Kirby Air Riders lands on Switch 2: modes, riders, and the Paddock

Table of Content

Nintendo has released Kirby Air Riders on Nintendo Switch 2, dated November 20, 2025. The vehicle-centric spin on the series mixes arena battles with high-speed racing on land and in the air. Core handling centers on drift-and-dash momentum while machines auto-accelerate toward top speed. Multiplayer spans online, local on a single system, and local wireless play, with casual and ranked options. A single-player story mode and an online lobby system round out the package.

How it drives: Boost, drift, and attack

The handling model revolves around a Boost Charge mechanic: hold to brake and control turns, drift to fill a gauge, then release for an explosive dash. Machines automatically chase top speed, and riders can charge, boost, and spin to pressure rivals. Character-machine pairings have distinct stats and Specials, adding a layer of matchup strategy.

Riders, machines, and Copy Abilities

Select series staples like Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Magolor. Pair them with machines such as the Warp Star, Wheelie Bike, and Chariot. Each combo handles differently, and riders can snatch Copy Abilities from opponents mid-scrap to gain an advantage.

Modes and player counts

The game splits its competitive play across several formats, each supporting casual and ranked matches. Here is a quick breakdown of what’s included and how many players each mode supports according to the official info.

Single-player: Road Trip and the story of Zorah

The campaign, titled Road Trip, follows the story of Zorah. It strings together single-player challenges that mirror the game’s multiplayer playstyles. Players can choose any Rider to tackle stages, emphasizing mastery of machines and their Specials.

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The Paddock and machine customization

The Paddock serves as an online lobby for up to 32 players, where groups assemble to launch matches across City Trial, Air Ride, Top Ride, and more. Progression centers on an in-game currency called Miles. Earning Miles through competition and challenges lets players use the Machine Market to buy and sell machines and unlock cosmetics like accessories, decals, patterns, and special effects. Customized machines can be listed for others to acquire with Miles, and players can also obtain community creations.

Official gameplay video

Watch the official video here (YouTube): https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/z3puFLFDfxE?autoplay=0&modestbranding=1&loop=0&controls=1&mute=0&cc_load_policy=0&hl=en&cc_lang_pref=en&rel=0

Platform and release details

Release date: November 20, 2025. Platform: Nintendo Switch 2. The official materials describe the game as a console exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2.

Final checkpoint – why it matters

Kirby Air Riders leans into momentum-driven driving, chaos-heavy City Trial rounds, and a social hub that supports large-group lobbies and customization via Miles. For players, that means a blend of competitive depth and community-driven machine sharing – jump in for quick races or settle into longer City Trial sessions with friends.