Let's get one thing straight: Kirby Air Riders isn't just another Mario Kart clone. After spending hands-on time with Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 exclusive, I can confidently say this game is its own beautiful, chaotic beast that makes Mario Kart World look like a Sunday drive through the countryside.
Remember Kirby Air Ride from 2003? That weird GameCube racing game that critics demolished but somehow developed a passionate fanbase over the years? Well, Masahiro Sakurai – the genius behind Super Smash Bros – is back to prove those critics wrong. And boy, is he doubling down on everything that made the original so divisive.
Here's where things get weird. You don't press a button to accelerate – your machine just goes. Instead, you're steering with the left stick, charging boosts with the B button, and spinning to attack enemies. It's like someone took everything you know about racing games and threw it in a blender with rainbow sprinkles.
The new addition? A Y button for special attacks. Pink Kirby can unleash massive sword slashes that fill the entire screen. King Dedede brings out his Jet Hammer. It's pure visual chaos, and honestly? It works.
"I have no idea what is happening right now," became my mantra during the preview session. But somehow, in that beautiful confusion, I was having an absolute blast.
Forget traditional racing for a moment. City Trial is where Kirby Air Riders truly shines. Picture this: 16 players dropped into a single map with five minutes to collect power-ups, swap vehicles, and prepare for a final challenge that could be anything from aerial gliding to arena combat.
Five minutes of pure chaos as you hunt for stat boosts, discover new vehicles, and participate in random events like drag races or destruction derbies.
Players vote on a final challenge. Your carefully crafted build might be perfect for gliding... or completely useless for combat. That's the thrill.
I spent three rounds in City Trial, and each one told a different story. First round: collected a bunch of weight boosts thinking I'd dominate in combat, only to sink like a stone in the gliding challenge. Second round: maxed out health but couldn't land a hit with my terrible attack stats. Third round: played it safe with balanced stats and got thoroughly outclassed by specialists.
The Switch 2's power is on full display here. Every track is a rainbow-colored fever dream of explosions, particle effects, and visual mayhem. One course has you zigzagging through parted seas, while another feels like racing through a kaleidoscope at 200 mph.
The speed can be overwhelming. With stat boosts in City Trial, you can reach F-Zero levels of velocity. Combined with special attacks filling the screen and enemies littering the tracks, it's sensory overload in the best possible way.
Here's Nintendo's biggest risk with Air Riders: they're betting that 22 years of nostalgia can overcome the same criticisms that plagued the original. The game feels remarkably similar to its GameCube predecessor, just with more visual flair and that second button.
But maybe that's exactly what fans want. The original Kirby Air Ride has developed a cult following, with YouTubers and streamers regularly calling it an underrated masterpiece. Nintendo is banking on this reappraisal, and honestly? It might just work.
If you're looking for a traditional racing game, look elsewhere. If you want something that makes Mario Kart feel tame, something that embraces chaos over precision, something that prioritizes fun over logic – then Kirby Air Riders might be your new obsession.
The game launches November 20th exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Based on my preview, it's going to be divisive. Some will bounce off its unconventional approach immediately. Others will discover their new favorite party game.
Kirby Air Riders is pure Sakurai: simple on the surface, surprisingly deep underneath, and absolutely committed to its vision. Whether that vision clicks with you will determine if this is a must-buy or a hard pass. For me? I can't wait to dive deeper into its colorful chaos.
Kirby Air Riders launches November 20, 2025, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.
Don't have a Nintendo Switch 2 yet? You can find the best deals and latest Nintendo consoles on Amazon. Get ready for Kirby Air Riders and all the amazing exclusives coming to Nintendo's newest system!
Hey there!
Just wanted to drop you a quick note about how we earn money around here. We create detailed reviews and helpful content that we hope adds real value to your day.
When you read one of our reviews and decide to buy something through our special links, we earn a small commission from the company - and don't worry, you don't pay anything extra. It's just their way of saying "thanks" to us for connecting you with them.
The commissions help us keep creating more helpful content, so thanks for supporting us when you shop through our links! It really makes a difference.
Let me know if you ever have questions about anything we review or recommend!
