Story Mode: A New Chapter

What We Know So Far About the New Inazuma Eleven!
Introduction
After years of waiting, numerous delays, and name changes, the football world is in an uproar! Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, the long-awaited new chapter of the popular Level-5 series, is finally nearing release. The game promises a spectacular return to the field—with innovation, nostalgia, and, as expected from Inazuma Eleven, lots of superpowers on the pitch. From brand-new gameplay mechanics to surprising platform choices—we take a look at everything we know so far about this “ultimate” Inazuma Eleven experience that is sure to excite both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Table of Contents
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road – An Overview
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is an upcoming sports RPG by Level-5. The global release is scheduled for August 21, 2025, with the Japanese release following on August 22, 2025. The game will be available on a variety of platforms, including Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S—making it the most widely released Inazuma Eleven title to date. The genre remains true to the series: a mix of role-playing and sports, playable in both single-player and multiplayer modes.
The Long Road to Release: A History of Delays
The development of Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road has a story of its own, marked by numerous delays and name changes that fans have patiently endured. Originally announced in 2016 as “Inazuma Eleven Ares,” the game was initially scheduled for release in 2018 on PlayStation 4, Switch, Android, and iOS. However, in December 2018, the release was pushed back to after May 2019.
In September 2019, the title was changed to “Inazuma Eleven: Great Road of Heroes,” and the release moved to 2020. More delays followed: to 2021 in April 2020 and to 2023 in April 2021. In July 2022, the game received its current name, “Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road”. In November 2023, it was delayed again to 2024, while also announcing a PlayStation 5 version and a worldwide beta in March 2024. In December 2023, a PC version was confirmed. In September 2024, a release in June 2025 was announced, but in April 2025, the final release date was set to August 21, 2025 (August 22 in Japan), including versions for the “Switch 2” and Xbox Series X/S. Unfortunately, the iOS and Android versions were canceled, and the game will be available exclusively in digital format.
Beta Tests and Community Feedback
Level-5 gave fans the opportunity to get an early look with the “Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Worldwide Beta Test Demo,” which was released on March 18, 2024 for the Nintendo Switch. Later, on July 18, 2024, the beta version followed for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Steam. The demo included a basic story mode, an online versus mode, and a VS computer mode. For online play, a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online or PlayStation Plus was required—depending on the platform.
After the demo release, Level-5 launched a survey where players could report bugs and issues. The beta also included a gallery mode where you could unlock and view concept art of characters. As of February 2025, the demo was no longer available on the Nintendo eShop, and online play on Switch was disabled. The demo remained available on other platforms until April 11, 2025, after which offline modes were also disabled there. Overall, reactions to the beta were positive—“new elements and presentation upgrades” were very well received.
First Impressions from the Beta: A Big Step Forward?
Early gameplay sessions of the demo, including from reviewer Sheadon Gunput, show that Level-5 has put a lot of effort into making “Victory Road” the “ultimate” Inazuma Eleven experience. The characters look better than ever, and the animations are impressive. Especially the controls, which used to rely almost entirely on the Nintendo DS stylus, have been meaningfully redesigned.

New Gameplay with More Depth
The new controls using joysticks and buttons add significantly more depth to the gameplay and result in smoother matches. While it takes some getting used to, it gives you much more control over the game. Whereas earlier games offered limited options during duels, you can now try to win or keep the ball in real time. The strength of shots is now displayed as “damage,” and goalkeepers have a kind of “health bar,” making the game more transparent.
The Impact of Special Moves
The iconic special moves from “Inazuma Eleven” now work differently too. Instead of spamming them until your energy runs out, you now fill a so-called tension gauge in “Victory Road” by successfully attacking or defending. This new system makes special moves something you have to earn—many fans consider this a much better and more balanced approach.
Short Matches and Online Challenges
One downside of the demo was the short match duration (about three minutes), which sometimes made it hard to stage a comeback. The hope is that this was just a limitation of the demo and that in the final version, you'll be able to adjust match length. “Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road” is also the first game in the series with a clear focus on online multiplayer, including a ranking system. There were issues with matchmaking and connectivity, and some opponents were unfairly strong, but the online experience has great potential—once these teething problems are addressed.
The Big Showcase: All Revelations at a Glance
On April 4, 2025, Level-5 hosted the first Inazuma Showcase to reveal more about “Victory Road”. The video featured new gameplay from story mode and chronicle mode and revealed exclusive pre-order bonuses. It was clear that the graphics had been updated—especially for special techniques, cutscenes, and pitch environments. A new opening movie was also shown.
Chronicle Mode with Over 450 Characters
One of the biggest eye-catchers was the Chronicle Mode. In it, you can face legendary teams from previous games with your own squad, including the Raimon Eleven from the first game and Inazuma Japan from Inazuma Eleven 3. In total, the mode features over 450 (!) unlockable characters. It was even confirmed that all key characters from the original trilogy and from Inazuma Eleven GO are included. Fans are also speculating about possible appearances from the “Ares” anime, which aligns with the game’s earlier title.
Story Mode with a New Protagonist
In story mode, you play as Unmei Sasanami, a boy who originally has nothing to do with football. But through an encounter with Haru Endo—a supernatural talent—he’s drawn into the world of football adventure. The story takes place at Nagumohara High School, where you and your teammates face off against teams from around the world. Many of these characters were designed specifically for this game. According to Level-5, the story mode is not only about sport, but also about personal character development.
Chronicle Keys and Pre-Order Bonuses
Players who pre-order the game will receive three “Chronicle Keys,” which unlock special matches. These include matches against Team Ogre (from Inazuma Eleven 3), Team Zero (from Inazuma Eleven GO Chrono Stones), and Reizeijima College from the anime. These matches are special as you can only access them with a key. More keys are planned to be released later through updates and missions.
Editions and Platforms
“Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road” will be released worldwide on August 21, 2025, digitally on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. There will be two editions: a Standard version and a Deluxe version. The Deluxe version includes extra content like special techniques, uniforms, and possibly exclusive characters for Chronicle Mode. There will be no physical version—the game will be digital only. Whether the game will support cross-play between platforms is not yet officially confirmed, but many fans hope it will.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- When will Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road be released?
August 21, 2025 worldwide, August 22 in Japan.
- On which platforms will the game be available?
On Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.
- Will there be a physical version?
No, the game will be digital-only.
- Will there be an online multiplayer mode?
Yes, the game features both local and online multiplayer matches, including ranked games.
- Are old characters returning?
Yes! Chronicle Mode includes over 450 characters from previous games.
- Will cross-play be supported?
This has not yet been confirmed.
- Will the game be available in English?
Yes, currently English and Japanese versions are confirmed.
Conclusion
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is more than just another sports game—it’s a comeback that blends the magic of the series with modern gameplay. With a new control system, online multiplayer, the massive Chronicle Mode, and a fresh story for new players, the game is well-positioned for a wide audience. Fans who have waited for years can look forward to a worthy return. And newcomers will enjoy the improved mechanics and presentation. Now, there’s only one thing left: hold on until August 21—and then, it’s time for a football adventure!
