How to use Amiibo and what they do in Kirby Air Riders

More than any other Nintendo Switch 2 game we've seen so far, Kirby Air Riders is going big on amiibo – literally, as his collection of Riders and Machines is the biggest we've ever seen.

kirby unicycle ride in kirby air riders.

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However, as always, amiibo are not just for example (even though we all end up using them that way) because they have their own role in Air Riders and there's even a use for other non-Kirby characters. Let's get to it.

How are Amiibo functional?

Cover for Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee's Air Riders amiibo.

If you want to get the most out of Kirby Air Riders amiibo features, you'll want the new amiibo released specifically for this game. They are bigger than any other amiibo and can even replace machines if you have more of them. At the time of writing the article There are only two Air Riders amiibo availablebut we already know about some and when to expect them.

Kirby & Warp Star – November 20th
Waddle Dee & Winged Star Bandana – November 20th
Knight & Shadow Star Meta – March 5, 2026
King Dedede & Tank Star – 2026
Chef Kawasaki & Hop Star 2026

Other amiibo do work with Air Riders, but in a different way that we'll get into in a second.

How does Amiibo work?

An explanation of how amiibo work in Kirby Air Riders.

If you've played the latest Super Smash Bros. games, then you'll have a good idea of how amiibo work in Kirby Air Riders. If you scan one of the Air Riders amiibo into the game, you create a Figure Player (FP) who gains FP levels and machine skills after trainingjust like Figure Players in Smash.

The Rider and Machine combo you create will be saved, but if you get another Machine and want to keep the Rider you leveled up, you can simply put them into the Machine you're trading in for a new combo.

The more you race your FP, the higher its level will be. Race against amiibo, jscan it while in setup mode and it will become your active amiibo. Other than getting a sweet figure for the main menu, that's about it, but they aren't only amiibo that work with Air Riders.

Reward for scanning the Smash Kirby amiibo in Kirby Air Riders.

If you scan any other amiibo you own (doesn't have to be Kirby) you'll also get a reward. My Smash Mario amiibo and Donkey Kong Bananza amiibo just gave me some gold and a decalbut my original Smash Kirby actually unlocked Kirby's alternate license card color and themeso the Kirby series ones seem to have unique rewards, or at least unlock something sooner.