As previously announced, the free trial of "Kirby: Flying Knight" started on November 8, and you can now play the "Global Trial Version" on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform.
Go to the Nintendo eShop store and search for "Kirby Air Riders" to find the demo page.This trial version is completely free, but requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership to play online. Players can experience the game's exciting racing "Air Ride" mode, the free-for-all "City Trial" mode, and multiple racing maps.
The complete trial schedule is as follows:
"Kirby: Flying Knight" global trial version complete schedule
First weekend:
- November 8, 16:00-22:00, Beijing time
- November 9, 10:00-16:00, Beijing time
- Beijing time November 9th 23:00-05:00 the next day
Second weekend:
- November 15th 16:00-22:00 Beijing time
- November 16th 10:00-16:00 Beijing time
- Beijing time November 16th 23:00-05:00 the next day
The eShop store describes the "Air Ride" mode as: "Exciting racing" with five other riders. You can "attack rival riders" and follow their wake to collect stars to gain speed bonuses. It is a "more direct racing" mode.The "City Trial" is a "free-for-all mode that supports 16 people online": you need to collect boosting props, survive field events such as meteor crashes and "fierce BOSS battles", and compete with other riders in arena duels.
As a sequel to a series that has been dormant for more than 20 years, director Masahiro Sakurai said in August 2025 that "Kirby: Flying Knight" is "essentially "Mario Kart", so if you like that racing game, you may also fall in love with this one.He also mentioned that there will be no DLC for the game, saying "all content is included."
"Kirby: Flying Knight" will be launched on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform on November 20.
