Kirby Air Riders Finally Gives Other Characters Copy Abilities

Kirby’s pink puffball magic has always been tied to one thing: his ability to inhale enemies and copy their powers. For more than 30 years, that ability defined him as unique across Nintendo’s lineup.

But in a surprising twist revealed during the latest Nintendo Direct, Kirby Air Riders is rewriting that long-standing rule.

Masahiro Sakurai, the series’ creator, announced that for gameplay balance, every rider – not just Kirby – will now wield Copy Abilities. To level the playing field, characters like King Dedede, Meta Knight, Waddle Dee, Gooey, and even Chef Kawasaki can capture abilities mid-race. While Kirby inhales, the others perform special animations unique to their character – Kawasaki scoops foes with his ladle, Gooey lashes out with his tongue. Players trigger these moves with the Boost Charge button, then gain the familiar hats and powers tied to each ability.

This marks the first time most of Kirby’s allies and rivals have ever been able to use Copy Abilities. Gooey is the lone exception, having shared that power back in Kirby’s Dream Land 3. In the original Kirby Air Ride, Kirby was essentially the only playable rider, so his advantage never mattered. Now, with a full roster of riders, the rules are changing in a dramatic but fitting way.

Abilities range from speed boosts to disruptive attacks that can completely flip a race. It’s a bold design choice, but when the man who defined Kirby’s identity decides to bend his own rules, fans are more than ready to see where the ride goes.