How to Start a Multiplayer Game (Kirby Air Riders)

Complete these steps

How would you like to play multiplayer?

• Share the Controllers (local, single-system play with up to four players)

  Up to four players can participate in each mode. Air Ride and City Trial modes support split-screen, while Top Ride shows all players on the same screen. Depending on the mode, additional slots can be filled by CPU or figure players via amiibo.

  • Two-player split screen can be set to either vertical or horizontal by selecting Options, then Display, then VS. Split Screen.

  1. Which mode would you like to play?

     Air Ride Top Ride City Trial
  2. 1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
     2. From the Main Menu, select Air Ride.
     3. If you'd like to adjust the rules for the mode you picked, select Rules.
     4. Select Race.
     5. Select a course.
     6. If you haven't already, pair additional controllers for each player participating.
     7. Have each additional player press the A Button to join.
        • To add a figure player, select the amiibo icon, then tap your Kirby Air Riders amiibo to add it to the match, replacing a CPU player. After you finish playing this mode, you will be prompted to scan the amiibo again to save its progress.
     8. All players can select their rider and machine combination. Once everyone has selected, select Ready, then Take Off.

     1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
     2. From the Main Menu, select Top Ride.
     3. If you'd like to adjust the rules for the mode you picked, select Rules.
     4. Select Race.
     5. Select a course.
     6. If you haven't already, pair additional controllers for each player participating.
     7. Have each additional player press the A Button to join.
        • To add a figure player, select the amiibo icon, then tap your Kirby Air Riders amiibo to add it to the match, replacing a CPU player. After you finish playing this mode, you will be prompted to scan the amiibo again to save its progress.
     8. All players can select their rider and machine combination. Once everyone has selected, select Ready, then Take Off.

     1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
     2. From the Main Menu, select City Trial.
     3. If you'd like to adjust the rules for the mode you picked, select Rules.
     4. You can choose whether to play a full City Trial match, specific Stadiums contests, or a Free Run.

     Which part of City Trial would you like to play?

     Trial Stadium Free Run
  3. 1. Select Trial.
     2. If you haven't already, pair additional controllers for each player participating.
     3. Have each additional player press the A Button to join.
        • To add a figure player, select the amiibo icon, then tap your Kirby Air Riders amiibo to add it to the match, replacing a CPU player. After you finish playing this mode, you will be prompted to scan the amiibo again to save its progress.
     4. All players can select their rider. Once everyone has selected, select Ready.
     5. Review the participants for the trial. If you'd like to adjust the CPU options or the number of CPU players, press the X Button.
     6. Select Ready to begin!

     1. Select Stadium.
     2. Select a Stadium to play.
     3. If you haven't already, pair additional controllers for each player participating.
     4. Have each additional player press the A Button to join.
        • To add a figure player, select the amiibo icon, then tap your Kirby Air Riders amiibo to add it to the match, replacing a CPU player. After you finish playing this mode, you will be prompted to scan the amiibo again to save its progress.
     5. All players can select their rider and machine combination. Once everyone has selected, select Ready.
     6. Review the participants for the Stadium. If you'd like to adjust the CPU options or the number of CPU players, press the X Button.
     7. Select Ready to begin!

     1. Select Free Run.
     2. If you haven't already, pair additional controllers for each player participating.
     3. Have each additional player press the A Button to join.
     4. All players can select their rider and machine combination. Once everyone has selected, select Ready to begin!
• Online Match (online play with up to 16 players worldwide)

  Up to six players can participate in Air Ride mode, up to eight players can participate in Top Ride mode, and up to 16 players can participate in City Trial modes. Up to two players on the same console can join an Online Match. Depending on the mode and matching situation, additional slots may be filled by CPU players.

  There are Ranked Match and Quick Match options for all three modes. In Ranked Matches, try to rack up wins to improve your Class!

  1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
  2. From the Main Menu, select the Connect icon on the bottom, or select the mode you want to play.
  3. Select Online Match. If you started from the Connect menu, use the L and R Buttons to select the mode you want to play.
  4. Select Quick Match or Ranked Match.
     • For City Trial Quick Match, you can also choose whether to play solo in a free-for-all, or play with two teams of eight players.
  5. Select your rider (and machine, depending on the mode), then select Ready to begin matchmaking.
     • While selecting a rider, a second player can join by pressing the A Button on their controller.
  6. Once enough players have joined, the match will begin!
• Online in a Paddock (online play with up to 32 players worldwide)

  You can create or join a paddock to play together with up to 32 friends or other players.

  In a paddock, players can create matches for each mode that others in the paddock can join. Up to six players can participate in Air Ride mode, up to eight players can participate in Top Ride mode, up to 16 players can participate in City Trial mode, and up to four players can participate in Stadium contests. Up to two players on the same console can join games in the same paddock. Depending on the mode and rules selected, additional slots may be filled by CPU players or figure players via amiibo.

  You can also visit garages of players in the paddock. The number of players that can visit a garage depends on the size of the garage.

  1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
  2. From the Main Menu, select the Connect icon on the bottom, or select the mode you want to play then select Online Match.
  3. Select Paddock.
  4. Open a paddock, or search for a paddock created by another player.
     • How to open a paddock
       1. Select Open.
       2. Choose who will be able to join the paddock: anyone, friends, or only players with a passcode.
       3. Select the play style for the room and set the maximum number of members (from 2-32), then select OK.
          • When other players look for a paddock to join, they can search for rooms that have a specific play style.
       4. If you set the paddock to require a passcode, enter a four digit passcode. You'll need to share this with the players you want to join.
       5. You can also share the six-digit paddock ID with players so they can join the room if they haven't already added you as a Nintendo Switch 2 friend.
     • How to search for and join another player's paddock
       1. Select Search, or select Friends if one of your Nintendo Switch 2 friends created the room.
          • You can either search all open paddocks, search by play style, or enter the six-digit paddock ID shared with you by the host.
       2. Select the room you want to join from the results and select Yes.
       3. If the host required a passcode, enter the four digit passcode that they shared with you.
  5. While in the paddock, you can create or join matches by walking to one of the terminals and pressing the A Button. You can also open your garage for other players to visit, visit another player's opened garage, add a second player on your console, and scan a compatible amiibo figure to participate in matches.
     • How to create a match
       1. Walk to one of the terminals and press the A Button to open the Match Menu.
       2. Select Create Match.
       3. Select the mode you'd like to play. Each mode has some additional options to select before you get started.
          • Air Ride: Choose between a standard Race or a Team Relay, select the course to play on, and adjust the rules settings.
          • Top Ride: Select the course to play on and adjust the rules settings.
          • City Trial: Choose between Trial, a Team Battle, or Free Run, and adjust the rules settings.
          • Stadium: Select the Stadium contest to play and adjust the rules settings.
       4. Select OK to create the match.
          • After creating the match, you can back out from the Match Menu and continue interacting with other players in the paddock. You can press the X Button to return to the Match Menu.
       5. When you're ready to play yourself, select Standby.
       6. Once the maximum number of players have joined the game, the match will begin automatically. If you'd like to begin before the match has filled up, select Start Match.
     • How to join a match
       1. Walk to one of the terminals and press the A Button to open the Match Menu.
          • You'll also be notified when players create a match, and can join anywhere in the paddock by pressing the X Button.
       2. Open matches will appear. Select a match you'd like to join, then select Standby.
       3. Once the maximum number of players have joined the game, the match will begin automatically. The host can also start the match manually with fewer players.
     • How to open your garage
       1. Walk to one of the terminals and press the A Button to open the Match Menu.
       2. Select Create Match.
       3. Select Garage, then select which of your garages you would like to open.
       4. You'll be transported to your garage. You can leave the garage by opening the menu and selecting Return to Paddock. This will close the garage to other players.
     • How to view another player's garage
       1. Walk to one of the terminals and press the A Button to open the Match Menu.
       2. Open garages will appear. Select a garage you'd like to visit, then select Join.
       3. You'll be transported to the garage. You can leave the garage by opening the menu and selecting Return to Paddock.
     • How to add a second player on your console
       1. Press the + Button to open the menu.
       2. Select Machine/Rider.
       3. If you haven't already, pair an additional controller.
       4. Have the other player press the A Button on their controller to join.
       5. Both players can select their Machine/Rider combination, then select OK to return to the paddock.
       6. When joining a match, both players will be entered.
     • How to add a figure player to matches using amiibo
       1. Walk to the amiibo terminal and press the A Button.
       2. Tap your Kirby Air Riders amiibo to add the figure player to the paddock.
       3. When you create or join a match, you can choose to enter yourself and/or your figure player.
       4. Once you're done having your figure player participate, return to the amiibo terminal to scan the amiibo again to save its progress.
  6. When you're done playing, you can leave the room by opening the menu and selecting Exit Paddock.
     • If you added a figure player and it has unsaved progress, you'll be prompted to scan the amiibo again to save its progress after exiting.
• Local Play (local wireless play with multiple consoles, up to eight players)

  Up to six players can participate in Air Ride mode, and up to eight players can participate in other modes. Depending on the mode, additional slots can be filled by CPU players, and any player can choose to enter a figure player via amiibo to take their slot.

  How to host Local Play

  1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
  2. From the Main Menu, select Connect, then Local Play.
  3. Select Host.
  4. Set the member requirements (Anyone, Friends Only, or Password) and recommended play style for the group.
  5. Set the Game Mode and adjust the rules for that mode, if desired.
     • You can also choose whether to allow figure players to participate via amiibo for some modes.
  6. Select OK. You'll be prompted to set the number of human and CPU players.
  7. Select OK again to create the group.
     • If you set the group to require a password, it will be displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen after this point. Share this with the other players you want to join you.
  8. Wait for other players to join. Once everyone is in the group, have each player select their rider (and machine, depending on the mode) and select Ready once they are done preparing.
     • You can also have a figure player participate and take your place in the match. To use a figure player, select the amiibo icon, then tap your Kirby Air Riders amiibo. After you finish playing, you will be prompted to scan the amiibo again to save its progress.
  9. Once all players are ready, select Ready to begin!

  How to join Local Play

  1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
  2. From the Main Menu, select Connect, then Local Play.
  3. Select Join.
  4. Select Search to look for open rooms or Password and enter the password if the host required a password for the room.
  5. Select the room you want to join from the results and select Yes.
  6. Select your rider (and machine, depending on the mode) and select Ready when you're done preparing.
     • You can also have a figure player participate and take your place in the match. To use a figure player, select the amiibo icon, then tap your Kirby Air Riders amiibo. After you finish playing, you will be prompted to scan the amiibo again to save its progress.
  7. Wait for the host to begin the match.
• LAN Play (local wired play with multiple consoles, up to 16 players)

  Kirby Air Riders supports LAN Play, allowing players to connect multiple Nintendo Switch 2 consoles together over a wired connection for the ultimate competition. Up to six players can participate in Air Ride mode, up to eight players can participate in Top Ride mode, up to 16 players can participate in City Trial mode, up to 8 players can participate in Stadium contests, and up to 16 players can participate in City Trial Free Run. Depending on the mode, additional slots can be filled by CPU players, and any player can choose to enter a figure player via amiibo to take their slot.

  A wired router is needed to connect the consoles together via a wired Internet connection. Depending on the number of consoles connected, a networking switch may also be needed to connect all players together. Each player also needs:

  • A Nintendo Switch 2 console
  • A Nintendo Switch 2 dock
  • A copy of Kirby Air Riders, updated to the latest version
  • An ethernet cable
  • A television or monitor

  1. Create a wired Internet connection on each Nintendo Switch 2 console.
     • How to create a wired Internet connection on Nintendo Switch 2

       Important: The Nintendo Switch 2 console must be docked to be able to connect online using the wired connection type.

       1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the Nintendo Switch 2 dock and then connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to your router or gateway.
       2. Place the Nintendo Switch 2 console into the dock.
       3. On the console, select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
       4. Select Internet, and then Internet SettingsConfiguración de internetParamètres InternetConfigurações de internet. Your console will automatically search for nearby wireless network signals first.
       5. Once the option is available, select Wired ConnectionConexión con cableConnexion par câbleConexão por cabo.
       6. Select Connect to the Internet via Wired Connection.
       7. The connection will be tested. Once the test is complete, select OK.
          • If the connection test fails, an error code and message will appear, which can help you troubleshoot connection errors.
          • We also recommend setting up a wireless internet connection. This enables you to connect online even when your Nintendo Switch 2 is not placed in the dock.

     Important

     • All of the consoles must be connected to the same, shared router to use the LAN Play feature.
     • If your router does not have enough LAN ports for every console you wish to connect, a networking switch can be connected to the router to provide additional LAN ports.
  2. When all of the desired consoles are connected, have a player create a group and act as a host:
     1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
     2. From the Main Menu, select Connect, then Local Play.
     3. Select LAN Play, then Yes.
     4. Select Host.
     5. Set the member requirements (Anyone, Friends Only, or Password) and recommended play style for the group.
     6. Set the Game Mode and adjust the rules for that mode, if desired.
        • You can also choose whether to allow figure players to participate via amiibo for some modes.
     7. Select OK. You'll be prompted to set the number of human and CPU players.
     8. Select OK again to create the group.
        • If you set the group to require a password, it will be displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen after this point. Share this with the other players you want to join you.
     9. Wait for other players to join.
  3. Have other players join the room.
     1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
     2. From the Main Menu, select Connect, then Local Play.
     3. Select LAN Play, then Yes.
     4. Select Join.
     5. Select Search to look for open rooms or Password and enter the password if the host required a password for the room.
     6. Select the room you want to join from the results and select Yes.
     7. Select your rider (and machine, depending on the mode) and select Ready when you're done preparing.
     8. Wait for the host to begin the match.
  4. Once everyone is in the group, have each player select their rider (and machine, depending on the mode) and select Ready once they are done preparing.
     • You can also have a figure player participate and take your place in the match. To use a figure player, select the amiibo icon, then tap your Kirby Air Riders amiibo. After you finish playing, you will be prompted to scan the amiibo again to save its progress.
  5. Once all players are ready, the host can select Ready to begin!
• GameShare with a Local User (local wireless play with up to four players and consoles)

  To host the GameShare session

  Perform the following steps on a Nintendo Switch 2 console with a copy of the game:

  1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
  2. On the title screen, press the R Button and A Button.
  3. Select People Nearby, then select the total number of players.
  4. Wait for the other players to join using the steps below. Once the other players have joined, select Start.
  5. The GameShare session will begin with the host in control of the menus.
  6. Set the Game Mode and adjust the rules for that mode, if desired.
  7. Have each player select their rider (and machine, depending on the mode) and select Ready once they are done preparing.
  8. Once all players are ready, select Ready to begin!
  9. When you want to change back to single player or finish the GameShare session, hold the B Button on the mode selection screen, then select Yes.

  To join the GameShare session

  Perform the following steps on either a Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console:

  1. Select the GameShare icon on the HOME Menu.
  2. Select Join GameShare.
  3. Select A Local User.
  4. Select the user you want to join the GameShare session with.
  5. The console will search for nearby sessions you can join. Once you’ve found the session you want, select Join GameShare.
  6. Wait for the host to start the session
  7. The host will select the Game Mode and adjust the rules, if desired.
  8. Select your rider (and machine, depending on the mode) and select Ready when you're done preparing.
  9. Wait for the host to begin the match.
  10. If you'd like to end the GameShare session from your end, press the HOME Button and select Close.
• GameShare via GameChat (online play with up to four players and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles)

  All users who want to play the game together must first join a GameChat room. The person who creates the room does not need to be the person who hosts the GameShare session.

  To host the GameShare session

  1. Start the Kirby Air Riders software from the HOME Menu.
  2. On the title screen, press the R Button and A Button.
  3. Select GameChat, choose up to three players to invite, then select OK.
  4. Wait for the other players to join using the steps below. Once the other players have joined, select Start.
  5. The GameShare session will begin with the host in control of the menus.
  6. Set the Game Mode and adjust the rules for that mode, if desired.
  7. Have each player select their rider (and machine, depending on the mode) and select Ready once they are done preparing.
  8. Once all players are ready, select Ready to begin!
  9. When you want to change back to single player or finish the GameShare session, hold the B Button on the mode selection screen, then select Yes.

  To join the GameShare session

  1. Once the host invites you, press the C Button botón C bouton C botão C to open the C Menu.
  2. On the right, select See Invites to GameShare.
     • You can also view available GameShare sessions by selecting the GameShare icon on the HOME Menu, then selecting A User in a GameChat Session.
  3. Select Join GameShare.
  4. Wait for the host to start the session.
  5. The host will select the Game Mode and adjust the rules, if desired.
  6. Select your rider (and machine, depending on the mode) and select Ready when you're done preparing.
  7. Wait for the host to begin the match.
  8. If you'd like to end the GameShare session from your end, press the HOME Button, then select the software icon and select End GameShare Session.