This time, Momotaro Dentetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and "local pride" even more. I can't wait to explore Japan together with "Momotaro Dentetsu 2: East & West Japan Edition," bickering (maybe?) in harmony! [TGS2025]
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/933/G093329/20250926014/
Editorial Department: Junpoco | 2025/09/26 02:05 (UTC)
At the Tokyo Game Show 2025 held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Konami’s booth featured a diverse lineup of titles including the recently released “SILENT HILL f,” related “Fantasy Life” games, baseball titles, and new VR idol content. Among them, the standout attraction was “Momotetsu 2: Your Town Is Definitely Out There – East Japan & West Japan Edition”, scheduled for release on November 13, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch).
The long-awaited new title made its first playable appearance at the event, with a lively atmosphere complete with taiko drum stands (yagura) and mask shops evoking a festive festival vibe. Drawn in by this energetic setting, I tried both the East Japan and West Japan maps—here’s what makes them special and appealing.
Image Gallery No.001 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.002 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.003 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025]
Image Gallery No.004 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.005 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025]
Two versions are playable: East Japan and West Japan, each with separate queues—remember, blue is East, red is West! The gameplay window spans six months (April to September) of the first year. Players begin with 1 billion yen in cash and several cards at their disposal. Given the limited time frame, it’s better not to proceed too cautiously but instead use cards liberally to buy properties and experiment with different strategies—still delivering a satisfying pace and fun that captures the true essence of Momotetsu.
Image Gallery No.006 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.007 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025]
One highlight was the new card: “Near Destination Card,” which transports players by helicopter just one stop before their destination. Simple but powerful, this card is a game-changer. Another new addition is the “Sensibility of That Name!” card, also known as the “Poo Stalker.” When used, it brings along a pile of poop that prevents other players from overtaking you. Although I didn’t witness its effect during my playtest, it seems useful for avoiding playful bumping with other players.
New developments are also coming to Bonbys—the in-game characters. Limited guest Bonbys appear exclusively in the East and West Japan versions, so they might show up even during demo sessions. Though I didn’t encounter one myself, their appearance would be quite rare—either a stroke of luck or bad fortune depending on who gets “possessed” by them—but seeing one for sure adds excitement. For more details about cards and Bonbys, check the official website (link).
Image Gallery No.008 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.009 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025]
Most striking, however, was the separate maps for East and West Japan. The East Japan map covers Hokkaido to Central Japan with 559 stations; the West Japan map includes Kansai to Okinawa with 431 stations—combined, they total nearly 1,000 stops. Compared to “Momotetsu Reiwa,” which featured only 339 stations nationwide, this scale-up is truly impressive.
Image Gallery No.010 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.011 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025]
Playing the game firsthand, I realized this vastness isn’t just about station count—it’s also reflected in detailed map design. Landmarks and famous sites are more realistic than ever, with prefectural borders clearly marked for a much stronger sense of geography (as a geology enthusiast, that’s a pleasant bonus). As someone raised in Hokkaido (specifically the Dōtō and Dōhoku regions), I found it exciting to discover how finely divided the area is on the East Japan map. It made me think about turning obscure place names into quizzes while playing—definitely an entertaining way to pass time—and seeing North Hiroshima, thinking “Of course there’s a pro baseball team here!” really sparked my hometown pride.
Image Gallery No.012 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.013 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025]
On the other hand, the West Japan map offers a strong travel atmosphere. Gazing at distant Kyushu from my Hokkaido roots and seeing archipelagos broken down into individual stations with unique local attractions made me feel like I was truly exploring new regions. This is a hallmark of Momotetsu—the ability to spark curiosity about unfamiliar places—and this aspect has been significantly enhanced. Playing alongside people from various regions or those who grew up in different parts of Japan will likely make the game even more lively, and region-specific events are also something exciting to look forward to.
Image Gallery No.014 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.015 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025]
The official website also features a special page called “Complete Station Map” (link), allowing players to browse all game maps and station details. Simply browsing it evokes strong travel vibes, making it an enjoyable activity while waiting for the official release.
Although my playtime was brief, I felt the unique charm of this new “Momotetsu 2”—the joy of discovering your hometown and the thrill of uncovering unfamiliar places. Both experiences come together seamlessly.
Enjoying the game while learning about economics and geography, exploring unknown regions, and having friendly (maybe) rivalry through playful bumping with Bonbys—this is what makes Momotetsu special. With maps now more detailed than ever, these charms are set to shine even brighter. The camera feature on the Switch 2 version and shared item mechanics will surely add extra excitement—making the release all the more anticipated.
Image Gallery No.017 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.018 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025]
At the booth, visitors were given fans. Those who played received a hand towel, mask, and bath salts (Dōbetsu for East Japan, Beppu for West Japan) Image Gallery No.019 thumbnail / This time, Momotetsu lets you savor both the travel vibe and your hometown’s charm even more. Can’t wait to explore Japan together with friendly (maybe) rivalry in “Momotetsu 2: East Japan & West Japan”! [TGS2025]
A brief camera feature experience was also available. Note: The full version will include this as a post-launch update.