Nintendo has officially announced the launch date and pricing for the highly anticipated Switch 2 exclusive, Kirby Air Riders. This sequel to the beloved 2003 GameCube title, Kirby Air Ride, is set to arrive on Nintendo`s new console on November 20. Players can pre-order Kirby Air Riders now for $70, available in both physical and digital formats.
Currently, no specific pre-order bonuses have been revealed for Kirby Air Riders. Should any become available, they are anticipated to be retailer-exclusive collectibles, similar to those offered for Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Notably, Kirby Air Riders is priced $10 lower than the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Kirby and the Forgotten Land.
For those concerned about digital download sizes, the estimated 25GB file size for Air Riders is over 10% of the Switch 2`s usable storage. To address this, players can double their Switch 2 storage capacity. A Walmart-exclusive Onn 256GB microSD Express Card is available for $35.77, while an officially licensed Samsung 256GB microSD Express card can be purchased for $59 at Walmart.
Kirby Air Riders is a collaboration between Bandai Namco and Sora Ltd., the independent studio helmed by Masahiro Sakurai. While Sakurai is primarily known as the director of the Super Smash Bros. series, he is also the original creator of the Kirby franchise. This title marks Sakurai`s first direct directorial role in a Kirby game since Kirby Air Ride. Although Kirby has been a consistent character in every Super Smash Bros. title, Sakurai`s last dedicated Kirby project was supervising the 2004 Game Boy Advance metroidvania, Kirby & the Amazing Mirror.
This Mario Kart-inspired racing game expands upon the key modes from Kirby Air Ride while introducing new ones. The original`s single-button control scheme, which was somewhat controversial, has been replaced with a more intuitive two-button layout: `B` for boosting and `Y` for activating special moves, performing tricks, and switching vehicles. The game also boasts an expanded roster with new abilities and characters. Alongside Kirby, players can now choose from King Dedede, Bandana Waddle Dee, Meta Knight, Cappy, Starman, Chef Kawasaki, Magolor, Gooey, Susie, and Knuckle Joe.
City Trial, the prominent main game mode from the original, makes a return with a host of new features. In this mode, players must scour a vast floating island for machine upgrades within a five-minute timeframe. After securing their enhancements, they head to the Stadium to compete against AI opponents or friends in various races and battles.
Kirby Air Riders supports local multiplayer for up to four players on a single console, and up to eight players wirelessly. Nintendo Switch Online members can also join online events, accommodating up to 16 players.
The $70 price point of Kirby Air Riders is consistent with other recent and upcoming Switch 2 titles, including Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which is slated for an October launch. Apart from Mario Kart World, the only Switch 2 games currently priced at $80 are enhanced versions of existing Switch exclusives that come with new content. A prime example is Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World, the Switch 2-exclusive edition of the highly-praised 3D platformer. This version features overhauled graphics and a brand-new `Star-Crossed World` story campaign. Essentially, this bundles the $60 base game with $20 worth of new DLC, making a direct price comparison to Kirby Air Riders not entirely parallel.
Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusives
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World — $79 | Releases August 28
- Pokemon Legends: Z-A — $70 | Releases October 16
- Kirby Air Riders — $70 | Releases November 20
- Donkey Kong Bananza — $69
- Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV — $79
- Mario Kart World — $79
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — $69
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — $79
Kirby Games for Nintendo Switch
If you`re looking forward to Kirby Air Riders and wish to immerse yourself in the series before its November debut, there are numerous Kirby titles readily available on the Nintendo Switch. Beyond Forgotten Land, which marked the franchise`s first foray into 3D platforming, you can find physical editions of two traditional side-scrolling platformers: Kirby`s Return to Dream Land Deluxe and Kirby Star Allies. Additionally, Kirby has starred in several digital-only Switch games, and many classic titles are accessible through Nintendo Switch Online. Among the more recent and well-received Kirby spin-offs is Kirby`s Dream Buffet ($15), a game that also inspired a charming line of Club Mocchi-Mocchi Kirby plush toys.
For those interested in the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Forgotten Land, existing owners can purchase the DLC and upgrade for $20. New players have the option to save $15 by acquiring the standard Switch edition and Star-Crossed World separately. Furthermore, some of the most competitive Kirby game deals are currently found for UK editions at Woot, an Amazon-owned retailer. Since Switch consoles are region-free, the only functional difference for these Kirby games is the PEGI ratings board logo on the cover instead of ESRB.
Kirby Game Deals
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Kirby`s Return to Dream Land Deluxe:
- Walmart: $49
- Woot (UK Edition): $40
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Kirby Star Allies:
- Walmart (Digital): $41.88
- Woot (UK Edition): $40
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Kirby and the Forgotten Land:
- Walmart: $49
- Amazon: $52
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World: $79 (Releases August 28)
- Star-Crossed World Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Pack: $20
- Kirby`s Dream Buffet (Digital): $15