Gamers worldwide were treated to a surprising announcement during the most recent Nintendo Direct broadcast. Among the reveals for the upcoming Switch 2 console’s first-party lineup was the confirmation of a new title: Kirby Air Riders. This reveal instantly captured attention, hinting at the return of a unique and beloved spin-off series.
The game was introduced with a brief but intriguing computer-generated trailer, offering players a tantalizing first glimpse into what this next evolution of the concept might look like on the new hardware. While details in the trailer were scarce, the visuals were enough to spark significant discussion and anticipation.
Adding immense weight to the announcement is the confirmation that Masahiro Sakurai, widely known as the visionary “Father of Smash Bros.” and the original director of the 2003 GameCube title Kirby Air Ride, is set to return to direct this sequel. This marks a significant moment, as Sakurai will be helming a new entry in the series after a remarkable 22-year hiatus. His direct involvement signals a potential return to the core ideas that made the original GameCube game a cult classic, particularly its emphasis on accessibility and the chaotic fun of modes like City Trial.
Beyond his confirmation as director, Sakurai has also reportedly disclosed another crucial detail regarding the project. While specifics of this additional information were not immediately available, any insight from a creator of his stature is highly anticipated by fans eager to learn more about the direction and features of Kirby Air Riders.
The original Kirby Air Ride was celebrated for its distinctive approach to the racing genre and its highly replayable City Trial mode, which fostered unpredictable and entertaining multiplayer sessions. The prospect of a modern successor, guided by the original creative force behind it and presumably leveraging the capabilities of the new Switch 2, has generated considerable excitement across the gaming community. Fans are now eagerly awaiting further updates on this unexpected and promising addition to the Switch 2’s launch window or early lineup.
In recent news from the gaming world, acclaimed director Masahiro Sakurai announced via Twitter that Bandai Namco Studios is set to handle the development of Kirby Air Ride. This revelation underscores a significant, ongoing partnership, as this is not the first time the studio has collaborated on a project spearheaded by Sakurai.
Bandai Namco Studios previously played a pivotal role in bringing the massively popular fighting games Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to life, demonstrating their capability and close working relationship with Nintendo‘s iconic franchises. Beyond the Smash Bros. series, Bandai Namco has a history of contributing development support to several other notable Nintendo first-party titles, including the racing hits Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart Tour, the diverse Mario Sports Superstars, and the unique fighting game ARMS.
Further solidifying this strong alliance, Bandai Namco officially announced the establishment of their dedicated “Second Studio” and “S Studio” in 2023. These specialized teams were specifically created to focus on projects commissioned by Nintendo, highlighting the trust and reliance Nintendo places on Bandai Namco‘s development expertise for key titles in their portfolio.
"Kirby: Air Riders" is set to launch exclusively on the Switch 2 later this year.