It’s finally here! The latest entry in Japan’s beloved board-game series, “Momotaro Dentetsu 2 Your Town Is Surely Here.”

Riding the momentum of the previous title that surpassed 5 million shipments, it’s back with support for both Nintendo Switch and the much-talked-about Nintendo Switch 2.

Based on our actual family play sessions, I’ll give an honest review of the big questions: “What’s improved?” and “Is it safe and fun to play with kids?”

What kind of game is Momotaro Dentetsu 2?

The core rules are the same as always. As the “president” of a railway company, you travel across Japan, buy properties, and aim to become the top asset holder in this board-game style competition.

But this entry has a major twist: it includes two full maps: East Japan and West Japan .

Unlike the traditional “Nationwide Map,” narrowing the region increases the number of stations dramatically. It also raises the chances that your hometown station appears.

Three highlights you only notice after playing

1. Local pride explodes with regional events

The biggest highlight is the rich set of local events. Both the East and West maps recreate regional flavor in meticulous detail.

• East Japan : the Utsunomiya vs. Hamamatsu “gyoza consumption showdown,” Iwate’s Kenji Miyazawa quiz, and more.
• West Japan : cruising through Naruto’s whirlpools in a submarine, joining Kyoto’s Gion Festival, and more.

It’s fun how conversations naturally pop up mid-game like, “Oh, I’ve been there!” or “That shop is totally based on that place.” If you love travel, you’ll be swapping memories nonstop.

2. A natural geography whiz? Surprising educational impact

People often say, “You”re always playing games…” but Momotetsu might be the exception.

When I played Momotetsu with my kid, they somehow memorized every prefecture’s location. I was shocked (lol).

That’s Momotetsu’s strength: learning while you play. It’s not just geography - kids pick up local specialties and even the concept of ROI (investing) naturally.

Even at our house, I couldn”t believe it when my kid said, “This property is a good deal because the ROI is high” (lol). Learning geography, economics, and math while having fun makes this a true “living textbook.”

3. Immersion unique to the Switch 2 edition

If you have a Nintendo Switch 2, an even richer experience awaits.

• Wide map view : A wider display using 4K resolution makes planning ahead easier.
• Share Play communication : With one copy of the game, up to four nearby friends can play together.
• Camera play (planned): A feature that shows your reactions in a picture-in-picture when the Poor God appears may be added.

Honest drawbacks we noticed

It would be fake to only praise it, so here are the honest points that stood out while playing.

Play sessions still run long

There is a “3-year showdown” mode, but even that takes close to an hour. It’s not great for “just 30 minutes” sessions. It’s best enjoyed when you have time to settle in.

Balance may feel a bit rough

Powerful elements like “Historical Heroes” and the “Linear Excursion Card” are still here (maybe even stronger?). Comebacks happen easily, but competitive players may feel it”s too luck-driven. That said, “that’s part of the Momotetsu party vibe.

We want a skip button for cutscenes

Character intros and event sequences can become skippable-wish moments after a few times. Hopefully a future update improves this.

Who is it for?

Overall verdict: the classic is still strong

Momotaro Dentetsu 2 preserves the series’ charm while evolving in scale - a solid, legitimate upgrade.

You might get annoyed by the unfair Poor God or devastated when King Bomby wipes out your fortune. But those emotional swings are part of what makes “talking smack while playing together” so special. Few games deliver that experience better.

As a tool for family bonding or a way to learn geography, it’s absolutely worth having a copy at home.

Purchase links

▼ If you want the latest features (Switch 2 edition)

▼ If you already own a Switch (standard edition)

An upgrade pass to the Switch 2 edition is available, so it’s safe to start with the standard version.