by Scott Moore
For openers, this article is designed to let our readers know about a video game that exists, which is quite entertaining (even for non-rail enthusiasts). It is easy to learn how to use, quite challenging, and does a good job at simulating the operation a variety of a passenger trains!
This is the Japanese train simulation game called, "Densya de Go!" (Let's Go By Train!), and is not sold in North America through normal outlets (though I have gotten it through an importer). The reasons that I have heard that the game is not available here is because the software producers in Japan don't see the typical American home video game owner (i.e., the average kid) purchasing a game to run a train. I tend to agree with them in their decision, but disagree that the game would not sell here in the US and Canada, as the rail enthusiasts would likely purchase the game (maybe a market that they have not considered?)!
Densya de Go!, was widely popular with the Japanese youth as a "coin-op" game. Today, it is available for the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Genesis, but only systems capable of playing Japanese games (there is a geographic lock-out system which is supposed to prevent the use of Japanese games on US PlayStations, which can be overridden). There is also PlayStation emulation software which allows PlayStation games to be played on a G3 Macintosh (you need to download a patch to make the Japanese games work, though).
(From Densya de Go! 2) Your perspective in the game is looking out the
train's windshield. 1) Shows throttle position. 2) Time due at station. 3)
"Present" time. 4) Points remaining. 5) To the left, the train type, below,
a picture of the train. 6) Names of stations operating between (I think).
7) Position of brake handle, 8) This symbol means that there is no posted
speed restriction present. 9) Distance to station stop marker, which can
be shut off to make game harder! 10) Speedometer in km/h.
Running through a city on a massive elevated right-of-way.
It is my hope to try to either a) petition the software manufacturers in Japan to reconsider releasing Densya de Go! in North America (preferably with english translations to the instruction manuals!), or b) let you know that this game does exist, and where to get it if you are interested.
I found out about Densya de Go! last year, when a friend of mine found it in Hong Kong while on business. He bought a Japanese PlayStation, the game disk, and the train controller, and brought back to the US, and found that it worked on his TV here. When I saw the game last year, I was in the process of planning a model railroad (something that my wife was not too keen on at the time), so the purchase of a PlayStation and Densya de Go! became the negotiated compromise (and not one I regret, believe me!)
The original Densya de Go! has four different train lines to operate, three commuter lines (with grade crossings, and express segments), and one rapid transit-type line (no grade crossings, no express stations). One of the commuter lines uses a diesel rail car (complete with diesel sounds and characteristics), the others are electrics.
All of the train lines are supposed to be graphic representations of actual train lines in Japan, giving the local children a chance to operate one of their trains on a line that they are familiar with (imagine having the chance to run an MBTA Red Line train from Harvard to Ashmont in the comfort of your own home!) All of the trains handle a little differently (different acceleration and braking rates) to add to the challenge.
The rain pelts against the windshield in the original Densya de Go! changing
the braking characteristics of the train.
Densya de Go! 2 introduces snow and ice to make life interesting.
In the normal mode, the game starts you with 30 points. When the doors closed light comes on, you must run the train to the next station within the allotted amount of time. The game deducts one point for every second you're late at the next station (going too fast typically generates a yellow signal, as your are catching up to the train *ahead* of you!). When you get to the station, you must also stop the train at the appropriate marker. It is acceptable to stop the train anywhere within one meter of either side of the marker (the game will not deduct points), but if you stop it at the marker, you are given bonus points (usually three points for stopping at the marker, and five points if you stop at the marker within 2 seconds of the actual time you are scheduled to arrive at the station). At the stop, the game will give you an evaluation of your performance and deduct more points for a rough stop (complaints from the passengers, exceeding speed restrictions, etc.), stopping beyond the marker (you lose 2 points for every meter past the marker), or accelerating in the station (short stopping the marker).
There are other duties that the train operator must take care of, like warning track crews doing work on the right-of-way, signalling (with the horn) at grade crossings, bridges, tunnels, and express stations. Also, the operator must watch out for posted speed restrictions (which can vary based on your speed) in the form of slow zones (vary from 75km/h to 25 km/h) and yellow signals (usually 45 km/h).
In the original Densya de Go!, getting too close to your "leader" earns
you a yellow signal and a 45 km/h speed restriction. The next green light
is usually a few hundred meters away, but far enough to usually cost you
some points at the next station.
Passing through a mountain tunnel (in Densya de Go! 2), I've again managed
to get too close to my leader. The second game gives you a 70 km/h speed
restriction. Also in the second game, remember to obey the lowest of the
two posted speed restrictions if the yellow light and a posted speed restriction
are visible simultaneously.
The posted speed for this passing siding is 60 km/h. In the easier levels,
you are given quite a bit of time to slow down. In the harder levels, you
must remember where these slow zones are...
After making a station stop, the game gives you an evaluation. Smooth
stopping, and no powering up in the station, can save you 10 points each,
but here I over shot the marker by two meters...
In Densya de Go! 2, distance to express stations (where you're not going
to stop) is designated by white numbers counting down in the right-hand
corner.
In the process of operating the train, you run through regions of Japan, densely populated cities on the subway line, and open farm land on sections of the commuter trains, all the while passing other trains headed to other destinations, on other lines. The routes are interesting, as is the variety of equipment which visible all seeming to run on their own schedules. Sounds used in the game are quite realistic, and in stereo!
It is very much like operating a busy passenger train on a trunk line!
A drawback to the game are that you can not select where the trains go. There appear to be a variety of branches represented, but you can not switch tracks to take a different route. There also is no mode where you can "shut-off" the time, allowing you to cruise through the route and "investigate" the areas around the route (but neither of these would be allowed in a regularly scheduled passenger service anyway). Otherwise, you are in complete control of the train, including having the ability to stop where you're not supposed to!
Additionally, the game comes high-quality photos, videos, and sounds of actual Japanese trains.
The controller for the original Densya de Go! is a two handle-type train controller, with a power handle (mascon) and a separate brake handle. The power handle has five positions (not including off) to vary acceleration rates and speed. The brake handle has eight service brake positions, and one emergency brake position (not including off). Both handles in the off position means the train will coast (though the train will decelerate slightly as it coasts). One of the buttons on the controller is used for the horn. The regular PlayStation controller is also compatible with Densya de Go!
The original Densya de Go! controller (used to be sold seperately, I don't
know how it's sold now).
The new Densya de Go! 2 controller, sold as a package with the game disk.
Both controllers are compatible with both games.
As with driving a real train, it takes time to get the feel of the equipment, so you will need to work with the game for a while to learn the routes, and where the slow zones are, and learn the braking characteristics for each train.
In March of 1999, Densya de Go! 2 was released. The principles of the game are the same, but there have been some changes. The new game has eight new routes, many of which have express stops. The new game also has two of the new generation Bullet-type trains, a variety of commuter trains (including this one single-unit HK100 car which is somewhat reminiscent of an updated Chicago 1-50 PCC car!), and an older-style rapid-transit train which runs mostly on an EL structure! Most of the new trains have AC propulsion noises (but not all!), and a new one-handle controller similar to those used on newer equipment (with neutral, five power points, eight service braking points, and emergency brakes).
Our HK100 passes another HK100 departing from a station. The trains in Densya de Go! run on the left-hand track, unlike North American transit operations.
The games are quite entertaining, the new routes are even more interesting than the ones on the original. Best of all, I have not had to disrupt my house building a model railroad, though that may still happen one day! :)
The game disks and the controllers averaged to about $100 per set, and the modified PlayStation ran me about $160 (but unlike my friends Japanese PlayStation, my modified PlayStation plays both Japanese games and games designed for North America). Certainly cheaper and faster to set up than the scratch-built model railroad I had planned, and fits neatly on a shelf.
If you think that Densya de Go! would be interesting, and would like to see the game offered in North America, please send me an e-mail. If I accumulate enough responses, I would be willing to write to the manufacturer of the game (the Taito Corp.), in an attempt to show them that the game *would* sell here! I would also be willing to provide information as to where to get the game here in the states, and where to get a modified PlayStation.
If you have any Densya de Go! information to add, please feel free to e-mail me.
Oh, and if anyone out there knows Japanese well enough to provide an english translation of the instruction book, I'd be very happy to post it on the web!!!
Add your name to the petition to have Densya de Go! released in North America, CLICK HERE.
Questions on where to buy an imported version of Densya de Go! CLICK HERE.
Additional information or other questions regarding Densya de Go! CLICK HERE.