Nintendo has officially confirmed the release date and price for Kirby Air Riders, one of the most unexpected but welcome sequels in its lineup. The long-awaited follow-up to 2003’s GameCube cult classic Kirby Air Ride will launch exclusively on the Switch 2 on November 20, 2025.
Pre-orders are now live on the Nintendo eShop, with a price tag of $70 – notably $10 less than Mario Kart World, but still raising questions around Nintendo’s new “variable pricing” model.
During its recent 45-minute Nintendo Direct, the company unveiled in-depth gameplay footage, highlighting both traditional circuit racing and a sandbox mode designed for more casual experimentation. While Kirby’s charm and colorful worlds seem like a natural fit for the genre, some fans are already debating how the racer will perform launching so close to Mario Kart World, which only arrived five months earlier.
The pricing strategy is equally divisive. On one hand, $70 feels steep compared to the $20 tag on the upcoming Drag x Drive. On the other, Nintendo seems confident Kirby’s brand power and nostalgia will resonate strongly enough to justify the cost. Some players even argue the game looks more polished than Mario Kart World, questioning why Kirby comes in cheaper despite its vibrant visuals.
The announcement also highlights Nintendo’s packed Switch 2 calendar: Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World drops on August 28, followed by Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Switch 2 Edition on October 16, before Kirby’s big racing debut closes out the fall. What remains missing, however, is the elusive Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. With little shown and only a vague 2025 window, fans are increasingly skeptical it will make this year at all.
Kirby’s spin-off may not have been on anyone’s bingo card, but its surprise return offers something playful and different for the Switch 2’s first year. Whether it becomes a fan-favorite or struggles under the shadow of Mario Kart will depend on how well it captures the magic of Kirby’s universe – and whether Nintendo’s pricing gamble pays off.