The latest installment in the popular horse racing simulation series "Derby Stallion," titled "Derby Stallion 2," will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 24th. The game features updated data for rival horses, stallions, and broodmares, revamped race presentation, and the addition of regional racing and new overseas expeditions. It will cost 9980 yen.
"Derby Stallion" is a game where players become owner-breeders (horse owners and breeders) and breed, raise, and train racehorses, aiming to win prize money and titles by entering them in races. Its popularity stems from its racehorse breeding program, which allows players to create champion horses through clever bloodline breeding, and its realistic race depictions. Since the release of "Best Keiba: Derby Stallion" on the Family Computer in 1991, it has been released on numerous platforms.
At the start of the game, you can choose "Casual Mode," which eliminates the risk of bankruptcy and offers ample support. It suggests recommended stallions and stables, and allows you to assess a horse's suitability even before it enters the stable, making it enjoyable even for beginners.
This game adds rival horses such as Forever Young, Equinox, and Jantar Mantal, as well as stallions like Contrail, Duramente, and Saturnalia. Broodmares appear with their real names, including Almond Eye, Yankee Rose, and Forever Darling.
The races are rendered using a "3D cell-shaded" style. Furthermore, a "tracking display" function allows viewers to see the relative positions and developments of each horse at a glance. The commentary is provided by Radio Nikkei announcer Ayumu Kozuka.
In addition to the Breeders' Cup, where you compete against players nationwide, the game also features a "Time Attack Mode" where you compete to set a new record time under given conditions. It also supports shared communication, allowing you to enjoy watching races together with people who don't own the software.
