GameWiki
GET YOUR BEARINGS
About Nippon Marathon
Nippon Marathon throws players into a chaotic ragdoll‑style marathon across Japan, blending racing, party mayhem and absurd obstacles. Up to four friends can drop in or out, while solo runners can still enjoy the wild courses. The game spans bustling cities, narrow alleys, markets, mountain shrines and even a bullet‑train top, delivering unpredictable hazards like barrels, Shiba Inus, fruit‑throwing and planks over waterfalls, all wrapped in a bizarre story mode with eccentric characters.
01 / THE GUIDE
Four‑Player Drop‑In/Drop‑Out Multiplayer
The title supports four‑player drop‑in/drop‑out play, allowing friends to join or leave at any moment. Solo play is also available, so you can race alone before others arrive. This flexibility encourages spontaneous couch sessions, even letting random pedestrians hop in for a quick race, making each match feel like a party gathering.
- Keep an eye on the screen for join prompts so newcomers don’t miss the start.
- Use the drop‑in feature to fill empty slots and keep the race lively.
02 / THE GUIDE
Creative Levels Across Japan
Races travel through varied locales: busy city streets, narrow old lanes, bustling markets, mountaintop shrines and the top of a bullet train. Each setting introduces unique visual flair and terrain. Unexpected events may appear, such as slot machines or a news anchor jet‑packing onto the track, ensuring no two runs feel the same.
- Observe each environment’s layout to anticipate where hazards may emerge.
- Enjoy the visual differences; they often hint at upcoming obstacles.
03 / THE GUIDE
Expansive Story Mode
Story mode follows a cast including lobster‑man J DARWIN, narwhal enthusiast Elizabeth Nishibori, sailor Zenbei “XEN BAE”, and wannabe dating‑agency owner Snuguru Maestro. Players climb from rookie runner to marathon master while uncovering hidden forces. The mode culminates in a showdown against ten‑time champion Handsome Hazuki and his cronies, providing a narrative thread through the chaotic races.
- Pay attention to character dialogues for clues about upcoming challenges.
- Progress steadily through the story to climb from rookie runner to marathon master.
04 / THE GUIDE
Party Games and Mini‑Challenges
Beyond the marathon, the game offers side activities like trolley‑driven bowling and the L.O.B.S.T.E.R gauntlet. The L.O.B.S.T.E.R gauntlet features random hazards such as swinging hammers and pneumatic boxing gloves. They provide a break from the main race while still using the same ragdoll physics, adding variety to group play sessions.
- Try the turkey‑in‑bowling mini‑game first to get a feel for the physics.
- The L.O.B.S.T.E.R gauntlet is best tackled with multiple players to share chaos.
05 / THE GUIDE
Platform Features and Support
Nippon Marathon runs on Windows and macOS, offering full controller support, DualShock compatibility, Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud, Remote Play on TV, Remote Play Together and Family Sharing. These features let players enjoy the game locally, on a TV, or with friends over the internet without needing separate purchases.
- Enable Remote Play Together to invite friends who don’t own the game.
- Use Steam Cloud to keep your progress when switching between PCs.
COMMUNITY
Player discussion