Is Kirby Air Riders on Nintendo Switch 1? All Platforms, Explained

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Kirby Air Ride is back! Originally a GameCube title, this fun racing game is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, letting players compete as their favorite Kirby characters.

So, will the new game be available on the Nintendo Switch? We’ve seen games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A released on both the older and newer Switch models. Will this game follow the same pattern?

Okay, so everyone’s been asking about Kirby Air Riders – will it be on the original Switch, or is it only coming to the new Switch 2? Here’s the deal…

Is Kirby Air Riders on Nintendo Switch 1?

If you haven’t upgraded to the newest Nintendo console, you won’t be able to play Kirby Air Riders. The game is only available on the Nintendo Switch 2 and won’t be released for the original Nintendo Switch.

Considering the Switch 2 was just released, it’s surprising Masahiro Sakurai’s newest game isn’t also available on the older, original Switch. The main reason is probably how well the game runs. While *Kirby Air Riders* isn’t pushing the graphical limits on the Switch 2, it achieves a smooth 60 frames per second, and the original Switch might not be able to handle that.

It’s natural for new gaming hardware to be more powerful than older versions. So, it’s possible that Masahiro Sakurai and/or Nintendo wanted his next game after Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to run as flawlessly as possible. While the Switch is a good console, it’s often had performance issues, even in first-party Nintendo games.

Will Kirby Air Riders Ever Come to Nintendo Switch 1?

It’s unlikely that Kirby Air Riders will ever be released on the Nintendo Switch, though it’s not entirely impossible.

The Switch 2 is essentially a faster, more capable console. While we’re not game creators, it seems likely the original Switch struggles a bit more with a game like Kirby Air Riders.

It’s also worth considering if Sakurai and the Bandai Namco team would be willing to invest the time and effort to release the game on the original Switch after it’s already out. It’s likely their priority would be supporting the current version of the game before starting a new one.

Disappointed that Kirby Air Riders is only coming to the new Switch 2 and won’t be available on the original Switch? Share your thoughts in the comments or on the TopMob forum.

I was so excited to see the new Kirby Air Ride footage during the Nintendo Direct! Seriously, it looks amazing. And get this – you can even snag a Kirby emote in Fortnite now! I’m definitely grabbing that.

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2025-10-16 07:48