Nearly twenty years after Kirby Air Ride introduced its goofy, one-button racing to GameCube owners, the sequel, Kirby Air Riders, is finally landing on November 20th for the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s the sort of comeback that feels overdue; anyone who loved the chaos of City Trial will probably be quietly thrilled: this isn’t a shallow remake. With Masahiro Sakurai back as director and development led by Bandai Namco Studios alongside Sora Ltd., the sequel aims to expand the original’s approachable-yet-deep vehicle combat in big, deliberate ways.
What’s new, and why it matters
City Trial is back, but much, much larger. The mode that once hosted frantic local free-for-alls is rebuilt for online mayhem, now supporting up to 16 players roaming Skyah, a sprawling city full of power-ups and machine parts. Imagine the old model but amplified: more players, bigger space, longer scavenger hunts, and then that usual Stadium finale where everything culminates. It sounds chaotic, and honestly, that’s a big part of the appeal.
The control scheme keeps the simple charm of the 2003 game—machines auto-accelerate, so you worry less about throttle and more about steering, boosting, and battling. That core simplicity is smart; it lowers the barrier to entry while letting the game reward smarter decisions.
Deeper customization, more choice
This sequel pushes customization and character variety hard. There are at least 20 playable Riders, featuring familiar faces like Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Magolor. Each Rider has a unique Special mapped to Y or B, which adds real tactical layers to races and arenas. And yes, the beloved Kirby inhale-to-copy mechanic is still here, which keeps matchups fluid and unpredictable.
There are new mechanics too. The Star Slide helps trailing riders catch up with well-timed speed boosts, which should make races feel closer and more exciting. Machines old and new—Warp Star, Wheelie Bike, Chariot—return or debut with fresh tweaks. The emphasized online features suggest this will be one of the Switch 2’s bigger arena-racing draws.
A few caveats: bigger modes and more players could mean longer matches and more matchmaking headaches. But if the team nails netcode and balance, this could be a rare sequel that honors nostalgia while offering truly new experiences.
If you liked the original, mark November 20th. If you’re only curious, this might be a great place to jump in—the learning curve looks gentle, while the strategic depth promises real replay value. Tell us what you think below, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.
Before you go, check these 5 fun online drawing games for kids to spark creativity.
Sources:
- www.eurogamer.net/switch-2-exclusive-kirby-air-riders-has-a-release-date-and-its-just-three-months-away
- www.gamespot.com/gallery/kirby-air-riders-16-things-we-just-learned-about-the-switch-2-racing-game/2900-6889/
- www.nintendolife.com/guides/kirby-air-riders-global-test-ride-times-when-is-the-online-demo-happening
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