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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Entertainment
Vinay Patel

Kirby Air Riders Revives a Legend, with Sakurai Back at the Helm — Can Nintendo Deliver in 2025?

Helmed by returning director Masahiro Sakurai, Kirby Air Riders is reviving a GameCube classic with a 2025 release. (Credit: / nintendo.com)

After more than two decades, the cult-favourite Kirby Air Ride is finally receiving a full-fledged sequel.

Announced during a special Nintendo Direct, the upcoming Kirby Air Riders sees legendary creator Masahiro Sakurai return to direct, teaming up once more with Sora Ltd and Bandai Namco.

The highly anticipated title will launch worldwide on 20 November 2025 for the new Nintendo Switch 2.

The 45-minute showcase offered fans a detailed look at gameplay, mechanics and characters, as well as Sakurai's trademark commentary — even joking that the racer is 'basically like Mario Kart'.

A New Chapter for a Beloved Classic

The Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct has concluded after a 45-minute showcase, offering viewers an in-depth look at new gameplay details and the official release date, all presented by director Masahiro Sakurai himself.

After months of radio silence, the recently finished presentation delivered a myriad of new information, including a first look at the gameplay, redesigned mechanics, and, of course, a release date of November 2025 for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Every second of the broadcast was put to good use, with Sakurai either confirming a new or returning gameplay element. The highlights included the long-awaited release date, copy abilities for the many new Riders, adjustments to City Trial, and so much more.

If you couldn't catch the show, don't worry—we've got you covered. Below, you'll find a complete rundown of all the major announcements and reveals from the Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct.

The Legend Returns This November

As the Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct came to a close, Nintendo announced that players on the Nintendo Switch 2 will finally be able to get their hands on the long-awaited sequel on 20 November 2025. This release date places the launch squarely in 2025, while also giving the Kirby racing game some breathing room from June's Mario Kart World.

More Fan-Favourite Characters Join the Race

Kirby Air Riders has finally added more playable riders, with Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, Chef Kawasaki, and Bandana Waddle Dee all joining the lineup.

This is a significant change from the original Kirby Air Ride, which mostly limited players to various forms of Kirby. A few moments into the presentation, it was already apparent that many more playable characters would be available.

An Extra Button Changes Everything

While the original Kirby Air Ride only featured a single button for players to press, Kirby Air Riders will raise the stakes by adding a second one. The B button will be for boosting, while the Y button has been added to allow the use of special abilities. These abilities include the option to switch to different machines, perform unique actions for each rider, and much more.

'By pressing the B Button, your machine will hit the ground, and you'll start a Boost Charge and brake,' Nintendo explained in a blog post. 'Releasing the button activates a Boost Dash.'

'The Y Button is your "Special button," and it activates your character's unique Special move. Attack your rival riders and enemies to fill up your Special Gauge and, once full, unleash your Special!,' Nintendo added.

The Smash Bros Team Is Back Together

After posing the age-old question, 'Why is making a game so hard?,' the creator clarified which development teams were working on Kirby Air Riders.

Much to the delight of the fans, both Sora Ltd. and Bandai Namco, the team behind Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, as well as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, collaborated to create Kirby Air Riders.

Kirby Air Riders Is Mario Kart, Says Sakurai

As a veteran of Nintendo Direct, Masahiro Sakurai is known for his playful commentary during presentations. The Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct was no exception, as the legendary creator playfully admitted that the game 'basically is like Mario Kart.'

Given that both series centre on racing and now feature a wide array of characters, the similarities are difficult to ignore. Nevertheless, today's broadcast made it clear that the Kirby spinoff does more than enough to set itself apart as a completely different experience.

Everyone Gets a Power-Up

While developing Kirby Air Riders, Sakurai and his team concluded that it would be unfair for Kirby to be the only character with copy abilities.

As a result, they decided to allow every character, from Meta Knight to King Dedede, to copy enemy powers and even change their looks for the first time in the series' history. 'Yes, we did,' Sakurai said.

A 16-Player Free-for-All

Kirby Air Riders players will be able to join the game's open City Trial mode online. This represents a significant increase from the original's four-player limit, allowing players to race around the sprawling Skyah map, which is said to be much larger than what fans may be accustomed to, and features numerous themed areas.

Additionally, City Trial supports up to eight players via local wireless.

The Presentation Isn't Over Yet

The Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct was packed with new information, but director Masahiro Sakurai and Bandai Namco hinted that there's still more to reveal.

While it's unknown how this additional information will be shared, players can at least get their hands on the game at PAX West 2025 in Seattle later this month. With the release date just a few months away, more details about Nintendo's plans are expected to be announced soon.

Why Kirby Air Riders Matters

For many, Kirby Air Ride was an overlooked gem on the GameCube. Its sequel has the chance to elevate the series into a modern Nintendo powerhouse, blending nostalgia with innovation. With Sakurai back in charge, expanded mechanics, and large-scale multiplayer, Kirby Air Riders could become one of the Switch 2's defining titles.

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