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As the year nears its end, Nintendo still has a couple of major titles coming out for the Switch 2.
One of them, Kirby Air Riders, is set to release on Nov. 20, but you don't have to wait until then to get a feel of the game. There will be an online global test for players interested in the racing game featuring the popular Nintendo mascot.
The Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride takes place on Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16, spanning several sessions that will last 6 hours each. Those who partake in the test will be able to check out three of the courses for free before the game is officially released.
Details about the global test came out last month during the Kirby Air Riders Direct #2. Game director Masahiro Sakurai showcased the new game, a follow-up to the 2003 GameCube game, Kirby Air Ride. Although the new Kirby Air Riders shares a similar feel with Mario Kart, where different characters race around a track on various machines, this game does things differently.
A Road Trip mode, for example, lets players compete in challenges and races while learning more about the story of why Kirby and friends are on this journey. Swap Relay is a new kind of race where players switch machines while racing. There's also the VS. Boss mode, where players team up to take down huge bosses.
Kirby Air Riders features 16 courses for players to race in, and numerous customizations are available for every player's machine.
When does the Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride start?
Nintendo planned for the Kirby Air Riders global test to take place over two weekends in November. Each session will last only 6 hours through the weekend.
Here are the days and times for the test:
- Nov. 8 at 12:00 a.m. PT until 6:00 a.m. PT
- Nov. 8 at 4:00 p.m. PT until 10:00 p.m. PT
- Nov. 9 at 7:00 a.m. PT until 1:00 p.m. PT
- Nov. 15 at 12:00 a.m. PT until 6:00 a.m. PT
- Nov. 15 at 4:00 p.m. PT until 10:00 p.m. PT
- Nov. 16 at 7:00 a.m. PT until 1:00 p.m. PT
What will I be able to play during the Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride?
During the test, players will have access to three Air Ride courses: Floria Field, Waveflow Waters and Mount Amberfalls. For those who want to keep the game among friends, there is the Paddock, which acts as a lobby to set up matches. The test will limit the racers to 16, but when the game goes live, that number will increase to 32.
The test will also feature a Lessons mode to help you learn how to play the game. City Trial is another mode available during the weekends. In City Trial, players roam around the city of Skyah, where they can collect power-ups to improve their machine's stats or find a new machine to ride.
What do I need to participate in the Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Rise?
Those interested in participating in the online test will need a Switch 2. The test will be available to download on the Nintendo eShop on Nov. 7. A Nintendo Switch Online membership or a trial membership is needed for City Trial, while Lesson and Air Rides can be accessed without a Switch Online subscription.
When does Kirby Air Riders come out?
Nintendo will release Kirby Air Riders for the Switch 2 on Nov. 20 for $70.
