Summary
- Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to Kirby Air Ride, will be released for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.
- The game will be directed by Masahiro Sakurai, who hasn’t directed a game in the series since 2003.
- The Switch 2 will be released on June 5, 2025.
Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to the 2003 GameCube title Kirby Air Ride, will be released for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025. The announcement was made during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct livestream on April 2, with fans happy to see Masahiro Sakurai returning to direct Kirby Air Riders.
The recent Direct was filled with information about the highly anticipated console, including the Nintendo Switch 2 price and release date. Fans can get their hands on the new hardware on June 5, 2025, with the console itself selling for $449.99 or $499.99 when paired with Mario Kart World. Several major titles were also teased, including an exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 game from FromSoftware with major Bloodborne vibes, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and a slew of third-party releases coming to the system at or after launch. One of these announcements shocked longtime fans of a popular franchise, with a beloved director set to return.
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During the latter half of the April Nintendo Direct, Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to the popular GameCube title, was revealed, with Kirby series creator Masahiro Sakurai returning to direct the game. This announcement came as a shock to many, as Sakurai hasn’t directed a Kirby title since the original Kirby Air Ride. While little is known about the upcoming sequel, a brief trailer showed off plenty of high-octane gameplay, with Kirby and friends racing around a colorful landscape made even more impressive by the Switch 2’s upgraded graphics. A follow-up to Kirby Air Ride has been on fans’ wishlists for years, and it remains to be seen how the title will utilize some of the Switch 2’s more unique hardware.
Kirby Air Riders Will Be Released in 2025
The rebirth of Kirby Air Ride in the form of a new title has many fans nostalgic for the days of the Nintendo GameCube, and the recent Direct gifted viewers with some good news. The Switch Online Expansion Pack will add GameCube titles exclusively on the Switch 2, with popular games like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, and F-Zero GX all making a comeback. Additionally, a wireless controller in the shape of the original Nintendo GameCube controller will be released for the new console.
Since the Nintendo Switch 2 was first revealed in January, fans have wondered what the mysterious C Button on the updated Joy-Cons would be utilized for. Pressing this button will launch a new Game Chat feature, allowing players to screen share and chat with friends while playing games together. This button will also appear on the updated Switch 2 Pro Controller, along with two new buttons for additional customization.