Kirby Air Riders Gets Another Nintendo Direct Live Stream

Under a month before the game’s release on November 20, Sakurai is back to share even more information on the sequel to the GameCube cult classic Kirby Air Ride. The previous presentation in August was a uniquely candid look at the game’s initial development, discussing how Nintendo approached Sakurai for the game, as alluded to in his final YouTube video. It also showcased many of the game’s playable characters and vehicles—some of which are being turned into $50 Amiibos—alongside an extended look at the updated City Trial mode, returning from the original game. He also made sure to show gameplay of a full race and City Trial run in the Direct to ensure players know exactly how the game will look and play.

Released in 2003 for the GameCube, Kirby Air Ride was Sakurai’s first return to the character he created in the ’90s. It’s a racing game where everything is controlled be a single button and the joystick. Although you can unlock Meta Knight and King Dedede by playing, most of the time you are playing as either Kirby or a palette swap of him. The game gained a cult following for the City Trial mode, something that Sakurai returned to in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS as “Smash Run.” Now over two decades since the original game was released, a fully-fledged sequel is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, developed by the Smash Bros. team.

With so much already shared about the game—a course overview for the autumnal Mount Amberfalls track was shared on the Nintendo UK YouTube channel earlier this week—many are wondering what else will be shown. The last Direct did end with a mysterious, blue-eyed racer descending from the skies in a cinematic cutscene, so there may be some details about a story mode or at least more details on this new character. There also hasn’t been any mention of Top Mode—a top-down mode in the original game—returning as of yet. Perhaps we can expect more Smash-esque character reveals, extended gameplay segments and Sakurai complimenting his team’s game this Thursday. Tune in tomorrow to find out, either at Nintendo’s YouTube channel, or in the embed below.