Nintendo just wrapped up an hour-long Direct for its upcoming Kirby Air Riders, and there is a lot to talk about. Series director Masahiro Sakurai was headlining the announcement himself, and he revealed details about a new Road Trip story mode and the long-awaited return of Top Ride from the original Kirby Air Ride (2003). The Direct also confirmed that no DLC is planned and announced a global demo event that will take place in November.
What To Expect From Kirby Air Riders
Quickly following up on the success of Mario Kart World, this new upcoming game from Nintendo looks to capitalize on the hype around cartoonish arcade racers these days. For those unfamiliar, Kirby Air Riders isn’t your typical kart racer. The 2003 GameCube title was an experimental spin on the genre, where every vehicle controlled differently, and you had just one button to brake, boost, and attack. It also features the open-ended City Trial mode, which blends exploration, item collection, and good old racing.
Kirby Air Riders expands on that concept for the new generation. Road Trip mode is one of the highlights here, and it mixes elements from Air Ride, City Trial, and Top Ride into a full adventure. Players will uncover a story featuring Kirby, King Dedede, and other returning characters. This looks to be the first time the series will have a proper, structured campaign, so it should be exciting.
The other big reveal was the comeback of Top Ride, a chaotic top-down racing mode that thrived on the GameCube. It will feature miniature tracks, sharp turns, and power-ups that flip a race on its head. The Switch 2 version modernizes it with online multiplayer for up to eight players, new items like Kaboomb and Drill Driver, and a bunch of new abilities.
There’s a lot more to uncover here, such as the Paddock that serves as a lobby for online play, a Swap Relay feature where you swap machines with your teammates mid-race, and the Transform Star that changes vehicle type. If you’re a Kirby fan, check out the full Direct as it’s packed with a lot of creativity!
