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Kirby Air Riders vs Donkey Kong Bananza

These are two very different games, so the choice comes down to what you want from a Switch 2 exclusive. Kirby Air Riders is a fast, multiplayer-first racing and battle game from Bandai Namco, built around boost-charging, drifting and 16-player online City Trial. Donkey Kong Bananza is a single-player 3D platformer from the Super Mario Odyssey team, and reviewers call it the console's first must-have exclusive for its terrain-destruction sandbox. Pick Kirby for group play and replayable online matches; pick Bananza for a polished solo adventure.

  • Choose the Kirby Air Riders if you want frantic races and arena battles with friends, online up to 16 players or 8 over local wireless.
  • Choose the Donkey Kong Bananza if you want a long solo 3D platformer with inventive digging and destruction, from the team behind Super Mario Odyssey.

Prices

  • Kirby Air Riders: $39.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
  • Donkey Kong Bananza: $49.00 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
  • Difference: the Kirby Air Riders is $9.01 cheaper than the Donkey Kong Bananza at the latest prices (Nov 8)
Nintendo
Kirby Air Riders - Nintendo Switch 2

Kirby Air Riders

Kirby Air Riders - Nintendo Switch 2

4.5(501 ratings)
$39.99at eBayObserved Nov 8, 2026, 5:02 PM
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Pros
  • 16-player online City Trial and 8-player local wireless
  • Boost-charge drifting rewards skill
  • Large roster of riders and machines with distinct stats
  • Copy abilities add variety mid-match
Cons
  • Racing loop can feel thin in solo play
  • Online matches depend on a stable connection
  • Less story or progression than an adventure game
Nintendo
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2)

Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2)

$49.00at eBayObserved Nov 8, 2026, 4:02 PM
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Pros
  • From the Super Mario Odyssey development team
  • Terrain digging and destruction encourage experimentation
  • Reviewers call it a standout Switch 2 exclusive
  • Strong solo campaign for one player
Cons
  • No meaningful multiplayer
  • Platforming style may not suit players who want competition
  • Fewer modes than a racing game with online play

What separates them

Kirby Air RidersDonkey Kong Bananza
GenreVehicle racing and arena battle3D platformer with terrain destruction
Main focusMultiplayer competitionSingle-player campaign
Online playUp to 16 players in City TrialNot a multiplayer-first game
Local play2-8 players over local wireless, 1-4 on one systemSingle-player focused
Solo contentRaces and City Trial against CPUFull story-driven adventure
Developer pedigreeBandai Namco StudiosNintendo EPD, the Super Mario Odyssey team
Critical standing4.5 out of 5 from about 500 ratingsCalled the console's first must-have exclusive by reviewers
Install size25 GBNot stated in the listing

Price history

$69.00$48.99
Nov 1Nov 8
  • Kirby Air Riders: lowest $48.99 on Nov 1 at Amazon; $54.99 on Nov 8.
  • Donkey Kong Bananza: lowest $64.99 on Nov 8 at GameStop.

Prices at every store

Kirby Air Riders

  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by sekdek (99.4% positive, 746 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $39.99+ $5.80 shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 5:02 PM
    Visit eBay
  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by SUPTAPS INC.Returns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $55.00Observed Nov 8, 2026, 5:02 PM
    Visit Walmart
  • GameStopNew

    In stock

    $59.99+ $7.99 shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 5:02 PM
    Visit GameStop
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $54.99Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 1:37 PM
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

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All 9 stores and price history →

Donkey Kong Bananza

  • ShopCGXNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $64.99Observed Nov 8, 2026, 1:37 PM
    Visit ShopCGX
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $69.00Observed Nov 8, 2026, 1:37 PM
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by clan-85 (0% positive, 0 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $49.00+ $8.00 shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 4:02 PM
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $69.00Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 1:37 PM
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 12 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecKirby Air RidersDonkey Kong Bananza
Release dateNovember 20, 2025July 17, 2025
GenreRacing Adventure3D platformer featuring super satisfying terrai…
DeveloperBandai Namco StudiosNintendo EPD
Number of playersSingle System (1-4), Online (1-16)—
PublisherNintendo—
ESRB ratingFantasy Violence—
Supported play modesHandheld mode, Tabletop mode, TV mode—
Game file size25 GB—
Package dimensions18 cm x 14 cm x 2 cm—
Local wireless playersLocal Wireless (2-8)—
PEGI rating7 years—
Item weight51 g—
Show all 21 specsShow fewer specs
SpecKirby Air RidersDonkey Kong Bananza
Item dimensions17.60 cm x 10.70 cm x 1.40 cm—
SystemNintendo Switch—
Online PlayYes—
Form FactorCartridge—
EditionStandard Edition—
Game TypeGame—
Release Year2025—
Number of Players Offline (Max)1—
Game ModesSingleplayer—

What reviewers say

Kirby Air Riders

  • 4.5 / 5501 ratings

With 4.5 out of 5 from 501 ratings, owners mostly enjoy the boost-and-drift racing and the chaotic City Trial mode. Complaints centre on the storage footprint and on how much online play depends on a subscription.

What people mention
  • Boost driftingPraisedOwners like braking and steering to fill the boost gauge, then releasing it for a fast dash out of the turn.
  • City TrialPraisedThe five-minute scramble for machines and power-ups before a stadium contest is the mode players talk about most.
  • Rider rosterPraisedKirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede and Magolor each bring their own stats and specials, and the machines handle differently.
  • StorageCriticisedThe 25 GB install is a large chunk of Switch 2 storage, so owners mention adding a microSD Express card.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Both expert reviews treat Bananza as a standout Switch 2 exclusive and a clear successor to Super Mario Odyssey's sandbox style. The praise centers on its pedigree and on the fun of digging and smashing through terrain.

What people mention
  • Level designPraisedReviewers describe sandbox 3D platforming that evolves Super Mario Odyssey.
  • DestructionPraisedDigging through the underground world and varied terrain is called inventive and experimentation-friendly.
  • ExclusivesPraisedIt is described as the console's first must-have exclusive.
  • Developer pedigreePraisedThe Super Mario Odyssey team's involvement is treated as a mark of quality.
A reviewer's verdict
Reviews
  • The Best Nintendo Switch 2 Games of 2026
  • The Best Nintendo Switch 2 Games for 2026
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  • The Best Nintendo Switch 2 Games for 2026

Questions and answers

Which is better for playing with friends?
Kirby Air Riders. It supports up to 16 players online and 8 over local wireless, while Bananza is built around a solo campaign.
Which has more solo content?
Donkey Kong Bananza. It is a full story-driven 3D platformer, while Kirby Air Riders is mainly a competitive racing and battle game.
Which is the better showcase for the Switch 2?
Bananza gets the stronger reviews as a system exclusive, with critics calling it the console's first must-have. Kirby Air Riders is well rated too but leans on multiplayer.
Is Kirby Air Riders worth it if I mostly play alone?
Only if you enjoy racing against CPU opponents. Its best features, City Trial and arena battles, are designed around other players.
Do both run in handheld mode?
Kirby Air Riders supports handheld, tabletop and TV modes. Bananza is a standard Switch 2 title and plays in handheld as well.

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More comparisons

  • Kirby Air Riders - Nintendo Switch 2 vs Mario Kart World (Nintendo Switch 2)
  • Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2) vs Mario Kart World (Nintendo Switch 2)

Buying guides that pick them

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CNET

A pedigreed platformer from the Super Mario Odyssey team that served as the console's first must-have exclusive.

Read the review