Few manga series have shaped the perception of soccer worldwide quite like Yoichi Takahashi’s Captain Tsubasa . From the iconic "Drive Shot" to the acrobatic "Skylab Hurricane," the franchise has been a staple of anime sports entertainment since 1981. In 2020, Bandai Namco Entertainment released Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions —a arcade-style soccer game that broke away from traditional simulation titles. For Nintendo Switch users, the game is available globally, but there is a specific, highly sought-after version known as the release.
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions captures the impossible, exhilarating spirit of the manga. The version for Nintendo Switch offers the purest distillation of that spirit—uncut, unfiltered, and packed with Japan-exclusive nostalgia. While it requires a bit more effort to acquire and navigate, for the dedicated fan, sliding your Switch into the dock and hearing the 1983 anime theme play as Tsubasa arcs a ball against the sun is a feeling no Western localization can replicate.
Western versions of Rise of New Champions slightly altered certain dialogue lines regarding physical intensity (e.g., references to “killer” shots). The JP version retains the original, unfiltered manga dialogue, which some purists consider more authentic. Captain Tsubasa--- Rise of New Champions -NSP--JP...
4–3. Final whistle.
The game was released on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. However, the Switch version (handled by Tamsoft Corporation) has unique performance characteristics—targeting 30 FPS with dynamic resolution to maintain fluidity during the “V-Trigger” and “Super Save” animations. Few manga series have shaped the perception of
“Don’t freeze,” Ryoma muttered, wiping rain from his eyes. His palms tingled. This was his first final. The Nintendo Switch in his bag back in the locker room had logged 300 hours of Rise of New Champions —he knew every animation, every frame of Tsubasa’s Neo Drive Shot . But knowing and stopping were different.
If you are a die-hard Captain Tsubasa manga fan who understands basic Japanese, or if you want the most authentic experience (original character names, unfiltered dialogue, and exclusive cosmetics), the JP NSP is the definitive version. For casual players, stick with your local eShop release. For Nintendo Switch users, the game is available
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions - NSP - JP is a soccer game like no other, offering an unparalleled blend of action, strategy, and role-playing elements. With its engaging gameplay, memorable characters, and epic storylines, this title is a must-play for fans of the series and soccer games in general.