I Played the Never-to-be-Released Danganronpa 2x2 Special Trial Version

Danganronpa 2x2 Special Trial Version: A Glimpse into a Twisted Future

I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Spike Chunsoft headquarters in Tokyo and experience the Danganronpa 2x2 Special Trial Version on the Nintendo Switch 2. This exclusive 15-minute demo, crafted specifically for the Danganronpa 15th Anniversary Event in November 2025, offered a tantalizing taste of the upcoming Danganronpa 2x2 game. It was designed to reward dedicated fans with an original mystery that will remain unique and separate from the final release.

A New Take on Despair

The main draw of Danganronpa 2x2 is its dual nature: an updated version of the original Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair alongside a remixed version with an entirely different murder sequence. Characters who met their end early in the original game will now survive longer, significantly impacting the unfolding events. The Special Trial Version perfectly encapsulates this concept, even though it isn't integrated into the full game.

Familiar Faces, Unfamiliar Circumstances

The demo opens in a manner reminiscent of Danganronpa 2, with Nagito standing over Hajime. However, instead of the beach, they're located within the island's boathouse. They are not alone; Gundham, Chiaki, Byakuya, and Mikan are also present, along with a dead body.

The victim is Yasuhiro Hagakure from the first Danganronpa. This serves as an inside joke, referencing the original Danganronpa's "Trial Version" demo where Yasuhiro was initially presented as the first case's victim, replacing Sayaka. His body is even positioned identically to that demo.

Investigation and Intrigue

Partnered with Nagito, you, as Hajime, conduct a typical Danganronpa investigation. You examine the body, complete with a bloody dying message, and converse with those who discovered it, including Gundham, Chiaki, Byakuya, and Mikan. Ibuki and Peko, who arrived later, are also questioned. Monokuma provides an autopsy report. After a brief exploration of a 3D area outside the boathouse, Monokuma initiates the class trial to identify the murderer.

A Shocking Revelation

The trial consists of two rounds, each requiring you to target a single point with one of three Truth Bullets. The key to uncovering the killer lies in two critical pieces of information. First, Monokuma states that a body is only reported after three people discover it. In this instance, four people made the discovery, indicating that one of them is the culprit.

Second, Chiaki mentions that the murder weapon is a knife. However, the murder weapon is missing from the scene, with only its bladed nature confirmed. This revelation points to her as the killer. For those familiar with Danganronpa 2, this outcome seems illogical given Chiaki's character. Monokuma agrees, abruptly ending the trial and the demo.

Visual and Auditory Enhancements

The Special Trial Version effectively showcases the improvements in Danganronpa 2x2. The graphical fidelity of both 2D sprites and 3D environments has been significantly enhanced. While the characters retain their signature poses during dialogue, each pose is now preceded by a brief animation sequence. The updated user interface is visually appealing, and the split-screen view showcasing Hajime in certain scenes is a welcome addition.

A Minor Disappointment

My only critique of Danganronpa 2x2 Special Trial Version is the lack of complete voice acting, a common issue in the Danganronpa series. While the trial scenes are fully voiced, the investigation segments, which constitute the majority of the game, are not. Typically, you only hear a grunt or a few words to convey the character's mood. The exception in the Special Trial Version was Monokuma's message, delivered by Wasabi Mizuta. It was a delightful surprise to hear her rendition of the character previously voiced by Nobuyo Ōyama.

Final Thoughts

Despite its short 15-minute duration, the Danganronpa 2x2 Special Trial Version has left me highly optimistic about Danganronpa 2x2. The game looks and sounds excellent, and it plays as expected. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to experience a completely different version of the story.

Danganronpa 2x2 is scheduled for release in 2026 on the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.