Kirby Air Riders is in development, with Masahiro Sakurai directing

The sequel to Kirby Air Ride is coming later this year on Switch 2.

The game will be called Kirby Air Riders, and will be directed by Masahiro Sakurai.

So far no gameplay has been shown from the game, with Nintendo choosing to simply show a CG trailer.

Despite this, the game is set to release later this year, according to Nintendo.

Last year, Sakurai said he was “still creating games for the time being”, despite previously claiming in 2022 that he was “semi-retired” following the release of Super Smash Bros Ultimate’s final DLC character.

“As for me, I’m still creating games for the time being, but I’m also making this YouTube channel,” Sakurai said at the time. “I’d never done anything like this before starting, so in a way, you could say I haven’t exactly stayed put either.”

He then revealed in the penultimate episode of his YouTube series that he had started production on his next game project back in 2022, saying: “I’m sorry I can’t share more about this project, but assuming we’re able to get it made, it should be announced sooner or later.” It now appears that he may have been referring to Kirby Air Riders.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was released in December 2018 and was supported with a robust DLC offering that included the release of 13 new characters over a three-year period, bringing the final roster to 89 fighters.