Games

Kirby Air Riders’ Race to the Finish event was canceled – what happened and what we do next

25 December 2025
Nintendo Switch 2
15 min.
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Kirby Air Riders’ Race to the Finish event was canceled – what happened and what we do next

Summary:

If you logged into Kirby Air Riders expecting a normal City Trial session and got slapped with odd rules, weird matchmaking behavior, or an error that stopped the mode from starting, you weren’t imagining things. Nintendo canceled the latest in-game event after the development team found an issue where event-only rules could stick around outside the event. That’s the heart of the problem: a limited-time ruleset was supposed to live in its own little bubble, but it started leaking into regular City Trial. And when those rules carried over into online play, some players hit an error that blocked City Trial from launching at all.

The good news is that the immediate workaround is simple and doesn’t require any fancy tinkering. Restarting the software clears the lingering rules for most players, which gets you back to normal City Trial behavior and helps online sessions start again. The other piece of good news is that the reward tied to the canceled event isn’t gone forever. Nintendo has indicated the event will return once the issue is fixed, which means the reward will be obtainable again. While we wait, it’s worth understanding what actually broke, how to avoid getting stuck in a loop of repeated errors, and where to look for the moment the rerun goes live. Think of this as putting the rails back on the ride so we can enjoy the chaos – without the game tripping over its own shoelaces.

The Race to the Finish event pause – what Nintendo actually canceled

Let’s put the headline into plain language: the event itself got pulled because it wasn’t behaving like a self-contained event anymore. Kirby Air Riders has been leaning into rotating events to keep things fresh, and this one was built around a specific City Trial ruleset that pushed everyone toward a clear “race-first” goal. The problem is that the rules didn’t always stay where they were supposed to stay. After some players participated, the event-specific rules started showing up in regular City Trial sessions too, like glitter that somehow ends up in your socks three weeks after a party. Nintendo chose the safest option: cancel the event, stop the spread, fix the underlying issue, then run it again later so the reward can still be earned the right way. That’s the key detail – this wasn’t canceled because people weren’t playing, it was canceled because the game’s behavior became unpredictable in a mode that’s supposed to be stable.

The rule carryover bug in City Trial

The core bug is straightforward even if the consequences feel messy. City Trial normally has its own rule logic, and the event layered extra rules on top – rules that were only meant to apply during the event window. After participating, some players found those race-specific rules were “stuck,” meaning regular City Trial sessions behaved as if the event rules were still active. That creates two problems at once. First, your normal sessions stop feeling normal, which can be confusing if you’re playing with friends who didn’t join the event and are seeing a different rule set. Second, it suggests the game didn’t fully reset the rule state after the event match ended. In a system that flips between offline, online, private rooms, and event settings, that kind of leftover state is the sort of tiny crack that can turn into a big headache fast.

The online start error and why it feels scarier than it is

Here’s where things go from “huh, that’s weird” to “wait, why won’t it start at all?” Nintendo noted that trying to go online while those event rules were still carried over could trigger an error that prevents City Trial from starting. That sounds dramatic because it blocks the mode entirely, and nobody likes being locked out of the thing they booted the game up to play. But the important detail is that the issue is tied to the leftover rules state, not some permanent account problem. In other words, it’s not your save file being cursed forever. It’s the game thinking you’re still under event conditions when you’re trying to launch a normal online session. Once that state is cleared, most players should be able to launch City Trial normally again. It’s frustrating, yes, but it’s the kind of frustrating that usually ends with a restart, not a funeral for your progress.

What we should do right now if we joined the event

If we participated in the event and things started acting strange afterward, the goal is to get back to a clean baseline before we waste time testing random theories. The simplest plan is: exit out, restart the game, then try a standard City Trial session again. If you’re the “let’s test everything” type, resist the urge for a moment. Bugs like this can trick you into chasing patterns that aren’t real, especially when different players have different leftover states. After restarting, try a normal offline City Trial first to see if the rules feel normal again. Then try online. If you’re playing with friends, it’s worth having everyone restart so you don’t end up with one person in “event mode” and another person in “normal mode,” because that mismatch can create confusion and make it harder to tell whether the fix worked.

Restarting the software – the simple fix that resets the rules

Nintendo’s message pointed to restarting the software as the way to resolve the issue, and it makes sense when you think about how games handle temporary settings. Events often toggle flags in the background – little on or off switches that say “apply these rules right now.” If one of those switches doesn’t flip back automatically, the game can keep applying event rules by mistake. A full restart forces the game to rebuild that state from scratch when it boots, pulling the correct default rules for normal City Trial instead of clinging to whatever was active in the last session. It’s basically the gaming equivalent of turning your brain off and on again after a long day. Not glamorous, but effective. Once you restart, you’re checking whether the game is loading the correct rule set at launch, which is often the cleanest way to confirm you’re no longer “stuck” in the event settings.

Quick checklist before we jump back into online City Trial

Before we dive back into online play, it helps to do a quick sanity pass so we don’t misread the situation. First, restart the game fully – not just back out to the title screen, but close it and reopen it. Next, load into a normal City Trial session offline and look for anything that screams “event rules,” like conditions or behavior that clearly don’t match what you’re used to. Then try an online City Trial session. If it launches normally, great – you’re likely cleared. If you still hit an error, don’t spam retries like a doorbell prank. Back out, restart again, and try one more time. If the issue persists, it’s time to move to the troubleshooting ladder later in this write-up. The point of the checklist is to keep you from burning an hour bouncing between menus while the real fix is sitting right there: making sure the game starts fresh and loads the correct defaults.

Rewards, timing, and what “rescheduled” usually means

The word “rescheduled” is doing a lot of work here, and it matters because event rewards are often the main reason people show up on day one. Nintendo’s message made it clear the reward tied to the canceled event is planned to return when the event is held again. That’s a big deal because it means participation during the bugged window isn’t the only chance, and it also means Nintendo is treating the reward as something players should still be able to earn fairly. The exact timing can be the annoying part, because fixes require testing and deployment, and teams usually won’t lock a new date until they’re confident the issue is resolved. So “rescheduled” generally means: canceled now, fix in progress, rerun later, reward still obtainable. If you’re worried you missed your shot, the most grounded takeaway is that Nintendo has already signaled you haven’t.

Keeping expectations sane while we wait for the rerun

Waiting is easier when we set the right expectations up front. A rerun could happen quickly, but it could also take longer than we’d like, especially if the team wants to confirm the fix doesn’t create a new problem elsewhere. The smartest mindset is to treat the canceled event like a rain delay, not a season finale. Keep playing if you’re having fun, and don’t let the missing event window turn the game into a chore. If you’re the type who plans your playtime around rewards, it can help to keep your routine flexible: do a few City Trial sessions, keep your skills warm, and check official channels for the next announcement rather than refreshing rumors. This way, when the rerun arrives, you’ll be ready to jump in without feeling like you’ve been “on hold” the entire time.

How limited-time events fit Kirby Air Riders’ long-term rhythm

Even with this hiccup, rotating events are one of the best ways to keep a multiplayer game lively without needing massive overhauls. They give us a reason to return, they nudge us into trying modes or strategies we might ignore, and they create shared moments – the good kind of chaos where everyone is experimenting at once. In Kirby Air Riders, events can also highlight how flexible City Trial is as a base mode. One week it’s about racing, another week it could be about survival, points, or some goofy constraint that forces different builds. That variety is the point. The downside is that events rely on toggling special rules, and anytime a game is flipping switches like that, there’s a chance one switch gets stuck. This cancellation doesn’t mean events are a bad idea. It means the system needs a patch so the special rules stay locked to the special event, where they belong.

Why special rule sets are fun – and why they sometimes break

Special rules are fun because they’re like changing the gravity in a room you already know. You’re still in City Trial, but suddenly the “best” choices shift, your instincts get challenged, and the meta gets scrambled. That’s exciting, especially in a game where repeated runs can start to feel familiar. But from a technical angle, special rules are also extra layers on top of the base logic. If the game saves your last-used settings somewhere and the event rules accidentally overwrite what should be temporary, the system can behave like it’s still inside the event even after you leave. That’s likely why we saw the carryover behavior. It’s the classic tradeoff: more variety means more moving parts, and more moving parts means a higher chance something rattles loose. The good news is that this is exactly the kind of issue patches are designed to clean up.

Where we can watch for the fix and confirm it’s live

When you’re trying to figure out whether the fix is actually out, the best strategy is to focus on official signals, not vibes. Nintendo tends to communicate event changes through support and official social posts, and updates may also show up as patch notes or version updates. If you see a new version number, that’s usually the strongest confirmation that something changed under the hood. If you see an event announcement reappear with a fresh window, that’s your “green light” that the team believes the rule carryover is resolved. It’s also worth paying attention to the exact language used. If the announcement mentions the issue has been fixed and the event is returning, that’s more useful than a vague “we’re looking into it.” The goal is simple: we want a clear sign the system won’t leak event rules into normal City Trial again.

Patch notes, version numbers, and the spots Nintendo updates first

Patch notes are the closest thing we get to a straight answer, because they usually describe what was fixed in plain terms. If Nintendo pushes an update that mentions City Trial rule behavior, event settings, or online stability, that’s a strong indicator the team addressed this bug directly. Version numbers matter too, because they let you confirm you’re running the latest build, especially if you’ve been in sleep mode for days and your system hasn’t prompted you yet. Beyond updates, keep an eye on official support messaging, because this particular issue was communicated as a support notice tied to an event cancellation. That suggests the same channels will be used to announce when the rerun is locked in. In short: version update plus an official rerun announcement is the combo meal we’re looking for.

The in-game places that tend to show the clearest status

Inside the game, the most useful indicators are usually the event banner and any in-game news panels that list current events or announcements. If the event is truly live again, the game will typically surface it clearly, because the whole point is to drive participation. If there’s an error still lingering, you may notice it when trying to queue online, but ideally you shouldn’t be relying on trial-and-error as your news feed. A practical approach is to boot the game, check the event area, and confirm whether the event is listed as active with a defined timeframe. If it’s absent, it’s not live. If it’s present, but you’re worried about the old bug, restart once before you play, just to make sure you’re starting from a clean state. It’s a tiny habit that costs seconds and can save you a lot of irritation.

If problems linger – a troubleshooting ladder that doesn’t waste time

If you’ve restarted and the issue still won’t let City Trial start online, don’t get trapped in the loop of “maybe it’ll work this time.” Instead, move step by step, starting with the easiest checks and only escalating if needed. First, confirm you fully closed and reopened the game. Second, confirm your system is connected normally online and other online features behave as expected. Third, check whether the game has an available update. If an update exists, install it, then restart again. If you’re still stuck, try launching a different mode to confirm the game itself isn’t failing broadly. If only City Trial is blocked, that points back to the specific bug behavior. The ladder approach matters because it keeps you from flailing. Every step answers a clear question, and every answer narrows the cause.

When restarting isn’t enough

If restarting doesn’t clear it, it usually means one of three things: your software didn’t actually restart cleanly, you’re still on a version where the bug can be triggered, or the leftover state is persisting in a way the basic workaround doesn’t wipe immediately. In that situation, the next best move is to update the game if an update is available, then restart again after updating. If you already have the latest version, it’s worth trying a full system restart as well, not because it’s magical, but because it ensures the system isn’t keeping anything weird in memory around the game session. If you’re playing right after the event cancellation window, it’s also possible the servers are in the middle of changes related to disabling the event, which can cause short-term weirdness. The point is to focus on actions that are known to help: clean restarts and confirmed updates.

When to contact Nintendo Support and what to include

If you’ve done the basics and you still can’t start City Trial online, that’s when contacting Nintendo Support becomes worth it. The key is to be specific so you don’t get stuck in generic troubleshooting scripts. Note whether you participated in the canceled event, whether the issue happens only online, and what exactly the error prevents you from doing. Include the approximate time and date you last joined the event, and mention that the issue appears related to race-specific rules carrying over into normal City Trial. If you can reproduce it consistently, write the steps you take right before the error appears. This kind of detail speeds things up because it connects your report to a known issue and gives support something actionable to pass along. Think of it like describing a weird noise to a mechanic – “it rattles when I turn left at low speed” beats “my car feels cursed.”

Getting ready for the rerun so we can grab the reward fast

When the rerun lands, a lot of players will jump in at once, and that’s both exciting and, occasionally, a little chaotic. The best way to prepare is not to obsessively hover over announcements, but to build a simple routine that makes you ready without stress. Keep your playtime flexible, make sure your game is updated, and get comfortable with the flow of City Trial so you can earn points efficiently when the event is back. If the reward is time-limited, you want to avoid the “I’ll do it later” trap that turns into “oh no, it ended.” You don’t need to treat it like a job, but you also don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute. A little preparation turns the rerun into a fun night with friends instead of a frantic solo grind.

Build a quick routine for points, matches, and sanity

A good routine is one you’ll actually follow. Start by deciding how long you want to play per session and stick to it, because endless grinding is a fast track to burnout. If the event uses points, focus on consistency over perfection. A steady stream of solid runs beats chasing the one “god run” that makes you mad when it doesn’t happen. If you’re playing with friends, coordinate your sessions so you’re not constantly waiting in menus. And if the event format encourages specific strategies, spend the first few matches experimenting rather than copying the first thing you see online. Half the fun of events is that everyone is learning together. When you keep the routine light and repeatable, you’ll earn what you need without turning the game into background noise that you resent.

Small habits that keep the event fun instead of stressful

Here’s the secret sauce: tiny habits beat big plans. Restart the game before your event session, just to make sure you’re starting clean, especially after this particular bug. Check the event details once, then stop refreshing it like it’s a stock ticker. Take breaks between runs so you don’t get sloppy and blame the game for your tired thumbs. If you hit a weird error or behavior, don’t spiral – back out, restart, and try again once. And if the reward is what you’re after, set a simple goal like “earn half tonight, half tomorrow” rather than trying to do it all in one sitting. That’s how you keep the event feeling like a holiday treat instead of a plate of chores. Games are supposed to be the snack, not the paperwork.

Communication from Sakurai and why it matters for players

When something breaks during a limited-time event, the fix isn’t the only thing players need. They also need clarity. Clear messaging tells us what happened, what we should do, and whether we missed out permanently. In this case, the message explained the bug in plain terms, gave a workaround, and confirmed the reward will be obtainable again. That combination matters because it removes the two worst feelings in online games: confusion and fear of missing out. It also signals that the team is paying attention and is willing to pull an event rather than let it mess with normal play for everyone. Nobody loves seeing an event canceled, but most players would rather have a clean rerun than a broken event that keeps corrupting normal sessions. Good communication turns an annoying situation into a manageable one.

What a fast acknowledgement does for the community

A fast acknowledgement is like turning on the lights during a power outage. The problem might still be there, but at least we’re not stumbling around guessing what’s happening. When official channels quickly confirm the issue and share a workaround, it reduces misinformation, prevents players from accidentally making the problem worse, and keeps frustration from spreading faster than the bug itself. It also helps communities self-organize. Instead of ten different theories, people can share one clear message: restart the software, the event is canceled for now, and the reward will return later. That shared understanding keeps the mood lighter and stops the conversation from turning into doomposting. In the end, it’s not just about fixing code. It’s about keeping trust intact, so when the rerun arrives, we’re excited to jump back in rather than suspicious that something else is about to snap.

Conclusion

The Race to the Finish event cancellation is annoying, but it’s also one of those situations where the facts point to a clear path forward. The bug caused event-only rules to carry over into normal City Trial, and that leftover state could even block online City Trial from starting. Restarting the software is the immediate fix Nintendo recommended, and it’s the first move we should make before testing anything else. The reward tied to the canceled event hasn’t been erased from existence – it’s planned to be obtainable again when the event is rerun after the issue is resolved. Until then, the best approach is simple: play normally if you’re having fun, keep your game updated, and watch official communication for the rerun details. When the event returns, a calm, ready routine will beat last-minute panic every time.

FAQs
  • Why was the Race to the Finish event canceled?
    • Because a bug caused race-specific event rules to carry over into regular City Trial sessions, and it could also trigger an error that prevents City Trial from starting online.
  • How do we fix the City Trial rules carrying over after the event?
    • Nintendo indicated the issue can be resolved by restarting the software, which clears the lingering event rule state for most players.
  • Will the event reward still be available?
    • Yes. Nintendo said the event will be held again and the reward will be obtainable during the rerun once the issue is fixed.
  • What if City Trial still won’t start online after restarting?
    • Confirm the game is fully closed and reopened, check for an update, consider restarting the system, and if the problem persists, contact Nintendo Support with details about the error and your event participation.
  • Where should we look for official updates about the rerun?
    • Watch official support messaging and in-game event notices, and keep an eye out for version updates or announcements confirming the event’s new schedule.
Sources
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