The Kirby Air Riders Direct is now over, so you can find details on all of the announcements below. We've covered when the demo is expected to release, and listed the new Riders that'll be available at launch.
There's plenty of hype surrounding Kirby Air Riders, especially given that it's one of the last Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives we'll see before the year is over. From what we've seen so far, Kirby Air Riders is a very unique kind of racing game, able to distinguish itself from Nintendo Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World in a number of ways. While we enjoyed the new Mario Kart, we're hoping that Kirby Air Riders has the stuff to rank above it in our best Nintendo Switch 2 games list.
Here's our live coverage of the Kirby Air Riders Direct. We'll offer key info on the game, including details on everything revealed during the event.
Everything announced at the Kirby Air Riders Direct
- Masahiro Sakurai presented the Direct
- First, there was a reveal of a bonus, top-down racing mode called Top Ride
- Top Ride is inspired by the bonus mode from the original Kirby Air Ride and features: several playable characters and vehicles, up to eight players can play, difficulty options, and the ability to zoom in and out during the race.
- Top Ride can also be "bite-sized sessions", players can select controller options before a race, and it will feature a host of courses inspired by Air Ride locations with amps like: Maps: Flower, Flow, Air, Crystal, Steam, Mountain
- The mode can be played locally on one screen and with one Switch 2, with up to four players playing together along with four additional computer-controlled players
- Top Ride also features exclusive items that can be picked up mid-race, like Kaboom, Drift Flames, Drill Driver, Seeker Missile, Course Quaker, Chickie
- Top Ride can be played with Joy-Con controllers, the Pro Controller, and the GameCube controller
- There’s a new Road Trip mode where you can take on challenges from the 3 main modes, including race and battles, all while collecting items, and engaging in the mode’s own story
- A new Paddock online lobby, where players can run around as their racer and set up races from the terminal, emote, and interact with each other. You can spectate races from the three modes, listen to music, and more, here, too
- There’s a new ranked system similar to that used for Super Smash Bros. A new metric called Global Win Power will be displayed on players’ licenses, marked by colors
- There’s a host of new Air Ride courses in the form of Airtopia Ruins, Crystalline Fissure, Steamgust Forge, and a mystery course
- All 9 race tracks from previous games are back, bringing the total courses to 18 - Fantasy Meadows, Celestial Valley, Sky Sands, Frozen Hillside, Magma Flows, Beanstalk Park, Machine Passage, Checker Knights, Nebula Belt
- City Trial mode includes new power-ups, including Speed Up, Dizzy Beam, Special Up, Item Catcher, Fireworks, Laser Swiper, Multi-Missile, Size Up, and Mega Cannon, as well as new legendary items, such as Dragoon and Hydra
- In Team Battles, players can be split into two teams for City Trial mode, and elsewhere, you can engage in Skyah Sightseeing, where players can explore without any limits or obstacles
- New Riders were announced, including Taranza, Lololo & Lalala, Daroach, Rocky, Rick, Scarfy, Marx, Waddle Dee, along with new machines such as Transform Star, Hop Star, Jet Star, Wheelie Scooter, Bull Tank
- There’s a stadium mode that includes mini games from City Trial - Button Rush, High Jump, Big Battle, Oval Circuit, Rail Panic, Beam Gauntlet
- A new mode called VS. Boss King, which takes place in a big arena
- My Machines was revealed as a new feature where you can buy decorative items to customize, share, and sell custom machine designs - plus there’ll be headwear customizations for riders
- A new currency in the form of ‘Miles’ was revealed and is accumulated the more you play, and can be spent in the in-game store
- Gummies are new to Kirby Air Riders and are earned from completing races
- There’s a garage feature to show off machines
- There’s going to be a My Music option that allows players to select the music they want to listen to during City Trial and when they explore Skyah - including tracks from across the Kirby series
- There’s also going to be a new menu UI showing all the new modes and features, as well as accessibility options for shake and tilt features
- Kirby Air Riders amiibo are on the way! Your scanned amiibo will be the icon for the main menu
- An online demo event is on the way too! Keep a lookout for more information
- The end teased…something? And it looked a bit like Super Smash Bros., maybe?
Kirby Air Riders Online Demo Event start date
An Online Demo Event for Kirby Air Riders will run at the times in the image above. These sessions go live November 8, and conclude on November 16.
Kirby Air Riders Direct start time
Kirby Air Riders Direct #2 started on October 23, 2025 at the times below:
- East Coast (United States): 9AM ET
- West Coast (United States): 6AM PT
- United Kingdom: 2PM BST
- Central Europe: 3PM CEST
- Australia (Sydney): 11PM AEST
- Japan (Tokyo): 10PM JST
This Direct event lasted one hour. This matcheed with the first Kirby Air Riders Direct, which aired on August 19, 2025, and lasted an hour and twenty minutes. You can watch this first Direct below:
Where to watch the Kirby Air Riders Direct on October 23
You can watch The Kirby Air Riders Direct #2 over on the official Nintendo YouTube channels. We've embedded a link below:
Make sure to arrive at the times detailed previously in this article, as there will likely be a short countdown before the show starts. From there, expect a full presentation from director Masahiro Sakurai, lasting 60 minutes in total.
Live coverage as it happens
Welcome to our live build up to today's Kirby Air Riders Direct
Welcome in Kirby fans! There's a Kirby Air Riders Direct airing later today, and it'll apparently last for a full hour. I'll be hear covering the build up live, giving you all the info revealed so far, before switching over to live impressions once the Direct begins.
Here's when today's Kirby Air Riders Direct starts
The second Kirby Air Riders Direct begins later today at the times below:
- East Coast (United States): 9AM ET
- West Coast (United States): 6AM PT
- United Kingdom: 2PM BST
- Central Europe: 3PM CEST
- Australia (Sydney): 11PM AEST
- Japan (Tokyo): 10PM JST
When does Kirby Air Riders come out?
We already know that Kirby Air Riders launches November 20, 2025 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. It's likely the very last major Switch 2 exclusive we'll see this year, as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond also launches on Nintendo Switch.
Where to watch the Kirby Air Riders Direct
You can watch the Kirby Air Riders Direct by heading to the Nintendo official YouTube channels. We've even embedded the streaming link above.
Just two hours to go!
The Kirby Air Riders Direct will go live in just two hours. I'm expecting some news on story content, and possibly a tease as to whether there will be post-launch support.
Only an hour and a quarter to go!
Less than an hour and half now until we'll get our next deep dive into Kirby Air Riders. Start planning your time and movement across the next couple of hours, and make sure to tune in for our live coverage when it all kicks off.
Just one hour to go!
Boy, that's crept up on us - there's only one hour to go before the Kirby Air Riders Direct starts.
Strap in, and let's hope for a host of cool details and bits of info!
My hopes for the Kirby Air Riders Direct
Now that we're just minutes away from the next Kirby Air Riders Direct, I'm thinking about what I'd actually like to see during the show. As someone that never played the first game, I'm finding the deep dives into gameplay mechanics a little bit overwhelming, so some basic overviews of standard races would be nice. I'd also love to see whether there's any story content tying the game together, even if it's just small lore drops for each racer, alongside some nice cutscenes.
Mostly, I need to decide whether there's a broader appeal to Kirby Air Riders, as currently it does look to be a bit of a niche offering. Having enjoyed Mario Kart World, but not as much as I'd expected, I'm definitely up for trying out a new racer on Switch 2, however.
30 minutes to go
We're now just half an hour away from the start of the Kirby Air Riders Direct. It's set to run for an hour, so expect a hefty amount of detail from the esteemed Mr. Sakurai. Honesty, even if you're not interested in the game, watching Mr. Sakurai present is an absolute joy.
Kirby Air Riders amiibo launch alongside the game
Two new amiibo will launch alongside Kirby Air Riders. These include a Bandana Waddle Dee & Winged Star amiibo, and the Kirby & Warp Star amiibo. Both have the potential to trigger in-game bonuses when held against the Switch 2's NFC tag.
The show has started! Follow our reactions live, as the reveals happen
The Kirby Air Riders Direct is now live. Let's dig into what's being shown. Looks like we're kicking off with an overview on key details like release date and platforms.
Top Ride mode announced
Kirby Air Riders harkens back to its predecessor with a Top Ride Mode, which plays out with a top-down camera view.
Courses for Top Ride include Flower and Flow
We're now getting a look at some courses that feature in Top Ride. There's Flower, Air, Flow, Steam, and more. The courses are wider this time around.
Top Ride is designed as a more casual, pick up and play experience
Mr. Sakurai describes Top Ride as a more casual experience, with shorter, more pick up and play races.
Road Trip mode adds challenges to complete
A new mode called Road Trip is being shown off. It offers small challenges as you drive around a track. It looks as though this is geared more towards solo play.
You'll make your own drivers license
When playing online in Kirby Air Riders, you'll make a profile in the form of a drivers license. Backgrounds, titles and other visuals can be tweaked.
There's a lobby that you can explore before races
There's a lobby area filled with things to do before a game. You can walk and jump around, spectate, change music, and emote with other players.
Ranking is determined by the Class system
Online ranking comes in the form of Class. This is similar to how things worked in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, in that you're ranked above and below certain players, identified by a color. This hopes to match you with other players of the same skill level.
Races includes tracks from the previous game
Tracks from Kirby Air Ride are available in Kirby Air Riders. This includes Sky Sands, Frozen Hillside, and Magma Flows.
18 courses in total!
There are 18 courses in total, including 9 old and 9 new ones. Music returns from the last game too.
City Trial details announced
Now there's a breakdown of City Trial, which is the fan-favorite mode. There's new items, including Fireworks, Item Catcher and Laser Swiper.
Team Battles split players into two teams for City Trial
More info on City Trial now, as Team Battle will split players into two teams. You'll share certain items between teammates. Looks like great fun for up to 16 players!
New Riders include Taranza and Daroach
There's new Riders in Kirby Air Riders including Lololo & Lalala, Daroach and Taranza. There's a heavy hamster called Rick, and Marx is here too.
Machines are being showcased
Formula Star, Hop Star and Transform Star are available to use in Kirby Air Riders. There's a Wheelie Scooter too with a giant eye in the wheel, and a Bull Tank that looks straight out of Robot Wars.
You can change the voice announcer
The in-game voice announcer can be changed to different options, including several different languages. There's German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and more options.
Flight Star is exclusive to Free Run
There's an exclusive machine called Flight Star that's included in Free Run. You can use this to fly around tracks, perfect for solo play and learning the game mechanics.
Vs. Boss mode lets you battle tough foes
Robo Dedede is just one of the bosses that's featured in Vs. Boss mode. You'll race around and battle a large enemy, using items and locking on for attacks.
I cannot believe how much is in this game!
Checklists, color variants, a robotic Dedede boss fight? I truly cannot keep up. We're now seeing My Machine, that let's you customize your own vehicle.
You can share custom Machine designs
Once you've customized via My Machine, you can share them with others. I think I saw an auction system, so perhaps there's incentive to create good designs. We'll have to confirm this later on.
Headwear can be purchased with Miles
Kirby Air Riders features a currency called Miles. These are earned as you play, and can be spent in the Miles Shop in exchange for Headwear, Stickers and other items.
My Music can be used to choose your own soundtrack
There's a My Music feature where you can adjust how often certain Music appears while playing. There's a Music Player too, where you can listen to the game's soundtrack whenever you like.
We're now going through the Options menu
Almost an hour in, the Kirby Air Riders Direct is now guiding us through the options menu. There's some Accessibility features too, which is very good to see. Color filters and UI element options are available.
amiibo can be trained in-game
Just like in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, amiibo can be scanned into Kirby Air Riders to be trained as Riders. There's brand new Meta Knight, Chef Kawasaki, and Dedede amiibo too.
Story Mode unveiled
Road Trip is the main Story mode in Kirby Air Riders. We're now seeing a cutscene that'll play at the beginning of the adventure. It's showing off some very nice visuals, highlighting Machines and Riders.
That's a wrap!
Wow, that was a lot to take in. For me, the headline announcements were the Road Trip story mode, the inclusion of old tracks, and the total course list being 18 at launch. An online demo event is on the way too. You can check out the dates above.
Final teaser shows off the Fountain of Dreams
There were a couple of teasers shown at the end of the Kirby Air Riders Direct. One showed Fountain of Dreams, a Kirby area that's synonymous with the Smash Bros. series. What this all means, we'll have to wait and see.
Release dates for the three new amiibo
Nintendo has revealed the release dates for the new amiibo figures. The Meta Knight & Shadow Star amiibo arrives March 5, 2026. Then, we can expect the King Dedede & Tank Star amiibo, and the Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star amiibo some time in 2026.
Mix up Air Ride with Swap Relay
Swap Relay races are a part of Air Ride, and allow players to choose multiple Machines that match the number of laps being played. At the end of each lap, you'll automatically swap to a new vehicle. Try out different combinations to see which ones work together in sequence.
Beat opponents online to earn Gummies
Gummies are one of the stranger aspects of Kirby Air Riders. You'll earn Gummies shaped like the Machines of the opponents you beat in online matches. These are collectibles that can be earned and then viewed in a dedicated menu. You can use a cursor to interact with your ever-growing pile of Gummies, but it's unclear what other function they serve. Perhaps they are just fun Trophies.
Now we wait for release day
I'm heading off now, concluding TechRadar's live coverage of the Kirby Air Riders Direct. You can still check out all of the announcements on this page, including what to expect from the story mode, and when you'll be able to try the demo. All that's left to do is wait until November 20, when the game will be out worldwide.
