To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the anime 'Digimon Tamers', Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America has announced the latest commemorative product, the 'D-ARK 25th COLOR EVOLUTION', scheduled for release in July 2026. This product will be simultaneously released in three versions: 'Takato Matsuki Color', 'Henry Wong Color', and 'Rika Nonaka Color'.
The 'D-ARK 25th COLOR EVOLUTION' is a redesign based on the original model released in 2001. While inheriting the exterior design and size, the hardware has been modernized with a color LCD screen, built-in vibration motor, USB Type-C charging function, and other features. Along with the hardware upgrade, the game software has also been significantly updated, allowing players to fully relive the story of 'Digimon Tamers' through vivid visual performances and rich sound effects and music.
At the start of the game, players can choose from three Tamers and Digimon partners: 'Takato Matsuki & Guilmon', 'Henry Wong & Terriermon', and 'Rika Nonaka & Renamon', to embark on an adventure in the Real World and Digital World based on the anime's storyline. After meeting specific conditions, Ryo Akiyama, Cyberdramon, and Impmon can also become partners. Aside from the initial Digimon selection screen and special camping items corresponding to the characters, the game software content is identical across all three versions.
The game includes classic anime scenes, background music such as Koji Wada's theme song 'The Biggest Dreamer', and over 350 words of character voice lines. As the story progresses, over 100 Digimon, the D-Reaper, and movie characters 'Kai Urazoe', 'Minami Uehara', and 'Rika Nonaka possessed by Parasimon' will appear, providing a more immersive experience with the color LCD screen.
The game's battle system offers three play styles: 'button mashing', 'shaking the device', and 'pressing specified buttons'. Evolution sequences during battles will feature evolution visuals based on the anime, along with the dedicated evolution music 'EVO', combined with the D-ARK's built-in vibration motor to deliver powerful evolution performances. After meeting specific conditions, Gallantmon can evolve into 'Gallantmon Crimson Mode', and Beelzemon can evolve into 'Beelzemon Blast Mode'.
This version also retains the D-ARK's characteristic card-swiping function. Each of the three versions includes 14 plastic-made dedicated cards. In the game, after successfully training a Digimon, players earn exploration points, which can also be used to collect various cards in the game. Besides the common 'Blue Card', 'Red Card', 'Handmade Blue Card', and 'Super Evolution Plug-ins', all other cards can be used in battle. When a card is swiped, a dedicated performance video and the music 'SLASH!!' will play, providing various effects in battle.
Regarding the 'connection function', it adopts the same specifications as a series of recent color models. The 'D-ARK 25th COLOR EVOLUTION' can not only connect for close-range battles with other units of the same model but also supports cross-generational connection battles with models such as the 'Digivice 25th COLOR EVOLUTION', 'D-3 25th COLOR EVOLUTION', 'Digital Monster COLOR', and 'PENDULUM COLOR'!
D-ARK -25th COLOR EVOLUTION- Takato Matsuki Color / Henry Wong Color / Rika Nonaka Color
Reference Price: 14,300 JPY (tax included)
Scheduled Release Date: 2026/07
Product Specifications: Main unit…H approx. 170mm × W approx. 79mm × D approx. 52mm, Dedicated cards…each H approx. 86mm × W approx. 59mm
Product Contents: Main unit, USB charging cable, 14 dedicated cards, instruction manual
(C)Akiyoshi Hongo・Toei Animation
via： PREMIUM BANDAI