Champion Jockey: Special

About

Champion Jockey: Special puts you in the saddle as you train and race horses across Japan and Europe. Balance speed and stamina to overtake rivals, progressing from rookie to world champion through career modes. Practice sessions and race challenges offer ways to earn rewards and improve your steed. Play solo or compete locally with friends via split-screen multiplayer. The game connects with Koei's Winning Post 8, letting you import horses and jockeys between titles. Quest Challenges task you with rewriting famous races like Deep Impact's Triple Crown, unlocking new mounts for success. Released in 2017 for Nintendo Switch, it emphasizes tactical racing over pure speed. Players note the depth of simulation elements but caution that the niche appeal may not hook everyone.

Storyline

The main feature of the game. Like other racing games, the player starts as a jockey just making their debut and can aim to become the world champion. Players can tame and raise various Japanese or European horses. Original race tracks and other simulation features are within this mode. Players can make this mode as long or as short as they desire to raise several horses or challenge rival jockeys. Another aspect during races within this mode are "Quest Challenges". These challenges are based on "what-if?" scenarios for historic races or horses. For example, players may choose to become an undefeated champion for Deep Impact's Triple Crown winning spree. When these challenges are cleared, players can obtain new unique race horses for their characters. Players can increase the benefits gained during their practice sessions by fulfilling "Practice Challenges". Different bonus points can be gained based on the player's performance.