Kirby's Legacy Ranked: Air Riders Soars Onto Switch 2

The gaming world is electrified! With the highly anticipated launch of Kirby Air Riders on the revolutionary Nintendo Switch 2 on November 20, 2025, the industry is buzzing with discussions about the storied career of everyone's favorite pink puffball. This monumental release has prompted a definitive look back at Kirby's extensive catalog, with a top-tier ranking emerging that firmly places the latest title among the franchise's all-time greats, sparking passionate debate across the gaming community about Kirby's incredible journey since his debut in 1992.

The New Contender: Kirby Air Riders Takes Flight

Breaking news confirms that Kirby Air Riders, developed by Bandai Namco, has burst onto the scene with an immediate impact, cementing its place as a franchise highlight just days after its November 20, 2025 release. This highly anticipated sequel marks the triumphant return of series creator Masahiro Sakurai, who has meticulously crafted Air Riders to realize the full potential of its unique, simplified one-button racing formula. Fans are celebrating its rich array of modes, extensive unlockables, and the sheer depth evident in its beloved City Trial battle mode – a nostalgic nod to the golden age of N64 and GameCube local multiplayer. While its unconventional controls might not suit every racer, Kirby Air Riders delivers a uniquely brilliant experience, already securing a formidable position in the top five of this prestigious ranking.

A Journey Through Popstar's Past: The Top Ten Unveiled

As Kirby Air Riders charts a new course, it stands alongside a pantheon of classics that showcase Kirby's incredible versatility, from transforming into yarn to piloting mech suits. Here’s how the most influential games stack up:

10. Kirby and the Amazing Mirror (2004, GBA)

This HAL Laboratory gem reimagined Kirby as a four-player GBA platformer, leveraging link cable functionality for cooperative exploration. Its standout feature was a lite Metroidvania structure, offering branching paths and player-paced discovery, a rare departure from the series' typical linear level design.

9. Kirby’s Dream Land 2 (1995, Game Boy)

Masahiro Sakurai’s sequel to the original Dream Land introduced the beloved copy abilities from Kirby’s Adventure and welcomed iconic rideable animal friends like Rick the hamster. It represents the pinnacle of Kirby's original Dream Land trilogy, setting a high bar for subsequent entries.

8. Kirby: Triple Deluxe (2014, 3DS)

Kirby's 3DS debut ingeniously utilized the handheld's screen for dynamic foreground and background platforming. Its main mechanic, the Hypernova ability, allowed Kirby to inhale objects with unprecedented power, creating clever environmental puzzles. The rhythm subgame, Dedede’s Drum Dash, also became an instant fan favorite.

7. Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland (2002, GBA)

A definitive remake of the NES classic Kirby’s Adventure, this GBA title solidified copy abilities as a series staple, featuring over 20 powers. It introduced Meta Knight as a recurring rival and pioneered the Meta Knightmare mode, allowing players to experience the entire campaign as the masked warrior.

6. Kirby’s Epic Yarn (2010, Wii)

Developed by Good-Feel, this charming entry embraced a unique aesthetic, transforming Kirby and his world into yarn. Eschewing traditional copy abilities, Kirby morphed into various forms like a submarine or car, navigating an arts-and-crafts themed realm with Prince Fluff. It's lauded for its beauty and relaxing gameplay.

5. Kirby Air Riders (2025, Nintendo Switch 2)

(As detailed above, this groundbreaking release secures a top-five spot, marking Masahiro Sakurai’s return to the franchise he created, delivering an ultimate one-button racing experience with an unparalleled City Trial mode.)

4. Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe (2023, Nintendo Switch)

This deluxe edition of the Wii classic invigorated traditional home console Kirby platforming. It introduced innovative copy abilities like Leaf and Water, alongside robust local multiplayer for up to four players, allowing friends to play as Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, or Bandana Waddle Dee. The Switch version added a bonus epilogue and numerous classic subgames.

3. Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008, DS)

This expanded DS remake of the SNES classic showcases Masahiro Sakurai's signature style of packing games with diverse side modes. Featuring multiple bite-sized adventures—from treasure hunts to races—and an additional Meta Knight campaign, Super Star Ultra delivered unparalleled variety and depth for its era.

2. Kirby and the Forgotten Land (2022, Nintendo Switch)

Forgotten Land masterfully transitioned Kirby into a 3D environment while retaining the series' core charm. Its standout innovation, Mouthful Mode, allowed Kirby to dramatically transform by enveloping objects like cars or vending machines, opening new avenues for puzzle-platforming and proving a fresh take on the formula.

1. Kirby Planet Robobot (2016, 3DS)

The undisputed champion is Kirby: Planet Robobot, a seemingly unassuming 3DS sequel that delivered Kirby's most refined adventure. The integration of the Robobot armor, a hulking mech suit with its own copy abilities, provides unparalleled depth, variety, and challenge in level design and puzzles. Set on a captivating mechanized Planet Popstar, it's hailed as the pinnacle of the series.

Kirby's Enduring Evolution

From his humble beginnings in 1992, where he famously appeared as white on North American box art, to his current status as a versatile hero capable of wielding over 20 copy abilities, transforming into yarn, or piloting a colossal mech, Kirby's journey is a testament to consistent innovation. The series, predominantly stewarded by HAL Laboratory, with notable contributions from developers like Good-Feel for Epic Yarn and Bandai Namco for the latest Air Riders, continues to redefine itself while retaining its iconic charm. As Kirby Air Riders takes its place among these titans, it reinforces Kirby's enduring legacy as one of gaming's most adaptable and beloved characters.