A deep dive into the pink puffball’s racing return

Nintendo pulled back the curtain on Kirby Air Riders during a special presentation Thursday, with game director Masahiro Sakurai walking fans through an extensive look at what awaits when the racing title launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 20. The presentation showcased a game that honors its 2003 GameCube predecessor while expanding the experience with modern features designed for today’s connected gaming landscape.

The highlight announcements included the introduction of Road Trip mode, which adds story-driven gameplay to the racing formula, and the return of Top Ride, a fan-favorite mode from the original Kirby Air Ride. These additions join a robust package featuring extensive customization options, online multiplayer for up to 16 players and a roster of playable characters that extends well beyond the titular hero.

Classic modes get modern upgrades

Top Ride brings back the top-down racing perspective that defined part of the original game’s appeal, featuring courses inspired by Air Ride mode tracks. Players can select their riders and machines separately, utilizing Quick Spins and Boost Charges alongside Copy Abilities like Flash, which sends riders surging forward with electricity that stuns any rivals caught in the blast. Exclusive items including Kaboomb, Drift Flames and Drill Driver add strategic depth to races that support up to eight players online or local multiplayer with three additional players on a single system plus four CPU opponents.

Road Trip mode represents an entirely new addition to the franchise. This story-driven experience tasks players with completing various challenges pulled from Air Ride, City Trial and Top Ride modes, including races, battles and Field Events. Success in these challenges unlocks machines and items usable in subsequent events. The mode features a narrative explaining why Kirby, King Dedede, Bandana Waddle Dee, Starman and other riders have embarked on this journey, though Sakurai only hinted at the story details during the presentation.

Building community through online features

The paddock serves as a social hub where friends gather for online play. Functioning like a lobby, this area lets players move around as their chosen rider while setting up matches, interacting with others and selecting which modes to play. Multiple matches can run simultaneously within a single paddock, and players can customize the music, send emotes and create character poses using control stick combinations. The retail version will accommodate up to 32 players in a paddock, double the capacity available during the upcoming test events.

Nintendo is implementing a Class system measured by rainbow colors rather than traditional letter grades. These seven colors help match similarly skilled players during online competitions. Each multiplayer mode tracks its own Global Win Power ranking based on total victories, which displays on player Licenses. These customizable profiles allow players to add glitter effects, stickers and personalized Street Names created by pairing pre-set terms together.

Personalization takes center stage

Customization permeates nearly every aspect of Kirby Air Riders. Players earn Miles currency through gameplay, which can be spent at the Miles Shop on machines, decorations, License embellishments and music tracks. The My Machine feature lets players add decals, accessories, patterns and effects to any acquired vehicle before listing creations at the Machine Market where other players can purchase designs using in-game currency. Popular designs increase in price without affecting the original creator’s inventory.

Machine-shaped Gummies represent collectible trophies earned by defeating opponents. For every rival a player finishes ahead of in competition, they receive a Gummy shaped like that opponent’s machine. Players can inhale them, launch them skyward or simply collect them as mementos of victory.

Expanded roster and legendary machines

The presentation revealed additional playable characters including Taranza and the duo Lololo and Lalala, expanding the roster beyond series mainstays. All nine Air Ride courses from the original game return, from Fantasy Meadows to Nebula Belt, bringing the total course count to 18. Players can collect and rebuild legendary machines Dragoon and Hydra, while new additions like the Transform Star offer unique abilities, switching between star-type flying and bike-type driving configurations.

The game will feature three new amiibo figure packs launching throughout 2026, starting with Meta Knight and Shadow Star on March 5. These figures use magnetic attachments allowing riders to swap between machines, with new combinations appearing in the game when created.

Getting hands-on before launch

Nintendo Switch Online members can experience the game through the Global Test Ride event scheduled for November 8-9 and November 15-16 across multiple time windows. Participants can explore Lessons, Air Ride courses including Floria Fields, Waveflow Waters and Mount Amberfalls, plus City Trial mode. The test software becomes available for download from Nintendo eShop on November 7, with Lessons accessible even outside designated test periods.