First Big Details on Air Riders
Announced for the Switch 2 earlier this year, Nintendo is finally revealing details on Kirby Air Riders. A direct dedicated to the racing game will air on August 19th and will last around 45 minutes. The stream will be led by developer Masahiro Sakurai, directing his first major game since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate back in 2018.
Sakurai’s Long History with Kirby
Sakurai created Kirby for his first project in the gaming industry when he directed Kirby’s Dream Land, all the way back in 1992. Since then he has been officially involved in seven Kirby titles, including the original Kirby Air Ride back in 2003. Eighteen years later, Air Riders began pre-production in 2021, with full production kicking off in 2022 led by Sakurai’s team at Bandai Namco.
The original Kirby Air Ride sold over one million copies in Japan and the United States. Reception to the game was mixed, with some reviewers criticizing the simplistic control scheme. Air Ride also featured several different game modes, notably top ride and city trial, offering players more gameplay beyond standard racing formats. If these modes return, it could offer Air Riders a distinct identity compared to Mario Kart, Nintendo’s other major racing franchise
When to Catch the Direct
The Air Riders direct will air at 6 AM pacific time on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel. Alternatively, you can watch the direct on the Nintendo Today news app, available on the Google Play and Apple App stores. Check back with us tomorrow at Other Games for all the news from the direct.
