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Kirby Air Riders version 1.3.0 is now available, introducing new gameplay options such as the Grand Prix mode for Air Ride matches and full GameShare functionality. The update also expands local multiplayer capabilities, refines City Trial mechanics, and adds new customization and record-management options.
Alongside these additions, the patch delivers a wide range of balance adjustments for riders and machines, plus numerous bug fixes targeting online stability, UI behavior, and mode-specific issues. Overall, the update focuses on improving competitive balance, usability, and technical consistency.
Patch Notes
General
- Added GameShare support
- Press buttons at the bottom of the title screen to open the GameShare screen
- Choose between People Nearby or GameChat
- Added new Grand Prix game mode for Air Ride matches in paddocks
- Players participate in multiple races
- Winners determined by overall points
- Added new Sub-In Series rule set in paddocks
- Enables continuous matches while subbing in players
- Enabled two players to participate in paddocks and Quick Matches from a single Nintendo Switch 2 system
- Changed “Popular” search condition in the Machine Market Buy section to “Random”
- Enabled editing of Transform Star bike-type form in the My Machine Apply Decal screen
- Once decals are applied to either form, decals cannot be edited on the other form until all existing decals are removed
- Added ability to delete individual records for each machine in Personal Best
- Special gauge no longer decreases when swapping to a vacant machine or stealing a machine in City Trial while Special is available
- Adjusted lock-on range when swapping to a vacant machine in City Trial
- In City Trial, tilting the Left Stick down or pressing the Down Button now discards a Copy Ability without triggering Special
- Version number now displayed in the lower-left corner after crossing the finish line in Time Attack
- Withdrawing or disconnecting during an Online Match in a friends-only paddock no longer applies penalties
Balance Adjustments
- Adjusted performance of certain riders
- Waddle Dee
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Raised Defense while Special is triggered
- Bandana Waddle Dee
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Raised Special attack power
- Expanded Special attack range
- Raised gliding speed while Special is triggered
- Lowered fall speed while Special is triggered
- Waddle Doo
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Raised automatic attack power
- Increased attack detection for automatic attack bullets
- Automatic attacks can now trigger from a slight distance
- Raised Special attack power
- Increased attack detection for Special bullets
- Gooey
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Lengthened Special range
- Increased attack detection for Special bullets
- Cappy
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Increased durability of mushroom cap
- Scarfy
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Raised HP
- Raised Top Speed, Offense, and Defense while angry
- Lowered damage required to reach angry state
- Shortened cooldown before becoming angry again
- Increased Special explosion attack power
- Expanded Special attack range
- Susie
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Raised HP
- Raised Defense while Special is triggered
- Noir Dedede
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Raised Offense
- Raised Defense while Special is triggered
- Waddle Dee
- Adjusted performance of some machines
- Shadow Star
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when hitting walls with Quick Spin
- Wagon Star
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Weakened forward acceleration while skidding sideways
- Strengthened acceleration from low to medium speeds during normal driving
- Jet Star
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when hitting walls with Quick Spin
- Wheelie Bike
- Affected mode: City Trial
- Raised initial Top Speed and Turn values
- Raised growth rate for Top Speed and Turn
- Hop Star
- Affected modes: All modes
- Increased fall speed after midair Boost Charging
- Expanded stomp attack range
- Raised stomp attack power
- Vampire Star
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when hitting walls with Quick Spin
- Tank Star
- Affected modes: City Trial, Air Ride
- Raised ground Top Speed
- Increased drifting charge speed
- Improved carryover of fall speed on Perfect Landings
- Hydra
- Affected mode: Air Ride
- Weakened deceleration when colliding with other machines
- Shadow Star
Bug Fixes
- Improved online communication stability
- Fixed error when opening the Gummies screen in the Collection menu with a specific number of Gummies
- Fixed Checklist completion mark disappearing after unlocking the final task via Open Block and changing screens
- Fixed error when entering a paddock while possessing a specific My Machine
- Fixed incorrect stat displays on Machine and Rider selection screens
- Fixed Transform Star losing acceleration effect when changing modes after defeating an enemy
- Fixed Transform Star gaining acceleration effect twice when touching dash zones while changing modes
- Fixed Copy Abilities not being removed when Transform Star enters a cannon during Quick Spin
- Fixed Bulk Star and Hydra Top Speed dropping when obtaining Weight
- All machines now gain Top Speed when obtaining Weight
- Fixed Gooey’s tongue failing to stretch and capture certain enemies
- Fixed missing defeat icon after Chef Kawasaki or Gooey capture an enemy
- Fixed paddock BGM remaining as main menu BGM when decorations change
- Fixed mid-Team Relay communication issues causing warping, incorrect lap counts, or duplicate laps
- Fixed camera settings not reflecting properly during Team Relay matches in paddocks
- Fixed FP and subsequent player stats changing based on turn order in Team Relay paddock races
- Fixed headwear not displaying during randomized rider matches
- Fixed legendary-machine parts and certain events becoming fixed during continuous Local Play City Trial sessions
- Fixed CPU levels not reflecting in CPU Group Settings during Local Play City Trial
- Fixed Swerve Star lesson sometimes failing despite correct inputs
- Fixed Winged Star decals partially deteriorating when placed near the center in My Machine customization
- Fixed ability to select legendary machines in paddocks after playing Free Run
- Fixed camera not returning to normal in Cyberion Highway after size-change areas
- Fixed inability to enter cannon in Machine Passage after communication errors
- Fixed unintended 90-degree rotation when hitting walls while gliding in Crystal (Top Ride)
- Fixed inability to switch control types in Top Ride when Names are set
- Fixed inability to return to Free Control after switching from Steer Control in certain Top Ride scenarios
- Fixed Flare Bursts effect sometimes not disappearing in City Trial
- Fixed City Trial camera not returning to normal after Size Down effect ends
- Fixed City Trial camera not returning to normal after leaving grind rails
- Fixed inability to charge after completing a legendary machine while No Charge effect is active
- Fixed Wheel Copy Ability sometimes becoming impossible to remove after specific operations
- Fixed rare online City Trial issue where stolen rival machines became inoperable
- Fixed replay posting error when a player is retired in certain Stadium events
- Fixed error when transitioning to results screen in online VS. Gigantes with 16 players when Lololo and Lalala place first
- Replays from Ver. 1.2.0 and earlier are not compatible with Ver. 1.3.0
- Convert desired replays to video files using Record in playback settings before updating
- MicroSD Express card required
Kirby Air Riders launched on November 20, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2. The game is developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and published by Nintendo. Version 1.3.0 released on January 26, 2026.
Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
