Pocket Circuit in Yakuza 0 is a thrilling minigame where you build and race miniature cars. This guide will take you through everything you need to know to become a Pocket Circuit champion, from understanding the basics to mastering race strategies and completing all challenges. Get ready to rev your engines and leave your rivals in the dust!
Understanding Pocket Circuit Basics
Pocket Circuit is more than just mashing buttons; it’s about strategic car building and a little bit of luck. Let’s break down the essential elements to get you started.
Controls
Navigating the Pocket Circuit Stadium and controlling your car is straightforward. Here’s a handy control scheme:
| PlayStation | Xbox | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Move cursor | ||
| Fast-forward the race | ||
| Confirm selection | ||
| Cancel selection / Tap to Stabilize | ||
| Move camera in Test Run | ||
| Use Boost | ||
| View Controls | ||
| Exit Minigame |
Image alt text: Yakuza 0 Pocket Circuit Controls: PlayStation and Xbox button mapping for minigame controls.
Racing and Stabilization
The races themselves are automated, meaning you don’t directly control your car’s steering or acceleration. Your main inputs during a race are:
- Boost: Each race gives you a limited number of turbo boosts (one or two depending on race length). Use them strategically to overtake opponents or maintain a lead.
- Stabilize: When your car becomes unstable and close to flying off the track (indicated by a close-up view and on-screen prompts), rapidly tap the Stabilize button. Be mindful of your stabilization meter, as overuse can lead to disqualification if it depletes completely. Short, controlled taps are more effective than button mashing.
Car Components and Customization
The real depth of Pocket Circuit lies in customizing your car with various components. These parts determine your car’s performance and are crucial for winning races. You’ll manage these components in a dedicated inventory wing.
Most components are available at the Pocket Circuit Stadium shop. New parts are unlocked as you progress through the race cups, becoming available after winning the Introductory Race, Little Racers’ Cup, Rookies’ Race, Pro-Am Race, Expert’s Race, and Champions’ Cup. As you unlock more advanced parts, they also become more expensive, so accumulating funds, perhaps through the Real Estate Royale business, will be beneficial for acquiring the best gear.
Beyond the Stadium shop, some unique parts are hidden in shops around Kamurocho or obtainable through the Dream Machines, adding an element of exploration and chance to your component hunting.
For a comprehensive list of all available components, you can refer to the Pocket Circuit Components section in the item list.
Winning Race Builds
For those aiming for quick completion and race victories, we’ve compiled effective car builds for each race cup, credited to kkhsubs.com. These builds prioritize readily available parts, minimizing reliance on rare Dream Machine drops.
| Race | Introductory Race | Little Racers’ Cup | Rookies’ Race | Pro-Am Race | Expert’s Race | Champions’ Cup | King of Speed Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | Slim Tires | Slim Tires Plus | Soft Tires Plus | Extra Spiked Tires | Super Soft Tires | Super Spiked Tires | Ultra Slim Tires |
| Frame | Balanced Frame | Balanced Frame | Balanced Frame Plus | Extra Balanced Frame | Super Balanced Frame | Super Balanced Frame | Ultra Metal Frame |
| Motor | High Torque Motor 2.0 | Godspeed Motor | Godspeed Motor | Godspeed Motor | Godspeed Motor | Godspeed Motor | Godspeed Motor |
| Gears | Balanced Gears | Balanced Gears Plus | Balanced Gears Plus | Boost Gears | Godspeed Gears Plus | Godspeed Gears Plus | Extra Godspeed Gears |
| Battery | High Speed Battery | High Speed Battery | High Capacity Battery | High Speed Battery | High Speed Battery | High Speed Battery | High Capacity Battery |
| Suspension | None | Heavy Suspension | Heavy Suspension | Heavy Suspension | Heavy Suspension | Heavy Suspension | Heavy Suspension |
| Bumper | None | Bumper Plate | Bumper Plate | Bumper Plate | Bumper Plate | Bumper Plate | Bumper Plate |
Important Notes on these Builds:
- Car, Decal, Side Stabilizer: These components are not included in the builds as they do not significantly impact performance.
- No Dream Machine Parts: These builds are designed to be achievable without relying on luck-based Dream Machine parts.
- Part Locations: You can purchase Batteries from Don Quijote. The High Torque Motor 2.0 is found at the secret shop unlocked through Substory #8. The Bumper Plate requires purchasing the “Killer Bee” car from Ebisu Pawn. All other listed parts are available at the Pocket Circuit Stadium shop.
- Stabilization: Some of these builds are power-focused and may require frequent stabilization. Be ready to tap the Stabilize button! Turbo is generally not needed with these setups.
Pocket Circuit Substory Builds
These optimized builds can also be used for Pocket Circuit related Substories. In most substories, you can utilize the race builds mentioned above. However, the final substory race demands a specific car configuration:
| Pocket Circuit Substory Builds |
|---|
| Substory |
| Tires |
| Frame |
| Motor |
| Gears |
| Battery |
| Suspension |
| Bumper |
With these comprehensive builds and strategies, you’re well-equipped to conquer the Pocket Circuit in Yakuza 0. Start building your dream machine and claim your title as the ultimate Pocket Circuit champion!
