After years of anticipation and numerous delays, Level-5 has finally set a definitive release date for the much-anticipated soccer RPG, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road. Scheduled to launch on August 21, 2025, the game will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and the newly announced Nintendo Switch 2.
The journey of Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road has been a long one, with its initial announcement as Inazuma Eleven Ares back in 2016. Initially slated for release in 2018, the game faced multiple setbacks, being delayed numerous times, with release windows set for late 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. The last announced release date was originally set for June 2025, but the game has now been pushed back to August 21, 2025.
Inazuma Eleven’s latest installment promises to deliver an expansive single-player story mode set 25 years after the original game. Players will step into the shoes of protagonist Destin Billows, who enrolls at South Cirrus Junior High in search of a world without football. Meanwhile, Harper Evans, a so-called “football monster,” rises within the prestigious Raimon Junior High, known for its dominance in the national soccer scene. This clash of characters sets the stage for an intriguing narrative.
In terms of gameplay, Victory Road maintains the series' signature arcade-style soccer mechanics while introducing new features to enhance player experience. The game will include online play and a continuous tournament system, allowing players to engage in regular events across multiple seasons. Additionally, the game will support cross-play and cross-save functionality, enabling players to enjoy seamless gameplay across different platforms.
The game will be a digital-only release globally, which is a notable shift for the series that has traditionally seen physical copies. The pricing for the game has been confirmed, with the Standard Edition set at $69.99, and the Deluxe Edition priced at $79.99. Pre-orders for the game began on April 11, 2025, and include a special downloadable content package known as the “Advanced Booster Bundle,” which offers various in-game items to enhance the gaming experience.
Players who opt for the Deluxe Edition will receive additional bonuses, including a character unlock item, special equipment to boost experience gained, and unique goal celebrations. Furthermore, those who purchase the PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 version will receive the alternate version at no extra charge, whereas the Switch 2 version will require a paid upgrade.
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road will support multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese, making it accessible to a broader audience.
In a significant development for the franchise, this will be the first time Inazuma Eleven is available on Xbox platforms. The Xbox Series X and S versions were newly announced, adding to the excitement surrounding the game’s release. This expansion to Xbox marks a new chapter for the series, which has primarily been associated with Nintendo consoles since its inception in 2008.
As the release date approaches, Level-5 has outlined a robust post-launch roadmap for Victory Road. Early Access will kick off on August 19, 2025, with the official game release following just a few days later on August 22, 2025. Players can look forward to additional content updates, including new routes for the Chronicle Mode, scheduled to unlock weekly from September through November 2025.
The game’s promotional campaign will also include a series of trailers, with a Making-of Trailer set to debut in May, a Story Trailer in June, and a Final Trailer at the end of July. These trailers will provide fans with insights into the game’s development and the exciting features they can expect.
With a roster of over 5,200 characters to collect and train, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road promises to deliver an extensive and immersive experience. The game will also feature the longest anime runtime in the series' history, with in-game cutscenes produced in collaboration with the renowned animation studio MAPPA.
As the hype builds, fans are eager to see how this installment will shape the future of the Inazuma Eleven franchise. With its unique blend of soccer gameplay and RPG elements, Victory Road aims to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Will it live up to the expectations set by its predecessors? Only time will tell as the countdown to August 21, 2025, continues!
