Nintendo has officially opened the gates for Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride, allowing Nintendo Switch Online members to download and participate in the limited-time trial ahead of the game’s full launch. Available now on the U.S. eShop for the Nintendo Switch 2, the Global Test Ride offers players a chance to experience the high-speed, airborne chaos that defines this revival of a classic Kirby title.
Free Test Ride Details
The Global Test Ride will take place across two separate weekends, with multiple sessions each day to accommodate players around the world. The full schedule is as follows:
First Weekend:
- November 8, from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. PT
- November 8, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. PT
- November 9, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT
Second Weekend:
- November 15, from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. PT
- November 15, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. PT
- November 16, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT
Introductory lessons will remain available throughout each weekend, giving new players time to familiarize themselves with the game’s mechanics before joining online matches.
Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride serves as a modern reinterpretation of the cult classic Kirby Air Ride, redesigned for Nintendo’s latest console generation. Players can choose from a roster that includes Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, and other familiar faces, each equipped to pilot unique flying machines.
The test version allows fans to explore two main gameplay modes:
- City Trial: A free-for-all arena battle for up to 16 players online, set in the sprawling city of Skyah. During a five-minute preparation phase, players collect power-ups and machines scattered across the environment while surviving dynamic Field Events like meteor showers and surprise boss fights. Afterward, participants face off in randomized Stadium events, which may include drag races, combat challenges, and aerial scoring contests. In the full release, the City Trial’s Paddock lobby will expand to accommodate up to 32 players.
- Air Ride: A faster, more traditional racing experience playable offline during the test. Up to six riders race across vibrant courses while attacking rivals, collecting stars, and drafting behind opponents to build up speed boosts.
These modes aim to strike a balance between approachable fun and competitive intensity, offering players both chaotic multiplayer energy and accessible gameplay familiar to Kirby fans.
Pre-order Rewards
Nintendo has also introduced a small incentive for early adopters. Players who pre-order Kirby Air Riders through the Nintendo eShop before or during the Global Test Ride will receive an exclusive set of in-game headwear, which becomes usable in the second weekend of the event.
