Game Addict released the racehorse breeding simulation *Derby Stallion 2* for the Nintendo Switch 2 today, September 24.
This title is the latest installment in the *Derby Stallion* series, in which players take on the role of the owner of a small ranch and repeatedly breed, train, and race thoroughbreds—as well as put them into breeding after retirement—to carry on their bloodlines.Parity Bit, the studio behind “Derby Stallion” and “CalcioBit,” serves as the producer and copyright holder, while Land Ho, a developer with a strong track record in horse racing games, handled the development.
Advanced Breeding Theory and the Importance of the Maternal Line
The game’s tagline is “That bloodline will change history.”In terms of breeding and production, not only has the “nick” system been enhanced, but the introduction of broodmare crosses, the generational effects of home-bred broodmares, and the addition of cross-breeding effects (factors) for home-bred stallions have significantly increased the freedom and depth of pedigree building.
The game features real-life broodmares, including legendary mares such as Almond Eye, Gran Alegria, and Chrono Genesis, as well as horses born up to 2021 (the 2023 debut generation).On the sire side, you can choose from a wide range of stallions, from those whose first crop debuted in 2025—such as Contrail, Chrysoberyl, and Poetic Flare—to legendary sires like Deep Impact and Kitasan Black.
Training styles range from manual to “Auto,” offering complete freedom
The training system offers not only exercises to build speed and stamina but also pool training and grazing to maintain condition, allowing you to fine-tune your horse for target races while managing fatigue and form.Your horse’s abilities—including various parameters such as Speed, Stamina, Power, Grit, and Temperament, as well as aptitudes—are displayed in card format and gradually revealed through the training process.
The “Auto” feature provides robust support for training; you can choose from three modes: “Auto,” which handles everything from training to races and grazing fully automatically; “Race Confirmation,” where the player only checks the details before a race; and “Manual,” where you issue all instructions yourself.
Enhanced Immersion with “3D Cell-Shaded Graphics” and the New “Long-Distance Lead” Strategy
The visuals for race scenes have been completely revamped, adopting the “3D Cell-Shaded” style, which combines anime-like clarity with the immersive intensity unique to 3D graphics. The game also features a “Tracking” display that allows you to intuitively grasp the relative positions of each horse and the race’s progression during the race.
In addition to the traditional racing strategies—"Front-runner," "Pace-setter," "Closer," and "Sprinter"—a new strategy called "Long-Distance Breakaway," where a horse pulls far ahead of the pack from the very start, has been added. As in the previous title, radio NIKKEI announcer Ayumu Kozuka provides the commentary, heightening the excitement of the decisive moments alongside the official JRA fanfare and GI race title sequences.
The race schedule is based on the JRA racing program for the 2026 fiscal year.In addition to Central Racing, the game includes five regional racetracks—Oi, Kawasaki, Funabashi, Urawa, and Morioka—allowing players to compete in the “3-Year-Old Dirt Triple Crown,” consisting of the Haneda Cup, Tokyo Derby, and Japan Dirt Classic, as well as Dirt GI/JpnI races such as the Teio Sho and Tokyo Daishoten.International races such as the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic have also been added, greatly expanding the scope of challenges.
Compatible with “Breeders’ Cup” and the Switch 2 “Share Feature”
You can pit the horses you’ve raised against friends, players nationwide, and legendary horses from the past in the online multiplayer feature “Breeders’ Cup (BC)” (a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to race against friends and players nationwide).Additionally, in “Time Attack Mode,” where you aim to break records under specific conditions, you can participate in a national ranking that lists the top 100 players.
The game also supports “Share Connect,” a new feature for the Nintendo Switch 2. If you own a copy of the game, you can watch your beloved horse race online or locally with players who don’t own the game. You can also bring your own horses to enjoy race competitions with up to four players.
“Derby Stallion 2” is now available for Nintendo Switch 2.
