop starting the afternoon of November 7. Lessons can be played anytime, even outside the scheduled demo windows.

Sakurai confirmed that no downloadable content is planned for the game, and it will not become an ongoing series. Kirby Air Riders launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 20.