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Kirby Air Riders Version 1.2.0 introduces several meaningful quality updates across all major modes, offering new functionality, improved accessibility, and expanded player options. Amiibo support has been added directly to the paddock, replay features have been enhanced, and new matchmaking behaviors help refine the overall online experience. Players can also access Local Play through the Online Match menu when offline and benefit from clearer system feedback thanks to new interface adjustments.
This update also delivers a substantial balancing pass across riders and machines. Numerous adjustments were made to machine defense, speed growth, and wall collision behavior, ensuring more consistent performance across City Trial, Air Ride, and Top Ride. Extensive bug fixes further improve stability, clear long standing checklist issues, and address machine behavior, online interactions, and replay reliability.
Patch Notes
General
- Amiibo scanning added in the paddock, allowing players to race with figure players
- Amiibo scanning accessible through the amiibo terminal in the paddock
- Solo course testing now available in Online Matches during matchmaking
- In City Trial, players can explore Skyah after matching with at least one person
- Air Ride and Top Ride now apply a penalty when attempting to leave mid matchmaking after entering the test course screen
- Playback position seeking added for video playback in Movie Replay under Spectate
- Replay videos now play on the paddock monitor
- Player uploaded replay videos will play at random
- Local Play selectable through Online Match menus when offline
- Featured Player setting now supports Auto even when playback is set to Full
- Version number now displays in the lower right corner of the screen when pausing in Free Run and Time Attack
- Everything Resets memory now unlocks automatically upon reaching the Road Trip ending, even for previously completed save data
Balance Adjustments
Rider Adjustments
- Rick
- Affected modes: City Trial and Air Ride
- Lowered HP and Defense
- Lowered power of the Rip Roaring Rick Special
Machine Adjustments
All Machines
- Affected modes: All modes
- Weakened backlash when hitting a wall with Quick Spin
- Reduced ability on some machines to maintain high speed after wall collisions with Quick Spin
Star Type Machines
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Lowered initial Defense value
Tank Type Machines
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Raised initial Defense value
- Raised Defense growth rate
Bike Type Machines
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Lowered Defense growth rate
Chariot Type Machines
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Lowered Defense growth rate
Warp Star
- Affected modes: City Trial and Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when maintaining wall contact
Winged Star
- Affected modes: City Trial and Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when maintaining wall contact
Shadow Star
- Affected modes: City Trial and Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Slick Star
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Raised Top Speed growth rate
- Affected modes: City Trial and Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when maintaining wall contact
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Formula Star
- Affected mode: Top Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Bulk Star
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Raised Defense growth rate
- Affected mode: Top Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Turbo Star
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Raised Top Speed growth rate when riding on the ground
- Affected modes: City Trial and Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when maintaining wall contact
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
- Affected mode: Top Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Jet Star
- Affected modes: City Trial and Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when maintaining wall contact
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
- Raised braking ability when exceeding maximum speed
Rex Wheelie
- Affected mode: Top Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Vampire Star
- Affected modes: City Trial and Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when maintaining wall contact
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Battle Chariot
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Lowered Top Speed growth rate
- Affected mode: Top Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Tank Star
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Raised Top Speed growth rate
- Affected mode: Top Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Bull Tank
- Affected mode: Top Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when crashing nearly perpendicular to a wall
Transform Star
- Affected modes: City Trial and Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when maintaining wall contact
Machine Type Reference
- Star type machines: Warp Star, Compact Star, Winged Star, Shadow Star, Wagon Star, Slick Star, Formula Star, Bulk Star, Rocket Star, Swerve Star, Turbo Star, Jet Star, Hop Star, Vampire Star, Paper Star, Transform Star (Star type)
- Tank type machines: Tank Star, Bull Tank
- Bike type machines: Wheelie Bike, Rex Wheelie, Wheelie Scooter, Transform Star (Bike type)
- Chariot type machines: Chariot, Battle Chariot
Bug Fixes
- Improved communication stability during online play
- Fixed timer progression issues in long Air Ride or Top Ride Free Run sessions
- Fixed lower than expected appearance rate for The Mysterious Bird Dyna Blade event in City Trial
- Fixed My Music settings not applying in City Trial Ranked Match or Quick Match
- Fixed My Machines from the Machine Market not appearing offline in City Trial
- Fixed Checklist completion sequence not playing correctly when using an Open Block
- Fixed multiple Checklist tasks failing to track properly across Air Ride, Top Ride, City Trial, and Online tasks
- Fixed Online Match rider defeat counts not applying to the City Trial checklist task
- Fixed issue in Skydive 1 Stadium event preventing completion of the 1000 point platform task
- Fixed terrain slip issues on Galactic Nova grind rails when using Gooey Quick Spin
- Fixed Gooey gliding in unintended areas
- Fixed Gooey Copy Abilities not dropping when using continuous Quick Spins
- Fixed replay upload issues after completing certain courses quickly or retiring early
- Fixed vacant machines moving away from riders after destruction
- Fixed Road Trip progression issues during certain actions
- Fixed P1 offline handicap settings incorrectly applying to Online Matches
- Fixed error when transitioning to Rivals with a large number of licenses
- Fixed Gigantes not reappearing in VS. Gigantes event when a rider disconnects
- Fixed lap lag issues in Crystal Top Ride during Road Trip
- Fixed disappearing machines after specific actions in the Machine Market
- Fixed players falling through walls when being revived in Dustup Derby 2 Stadium event
- Miscellaneous gameplay fixes implemented
- Confirmed issues not yet fixed:
- Gummies screen error between specific quantities
- Checklist completion mark disappearance after unlocking the last task via Open Block
- Replays from Version 1.1.1 may not be compatible with Version 1.2.0
Kirby Air Riders is an action-focused racing title and sequel to Kirby Air Ride, released exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 20, 2025.
Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
