Awarded gamesGames of the Year
Award for excellenceKirby Air Riders
General Description
| Title | Kirby Air Riders |
|---|---|
| Release | 2025/11/20 |
| Price | 8,980yen(tax included) 7,980yen(tax included)(download ver) |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Distributor | Nintendo Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | Nintendo Co., Ltd. |
| Developer | Nintendo Co., Ltd./Bandai Namco Studios Inc. |
| URL | https://www.nintendo.com/jp/games/switch2/aaaba/index.html |
| Copyright | © Nintendo / SORA © Nintendo / HAL Laboratory, Inc. |
Award for excellence Reason
Kirby Air Ride was originally released in 2003. The latest game was released for the first time in 22 years.
In this ride-action game, you can pilot unique machines and play through multiple titles.
In the “City Trial,” 16 players can play and can enjoy a wide variety of strategies where no two matches play out the same: you can upgrade your machine on the field and challenge the stadium.
In the Road Trip, a new game, you can choose your favorite rider to go on a journey and tackle various challenges. Single plays are attractive: you can get a new machine, power it up, and others.
With its simple controls yet deep strategic depth, along with the fun of playing with others in the “Paddock,” Kirby Air Riders received the award thanks to the broad support from players of all ages, from children to adults.
Work Introduction
This is a ride-action game that combines simple controls with deep strategies, allowing you to freely pair riders with a unique variety of machines to compete.
▼City Trial
Up to 16 players run around the field within the time limit, gathering items to power up their machines. At the end, you'll settle the score with your custom-built machine in the final arena: the Stadium! You will maximize your machine's performance, or outsmart your rivals? Read the field and seize victory!
▼Air Ride
An action-packed racing mode for up to 6 players across a wide variety of stages.
Attack rivals and enemies to gain speed and blast your way to the front! Catch the wind and blast with pure exhilaration!
▼Top Ride
A quick-play, top-down racing mode for up to 8 players.
Dash through gimmick-filled courses while making full use of items that pop up all over the track!
▼Road Trip
In this single-player mode, you choose your favorite rider and progress by completing challenges across three different modes: Air Ride, Top Ride, and City Trial. Head toward the final destination with a machine!
Comment of the game producer
I hear many users vote for us. Thank you!
We developed Kirby Air Riders upon receiving a request for production from the management of Nintendo and HAL Laboratory.
The project was sparked by endless requests from users, even though many years had passed since the previous title, Kirby Air Ride, was released in 2003.
I believe the game maintained its support for so long because, for a long time, no other title makes players enjoy themselves in the same way as its predecessor.
Non-players may still feel this game is the same vein as Mario Kart. However, in essence, it is a completely different game based on mysterious machines.
I believe we have packed enough content, gameplay depth, and freshness into this title to fully satisfy the fans who have waited so long.
If you learn this game after receiving this award, I hope you will take this opportunity to play it.
Thank you so much!
Masahiro Sakurai
Director of Kirby Air Riders