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Kirby Air Riders details new features, modes, and customization; ‘Global Test Ride’ demo announced

Everything players can expect when the game launches.

Nintendo and Sora Ltd. game director Masahiro Sakurai shared more information on Kirby Air Riders during the game’s second dedicated Nintendo Direct broadcast today, including the introducing of the story-driven Road Trip Mode, the return of Top Ride from Kirby Air Ride, and a “Global Test Ride” demo event set for November 8 to 9 and November 15 to 16. Sakurai also confirmed that no downloadable content is planned, nor is Kirby Air Riders planned to become an ongoing series.

Get the details below.

Headlining the presentation were the introduction of the story-driven Road Trip mode and the return of Top Ride, a mode originally introduced in the 2003 Nintendo GameCube game Kirby Air Ride. These game modes are just some of the features highlighted in this presentation, with Mr. Sakurai revealing how Kirby Air Riders expands its gameplay experience on Nintendo Switch 2—including introducing a large roster of riders, the return of legendary machines, customizable features, online1 play and more. It’s time to get ready for a whole new level of fast-paced action.
And as for the new features and details covered in the presentation, here’s what Mr. Sakurai revealed about what you can expect when the game lands:
Top Ride – A game mode originally introduced in Kirby Air Ride, Top Ride is all about racing from a top-down perspective and includes courses inspired by those available in Air Ride mode. Just as in other game modes, you can choose your riders and machines separately. You can also use Quick Spins and Boost Charges, plus Copy Abilities such as Flash, which causes the rider to surge forward with electricity—rivals that are hit will be in for a shocking surprise! There are also items exclusive to Top Ride to help you gain even more of an advantage over your opponents, including Kaboomb, Drift Flames, Drill Driver and more! Top Ride can be played online with up to eight players, or offline with other three players2 on a single system and four CPUs.
Road Trip – In today’s presentation, Mr. Sakurai introduced a new mode called Road Trip. Hit the road and complete different challenges from Air Ride, City Trial and Top Ride including races, battles, and Field Events—all the while collecting machines and items you can use between challenges. But this is no random Road Trip. There is a story behind why Kirby, King Dedede, Bandana Waddle Dee, Starman and other riders are embarking on this journey, and it’s hinted at during the presentation …
Paddock – In Kirby Air Riders, there is a new way for friends to gather for online play in the paddock3. Acting like a lobby, this area lets players move around as a rider and set up matches, interact with friends and pick and choose which mode they’d like to play. It’s even possible for several matches to be happening within a single paddock. Players can also change the music. You can also send emotes, and work on character poses using the control sticks in combination.
Swap Relay – The presentation dove deeper into Air Ride mode, introducing a new type of race called Swap Relay. Here, you’ll select a machine for each individual lap and automatically swap machines as you complete laps. Find the right combos and experiment with different pairings of rider and machine. You can even relay with other players locally by handing off the controller like a baton!
Transform Star – The Transform Star is both a star type flying machine and a bike type driving machine and is one of the new machines being introduced in Kirby Air Riders! By rapidly moving the Left Stick you can swap between both types to keep your opponents on their toes.
Checklist – The Checklist3 from Kirby Air Ride is back as well. As you clear certain objectives, a Checklist box gets flipped over. The more you achieve, the more unlockable content you can access. There are five Checklist tabs, representing Air Ride, Top Ride, City Trial, Road Trip and Online. Clicking on an unopened box which is next to opened box will take you right to that objective, all set up and ready to play. Rest assured that there are no riders or machines locked behind the Online tab, so completing that tab is not required. You can jump in immediately and start filling up your Checklist.
amiibo – The presentation revealed more of the Kirby Air Riders amiibo figures4, which are significantly larger than typical amiibo. Mr. Sakurai showcased Meta Knight & Shadow Star, King Dedede & Tank Star and Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star. They, too, can swap riders and machines! Each rider, including those revealed in the three new two-part amiibo packs, is attached magnetically to their machine, and you can swap them out with other Kirby Air Riders amiibo, with the new combo appearing in the game as well! You will also be able to train up your amiibo Figure Player and increase their experience levels. The amiibo will launch on:
Meta Knight & Shadow Star – March 5, 2026
King Dedede & Tank Star – 2026
Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star – 2026

And So Much More – The presentation confirmed the return of all nine Air Ride courses from the original game, from Fantasy Meadows to Nebula Belt, bringing the total number of courses to 18. The presentation later offered details on a new City Trial power-up item called the Mega Cannon. It also covered Stadiums, as well as boss battles which teased the debut of a boss battle exclusive opponent called Robo Dedede—a boss who can transform between Dedede mode and Car mode! There are also returning Copy Abilities and even ways to collect and rebuild the legendary machines Dragoon and Hydra!

Mr. Sakurai also discussed some new online and multiplayer elements that will be available in Kirby Air Riders, giving players more chances to share the experience with friends and family:
Global Win Power – Kirby Air Riders will feature a Class system and a new metric called Global Win Power3. First, your Class ranking is measured not with a letter grade, but with colors. The seven colors of the rainbow indicate your Class and help match you up with similarly leveled players online. Raising your Class level can inspire changes in City Trial, so keep an eye out. Each multiplayer game mode also has its own Global Win Power ranking, which is based on your total number of wins. Although not directly related to your Class ranking, it will increase the more you play. Your Global Win Power is also displayed on your License.
Licenses – Your online multiplayer experience starts with creating a License3. This is how others will be able to identify you when playing online and is viewable when competing against other players. You can customize it with glitter effects and stickers, as well as your own Street Name by pairing two pre-set terms together.
Team Battles – Up to 16 players2 can play City Trial together and with Team Battles3, you can now split up the players into two teams of eight. Legendary machine parts can be shared between teammates—and whoever picks up the final piece gets to ride it! When ten or more players are competing, all players will be split into two of the same stadium and teams will compete for the high score.
Hone Your Skills – As a single player, play Time Attack in either Air Ride or Top Ride modes and challenge yourself to get your best time over a set number of laps. Or play Free Run in either of those modes, too, and practice your moves or set your own Personal Best in a pressure-free environment without any opponents in your way. In City Trial, you can use Free Run to explore Skyah without any time limits or obstacles.
Expanded Roster – The presentation also revealed a few more of the characters you’ll be seeing in Kirby Air Riders as playable riders. There’s the clever arachnid Taranza, the troublemaking duo of Lololo & Lalala and more!
The presentation further expanded on the ways you can customize your Kirby Air Riders experience, personalizing Air Ride machines, garages and even music.
Miles – How do you acquire customizable accessories? With Miles! You keep earning Miles while you’re playing—the more you play, the more you earn. You can then take this in-game currency to the Miles Shop where you can acquire machines, machine decorations, License decorations, and music tracks. You can even acquire customizable Headwear for your riders.
My Machine – As you collect machines by playing, purchasing parts at the Miles Shop and completing Checklist challenges, you can add decals, accessories, patterns and effects to turn any machine into My Machine. Then take your personalized My Machine to the Machine Market where you can list it for sale for in-game currency and acquire machines designed by other players. The more your machine sells, the more expensive it gets (but don’t worry, you don’t actually lose the machine if it sells). In addition to decorating your machine, you can create your own custom garage to show off your unique rides. Invite friends from the paddock to come and hang, too!
Gummies – New to Kirby Air Riders are machine-shaped Gummies collectibles. They are shaped like the machines of opponents you’ve defeated—for every rival you place higher than in a competition, you’ll earn a Gummy of their machine. Inhale them, fire them into the sky and generally hold onto them as trophies of all the opponents you’ve defeated. Who knows, maybe you’ll become a Gummillionaire!
My Music – Mr. Sakurai gave special mention to game composers Shogo Sakai and Noriyuki Iwadare, who worked on Kirby Air Ride and the Super Smash Bros. series respectively. Like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Kirby Air Riders will have a My Music option that allows you to select what music you’d like to be playing during City Trial while you explore Skyah, including tracks from across the Kirby game series, bonus tracks and hidden tracks! There is also new music available on the Nintendo Music5 smart device app today!
And that’s not all. Kirby Air Riders will also feature announcer voices in different languages and styles to choose from that provide commentary during races and narration during the Road Trip story. Players can also enjoy customizable button-mapping, visual effect options and a new Main Menu that gives you easy access to game modes, collectibles and other extras.
Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride
Want to experience Kirby Air Riders ahead of its launch? Nintendo Switch Online members can get hands-on with the game in the Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride event. The online demo event will take place on November 8 to 9 and November 15 to 16, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.
November 8 from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. PT
November 8 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. PT
November 9 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT
November 15 from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. PT
November 15 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. PT
November 16 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT
During the Global Test Ride event, players can check out Lessons, Air Ride, and City Trial. For Air Ride, the following courses will be playable: Floria Fields, Waveflow Waters and Mount Amberfalls. Players can also jump into a paddock, in which they can create a room, invite friends to a City Trial or play with others worldwide. The paddock can accommodate up to 16 people during the Global Test Ride, while the retail version will allow up to 32 players.
The Global Test Ride software can be downloaded from Nintendo eShop starting the afternoon of Friday, November 7. Even before or outside the Global Test Ride timings, players can play Lessons.