Nintendo is offering gamers a chance to try one of the first Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives for free, as Kirby Air Riders launches a global online playtest this weekend.
What Is The Kirby Air Riders Global Test Ride?
The playtest, officially named the Kirby Air Riders Global Test Ride, is a limited-time demo available to download now from the Switch 2 eShop. Initially, players can only access the Lessons Mode, which provides tutorials on the game's controls and techniques.
Once the live sessions begin, participants will be able to compete online in two distinct modes:
- Air Ride mode: The standard race format for traditional competitive racing.
- City Trial: A mode where up to 16 players explore a map to collect stat upgrades within a time limit, culminating in a random mini-game challenge.
Playtest Schedule And Session Times
Nintendo has scheduled the playtest across three six-hour sessions this weekend, with a second set of sessions planned for the following weekend. This provides ample opportunity for players with different schedules to participate.
The session times for the first weekend are all in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT):
- Session 1: Saturday, November 8 from 8am to 2pm GMT
- Session 2: Sunday, November 9 from midnight to 6am GMT
- Session 3: Sunday, November 9 from 3pm to 9pm GMT
The playtest continues the following weekend with identical time slots:
- Session 4: Saturday, November 15 from 8am to 2pm GMT
- Session 5: Sunday, November 16 from midnight to 6am GMT
- Session 6: Sunday, November 16 from 3pm to 9pm GMT
Is Kirby Air Riders Worth The Price?
This free trial comes as Nintendo faces questions about the game's value proposition. The choice of Kirby Air Riders as an early Switch 2 exclusive has raised eyebrows, especially given the original GameCube title's reputation as a niche and poorly reviewed game.
The new sequel carries a premium price tag, with the digital version costing £58.99 and the physical copy priced at £66.99. This makes the free playtest a crucial tool for Nintendo to convince potential buyers outside the hardcore Kirby fanbase that the game is worth the investment ahead of its full launch on November 20.
Recent previews of the game have yielded mixed impressions. The much-touted City Trial mode has been criticised for its seemingly simplistic and disjointed gameplay, where players collect icons to boost vehicle stats with minimal player interaction.
However, there is more optimism for the standard Air Ride races. These function as PvPvE matches, featuring cannon fodder enemies to swallow for abilities alongside real rivals. With automatic acceleration, the gameplay heavily emphasises drifting, which is reported to be fun, complemented by well-designed, linear race tracks—a stark contrast to the more open courses in recent Mario Kart titles.
This free playtest offers UK gamers the perfect opportunity to judge for themselves whether the classic Kirby racing experience justifies the asking price before committing to a purchase.
