Race cute nigiri sushi to finish first, evading guests' chopsticks. Hands-on report of the simulation game "Wabisabi: Sushi Derby" [TGS2025]
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/820/G082044/20250928020/
Editorial Department: René | 2025/09/28 04:11 (UTC)
At the ongoing Tokyo Game Show 2025 held at Makuhari Messe, an experience version of the new game “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby” was available for playable demo at the Kodansha Game Lab booth in the indie games area. This article presents our hands-on report.
“Wabisabi: Sushi Derby” is a training and simulation game where you nurture nigiri sushi to win races. Adorable nigiri sushi with shapes reminiscent of miniature dachshunds appear, each customizable with unique names based on their fillings.
Each type of sushi filling has its own distinct parameters, and performance varies depending on the cost required to make it—higher-priced ingredients result in more powerful sushi. However, initially only three options are available: “Tuna,” “Salmon,” and “Corn.”
Image Gallery No.002 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.003 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025]
So, we began with the tutorial. Since tuna is a classic choice for sushi, I decided to start by making a nigiri using tuna.
You can freely name your sushi, but there’s also a random naming feature. Using that, my first creation received the amusing name “Nandaka Healthy,” which surprisingly has great charm despite being randomly assigned.
With that, I entered Nandaka Healthy into the tutorial race. The race proceeds automatically, and players can use skills at their discretion based on circumstances.
The first race began. Nandaka Healthy steadily advanced through the crowd of sushi, but then a “Sushi Order” appeared. Shockingly, ordered sushi are attacked by customers’ chopsticks, and if they don’t escape in time, they get eaten.
This is where the “Support Button” comes in. Activating it boosts your sushi, helping them escape from chopsticks. However, after use, it enters a cooldown period and cannot be used again for a while.
During this hands-on session, I managed to escape once using the Support Button, but then more orders for tuna kept coming. Unable to use the button due to its cooldown, my sushi was sadly devoured by customers—ending the race in defeat.
Image Gallery No.007 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.010 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025]
Since I needed to prepare a new sushi type, the “Ingredient Ledger” allowed me to unlock additional fillings available for use at my current “Apprentice” rank. It seems that as your chef rank increases, you gain access to more ingredients.
Image Gallery No.009 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.010 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025]
I selected from the newly unlocked options, but since I lacked funds to make “Shrimp” and “Egg,” I chose “Enkawa” instead. Again using random naming, a new companion was born: “Omotenashigokoro.”
Image Gallery No.011 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.012 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025]
For the second race, I decided to train my sushi first, based on my previous failure. Training involves selecting one of four training menus and then choosing three out of five options that appear, enhancing specific parameters or acquiring new skills.
This time, I chose Maximum Speed ++, Acceleration ++, and obtained a new skill called “Lancharm,” which affects sushi ahead in the race.
Then, I entered the ranked-up race with Omotenashigokoro, now strengthened through training. Winning this race will promote my chef rank from “Apprentice” to “Plum.”
Omotenashigokoro delivered an impressive performance—breaking away from the group and leading early in the race. Since there were no sushi ahead, the newly acquired Lancharm remained unused. However, using the Support Button’s boost, I successfully evaded the customers’ chopsticks and secured first place. I was promoted to “Plum” rank.
Image Gallery No.014 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.015 thumbnail / Race cute nigiri sushi to first place, evading customers’ chopsticks. Hands-on report on “Wabisabi: Sushi Derby,” an adorable training simulation game [TGS2025]
The chef rank system includes higher tiers such as “Bamboo” and “Pine,” each unlocking new ingredients and available races. With its thoughtful design, including the names of sushi fillings, this game is truly enjoyable—and I’m eagerly looking forward to the official release.