Bumpy Trot is a homemade treasure. An adventure RPG centered on piloting scrappy salvage robots in a retrofuturist world brimming with soul. Endearing from start to finish.
Your verdict
Category
Adventure1 player12+
Description
A Japanese Irem adventure released in 2003, distributed as "Ponkotsu Roman Daikatsugeki Bumpy Trot." Young Tako travels with his "Bumpy" machine, a strange steam contraption, in an eccentric steampunk world where he meets endearing misfits. Free adventure, open exploration and quirky humor. A Japanese cult curiosity.
Ponkotsu Roman Daikatsugeki - Bumpy Trot review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
The Japanese title says everything of the tone: a grand romantic drama, but rickety and cobbled together. The story finds its savor less in a great plot than in the thousand small things of island life: taking odd jobs, fishing, courting, helping a neighbor, listening to the residents tell their days.
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Long"
Technical info
💾2,1 GB📅14/07/2005
Published by Atlus
Ponkotsu Roman Daikatsugeki - Bumpy Trot (PS2) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
The original Japanese release of what the West would know as Steambot Chronicles, by Irem. You pilot Bumpy, a steam-powered contraption, across an open steampunk world where free-roaming adventure meets offbeat humour. It is the most authentic gateway to a game that became a cult favourite: collectors seek the first Japanese edition for its original title, presentation and standing as an Irem gem of singular tone. With the Western localisation broadening its reach, the Japanese release keeps the aura of a mother version prized by purists and fans of unconventional adventure RPGs.
Is Ponkotsu Roman Daikatsugeki - Bumpy Trot still worth playing in 2026?
An Irem adventure known as Steambot Chronicles, Bumpy Trot offers a singular open world where you pilot a steam robot while living the life of your choice, between exploration, odd jobs, music and combat. The freedom of tone, the warm steampunk mood and the diversity of activities make for an atypical, endearing experience. The modest production and a disjointed pace call for indulgence. A singular adventure game to recommend for fans of freedom, narrative sandbox and gentle steampunk worlds.
