TheNintendo DShandheld has been home to a number of great games that have been lost to time. Although there are certainlystill ways to play Nintendo DS gameswithout original hardware, most of its exclusives are either in desperate need of a modern update or landlocked to systems that are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
This is where remakes, remasters, and ports come into play, often revitalizing older titles and bringing them to a larger audience. Notable games likePokemon Shining PearlandPokemon Brilliant Diamondare good examples of high-profileNintendo DSremakes, but more niche releases likeThe World Ends with YouandAce Attorney Trilogyhave been brought to modern devices as well. This trend will continue in 2025 and 2026 withInazuma Eleven, a sports RPG franchise that spawned a cult following in the last decade, first in Japan in 2008 and later in the West, when it was localized in 2014. After years of spin-offs and manga, TV show, and film adaptations, the beloved series is coming back with a vengeance, hopefully springboarding it higher into the mainstream.
Inazuma Eleven Is Coming Back With Two Games in 2025 and 2026
Prolific Japanese developer Level-5 recentlyannounced the return ofInazuma Eleven, kicking off (no pun intended) withInazuma Eleven: Victory Roadin 2025.Victory Roadwill center on the same arcade soccer gameplay of its predecessors, ostensibly borrowing from the likes ofSuper Mario Strikerswhile maintaining its own unique gameplay systems.
Victory Roadwill be the first new chapter in theInazuma Elevenstory since 2010’sInazuma Eleven 3, continuing the series' penchant for quick, snappy gameplay and integrated role-playing elements. Similar toclassic releases likeBackyard Baseball,Victory Roadwill maintain a cartoon-influenced art style and prioritize satisfying gameplay over realism, which could be a welcome reprieve for those soured on modern AAA sports franchises likeNBA 2KorEA Sports FC. The game will feature a dramatic single-player narrative, character customization, and open-ended hubs to explore between games. There will also be some light city-building elements, which look promising.
ThoughInazuma Elevenhas always been associated with the Nintendo DS,Victory Roadwill be coming to all platforms.
A Remake of the First Inazuma Eleven Is Slated for a 2026 Release
WithDS remakes being all the rage the past few years, it seems that Level-5 is pursuing the trend withInazuma Eleven RE, revamping the original 2008 game with high-fidelity visuals and performance enhancements. Less information is available aboutInazuma Eleven REcompared toVictory Road, but it appears to be an ambitious remake, bringing the first game into the world of 3D with completely redesigned character models and environments. Its graphical style is similar to that of theLink’s AwakeningSwitch remake, and its gameplay is also being redesigned, obviously without the inclusion of the Nintendo DS stylus mechanics.
The combination of a brand-new entry in the franchise and a high-fidelity remake of the first game suggests a full-blown return forInazuma Eleven. The series has grown into more of a well-rounded media brand over the years instead of strictly a gaming IP, but traipsing back into the spotlight could bring it extra attention and make it more popular than ever before.
Classic gaming IP is worth its weight in goldthese days, as publishers scramble to establish a sense of prestige and brand recognition with new titles, so perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Level-5 is trying to bringInazuma Elevenback, but if these upcoming games turn out well, it could mean a slew of newInazuma Elevengames in the future, which would be good for everyone. Maybe it could even play a role in the return of arcade-style sports games, usurping the simulation focus found in the genre’s modern AAA releases.
