Kirby Air Riders has glided onto Nintendo Switch 2

Charge up, speed up, and spin to attack your rivals in Kirby Air Riders! This fast-paced vehicular action game from Sora Ltd. and Bandai Namco Studios has just arrived on Nintendo Switch 2.

Kirby Air Riders offers a long roster of riders, each boasting unique characteristics including weight, durability, Copy Abilities, and special moves. Players will enjoy a wide range of new and returning game modes, Air Ride machines with their own stats that can be combined and customized for riders. And that's far from all; the title offers a plethora of things to discover! The game also supports the GameChat*1 feature, allowing players to connect with friends via voice or video chat, taking gameplay to an even higher level.

More information about some game modes and features:

• City Trial: This mode is making a comeback from the original Kirby Air Ride game, but this time it takes place on the new floating island of Skyah. Here, riders will drive freely, collect power-ups, and attack rivals to damage (and steal) their machines, with the goal of upgrading their own machine as much as possible. Field Events also appear randomly during this phase. This is the first phase of City Trial, where players experience five minutes of intense action to secure their own machine and as many power-ups as possible.
• The second phase of every City Trial is the so-called Stadiums, where riders take their upgraded machines to a stadium to compete for victory. Each stadium offers a different challenge. Players choose them strategically based on the upgrades they or their opponents have collected up to that point. Up to 16 players*2 can play City Trial, and in Team Battles*3, two teams of eight players face off against each other.
• Air Ride: In this mode, up to six riders compete to see who crosses the finish line first. During the race, every machine scatters small stars across the track. Collecting them increases the rider's speed. Additionally, players can gain extra stars by attacking opponents, providing them with an additional boost.
• Lessons: With so many different riders, machines, techniques, and game modes, some might want to find a little time to hone their skills. The Lessons mode allows players to learn the basics of the game and try out some more advanced gameplay mechanics.
• Top Ride: In Top Ride, you will experience racing from a top-down perspective, featuring tracks inspired by those in the Air Ride mode. Top Ride can be played by up to eight players online, or offline on a single console by up to four players*2 and four CPUs.
• Road Trip: It's time to hit the road and complete various challenges from Air Ride, City Trial, and Top Ride, including races, battles, and Field Events – all while collecting machines and items that can be used between challenges. But this won't be just any random Road Trip! There is a story behind why Kirby, King Dedede, Waddle Dee, Starman, and other riders are embarking on this journey.
• Other Modes: Time Attack can be played in Air Ride or Top Ride modes, pushing players to achieve the best time within a set number of laps. Free Run mode is also available in both of these modes, offering space for proper training or achieving a personal record. In City Trial, Free Run mode can be used to explore the island of Skyah without time limits or other obstacles.
• amiibo: Each two-part Kirby Air Riders amiibo figure*4 contains one rider and one machine – for example, Kirby with the Warp Star – which together form the amiibo figure. Players can mix and match riders and machines to create various combinations, resulting in different amiibo that players can tap to add to the game. Racing together increases the rider's level and their skill with that specific machine.

• Paddock: The game features a brand new way to connect with friends for online play in the Paddock*2*3. This area acts as a lobby where players can move around as riders, organize matches, communicate with friends, and choose which mode they want to play. Multiple matches can even take place in a single Paddock at the same time. Up to 32 players can log into one Paddock.
• Global Win Power: The title includes a class system and a new metric called Global Win Power*3. A player's class rating is not measured by letters, but by colors. Global Win Power is also displayed on the player's license.
• Licenses: Any online multiplayer gameplay in Kirby Air Riders begins with creating a so-called License*3. Thanks to this, other players will be able to identify the player online. It is visible when competing with other players.

Furthermore, players can customize their Kirby Air Riders experience to their liking by purchasing and customizing their Air Ride machines with miles, completing diverse tasks, creating their own garage, and choosing music to play during City Trial – among a range of other options.

*¹ Additional accessories, games, and/or systems sold separately may be required for multiplayer mode. A compatible USB-C camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 camera accessory (sold separately), is required to use certain game features and video chat. To use online services, you must create a Nintendo Account and accept the related agreement. The Nintendo Account Privacy Policy applies. An internet connection and a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership are required. Mobile phone number registration is required to use the GameChat feature. Children must obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian via the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app to use GameChat. Some online services may not be available in all countries. Please check the official Nintendo website for further details.

*² Internet connection required for online play. To use online services, you must create a Nintendo Account and accept the related agreement. The Nintendo Account Privacy Policy applies. Some online services may not be available in all countries. Online play requires a paid online membership.

*³ Free software update required. Internet connection required to download software updates. Registration, linking a Nintendo Account, and acceptance of the Nintendo Account User Agreement and Privacy Policy are required.

*⁴ amiibo sold separately.