The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct included a surprise reveal of Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to the classic GameCube racing game Kirby Air Ride. Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of Kirby and Super Smash Bros., will be at the helm of the project as director. This follow-up to the beloved 2003 title is a Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive game.

The announcement trailer from Nintendo features Kirby falling through darkness, struggling to start up his engine-powered star, and when he manages to get it started, he enters a lush green world with several other racers. The end of the trailer confirms that Sakurai is the game's director, and the release window is sometime in 2025, cementing this sub-series's return after more than 20 years. Watch the Kirby Air Riders trailer below:

What Is Confirmed About Kirby Air Riders?

Not Much, But The Past Entry May Hold Some Hints

While the trailer showcased the concept of the sequel and several of the machines that Kirby can ride, there has been no mention of gameplay details. The original Kirby Air Ride was known for its very simple control scheme, with one button performing almost every action in the game and then the control stick to steer, and that was virtually it. With practically no gameplay footage, it's surprising that the game is releasing this year, so we hope to see gameplay of it at the Nintendo Treehouse streams.

The original game received a mixed reception from critics for its simplicity, but it has received a cult-following ever since its release, and fans have been clamoring for a remaster or sequel for years. Maybe the game will have a similar simplified control scheme as Kirby Air Ride, leaving room for Mario Kart World to be the more "competitive" racing game for Nintendo in 2025.

Our Take: Sakurai Directing Could Be A Huge Deal

The Return Of The King

Sakurai is a Nintendo legend nowadays, as the director of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which saw every single character from the entire Smash Bros. franchise, plus several new ones, entering the battle. While there is no mention of a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate follow-up quite yet, a sequel seems almost inevitable at some point for the Switch 2. Until then, Sakurai taking a break from Smash Bros. to focus on Kirby Air Riders could be a great thing.

Sakurai is known for his extensive videos detailing his games, along with his YouTube channel on video game development, so expect to see him in front of the camera in the lead-up to his new title. How exactly Sakurai is approaching Kirby Air Riders remains to be seen, but it's safe to assume this revival of a GameCube classic is in safe hands.

Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube