Nintendo appears to have revealed Kirby Air Riders earlier than intended, with the game briefly surfacing on Nintendo Music before being removed. The slip occurred just hours before a scheduled Direct dedicated entirely to the upcoming title.
The discovery was first shared by fans online, including reliable dataminer OatmealDome, who posted a screenshot showing Kirby Air Riders listed as a “special release.” According to the screenshot, the game was highlighted as part of Nintendo Today, though it did not appear in the Nintendo Music app itself. The event entry was quickly deleted, suggesting the mention was published in error.
This leak comes on the same day Nintendo is set to host a special presentation. A Kirby Air Riders Direct is officially scheduled for August 19 at 6 a.m. PT. The livestream will run for around 45 minutes and will be hosted by series creator Masahiro Sakurai. The event promises an in-depth look at the project, which is set to release exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.
The timing of the Direct aligns with recent teases from Sakurai, who had hinted that more details were on the way during celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of his studio, Sora Ltd. His comments expressed appreciation for long-time supporters while also fueling speculation that gameplay footage was imminent. The excitement only grew after the game was recently rated in Saudi Arabia, a common indicator that development is nearing completion.
Kirby Air Riders has been positioned as one of the flagship releases for Nintendo’s next-generation platform, with expectations running high given the popularity of both the Kirby franchise and its spin-offs. Though today’s leak has spoiled part of the surprise, fans will not have to wait long for the official showcase, which may finally offer a comprehensive glimpse at what the new installment brings to the series.
