Kirby Air Riders features a large and varied roster of riders. Each character feels different because of their stats and, more importantly, their unique Special ability. Some characters are built for speed, some for combat, and others shine in specific modes like City Trial or Road Trip.
This guide explains all playable characters, what kind of rider each one is, and why you might want to use them. Nothing here is copied—everything is rewritten clearly so you know exactly what to expect when choosing a character.
All Playable Characters in Kirby Air Riders
There are 21 playable characters in total. Some are available from the start, while others unlock as you complete challenges across different game modes.
Kirby
Kirby is the character with the best overall attributes in the game. He does not have any serious drawbacks and is good at almost all modes. What distinguishes Kirby from others is the fact that each color variant has a different Superpower, something no other character has. Based on the color you pick, Kirby can slash, blow up, burn or turn into a fast snowball. If you want a character that is both versatile and reliable, then Kirby is definitely your guy.
King Dedede
King Dedede is a heavy tank that is hard to beat and dangerous in fights. He is able to stand more hits than most characters but loses on the side of handling and agility. His Superpower is a fast and powerful hammer launch, and he is thus smashing the opponents in no time at all. If you like to play aggressively and do not mind slow turning, then Dedede is your perfect companion.
Meta Knight
Meta Knight is a sleek and well-rounded rider with great speed and control. His special power allows him to fly for a short distance using his wings, thus granting him a strong movement burst. He does not have a particular stat where he is the best, however, he does not have major downsides either. He can be a good option if you are looking for something like Kirby but more movement-oriented.
Waddle Dee
Waddle Dee is an extremely light, very fast, and super easy character to control. His Special increases his speed to a very high level and also makes him shine for a short period of time while he is in front of other characters. He is very good at cornering but he can’t take much damage. If you like to avoid fighting and just want to dodge the enemies, then Waddle Dee is the perfect character for you.
Bandana Waddle Dee
This Waddle Dee is more prepared for combat. He has a better boost and turning than the normal version, but has less resistance. He can use his Spear-forged Special either for defense or for moving around. He is a mix between Kirby and Waddle Dee.
Waddle Doo
Waddle Doo is a real surprise in terms of speed, and his aerial mobility is also very good. His Special produces strong energy blasts that make him a danger in the combat-oriented modes. He is very fragile, however, and mistakes soon lead to punishments. If you want an offensive character with pressure then pick him.
Chef Kawasaki
Chef Kawasaki is all about stamina. He has very high health and is very heavy, but he has not so good speed and handling. His Special sets fire around him, and the opponents who are close will get hurt. He is most effective in the modes where survival is more important than clean racing lines.
Knuckle Joe
Knuckle Joe is an aggressive brawler. He has strong offense and good grip but is not especially fast. His Special delivers a powerful punch after charging up. He is ideal if you want to actively attack other riders instead of focusing only on racing.
Rick
Rick is heavy and surprisingly nimble around corners. His Special lets him jump off his machine and sprint on foot, which is unique and situationally powerful. He trades speed and lift for strength and durability. Rick shines in challenges that involve combat or survival.
Gooey
Gooey is fast and slippery but very fragile. His Special fires projectiles in multiple directions, which can catch enemies off guard. He feels similar to Kirby in movement but lacks survivability. Pick Gooey if you value speed and precision over safety.
Cappy
Cappy is built for speed runs. He has strong boost and solid control, making him great for time-based challenges. His Special provides a steady forward burst instead of a sudden dash. He is easy to use and very reliable for racing-focused goals.
Rocky
Rocky is a character that can be described as slow, heavy, and super strong. His Special skill allows him to go up high and then come down with a bang like a meteor crashing, thus hurting the enemies that are around him. He is not the type of character that would win a clean race but he is definitely the one to last through the chaos and to complete endurance-oriented objectives.
Scarfy
Scarfy is the opposite of Rocky. He is characterized by speed, danger but also being a very soft character. His Special skill turns him into a very furious person and therefore super fast and difficult to deal with. He will be the player with the highest score if you manage not to take any hits. Scarfy’s playstyle is aggressive and he rewards players who are confident.
Lololo and Lalala
Lololo and Lalala are a couple that rides together and mainly concentrates on disrupting others. They have average stats but their Special creates barriers that are slowing down the other riders. They are not in the race for a clean win but rather to create chaos and manipulate the space on the track.
Starman
Starman is undoubtedly one of the most powerful all-around characters. He has great stats overall and a Special that lets him fly high. Starman is able to perform well in almost every game mode and thus is an excellent choice once he is unlocked.
Marx
Marx is a character that can be described as extremely fast and nimble with a very low health level at the same time. His Special makes the opponents he touches to be cursed, thus he becomes a threat even in a close fight. He is the best choice for the skilled players who can dodge damage and keep increasing their speed.
Susie
Susie focuses on controlled movement rather than raw power. Her Special launches her forward with mechanical boosters. She does not stand out statistically, but her smooth air control can be useful in certain tracks.
Taranza
Taranza is a character who relies heavily on control. His ability to shoot sticky shots from his Special attack weakens and slows down the enemy. Although his statistics are just average, still he needs the very careful position of a whole enemy unit. He is most useful in the game modes where slowing down the opponents is a big advantage over fast characters.
Daroach
Daroach is a character who combines sneakiness and cleverness in one. His Special ability allows him to disappear and attack his opponents unawares. Daroach’s stats are not that great, but he has one thing on his side – great character control through abilities rather than just reliance on numbers.
Magolor
Magolor is a character that comes with a great potential of speed and air movement. His Special brings him to the front by using a beam blast. Like all characters focused on speed, he is unable to take a lot of damage but on the other hand he can easily get away from the situation in a fast-paced game.
Noir Dedede
Noir Dedede is the evil counterpart of Kiki Dedede. His stats are equally divided but his Special makes a mess by surrounding the enemies with a shroud of darkness. He is not interested in being the first to finish the race; he is all about overpowering the other players.
Each character is capable of taking the right mode and challenge to be a winner. If you are a beginner, try Kirby, Starman, or Waddle Dee. If you like fighting, then Dedede, Knuckle Joe, or Rocky are for you. Marx, Cappy, or Scarfy are good contenders for fast challenges.
