An all-new (and free!) update for Nintendo Switch 2 racing hit Kirby Air Riders is now available, Nintendo announced on Tuesday. The brand shared details for software update 1.3.0 in a news post, citing added support for GameShare, a new competitive game mode, and fresh multiplayer features. If you’re hoping to hop into a race today, here’s what you’ll need to know:
New GameShare capabilities
The Nintendo Switch 2’s GameShare service can now be used to loan Kirby Air Riders game access to another player via wireless communications. Players can press the buttons at the bottom of the Kirby Air Riders title screen to launch GameShare.
Enjoy existing Air Ride, Top Ride, and City Trial modes with friends, even if your crew has only one copy of the game. Easily share access with other Nintendo Switch 2 wirelessly and communicate via GameChat. Remember: a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to access online features.
Grand Prix comes to Air Ride Mode
Kirby Air Riders‘ new Grand Prix mode is up and running! Competitive racers can enjoy Air Ride matches in paddocks. These riders will compete in multiple races, the winner determined by overall points. Choose your go-to Kirby character and preferred machine, then it’s time to compete for points across a series of hypercompetitive races. Players can also choose which courses will appear and set their preferred number of laps.
Speaking of paddocks, a new “Sub-In Series” rule set lets racers in continuous matches substitute teammates when necessary.
Additionally, enhanced online features mean players in the same space can play City Trial online from a shared Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Additional Kirby Air Riders update 1.3.0 features
Nintendo’s patch notes touch on all changes to Kirby Air Riders gameplay, no matter how granular. In addition to Grand Prix, GameShare, and
- 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.
Nintendo’s patch notes also detail balance adjustments to characters and machines. Check out the full list of changes, as well as additional technical bug fixes, on Nintendo’s website.
Easily update your copy of Kirby Air Riders with Nintendo’s comprehensive instructions. According to Nintendo, the new “update will download and install automatically if the console is connected to the Internet and the Software Auto-Updates setting is enabled on your Nintendo Switch 2 console.” Just ensure you have the free space necessary!
