The latest Kirby Air Riders update brings a substantial set of improvements, combining both the prerelease Ver. 1.1.0 features and the newly deployed Ver. 1.1.1 refinements. Online play has now been fully implemented, offering matchmaking through the Connect menu, local wireless support, LAN options, and several new match types such as Swap Replay for Air Ride and Team Battle for City Trial. The Replay system receives meaningful expansions, including video conversion support, online sharing, and spectating. Daily Air Ride and Limited Time Events add new routine content, while a range of customization and balance changes help refine the overall experience.
Alongside these additions, the update focuses on communication stability by preventing players with highly unstable connections from hosting matches while still allowing them to join existing sessions. A wide range of progression and gameplay issues have been corrected, addressing stalled matches, improper goal tracking, and rare Road Trip interruptions. Replay compatibility has also been clarified, with earlier data becoming invalid in some cases. Nintendo confirms that further fixes will follow as additional bugs are verified.
Full Patch Notes
- General Changes
- Added full online play.
- Accessible through the Connect menu or each mode’s main menu.
- Added Online tab to the Checklist.
- Added local wireless matches and LAN play via Local Play.
- Added Swap Replay match format to Air Ride.
- Added Team Battle match format to City Trial.
- Added replay to video conversion feature.
- Requires microSD Express card.
- Added online replay uploads and sharing.
- Added replay viewing through Spectate in the Connect menu.
- Added figure player training via Kirby Air Riders amiibo.
- Added Daily Air Ride and Limited Time Events modes.
- Added private setting for My Machines.
- Private machines cannot be used online.
- Settings adjusted via My Own Machine Customizations.
- Various balance adjustments made to Road Trip.
- Added full online play.
- Online Adjustments
- Restricted players with unstable connections from opening paddocks or creating matches.
- Such players can still join existing paddocks and matches.
- Added communication status display through Options in the Connect menu.
- Restricted players with unstable connections from opening paddocks or creating matches.
- Bug Fixes
- Implemented communication stability improvements for online play.
- Fixed issues causing prolonged matchmaking failures.
- Fixed issues preventing online matches from starting.
- Fixed progression stalls in paddocks under certain conditions.
- Fixed progression stalls when joining friends in Quick Match City Trial with Team Battle.
- Fixed progression stalls when using Swap Replay format with multiple players on one system.
- Fixed progression stalls when using figure players in Local Play.
- Fixed rare progression issue in Road Trip.
- Fixed checklist goals not clearing after conditions were met.
- Made additional miscellaneous gameplay fixes.
- Notes
- Personal Best scores recorded in Ver. 1.0.0 will be deleted.
- Replays from Ver. 1.1.0 may be incompatible with Ver. 1.1.1.
- Replays are not compatible with Ver. 1.0.0.
Kirby Air Riders is a fast-paced racing spin-off directed by Masahiro Sakurai, blending chaotic vehicle combat with simple two-button controls across Air Ride, Top Ride, and the open-world City Trial mode. The game officially released on November 20, 2025, and is available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2.
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