It’s the final update!
As of January 27, 2026 at 01:00 UTC, the final update for Kirby Air Riders has been released and with the all-new version 1.3.0 update, plenty of tweaks have been implemented, and a whole new Grand Prix mode has been added.
For the full patch notes, we have them here:
Kirby Air Riders | Ver. 1.3.0 Patch Notes: (Released January 26, 2026)
General:
- GameShare is now supported.
- Press the buttons at the bottom of the title screen to access the GameShare screen, where you can choose between People Nearby or GameChat.
- A new game mode, Grand Prix, is now available for Air Ride matches in paddocks.
- Players will participate in multiple races where the winner is determined by overall points.
- A new rule set, Sub-In Series, is now available in paddocks.
- This allows for continuous matches while subbing in players.
- Two players can now participate in paddocks and Quick Matches from a single Nintendo Switch 2 system.
- The “Popular” search condition in the Buy section of the Machine Market has been changed to “Random.”
- The Transform Star’s bike-type form can now be edited in the My Machine Apply Decal screen.
- Once a decal is applied to a Transform Star in either form, you will not be able to edit decals with the other form until all existing decals have been removed.
- You can now delete individual records for each machine in Personal Best.
- Previously, when swapping to a vacant machine or stealing a machine while your Special could have been triggered in City Trial, your Special gauge would decrease. Now the Special gauge will be maintained, so you will still be able to trigger your Special after swapping to or stealing a machine.
- The lock-on range when swapping to a vacant machine in City Trial has been adjusted.
- In City Trial, you can now tilt the Left Stick down or press the Down Button to discard a Copy Ability without triggering your Special.
- The version is now displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen after crossing the finish line in Time Attack.
- Withdrawing or otherwise disconnecting during an Online Match in a friends-only paddock will no longer subject you to penalties.
Balance Adjustments:
The performance of certain riders has been adjusted.
Rider name Adjustment details 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 be triggered even at a slight distance away.
- 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 the mushroom cap.
Scarfy Affected modes: City Trial/Air Ride
- Raised HP.
- Raised Top Speed, Offense, and Defense while in angry state.
- Lowered the amount of damage required to reach angry state.
- Shortened time before you can become angry again after angry state is lifted.
- Increased attack power of explosion caused by Special.
- 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.
The performance of some machines has been adjusted.
Machine name Adjustment details Shadow Star Affected modes: City Trial/Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when hitting a wall with Quick Spin.
Wagon Star Affected modes: City Trial/Air Ride
- Weakened forward acceleration when driving 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 a wall with Quick Spin.
Wheelie Bike Affected mode: City Trial
- Raised initial Top Speed and Turn values.
- Raised growth rate for Top Speed and Turn values.
Hop Star Affected modes: All modes
- Increased fall speed after Boost Charging in midair.
- Expanded the attack range of the stomp attack.
- Raised attack power of the stomp attack.
Vampire Star Affected modes: City Trial/Air Ride
- Strengthened deceleration when hitting a wall with Quick Spin.
Tank Star Affected modes: City Trial/Air Ride
- Raised Top Speed on the ground.
- Increased charging speed during drifting.
- Made it easier to carry over fall speed on Perfect Landings.
Hydra Affected mode: Air Ride
- Weakened deceleration when hitting other machines.
Bug Fixes:
- Improved communication stability during online play.
- Fixed an issue where an error would occur when trying to open the Gummies screen in the Collection menu while having a specific number of Gummies.
- Fixed an issue where, after unlocking the last task in a Checklist page by using an Open Block, receiving the completion checkmark, then returning to the Checklist after transitioning to another screen via a specific set of actions, the completion mark would disappear and the completion rewards could not be received.
- Fixed an issue where an error would occur when trying to enter a paddock while possessing a specific My Machine.
- Fixed an issue where some stat displays were not properly reflected on the Machine/Rider selection screen.
- Fixed an issue with Transform Star where, when changing modes when getting the boost of acceleration gained after defeating an enemy, the acceleration effect would immediately be lost.
- Fixed an issue with Transform Star where, when touching a dash zone while changing modes at the same time, the acceleration effect would occur twice.
- Fixed an issue where Copy Abilities would not be removed when Transform Star would enter a cannon while performing a Quick Spin.
- Fixed an issue with Bulk Star and Hydra where their Top Speed would drop when obtaining Weight.
- For all machines, Top Speed increases when obtaining Weight.
- Fixed an issue where Gooey’s tongue would sometimes not stretch out and be unable to capture certain enemies.
- Fixed an issue where, when Chef Kawasaki or Gooey captured an enemy, the icon that displays after defeating an enemy would not be displayed.
- Fixed an issue where the BGM for a paddock remained the same as the BGM for the main menu when paddock decorations were changing.
- Fixed issues where communication errors or disconnections for certain players mid-Team Relay in paddocks would sometimes trigger phenomena like another player warping/the number of laps not being properly counted/the same player making two laps, etc.
- Fixed an issue where a user’s camera settings during a Team Relay match in a paddock may not be reflected depending on the turn order.
- Fixed an issue where, when racing in a Team Relay match with an FP (figure player) in paddocks, the stats of the FP and the player going afterward may change depending on the turn order.
- Fixed an issue where headwear was not reflected during matches when riders were randomized.
- Fixed an issue where legendary-machine parts and some events would become fixed when playing City Trial continuously via Local Play.
- Fixed an issue where CPU levels were sometimes not reflected in CPU Group Settings in City Trial via Local Play.
- Fixed an issue for Swerve Star under Machines in Lessons where you would sometimes fail even though you performed actions correctly.
- Fixed an issue where, when decals were placed near the center of a Winged Star machine when customizing it in the My Machine menu, the decal designs would partially deteriorate when that My Machine appeared in City Trial.
- Fixed an issue where, when joining a paddock after playing Free Run, it was sometimes possible to select a legendary machine on the Machine/Rider selection screen.
- Fixed an issue in Cyberion Highway where the camera would sometimes not return to a normal state after leaving the area where riders become smaller.
- Fixed an issue in Machine Passage where some players were not able to enter the cannon on the course if a communication error or disconnection occurred for certain players.
- Fixed an issue in the Top Ride course Crystal where, if you hit a wall while gliding in the air at a specific location, you could unintentionally rotate approximately 90°.
- Fixed an issue where, when playing Top Ride with multiple people, other players were sometimes unable to switch control types when certain players had set a Name.
- Fixed an issue where, when playing Top Ride with multiple people, it would become impossible to switch to Free Control after P2 switched to Steer Control while a Name was set.
- Fixed an issue where, after obtaining the item Flare Bursts in City Trial, the effect would sometimes not disappear as expected.
- Fixed an issue in City Trial where the camera would sometimes not return to a normal state after the effects of the Size Down item ended.
- Fixed an issue in City Trial where the camera would sometimes not return to a normal state after getting off grind rails.
- Fixed an issue in City Trial where, when completing a legendary machine while the effects of the No Charge item were active, the player would sometimes continue to be unable to charge.
- Fixed an issue in City Trial where, when performing specific operations after obtaining the Wheel Copy Ability, the Copy Ability would sometimes become unable to be removed.
- Fixed a rare issue in online City Trial matches where a rival’s machine would sometimes become inoperable after stealing it.
- Fixed an issue where, during replays where a player is retired in certain Stadium events, an error would display when trying to post the replay.
- Fixed an issue where, when playing the VS. Gigantes Stadium event during an online match with 16 players, an error would occur when transitioning to the results screen when Lololo & Lalala came in 1st place.
Note: Replays from Ver. 1.2.0 and earlier are not compatible with Ver. 1.3.0. Convert replays you want to keep to video files by selecting Record on the playback settings screen within Cached Data and Data Replay before downloading the update. (Note: A microSD Express card is required to use this function.)
About Kirby Air Riders:
Charge up for action with Kirby and crew—download the free demo for a limited time!
Start with some basic lessons to learn how to navigate battles and fast-paced races on the ground and in the air—and then choose from Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, and more to Boost Charge your way into the action online* with City Trial or offline with Air Ride. Download the free demo and play at specified times during the weekends of November 8-9 and November 15-16.
Fast-paced vehicular action: Pick your rider, pick your machine, and mount up for competition! Take on your rivals in frantic arena battles or fast-paced races on the ground and in the air. Use the Boost Charge button to brake and control your turns as your machine automatically fights for top speed. Fill your Boost Charge Gauge as you drift around the bend and release it to trigger an explosive dash!
RIDER BASICS:
- Boost into the fray: Ride and battle with just two buttons. Press the Boost Charge button to brake, drift, and fill your Boost Charge Gauge as your machine moves forward automatically. Once it’s full, dash forward with gusto!
- Battle with Quick Spin: Wiggle the control stick to perform a spin attack. Slam into enemies to send them flying!
- Turn the tide with Specials: Drive and fight to fill your Special Gauge. Once it’s full, you can activate your rider’s Special to edge out the competition.
- Grab Copy Abilities: Inhale or capture an enemy to receive their Copy Ability. Some Copy Abilities let you attack, while others give you bonuses like a speed increase.
RIDERS:
- Kirby: A light and floaty friend to all! This well-balanced hero has no clear weaknesses.
- King Dedede: A heavyweight rider who rules the raceway! Hits hard with his powerful hammer.
- Meta Knight: A shadowy defender who slashes rivals with his sword and slices through the air on dark wings.
- Bandana Waddle Dee: A sturdy rider who builds Boost Charge quickly. His trusty spear stings rivals like a hornet!
- Knuckle Joe: A fierce fighter who jabs at riders that come too close. Charge up fully for a flurry of punches!
- Cappy: The mushroom cap doubles as a protective cushion. Race ahead of rivals before it falls apart!
- Star Man: Excels at airborne maneuvers. Jump for a burst of speed and soar right over your rivals!
- Magolor: A sly spell caster who accelerates a lot after Star Slides. Attack rivals ahead of you with perfect landings!
- Susie: A smug, shiny entrepreneur. Deploys a propeller to take off and float gently through the air.
MACHINES:
- Warp Star: Both drives and glides perfectly well. An easy ride with no clear weaknesses.
- Winged Star: Slow when ground-bound, but soars gracefully whenever it takes flight.
- Wheelie Bike: Races ahead on a single wheel. An interesting design compared to star-type machines.
- Paper Star: Light as paper with impressive flight capabilities. Fragile, but offers excellent acceleration.
- Tank Star: Rushes forward on Boost Dashes. Boost Charges help it tackle turns at a rapid pace.
CITY TRIAL:
- Explore Skyah: Zip around the city of Skyah in City Trial: a free-for-all battle for 16 players online* or 8 players via local wireless.** You have 5 minutes to collect power-ups and prepare your machine for a Stadium contest.
- Power up your machine: Find items scattered all over Skyah to raise your machine’s stats.
- Battle!: Clash with rivals in a competition to claim power-ups! Watch out for opponents looking to thwart you by destroying your machine…
- Field Events: Survive unpredictable Field Events like fearsome boss battles, falling meteors, and more!
- Stadium: The final challenge takes place at the Stadium! The challenge is chosen from one of four randomly selected options. Try and pick one that suits your powered-up machine.
AIR RIDE:
- Race to the finish: Drive, fight, and aim to cross the finish line first. Compete against a medley of riders in local and online matches with up to 5 other players.
Play with amiibo: Mix and match in-game Figure Players with the new rider-machine dual pack amiibo™ figures! Each pack comes with one rider and machine, which together form a figure. You can change the combination of your riders and machines to make different figures, too.
- Tap them into your game to play with your Figure Players! By racing together with them, their level and machine’s proficiency will increase.
Source: Nintendo
