All 21 Playable Characters
Kirby Air Riders features 21 playable characters (called “Riders”), each with their own unique Special ability. Unlike the original Kirby Air Ride which only had 3 playable characters, this sequel dramatically expands the roster with fan-favorite characters from across the Kirby franchise.
Key Facts:
- All 21 characters can use the 16 Copy Abilities
- Each character has a unique “Special” ability
- Kirby has 4 different Specials based on color
- Characters unlock through different game modes
- Some require specific challenges or achievements
Character Showcase Video
See all 21 characters and their unique abilities in action:
Complete showcase of all playable characters and their abilities
Character Categories
The 21 riders can be grouped into several categories based on their origins:
Dream Land Heroes (5 Characters)
- Kirby (Pink, Yellow, Blue, Green)
- Bandana Waddle Dee
- Waddle Dee
Meta Knights & Allies (4 Characters)
- Meta Knight
- King Dedede
- Gooey
Villains & Anti-Heroes (6 Characters)
- Marx
- Magolor
- Taranza
- Susie
- Daroach
Animal Friends (2 Characters)
- Rick (Hamster)
- Cappy
Enemies (4 Characters)
- Kawasaki
- Knuckle Joe
- Waddle Doo
- Rocky
- Scarfy
- Angry Scarfy
- Lololo & Lalala
- Starman
Complete Character List
Starting Characters (Available Immediately)
1. Kirby (Pink)
Special Ability: Inhale Storm - Creates a vortex that pulls in nearby opponents
How to Unlock: Available from the start
Best For: Beginners, All-around gameplay
Description: The iconic pink puffball and star of the show. Kirby is the most balanced character, making him perfect for learning the game. His Inhale Storm special is excellent for disrupting opponents in tight races.
Pro Tip: Kirby is the only character with 4 different Special abilities based on color selection.
2. Meta Knight
Special Ability: Dimensional Cape - Brief invincibility and teleportation
How to Unlock: Available from the start
Best For: Advanced players, City Trial
Description: The mysterious masked swordsman. Meta Knight’s teleportation ability makes him excellent for avoiding hazards and surprise attacks in chaotic multiplayer matches.
3. King Dedede
Special Ability: Waddle Dee Army - Summons minions to block opponents
How to Unlock: Available from the start
Best For: Defensive play, Team battles
Description: The self-proclaimed king of Dream Land. His ability to summon Waddle Dees creates obstacles for other racers, perfect for defensive strategies.
Unlock Through Air Ride Mode
4. Bandana Waddle Dee
Special Ability: Spear Barrage - Rapid spear throws in multiple directions
How to Unlock: Win 10 Air Ride races
Best For: Offensive racing, Clearing paths
Description: King Dedede’s loyal servant and spear wielder. His Spear Barrage is excellent for clearing obstacles and hitting multiple opponents at once.
5. Gooey
Special Ability: Stretch Attack - Extends tongue to grab items from distance
How to Unlock: Complete 5 Air Ride tracks on Hard difficulty
Best For: Item collection, City Trial
Description: Kirby’s friendly blob companion. His stretching ability lets him collect power-ups from afar, making him invaluable in City Trial mode.
6. Rick
Special Ability: Ground Pound - Creates shockwave that stuns nearby racers
How to Unlock: Place 1st in all Air Ride beginner courses
Best For: Close combat, Stunning opponents
Description: The hamster Animal Friend from Kirby’s Dream Land 2. His ground pound is devastating in tight racing situations.
Unlock Through City Trial
7. Marx
Special Ability: Black Hole - Creates gravity well that slows opponents
How to Unlock: Survive 10 City Trial events
Best For: Area control, Disruption
Description: The mischievous villain from Kirby Super Star. His Black Hole ability can change the tide of chaotic City Trial finals.
8. Magolor
Special Ability: Dimensional Rift - Opens portals for quick positioning
How to Unlock: Win 5 City Trial competitions
Best For: Mobility, Strategic positioning
Description: The mysterious traveler from Kirby’s Return to Dream Land. His portal ability offers unmatched mobility in City Trial’s large arena.
9. Taranza
Special Ability: Web Trap - Lays sticky webs that slow racers
How to Unlock: Collect 1000 power-ups in City Trial
Best For: Area denial, Defense
Description: The spider mage from Kirby Triple Deluxe. His web traps are perfect for controlling chokepoints.
10. Susie
Special Ability: Business Suit - Temporary stat boost to all abilities
How to Unlock: Achieve S-Rank in 3 City Trial events
Best For: All-around excellence, Competitive play
Description: The tech-savvy secretary from Kirby Planet Robobot. Her balanced stat boost makes her a tournament favorite.
Unlock Through Road Trip Mode
11. Daroach
Special Ability: Treasure Radar - Reveals hidden items on the map
How to Unlock: Complete Road Trip Chapter 3
Best For: Item hunting, Exploration
Description: The gentleman thief from Kirby Squeak Squad. His radar ability is essential for finding secrets.
12. Kawasaki
Special Ability: Frying Pan Spin - Wide-area attack that deflects projectiles
How to Unlock: Complete Road Trip Chapter 5
Best For: Defense, Projectile countering
Description: The chef who’s always cooking up trouble. His pan spin is both offensive and defensive.
13. Knuckle Joe
Special Ability: Vulcan Jab - Rapid punches while moving
How to Unlock: Complete Road Trip Chapter 7
Best For: Aggressive racing, Combat
Description: The fighting expert who teaches Kirby the Fighter ability. His relentless punches keep opponents at bay.
Unlock Through Challenges
14. Cappy
Special Ability: Mushroom Boost - Temporary speed increase
How to Unlock: Win 20 races across all modes
Best For: Speed-focused gameplay
Description: The friendly mushroom creature. His speed boost is straightforward but highly effective.
15. Waddle Dee
Special Ability: Group Call - Summons other Waddle Dees for assistance
How to Unlock: Complete 50 races total
Best For: Team support
Description: The iconic orange enemy. Surprisingly capable when working with others.
16. Waddle Doo
Special Ability: Beam Whip - Long-range beam attack
How to Unlock: Use Beam Copy Ability 100 times
Best For: Long-range combat
Description: The one-eyed Waddle variant with beam powers.
17. Rocky
Special Ability: Stone Form - Temporary invincibility, heavy weight
How to Unlock: Block 500 attacks
Best For: Tanking, Defensive play
Description: The rock enemy that becomes invulnerable. Perfect for surviving chaos.
18. Scarfy
Special Ability: Camouflage - Temporary invisibility
How to Unlock: Avoid damage for 30 cumulative minutes
Best For: Stealth, Survival
Description: The cute floating enemy. Invisibility helps avoid confrontation.
19. Angry Scarfy
Special Ability: Rage Mode - Massive speed boost with reduced control
How to Unlock: Take 1000 cumulative damage
Best For: Risk-reward gameplay, Speedrunning
Description: The enraged version of Scarfy. High risk, high reward playstyle.
20. Lololo & Lalala
Special Ability: Push Block - Creates moving obstacles
How to Unlock: Play 100 multiplayer matches
Best For: Obstacle creation, Strategy
Description: The block-pushing duo from Kirby’s Dream Land. Their ability to create obstacles is unique.
21. Starman
Special Ability: Star Rod - Fires stars in all directions
How to Unlock: Collect all Machines in Road Trip New Game+
Best For: All-around offense
Description: The mysterious final unlock. Requires true ending completion.
Kirby’s Four Colors
Kirby is unique with 4 different Special abilities:
Pink Kirby - Inhale Storm
Creates a vortex that pulls in opponents. Best for group situations.
Yellow Kirby - Electric Surge
Electrical barrier that damages on contact. Excellent defense.
Blue Kirby - Ice Breath
Freezes opponents temporarily. Great for creating gaps.
Green Kirby - Wind Cutter
Sharp wind projectiles. Best for offense.
How to Switch: Select different Kirby colors in character select screen before each race.
Character Tier List
S-Tier (Best Overall)
- Meta Knight - Mobility and invincibility
- Susie - Balanced stat boost
- Kirby (All Colors) - Versatility
A-Tier (Excellent Choices)
- Magolor - Portal mobility
- Marx - Area control
- Knuckle Joe - Aggressive offense
B-Tier (Solid Picks)
- Bandana Dee - Good offense
- King Dedede - Strong defense
- Daroach - Utility
C-Tier (Situational)
- Gooey - City Trial specialist
- Cappy - Speed-focused
- Waddle Doo - Beam specialist
D-Tier (For Fun)
- Rocky - Very defensive
- Waddle Dee - Support only
- Lololo & Lalala - Niche playstyle
Best Characters by Mode
Air Ride Mode
- Meta Knight - Teleportation avoids hazards
- Cappy - Speed boost for time trials
- Kirby (Pink) - Balanced for all tracks
City Trial Mode
- Gooey - Item collection advantage
- Magolor - Map mobility
- Daroach - Item hunting
Top Ride Mode
- Susie - Balanced stats
- Bandana Dee - Offensive clearing
- Meta Knight - Evasion
Road Trip Mode
- Kirby - Story protagonist
- Meta Knight - Boss battles
- Knuckle Joe - Combat challenges
Unlocking Tips
Fastest Unlock Path:
- Start with Air Ride mode - unlocks 3 characters quickly
- Play City Trial - unlocks 4 more through events
- Progress Road Trip story - unlocks key characters
- Complete challenges during normal play
- Save Starman for last (requires New Game+)
Time to Unlock All: Approximately 15-20 hours of gameplay
Recommended Starting Characters
For Beginners
- Kirby (Pink) - Most balanced
- King Dedede - Forgiving defensive play
- Bandana Dee - Simple offensive ability
For Advanced Players
- Meta Knight - High skill ceiling
- Marx - Strategic mastery
- Angry Scarfy - Risk-reward challenge
Special Gauge Management
All characters share the same Special Gauge mechanics:
Fills Through:
- Taking damage from opponents
- Dealing damage to opponents
- Automatic charging over time
Important: Use Special within 10 seconds of full charge or it depletes!
Pro Tip: Save Special for crucial moments - final lap, City Trial finals, or boss battles.
Character Customization
While characters themselves can’t be customized, you can:
- Purchase cosmetic skins (available in shop)
- Unlock special color variants
- Customize your license display
- Pair characters with themed machines
Conclusion
With 21 unique characters to choose from, Kirby Air Riders offers incredible variety. Experiment with different riders to find your favorite playstyle, and don’t be afraid to switch based on the game mode.
Next Steps:
- Check out the Machines Guide to pair your character with the perfect vehicle
- Learn Copy Abilities that all characters can use
- Master City Trial with character-specific strategies
Happy racing with your favorite rider! 🎮✨
Related Guides
Beginner's Guide to Kirby Air Riders - 12 Essential Tips to Win
Kirby Air Riders Beginner Guide | 12 Pro Tips: Boost Timing, Slipstream, Auto-Rails & Copy Abilities | Win Races on Switch 2 Fast
Copy Abilities Guide - All 16 Abilities in Kirby Air Riders
Complete guide to all 16 Copy Abilities in Kirby Air Riders. Learn when to use each ability, their strategic advantages in racing and combat, and which abilities work best for different situations.
All Machines Guide - Complete Vehicle List & Stats for Kirby Air Riders
Complete guide to all 20+ Air Ride Machines in Kirby Air Riders. Learn stats, unlock conditions, customization options, and which vehicles are best for each game mode.