After two decades of silence, non-stop Kirby karting action has finally made its way back to Nintendo’s flagship. For die-hard fans, it’s not just good news but a call to relive the golden GameCube era on the modern Switch 2.
Similar to the original game, there’s more to Kirby Air Riders than an immersive single-player experience. These types of kart racers are extra fun with friends, which is why local multiplayer is still a main selling point in this latest installment.
For those who want to give local multiplayer a shot, this guide provides a complete breakdown. Whether it’s just one of your friends or the whole squad, here are all the directions you need to enjoy Kirby Air Riders together, on the same machine.
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What To Expect With Local Multiplayer
Once a friend pairs up their controller, a lot of fun awaits. To enjoy locally, players can choose from three modes in Kirby Air Riders. Here’s what to expect in each:
| Local Multiplayer Mode | What To Expect |
| Air Ride | A classic mode where the fastest one to the finish line wins. (Up to 4 players allowed) |
| City Trial | Provides a Mario Kart-like experience. Roam around the course, collect power-ups, and take on your friends. (Up to 4 players allowed) |
| Top Ride | Similar to Air Ride but with a top view. (Multiple players can join) |
All of the above are playable with friends on a single Nintendo Switch 2. Locally, the game allows up to four players, but if you want to break the boundaries and take the squad online, only one of your mates can join. This means that two players on the same console can go split-screen and participate in online events.
Similarly, a local 4-player squad can also compete against another group via local wireless. Simply link a second console, and all eight of you can have a blast in the modes mentioned above.
How To Play Local Multiplayer In Kirby Air Riders
There’s no rocket science to diving into a local session. With up to four players allowed in regular modes, you need to keep a couple of things in mind when playing with more than one friend.
2-Player Guide
With just one player on board, there’s no need for a second controller. The other half of your Joy-Con 2 can work as a secondary gamepad, which means you can dive straight into the action. Once in a session, you can switch to either a horizontal or a vertical split-screen view.
4-Player Guide
This is where things get a little different. Here, your single Joy-Con 2 won’t work, as it can only serve two players at a time. To welcome two more players on board, pair another Joy-Con 2 and proceed. Keep in mind that you can’t switch to a vertical mode because four players take their separate quarters of the screen with no margin for view changes.
Finally, our local multiplayer guide comes to an end. With multiple players joining your sessions, it won’t just bring loads of fun but also help you make some quick Road Miles. Need a new character? You can unlock Marx and Taranza pretty easily.
Published: Nov 27, 2025 02:00 pm