Densha de Go! is a series of train simulation games that have been popular in Japan for decades. The 1997 title, Densha de Go!, is what kicked off the series for home gaming systems. This game was originally an arcade game that then got ported to the Playstation 1 (I will talk about this more later on in the review). I know my mediocre rating of such a classic title can be seen as blasphemy but I do have my reasons, so all aboard!GameplayDensha de Go! is a very realistic train simulation game with some arcade elements added to it (such as penalty points, score, and game overs). The game provides you with four real-world lines to work on that are located in various locations around Japan. The fact that you are playing real lines and not fictional ones really adds to the appeal of the game and makes it feel more like a proper simulation game. The objective is to go to all of the stations right on time, stop in the stations at the "finish line", and to go from station to station while following all train protocol (signaling with the horn, following speed limits in specific areas, and so on). The game provides you with a buffer of 30 penalty points, if this drops to zero its game over but you can continue on with the next station. Many things can earn you penalties, such as failure to honk the horn, arriving too early, arriving too late, slamming on the emergency brakes, going too fast in a slow zone, and the sort. This is where my issues with this game begin, this game is one of the strictest games I have ever played, you have to be absolutely perfect to avoid getting penalized. You must stop directly on the extremely thin finish line, too early and the game wont recognize that you're even in the station, too far and you get penalized for going too far, even if you just barely went past and the train is still fully in the station. In addition to this you need to be right on time, down to the millisecond, to actually get a perfect score. Trying to time this while also not stopping prematurely or drifting on past the finish line is nearly impossible. I somehow managed to do it once and was never able to do it again. The game also requires a level of course memorization as there's numerous hills, tunnels, and speed limits throughout the lines. The speed limits can be annoying your first go around as it may signal them too late for you to slow down in time before the game suddenly stops your train and you get penalized. You can earn back penalty buffer points by signaling your horn at the perfectly right times.The game has some simple but interesting controls. You can speed the train up with 5 different speed levels, and you can slow it down with 8 different brake levels. You also have an emergency brake but it results in penalties if you use it while going too fast. The game is basically trying to keep yourself in line with the time and the proper speeds. You shift your speed and brakes depending on where you are and to try to correct for any mistakes you might have made. The game provides you with zero indication of what you should be doing. You do get your current speed and the amount of meters left to the finish line though, and also the game occasionally provides some vague information every now and then. There is a lot to pay attention to and calculate for in real time. This is where track memorization takes place as there are many times when your train will speed up on its own, even when you have no power going to it. Controlling the train is very tricky and was much more difficult than I imagined it being, I almost always fail, usually just barely but sometimes I completely messed up. Now there is a reason as to why this game is so militant on the time and when you stop. This game was originally an arcade game, and they wanted the game to be more economic for players so they made scoring in the game an extremely difficult task. The idea was so people wouldn't play it a ton and waste all their money on it. This idea sounds insane, especially for a game company to do, but alas, it is what it is. When they ported this game to the PS1 they for whatever reason kept in this factor and didn't make the game more relaxed. I feel this game would be a lot more fun if it had a scoring system such as the ones used in rhythm games, where an imperfect hit still gets points and not a game over. Having the player constantly fail no matter how much they try can make the game become less engaging. I'm fine with extremely difficult games, but the fact that you have to land both to the inch and to the millisecond at the same time to even score is just ridiculous. GraphicsThe graphics and overall atmosphere and aesthetic of this game is awesome. I'm a huge fan of PS1 graphics and graphics of just regular Japanese towns and scenery, and this game is full of it. The lines are either through towns or through more rural areas like the mountains. Sadly the buildings don't have too much variation but they still look great. I love how the rural areas look, very pretty greens and nice composition of the visuals. All of your levels and meters and the sort are easy to see and pop against the scenery. The game overall looks really nice and relaxing. The perspective of the game is out of the train's front window (or in front of the train?), you see the track and scenery ahead of you. The game also has a gallery where you can see and read about tons of trains. The images for the trains in the gallery are real photos which look really cool.Music & SoundWell, hey, this game has some great tracks. Most of the game is only sound effects, but there are a few songs in this game that are all awesome. Its just standard Japanese 90s calm video game background music but I love this kind of stuff and really enjoyed it. The game also comes with a music video and the song is both hilarious and amazing. Most of the game is sound effects only. The sound of the train on the tracks, bells and whistles, the train operator saying the stations and making calls to the passengers, and the sort. As this is a simulation game all the realistic sounds and no music really fits the gameplay. Also of course if you want music you can always put on a CD/record/tape/MP3/lathe/etc. and listen to that while you play.OverallOverall this is an interesting game, the Densha de Go! series is a Japan-only classic so its fun playing the game that started it all, especially considering its historic value and the impact it had. I know train sims have gone back to at least 1985, but the cultural relevance Densha de Go! has had is undeniable. Sadly though, the decision to keep in the odd choices in the arcade version made for an overly difficult game. As you would only need to buy this once there's no need for it to be difficult to be economical. I believe making the game more relaxed or adding a scoring system with a wider range would've really helped this game, as having to be absolutely perfect to not get penalized is a bit much. This is a fun game with a great concept, good graphics, and a relaxing developed atmosphere, but its plagued with overly precise goals and hefty penalties. If you're a train otaku or enjoy train simulators and want to take up the challenge, then maybe check out this game, but it definitely wont be easy on you. PostscriptI should note for people who begin the Densha de Go! series with this game, the series gradually becomes a bit more relaxed with later titles.
Densha de Go! All series
The series has continued long past this particular installment, though, with the most recent addition, Densha De Go Hashirou Yamanote-sen, being released on Switch and PS4 in 2020. And yeah, you can get a special controller for those versions too (please, Destructoid?).
For those unfamiliar with the series, Densha de Go is atrain simulator developed by Square Enix/Taito. But instead of the ugly Westerncommuter or freight trains, you take command of in games such as Train Simulatorand Train Sim World; here, you are at the helm of the aesthetically pleasing, efficient,and reliable trains of Japan.
Densha de Go! (DenshadeGo!, lit: "Go by Train") is a Japanese train simulator game series originally released by Taito and more recently by Square Enix (who purcashed Taito) and Railfan Holdings Co, Ltd. The game originates in arcade version in 1996, then later ported to the PlayStation in 1997.
Densha de GO! 64 is the Nintendo 64 entry in one of the most successful train simulator series in Japan. Features an actual train controller, and uses the N64 Voice Recognition Unit to announce the signals for bonus points. This game is an port of Densha de GO! 2 Kosoku-hen 3000-bandai, which was released about an year earlier on the arcades.
The "Densha de GO!" series is a popular train driving simulation game that realistically reproduces actual train lines.The first game was released in arcades in 1997, and since then, many other titles have been released for both arcades and home use, incorporating the routes of each era.Since then, many titles have been released in both arcades and homes, incorporating the routes of each era.In March 2021, the latest title in the series, " Densha de GO! Hashirou Yamanote Line " was released on PS4 and Nintendo Switch and is a huge hit, but there is one disappointment.That's right! The "Densha de GO!" series' best feature, the dedicated master controller, also known as the mass controller, has not been released yet!The "Densha de GO!" series must be played with a mass controller, and the release of such a controller has been eagerly awaited, but finally! The "Densha de GO!" series must be played with a mass controller.
The "Densha de GO! Dedicated One-Handle Controller for Nintendo Switch" will be released on August 5, 2021 for 14,850 yen (tax included). Pre-orders are currently being accepted on Amazon.co.jp and will be closed while supplies last!Fans of the "Densha de GO!" series will be eagerly awaiting this mass production, and there is a possibility that the planned number of units will be reached early.Reserve your copy now and get your own "Densha de GO! Hashirou Yamanote Line" to the fullest!For details, see "Densha de GO! One-Handle Controller for Nintendo Switch" product page for more details! 2ff7e9595c
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