“Isn’t Uma Musume all about racing?” For anyone with that impression, you need to experience “Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash”. This Nintendo Switch title showcases a whole new side of the Uma Musume series, with your favorite girls rendered in pixel art as they take on the spring event “Hachamecha GP.” Keeping their signature cuteness, they dive headfirst into wacky competitions that will make you laugh, cheer, and feel completely charmed.

The competitions include outrageous events like “Extreme Obstacle Course,” “Basketball,” “Dodgeball,” and “Eating Contests” — with zero horse-racing involved. But that’s exactly what makes it fun. You’ll see determined expressions, clumsy mistakes, and smug victory faces that bring out the characters’ personalities like never before. The pixelated Uma Musume are surprisingly detailed, capturing subtle emotions. Longtime fans will also enjoy the Easter eggs scattered throughout the animations, recognizing poses and gestures from the original series.

More than 25 Uma Musume participate, forming teams and engaging in chaotic battles. Some characters debut here before appearing in the main mobile game, and even Happy Meek—previously an NPC—is now fully playable. Fans will delight in the many hidden references and background gags that reward careful observation. The more you know the series, the more you’ll grin at the clever details.

There’s plenty of variety in how you can play, including “Story Mode” for solo adventures, “Clubroom Mode” where you can decorate and customize your own room with furniture purchased using points earned in competitions, and “Versus Mode” for up to four players locally or online. Clubroom Mode lets you create a personal space and adds a layer of enjoyment beyond just competing. Mini-games abound, ensuring the fun doesn’t end after the main events.

The secret star of this game might just be “GolShi-chan’s Great Adventure II.” This single-player challenge mode has you charging forward, upgrading equipment, and battling waves of enemies in a style reminiscent of Vampire Survivors. With simple controls and deep strategy, it’s addictively fun and hard to put down. The mode is so well crafted that it’s worth buying the game for this alone.

*Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash* isn’t just a spin-off; it’s packed with playful creativity and love for the series. Even if you don’t know the original, the pixel art cuteness and over-the-top competitions will make you laugh. For fans, it offers a whole new perspective on the Uma Musume cast, showcasing their charm in unexpected ways. This game truly embodies “chaos” and “gratitude.” Honestly, it deserves way more attention.