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Kirby Air Riders Launches on Switch 2 Tomorrow, Check Release Times, Price, and Reviews

Kirby Air Riders is launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 tomorrow, November 20, 2025. Directed by Masahiro Sakurai, the game marks the long‑awaited return of the cult classic racing spin‑off first seen on the GameCube back in 2003. This time, it’s bigger, faster, and packed with new features designed to make the Switch 2 shine.


Kirby Air Riders launches on Switch 2 November 20. Check release times, price, editions, preorder bonuses, and reviews.
Full guide to Kirby Air Riders Switch 2 launch | Image: Nintendo via Gaming Amigos

Release Time

If you’re planning to grab the digital version, release times vary depending on where you live.

  • Los Angeles / San Francisco / Seattle (PST) → 9:00 PM, Nov 19

  • Denver (MT) → 10:00 PM, Nov 19

  • Chicago (CT) → 11:00 PM, Nov 19

  • New York / Washington D.C. / Miami (EST) → 12:00 AM, Nov 20

  • London / Lisbon / Accra (GMT/BST) → 12:00 AM, Nov 20

  • Berlin / Paris / Rome / Madrid (CET) → 12:00 AM, Nov 20

  • Tokyo / Osaka / Kyoto (JST) → 12:00 AM, Nov 20

  • Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane (AEST) → 12:00 AM, Nov 20

  • Auckland / Wellington / Christchurch (NZDT) → 12:00 AM, Nov 20


This rollout follows Nintendo’s usual midnight local release pattern, meaning most regions unlock the game at 12 AM their time, while the Americas align at 12 AM EST / 9 PM PST.


Since New Zealand is one of the first countries to hit midnight on November 20, players there technically get access earlier than those in the US or Europe. 


File Size and Price

Kirby Air Riders is no lightweight. The download size is around 21.7 GB, which is hefty compared to other Switch 2 titles. For example, Pokémon Legends: Z‑A clocks in at just 7.7 GB.


As for pricing, Nintendo is keeping things simple: the game retails at $69.99 USD in both digital and physical formats. Unlike other publishers, there’s no deluxe or premium edition with early access gimmicks; just one straightforward release.


Gameplay and Modes

The game blends high‑speed racing with combat mechanics. You’ll be able to drift with Boost Charge, spin attack rivals, and inhale enemies to gain Copy Abilities. Classic modes like City Trial return, letting up to 16 players online (or 8 locally) prepare for chaotic Stadium battles.


Other modes include Air Ride races, Top Ride with an overhead view, and Field Events featuring bosses and hazards. A new Road Trip mode adds a single‑player narrative, while amiibo integration allows you to level up figure players.


Amiibo and Multiplayer

At launch, Nintendo is releasing amiibo figures for Kirby, Bandana Waddle Dee, Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Chef Kawasaki. Each costs a hefty $50 USD, but the good thing is that they're bigger in size and come with removable vehicles that can be swapped between riders.


Split‑screen multiplayer supports up to four players, making it a solid couch co‑op option, much like Mario Kart World.


Reviews So Far

Early impressions have been positive. Here are some:

  • GameSpot – 8/10 "An impressive package that makes the most of its deceivingly simple mechanics."

  • TheSixthAxis – 7/10 "A charming addition to the racing genre. Its unique outlook might not appeal to everyone, but it's still liable to find it a raft of fans, just like its GameCube predecessor."

  • VGC – 8/10 "Kirby Air Riders really didn't need a combined 107 minutes of Nintendo Direct presentations to sell players on its merits, because it only takes a few races to see how fun it can be. Road Trip mode's imbalanced win conditions will divide players, but the brilliantly diverse Road Trip (which is built with multiple playthroughs in mind) and the hefty 750-mission Checklist ensure solo players have plenty to do."

  • Wccftech – 7.5/10 "Kirby Air Riders serves up a varied platter of quirky modes and features, but Sakurai’s buffet may not satisfy long-term unless you’re up for chasing down every last crumb. That said, while a bit lightweight, Kirby Air Riders' unconventional and surprisingly intense approach to racing certainly sticks out, even in a year with a lot of karting competition, which may be enough to blow folks looking for something different off their feet."

  • CGMagazine – 9/10 "Kirby Air Riders combines tight controls, excellent gameplay and a plethora of content to make the best mascot racing game on the Nintendo Switch 2."

  • EurogamerPT – 8/10 "Kirby Air Riders is a game that is simple to control but offers a good level of depth in its gameplay. With four game modes that interpret the design in very different ways, it is an explosive game that grabs your attention as quickly as the speed of the races."


Overall, reviews range between 7/10 and 9/10, with most critics agreeing Kirby Air Riders is a fun, unique racing experience that builds on its GameCube legacy.


Whether you’re nostalgic for the GameCube original or just curious about Sakurai’s latest project, tomorrow is the day we finally get to hit the track again. Share your thoughts in the comments and follow Gaming Amigos on X, Bluesky, and Google News.

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