Kirby Air Riders Halloween Event Pulled Following Severe Freezing Issues

Nintendo has officially pulled the plug on the “Trick or Treat!” Halloween event for Kirby Air Riders after players reported game-breaking performance issues. The event, which was meant to run through November 4, was cancelled effective immediately after causing the game to stutter and freeze during matches.

As reported by Kotaku, the issues began shortly after the update went live on October 28. Players quickly took to social media to document the problem, sharing footage of the game freezing for several seconds at a time—a major dealbreaker for a fast-paced racer.

According to an official statement from the Nintendo support X account, the company confirmed they identified a bug causing the screen to stop responding during gameplay. To resolve the situation, they opted to cancel the event entirely rather than attempt a quick fix. The event was intended to feature fall-themed decorations and unlockable ghost-themed hats, but those rewards are currently unavailable as the developers work to stabilize the game.

While the cancellation is immediate, Nintendo has hinted that this isn’t the final word on the content. The company stated that they plan to host the event again in the future, ensuring players will eventually have a chance to earn the associated seasonal rewards. However, there is currently no timeline for when the event might return or if it will be retooled for a later date.

Why it matters

For anyone currently grinding in Kirby Air Riders, the event cancellation means you can stop hunting for those specific Halloween items for the time being. If you have been experiencing those frustrating screen freezes, they should be resolved now that the event code has been pulled.

While it’s a bummer to miss out on the spooky cosmetics right before Halloween, it’s a necessary move to keep the core racing experience playable. Keep an eye on official Nintendo channels for updates on when the event might make a comeback, as the developers have promised that the rewards will be made available again at some point.