Level-5 Inc., known for creating beloved Japanese game series like Professor Layton, Ni No Kuni, and Yo-Kai Watch—and co-developing the iconic Dragon Quest VIII and IX—is finally bringing its famed Inazuma Eleven franchise to Xbox with the upcoming release of Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road.
The exciting news was shared during a special showcase stream, offering fans a glimpse into the game’s dynamic story, gameplay mechanics, and even its release date, which is set for August 21, 2025.
For those unfamiliar, Inazuma Eleven is a unique blend of soccer and RPG elements, making its debut back in 2008 and evolving into a vast multimedia franchise that includes not just video games, but also manga, anime series, and films.
Unlike more traditional soccer games like FIFA or EA Sports FC that strive for realism, Inazuma Eleven takes a fantastical approach, turning the sport into an epic showdown with characters wielding superpowers to win matches. Players can dive into this electrifying world through various modes—single-player Story Mode, Chronicle Modes, or online-multiplayer Competition Mode.
In Story Mode, players will follow the journey of Destin Billows, a high-schooler with a mission to lead his team to the top in Japan. This mode promises a compelling narrative filled with humor, emotion, and high-octane action, as players engage in different mini-games and bond with classmates to form a dream team.
Chronicle Mode invites players to revisit legendary matches from the franchise’s past, guided by Victorio the time traveler. With over 5,200 characters available to recruit, the possibilities for assembling your ultimate team are nearly endless.
Adding to the gameplay innovation, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road introduces ‘Manual Mode’ and ‘Commander Modes’ for matches. Manual Mode lets players control a character directly, much like a standard soccer game, while Commander Mode allows the AI to manage the team, enabling players to focus on strategy and support.
Between matches, players can explore Bond Town to create avatars and connect with others online, even partnering up for thrilling 2-player tag matches.
It’s certainly a huge win for Xbox to add such a popular RPG franchise to its lineup. For newcomers to the series, this new Xbox title offers a wild ride that’s hard to ignore. Personally, I lean more towards wrestling games like WWE 2K25, but I can’t deny the charm and creativity that has kept Inazuma Eleven thriving for over a decade.
Whether you’re into sports anime or soccer, you’ll definitely want to watch for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road when it launches on August 21, 2025, across multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.
