Kirby returns to the forefront with Kirby Air Riders, the new racing and action game announced during a specialNintendo Direct Switch 2 presentation. Designed as the modern successor to Kirby Air Ride, a cult classic on GameCube more than twenty years ago, this title by Masahiro Sakurai —creator of Kirby and architect of Super Smash Bros.— has been available since November 20, 2025, on Nintendo Switch 2. It promises a fast-paced, accessible, and decidedly intergalactic experience for all fans of speed.
During the official Nintendo Switch 2 presentation, fans of the little pink ball were surprised to discover Kirby Air Riders, a spiritual sequel to Kirby Air Ride. If you've grown up with the Warp Star 's soaring circuits, or if you're simply curious to see Kirby embark on a new high-speed adventure, this is a game to keep an eye on.
The project is the brainchild of Masahiro Sakurai himself, who reunites with his favorite character in a racing action game designed as a tribute to the 2003 opus. Announced exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, Kirby Air Riders is a multicolored, dynamic experience in which Kirbys pilot machines with a variety of abilities through worlds as whimsical as they are futuristic.
Kirby Air Riders will plunge you into an unbridled atmosphere of action and strategy, with each vehicle having its own speed, handling and power characteristics. The game promises a wide variety of machines and a gallery of colorful Kirbys, as seen in the cinematic trailer unveiled at Nintendo Direct.
The videos released by Nintendo offer a glimpse of an accessible universe, with its delightfully offbeat artistic direction and the promise of a game designed for both newcomers and long-time fans. This title is aimed at curious children as well as adults who are passionate about revisited classics.
Less than a month before its release, the racing game was unveiled at Paris Games Week 2025. We had the opportunity to test the game on the Switch 2.
One thing is certain: you're in for a surprise. Kirby Air Riders is very different from the usual racing games. Here, the vehicle moves forward on its own: the controls are used to turn (obviously), drift, float in the air, attack opponents... If you're used to games like Mario Kart, this new mode of operation may confuse you and require some time to get used to.
To help us get into the game, there's a long tutorial where we learn how to whirl, jump with springboards, drift around corners, and more. After that, you have a choice: classic race mode or City Trial, a kind of arena where you face off against other characters after collecting as many items as possible.
Let's be honest: this City Trial mode is chaotic, to say the least . We didn't understand what to do, where to go, how to earn points... Everything happens very quickly, the vehicle speeds along at full throttle, we see characters passing by without knowing where they're going... We would certainly need a lot more practice to master this very unusual space.
The race mode is exactly what you'd expect from a racing game: different tracks, bonus items to help or attack... The tracks are pretty, the colors are very bright and cheerful (you may like it or not, we liked it).
Overall, Kirby Air Riders is a joyful mess. The vehicles are very fast and the controls are sensitive, so it's easy to lose control of your trajectory. This game is a bit like an overexcited child's dream: it's as fun and funny as it is crazy.
Give in to the temptation of this unique race for completely crazy evenings with friends or family!
A great opportunity to rediscover the Kirby universe from a different, more competitive and rhythmic angle, while retaining the character's cute and mischievous DNA. So, are you ready to (re)mount your Warp Star?
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Dates and Opening Time
Starts November 20, 2025
Prices
€69.99
Recommended age
From 7 years old
Official website
www.nintendo.com
