Nintendo is doubling down on its interactive figure technology with the upcoming release of Kirby Air Riders for the switch 2, offering the most robust amiibo integration of any game on the platform to date. The racing title allows players to utilize amiibo not just as collectibles, but as key components for unlocking content and enhancing gameplay, even extending functionality to figures from other Nintendo franchises. This deep level of interoperability promises a unique experience for both amiibo collectors and competitive racers, and builds on the established functionality first popularized in the Super Smash Bros. series.
Kirby Air Riders stands out as the Nintendo Switch 2 title most heavily integrated with amiibo functionality, boasting the largest collection of compatible characters and vehicles to date.
As is typical, the amiibo in Kirby Air Riders aren’t merely collectible display pieces. The game provides substantial in-game utility for the figures, even offering unique interactions for amiibo characters not native to the Kirby series, expanding the gameplay experience and making amiibo a core component of the game.
What is Kirby Air Riders?
Table of Contents
Kirby Air Riders is a fast-paced racing game set in the world of Kirby. Players trade traditional platforming for piloting Air Ride Machines. The game focuses on high-speed races, expansive map exploration, and collecting diverse abilities that grant offensive and defensive advantages during competition. The game’s simple controls belie a strategic depth, blending speed, precise timing, and optimal path selection for victory. Accessible to newcomers and engaging for veterans, Kirby Air Riders offers multiple modes for a dynamic and competitive experience.
What is Amiibo?
Amiibo is a line of interactive figures produced by Nintendo, featuring characters from franchises like Kirby, Mario, and The Legend of Zelda. Each figure contains a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip, allowing it to interact with Nintendo consoles such as the Switch, Wii U, and 3DS.
When an Amiibo is scanned on a compatible NFC reader, it’s recognized within the game and can unlock various benefits, including:
- Unlocking additional content.
- Receiving in-game rewards or items.
- Training a character or saving their progress.
- Unlocking new colors, outfits, or character customizations.
Each game utilizes Amiibo differently, and Kirby Air Riders is among those that heavily leverages the technology to provide extra content, characters, and vehicles.
Amiibo Guide for Kirby Air Riders
Kirby Air Riders currently offers the most extensive Amiibo integration of any Nintendo Switch 2 game, featuring the largest range of directly linked characters and vehicles. This integration makes the system a fundamental part of the gameplay experience and significantly expands the available content for players.
Amiibo aren’t simply for display, despite many players collecting them for that purpose. They play an active role within Kirby Air Riders, granting special advantages and direct interaction within the game. Furthermore, Amiibo figures of Nintendo characters outside the Kirby series offer additional functionality, making the system more versatile and beneficial.
Which Amiibo Work in Kirby Air Riders?
To maximize the Amiibo experience in Kirby Air Riders, players should focus on the figures specifically released with the game, as they feature a larger design than previous Amiibo. These figures can also swap vehicles if the player owns multiple. Currently, only two are available, with additional figures planned for release:
- Kirby & Warp Star – releasing November 20, 2025
- Bandana Waddle Dee & Winged Star – releasing November 20, 2025
- Meta Knight & Shadow Star – releasing March 5, 2026
- King Dedede & Tank Star – releasing during 2026
- Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star – releasing during 2026
Other Amiibo not associated with Kirby also function within Air Riders, albeit in a different capacity, which will be detailed later in the game’s system.
How Amiibo Work in Kirby Air Riders
Players familiar with recent Super Smash Bros. titles will recognize the Amiibo functionality in Kirby Air Riders. The system operates on a similar principle: scanning an Air Riders Amiibo creates a training character known as a Figure Player (FP). This FP gains new FP levels and develops its skill in piloting the associated machine, mirroring the training character progression in Smash. The game saves this data and tracks its evolution with each race.
The Rider and Machine combination chosen by the player when creating the FP is permanently linked to the Amiibo file and can be used at any time. The game also allows players to change the machine associated with the same Rider by scanning a new machine and assigning it, creating a new combination without losing any of the Rider’s previously earned experience or points.
The more races an FP participates in, the more its level increases, making it more skilled and improving its control and performance. To join a race against an Amiibo, players simply scan the Amiibo in the setup mode before the race begins, activating it as the Active Amiibo for the current round. Players also receive a decorative model that appears on the main menu, adding a visual element to the system and encouraging continued Amiibo use.
However, it’s not limited to Air Riders-exclusive Amiibo. Any Amiibo the player owns, even those from other series, can be used. Scanning a non-Kirby Amiibo grants immediate rewards that vary by type. In testing, a Mario Amiibo from Smash and a Donkey Kong Bananza Amiibo provided gold and a sticker for use in the file. A Kirby Amiibo from Smash unlocked an alternate color for the Kirby character and a special theme for the license card, suggesting that Kirby series Amiibo offer unique rewards or early access to certain content within Kirby Air Riders.
