Nintendo has officially announced a special 45-minute Nintendo Direct dedicated entirely to Kirby Air Riders, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 title directed by Masahiro Sakurai. 
The broadcast takes place tomorrow, August 19, 2025, at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm BST and will stream live on YouTube.
This Direct marks Sakurai’s long-awaited return to directing a major Nintendo title outside the Super Smash Bros. series. Fans are eager for a fresh look at his work, and Nintendo is promising a deep dive with gameplay footage, mechanics, and likely the long-anticipated release date.
The reveal first appeared on the Nintendo Today app before spreading across official social channels, echoing the company’s recent strategy of quietly seeding big news before going wide. The Kirby Air Riders account teased: “Join us on Aug 19 for a Direct with director Mr. Sakurai. The livestream will run around 45 minutes and give a closer look at the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game.”
For longtime fans, this presentation is more than just a preview – it’s the first proper sequel to the cult-classic 2003 GameCube game Kirby Air Ride. That title earned a passionate following for its simple controls and chaotic multiplayer fun, and anticipation has only grown with the years. With the Switch 2’s improved hardware, expectations are sky-high for how Sakurai and his team will evolve the racing-battle formula.
Whether Nintendo drops the release date tomorrow or simply expands the curtain on gameplay, the Direct is poised to be a major moment for Kirby fans and the Switch 2 library alike.