Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu launches in Early Access on April 17

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Onion Soup Interactive announced that Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu will be available on Steam for PC in Early Access starting April 17th.

As a huge fan, I’m so excited to hear that the developers are planning to keep working on the game for another 12 to 16 months! They’ve got so many cool things planned for Early Access – we’re talking new characters, longer marathons, and tons of outfits to customize with. Plus, they’re really expanding the character creation tools, and even better, they’re adding a full online mode! But the best part? They’re bringing back “L.O.B.S.T.E.R. MODE” from the original Nippon Marathon – that game mode was legendary, and I can’t wait to play it again!

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

Imagine running a marathon while dressed in a lobster costume, trying to avoid exploding watermelons and hungry Shiba Inu dogs, all while being filmed for a strange Japanese game show. That pretty much sums up Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu – and you’d be spot on!

Versus Mode

Pick your player! You can choose from J. Darwin (the lobster-man), Elizabeth Nishibori (with her horned hoodie), Zenbei (the old sailor), or Snuguru Maestro (the dog-loving favorite). Or, design your own unique character! Once you have four players – either human or computer-controlled – the race will begin!

Race to the finish line by diving, running, and dodging through a wild obstacle course! Can you survive the cup-ramen museum without a scratch? Will you make it through the docks in one piece? Use weapons like the new Whirling Cucumber to knock out your rivals, or use the inflatable Pineapple Balloon to take shortcuts and leave them behind!

Scoring

If a player gets too far behind, they’re briefly removed from the game, and the remaining player earns a star. Everyone then continues the race until someone reaches the finish line!

The winner is decided by adding up each contestant’s score, which is based on their skill with weapons, how well the audience liked them, and the number of stars they earned throughout the competition.

The unusual scoring system creates interesting strategies and adds to the chaotic, unpredictable fun – just like watching those wild game shows!

Marathons

Early Access launches with three playable marathon stages.

  • In Shika Shika Deer Town contestants navigate their way through historic, hillside temples filled with hangry deer and maze-like bamboo forests.
  • Yolko Harbor features urban city streets, a weird and wonderful cup-ramen museum and a dangerous shipping yard. Is someone looking for sailors here?
  • Poodle Hill Zone is the place to be for cute dogs in push-chairs, artisan coffee, old ladies fighting over fresh bread and an up-market super store!

Contestants

Pick one of four unique competitors! They each have slightly different strengths – like how quickly they recover, their agility, and how fast they speed up. But the best part is, they’re all wonderfully strange!

J. Darwin is back from his global travels, but he’s still quite shy. Nishibori gets very annoyed when people think he’s a unicorn – it’s actually a narwhal tusk! Snuguru constantly follows his sense of smell in search of melons, and Zenbei has had his identity stolen!

Weapons and Items

The Nippon Marathon isn’t just about completing the race. You also have to learn how to effectively use the items available during the game.

  • Use a Banana Peel to trip up contestants behind you or force them to take a more dangerous route.
  • The explosive Heat-Seeking Melon will aim for the contestant in-front and send them flying in an explosion of tasty chunks.
  • The Pineapple Balloon allows you to float high above hazards for a brief time, use it to take a sneaky shortcut… but watch out for over-head electrified power-lines!
  • The Stinky Mushroom creates a trail of noxious gas forcing contestants to keep their distance.
  • The all-new Whirling Cucumber lets you directly whack nearby contestants or obstacles sending them flying in all directions!

Physics

Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu is a hilarious game packed with unpredictable physics-based moments. It’s incredibly fun and replayable, though sometimes frustratingly chaotic! The game’s snapshots really highlight the wild physics in action.

Create-a-Contestant

Create-a-Contestant lets you build the wacky and wonderful characters you’ve always imagined. You can customize everything from faces and costumes to hats and other accessories, letting your creativity run wild.

So What Does “Daijoubu” Actually Mean?

“Daijoubu” can be used in many situations, but it essentially means “OK” or “I’m OK.”

  • For example if a store-worker asks if you’d like a plastic bag you could politely decline by saying “Daijoubu desu.”
  • If you fell over and only hurt your pride you could say to a concerned passerby “Daijoubu” (“I’m OK”).
  • How’s the weather today? “Daijoubu” (“OK”).
  • Are you worried? “Zenzen Daijoubu” (“I’m perfectly fine”).

Perhaps we’re suggesting that Nippon Marathon 2 is enjoyable. Maybe it’s a game about stumbling and persevering. It’s really up to you! We want you to interpret Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu however you like, as long as it makes you feel good – daijoubu!

Kanji, Kanji Everywhere

As a fan, I love how the game uses actual Japanese writing – Kanji and Katakana – in the menus and everything! It really makes you feel like you’re dropped into some crazy Japanese game show or a super weird, old video game. The cool thing is, even if you change the language settings, you still see a lot of Japanese text, and the developers told me that’s totally intentional! It’s a big part of what makes Nippon Marathon look so unique. They’re even watching tons of wacky Japanese TV – they jokingly call it ‘research’ – to keep adding more and more authentic details, which is awesome!

The game’s elaborate Japanese characters add an extra layer of fun, with players often taking screenshots and using apps to figure out the hidden jokes and meanings!

Watch a new trailer below.

Early Access Release Date Trailer

English

Japanese

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2026-03-26 19:18