Densha de Go! - A Plug & Play Train Simulator
I’ve had my head buried in putting this video together for the past few days. It’s only now once I’ve reached the end that I can see I’m probably the only person here remotely interested in this topic.
Well never mind, it’s done now, no going back. Here’s the video. Enjoy the remainder of your Chrimbertween and thanks again for all your Christmas wishes over the last few days.
UPDATE - Amazon Japan Link https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/dp/B08D9H9GB6
If you’re ever planning on ordering from Amazon Japan you’ll need to set up a new account there as any non-Japanese ones won’t work. The language can be changed to English at the top of the page.
FULL TEARDOWN HERE: https://mazu-bunkai.com/bunkai-wp/engineering/7181/ (Thanks to Robert on youtube for the link)
Comments (115)
I am so glad that you reviewed this item. They recently release a Nintendo Switch version of the game: https://www.play-asia.com/go-by-train-hashiro-yamanote-line/13/70e1pp and I purchased it. It took a long time to get here but I received my copy today! I just got done playing it and it is as awesome as I hoped it would be.
I bought that as well after the video. Unfortunately I haven’t had much time to play it, but it’s certainly a big step up. The speed limits work a bit differently - seems very strict.
Nice Matt, yet again you make what sounds like a boring subject genuinely entertaining. If you find a way to hook your train simulator up to the internet and practice diligently, you'll eventually get a job offer from JNR ;-)
Somewhat unrelated but I really like the looks of the Sony CD clock radio. I bought one from eBay after I watched this video. I'm not sure why, but there's just something about the design that I really like.
That was the exact same feeling I had when I saw it. I wasn’t disappointed either, it’s a really nice little device.
If I have learned one thing for my own YouTube from you matt it’s you can’t please everybody and you allways get moaners , but if they watch it and moan they still watched it , like in the NWA film when they crush the records
Hi matt I hate the whole telling people how to suck eggs thing but it’s genuine train simulator geek feedback
I was concerned about all the “ThAtS nOt A SiMuLaToR!!i!!1!” Type comments from those same Train Simulator Aficionados.
I Deffo think having “train simulator “ missing from the main title will cost views ,a reply from a train geek I just send the video too
OK, I’ve added it. The title is in danger of getting a bit too convoluted
Thanks for posting this! It's not my thing, but I already know about stuff I like. It's fun to see what other stuff is around that I didn't know about. I really like the quirky Japanese imports.
I have BVE Boso View Express train simulator. It's used in the London Transport Museum in London to simulate a tube train driver with a real cab and video through the window.
Someone might've said it already, but the percentage it shows you when you depart refers to how full the train is. I've never found it to have too much of an effect.
I had no idea. Thanks for the info.
Merry Christmas Mat. What a dinky, cute little controller, but still a neato concept and a good effort from Taito all things considered. Yes a real pity this didn’t get a translation, or at least a translated controller + game re-release for a modern system. I can’t see the appeal but as I get paid to do this in real life, that has probably dulled my excitement over a game version. Thanks for doing a video on it and not just calling it “crap” as I’m certain many would without appreciating what it is trying to achieve. Train spotters in Australia are called “gunzels” and in NZ “foamers” They are generally not liked by drivers but most are generally harmless and interested in big freight trains rather than our metropolitan electric ones.
Foamer is a US term, too, originally applied to the subset of railfans (the more polite and generic term) that foam at the mouth when they see *anything* that uses flanged wheels on steel rails. And yes, engine crews tend to be annoyed by them ... and would certainly *never* admit to anyone that they, themselves, are fans of the business they are in.
Its funny this train the Yamanote Line runs passed my apartment. Its not so fun at 4AM in the morning making a loud horn noise.
I promise to lay off the horn when I’m passing.
What a great video ! That new Sega Astro City Mini is playing the Sega Model 1 arcade board version of Virtua Fighter 1 so maybe these plug and plays are tied for "most powerful" :-)
That’s a good point.
As a retired New York City Subway Motorman, I approve ! It looks pretty cool. We called the people who were really crazy about the trains "train buffs"; there were actually quite a few. LOL when you overran that station - that would be a "trip downtown", and depending on your record, either several "days in the street" (no work, no pay), or a termination. Thanks for the video!
Ah, train simulators. The most expensive game on Steam (the largest PC online game/software delivery platform) is Train Simulator 20xx, currently 2021. The base game itself isn't that expensive, but when you start purchasing expansions –and there are over 600 of them– it can become pricey very quickly. A quick glance tells me that each expansion costs between €4 and €20 — on special offer. So, if you need another rabbit hole, it's right there for you.
This is good enough - I think comparing Densha de Go! to a Train Simulator must be similar to comparing After Burner to a Flight Sim. One is a fun game (for me) the other seems more like an unpaid job.
Open source code etc for the Plug & Play version, maybe someone can use it to add station tunes! :) https://denshadego.net/PP/license.html
Android mobile browser version of original Densha de Go!! PlayStation game to play for free. https://www.jp.square-enix.com/denshadego/syodai/game/
I've ridden a lot of these trains in real life, so I can understand the Japanese affection for them. Although they can get extremely crowded at times, they are generally pretty pleasant. Also, as a Japanese translator who started learning the language about 30 years ago, I really wonder about people who would imply that it's easy to pick up written Japanese. This game in particular would be challenging for a beginner because it uses a lot of place names written in Chinese characters.
Every time I post a video that features any Japanese text there will be two things that I can guarantee will be reposted many many (many) times. 1) Hey have you tried Google Translate? A) Never heard of it. Is that something to do with Altavista? 2) You should learn to read the Japanese characters - it's easy, it'll take a few hours over a few days, but once you've got it then you'll have no problem understanding this stuff. A) OK, but first I've got to become an astronaut so my calendar for doing impossible things is a bit full. Perhaps I should try that Altavista thing someone else mentioned.
In the end, a rather simple idea with a surprisingly good effect.
What a fascinating game! It would be interesting to hear from an actual train driver how accurate it is as an experience. Not long ago, Japan Railways had to issue an apology because one of their Shinkansen bullet trains left the station 10 seconds too early. Image that in the UK where you need a calendar rather than a watch to time the trains! Great video as always, Mat.
OK, I *am* one of those train people ... and if there was a version of this with English on the screen, I'd probably annoy my spouse and get one ...
Speaking as a man who is halfway through a round-the-world, real time of day, real-time weather epic in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, I heartily endorse this video. I also wish I'd never started it!
Oddly, despite me living in York and being a frequent visitor to the National Railway Museum (well, less this year, obviously) and being the owner of about twenty British Transport Films DVDs, I'd still not count myself as a huge train fan, either! The DVDs are mainly for my interest in history and film. Also, I've started watching 1960s Coronation Street from the beginning as best as I can with what's available on DVD and YouTube. Was that a spoiler for a future character at the 2.27 mark? Tsss, wretched internet. You're not safe anywhere. 😉
Hilda Ogden! LOL. :-D Very nice, momentary "Coronation Street" reference, there at 2:27. RIP Jean Alexander. --- Trains here in the US (Amtrak), and in the UK, are....meh. Not awful, but nothing to rave about. I much prefer trains in Germany and France. Italy's trains are okay, as long as they aren't the small, rattling, local ones. --- Cute game, though. Not the first thing I would think of as a "game category", but it's interesting and novel! --- And Japanese is one of the *hardest* languages to learn for a native English speaker (like Arabic, Mandarin, and Cantonese), as it's a Category 4 language. I wouldn't try to learn Japanese unless I were to move to Japan, or if my lifestyle depended on learning it.
Despite Lord Beeching's best efforts, British Rail (d/b/a a hundred different franchisees) is still better than passenger train service in the US. The only place we get anything approaching their level of service is within 120 miles of NYC where 5 railroads runs loads of trains (on uncoordinated schedules, granted). Their's may well be "meh" but ours is much more meh-er.
Cool video mat. Played train sim world on xbox one, amazing how fun trains sims are. Looks like you had a lot of fun making this video
I loved the psp version.
Was that the FMV (video footage) version? That was one I played a couple of games of.
Another translation project about the basics which are still relevant https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/921050-densha-de-go-final/faqs/34947
Yup, that's my old FAQ. :P
I was wondering what the hole in the middle of the game was, and without you mentioning I was kind of disappointed. But when I looked at the teardown you posted and translated a bit, turns out it's a slot for a pocket watch to seem more realistic! Just thought that was a fun little fact 😁
The platforms in japan have marks where the doors of arriving trains will be and people line up next to those marks. When I saw how the train doors always lined up with the marks I thought there must be some computer control system to achieve that accuracy. But eventually I found out that the drivers are trained to accurately stop even a 16 coach shinkansen to line up with the marks. In Japan I've never seen the doors be more than about 20cm off from the mark.
Indeed, it's almost magic, but alas, so are the whole country of Japan!
As Pin Swede mentioned, the slot on the control unit is not as a cup holder, but for a pocketwatch. Standard equipment for a Japanese train driver, consulted frequently to maintain schedule. https://dime.jp/genre/916314/ In practical application, these slots often have a shield above them to prevent glare from the sun. At least on modern trains. Interestingly, it seems Taito has their own branded release of this watch for Densha de Go. https://youtu.be/aYdslabCNlA
You're right...this game grew on me! If this kind of game were available for the commuter and subway lines in Boston, I'd be very keen to buy it. I bet that regular commuters would have more sympathy for the train drivers. The first time I'm on my usual commuter train after playing the game and it stops ahead of Attleboro "for no reason" I'd be thinking "Dammit...the Amtrak Northeast Regional must be late getting out of Providence again, backing up rail traffic all up the corridor..."
It got this in 2019. The previous version that is although with the new updated software..apparently the intuitive release of this game had bugs that would crash the game almost at the end of the full Chuo line and it would have problem keeping up with frame rates. They recalled all the units (including those taken overseas) and reissued a new flash of the software, which my unit is. Mine was used but was in pristine condition. It is an additive game once you get through the basics. A common complaint you will find on the Amazon.up comments is the lack of the original station music on the Yamanote line. Due to expired copyright this was deleted from mine and the new release, and takes away a little bit of the charm. Never the less it would be a good idea to get this while the price is 150$ as when they discontinue it, the price will spike to 300$ which is what I ended up paying sadly. There is rumour of a PlayStation 4 release at one point, but it may be too late for this.
That’s for all the info - it’s amazing how much people here on Patrons know about this game. I seem to be the least knowledgeable one here. I ordered the new PS4 game though - thanks to advice received earlier in the comments.
I played Trainz Railroad Simulator 2004 many years ago for quiet some time. I really liked to just cruise down the tracks with my train. So I found this video also very interesting and I think I would also have some fun with this Plug and Play Train Simulator, but I think the price is a little bit high for me. But you can be sure, someone will port Doom on this. Could be fun with the train controls.
Time to shine with my extremely limited knowledge of Japan! I just noticed that the chevron-like symbol on the tutorial level in the game menu is the same as used for probationary drivers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoshinsha_mark Makes sense. 😳
...and here’s me thinking it was a book.
By the intro, am I right to assume you got yourself one of those PlayBox WiiStation 365's as well? Anyway, judging by the amount of comments coming in just here on Patreon this looks set to be a hit! Maybe Taito will even release an international version of this? "The only difference between the men and the boys is the size of their toys." 😃 There are certainly plenty of train geeks out there. Saw a movie about Trainspotting once. Not quite the lifestyle I imagined it to be, though. 😳
I remember the toilets being very similar though.
Maybe this guide can be helpful.... https://docs.google.com/document/d/1up2i8Iyv-_imCq7S_UTIUItQTdcaJhLc3AFpvdv361M/edit#heading=h.rj83dw60qet1
Maybe. Thanks.
If I had a basement and an anorak, I’d be ordering this right now. It does look like something I’d enjoy.
I think this game could be fun for a while but I'm afraid that it can get boring after a while. Can't you use that real time google translate camera thing to translate the japanese texts in the game?
You can try - A lot of the text is stylised so isn’t recognised - and then on top of that when you’re actually playing a game you’d have to remember which bit of text resulted in which translation - e.g. does this text bubble mean Station or Speed - is this the one that said brake or was that the one with the other wiggly lines etc. It’s like trying to translate road signs while driving along the road.
fascinating as always... i've seen similar consoles before, but never gotten to take a look at the circuit board inside too!
Mat, here in suburban NYC we have the same hate/hate relationship with our “MTA” (MetroNorth + Long Island Railroad + NYC subway system). Funny enough, as the system is on the brink or collapse due to the pandemic, no one wants it to die. I can walk 4 minutes from my house to a train and 55 minutes later I’m at Grand Central Station in NYC. Blessed.
A hahaha, this is great, I used to see this for sale when I lived there, and it was during the PS2 era!
Mat, if commuting by train for 30 years was a horrible experience, how awful was the idea of driving a car to work? Where I live in the USA, there is nearly no option to driving everywhere, but I have fond memories of train travel from 30 years ago when I was in Germany with the US Army.
It was completely out of the question - I’d still be in the car now from a journey started in the mid-1990s.
Love this video. I've found that I really enjoy train sim games so something like this I would very much enjoy. Might have to spring for it soon. Great video.
Weirdly enough "Dr. Spin" who made that Tetris song was none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber. A bit left field!
That’s a bit of trivia I didn’t know.
Take a look at this Tokyo Metro Train driver workday, and here you can see the above mentioned watch too @ 00.35 https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/watch-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-tokyo-metro-driver-121020
> I’m probably the only person here remotely interested in this topic. I think Nostalgia Nerd covered something similar about two years ago, so rest assured, you're not alone! 🙂 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srcIEJ4RZH4
I wonder how the board inside compares to a Raspberry Pi. I have plenty of respect for train drivers, I'd have more respect if the ones in the UK would actually stop this consistently.
Just got the yellow version brand new @ Tradera, Swedish auction site and only £50! Only one available... sorry https://www.tradera.com/item/3018/432410904/densha-de-go-plug-play-taito-amazon-limited-edition-yellow-ny-#view-item-main
Well that’s a result.
I'm going to go out and buy this, I didn't realize it was out. Nice video
The ICs visible look to be an e-MMC chip, an HDMI interface, and a voltage regulator for processors. Random guess would be it's using an ARM processor of some variety.
FULL TEARDOWN HERE: https://mazu-bunkai.com/bunkai-wp/engineering/7181/ (Thanks to Robert on youtube for the link)
The arcade machine was still in ikebukuro as of last year, but it is like 300yen per go
300 yen de go
I'm slowly working towards a complete collection of the Densha de Go games, including the controllers, you're definitely not the only one. To me, the plug and play looks to be based on Densha de Go! Final, and judging by the graphics i'd say this is a port of the PC version of the game, which would perhaps be a bit more straightforward than porting or emulating the PS2 code.
That makes a lot of sense.
I shot a video of the ad for this game that was playing in the yodobashi in Shinjuku, just a month or two ago.
Is it something you can share.
A Japanese arcade classic, I've always been fascinated by it but never played. I'm actually very excited to watch this haha. There might be a lot more people into this than you'd think.
Looks like it includes a cupholder as well. I actually want one of these now...!
no, see my comment above yours... ;)
Apparently this recess is for your 58mm pocket watch.... :) https://i.postimg.cc/D056MjDY/image.png
Is it possible to se Patreon videos on apple tv?
I’m not sure - how about putting the video in your ‘watch later’ playlist on your computer (by getting through to YouTube by clicking on the video title that appears in the top of the video window on Patreon once it’s playing). Then it should be available in your Apple TV’s YouTube playlists. There might be an easier way too, so if anyone wants to suggest alternative ideas here that would be good.
That intro music is amazing!
I was interested enough to spend something like $300 on a Type2 controller + a copy of Densha de GO Final for PS2 a couple years ago. That was after getting hooked on the much cheaper N64 version. Think a lot of people would be into this kind of game if they were aware it existed, and the plug-and-play release is certainly a lot more approachable.
Thanks for this, I seriously got the bug now and will probably order one from amazon Japan. (or get one on my next Tokyo trip, when that's possible again) On one of my trips to Japan in 2017 I saw the arcade version in a game arcade in Ueno, Ameyoko. Here's two shots from the real stuff, notice the complimentary train drivers uniform which can be used and also notice it's not locked in - in any way.... Only In Japan! :) https://i.postimg.cc/gcwtjNvm/bild.png
Thanks for the picture and yes you can bet there’d be a drunk stumbling around Blackpool in an ill fitting Train Driver’s outfit if they tried that over here.
I was unaware of this game series until now and I have to admit, the game play looks really calming and fun. I would love to own one of these plug and play machines if they were more accessible and preferably in English. However I'm afraid the market for such games is very small outside of Japan so I don't think we will have them in this part of the world any time soon.
Yes unfortunately you’re right. They’ve been knocking out variations of this game for decades and even back when it was a massive hit in Japan when it first appeared they never translated and exported it. Over the years the popularity has waned, so now the chances of any translated versions are slim to none unfortunately.
"...I can see I’m probably the only person here remotely interested in this topic..." Wrong! I could go for that. :-) Like you, I wish it were in English - maybe if enough people like the video they might consider creating a translation? Who knows. A link to where you got it from would be good, please. :)
I’m sorry I forgot that I’d only put the link in the youtube description - not here. So here it is on Amazon Japan https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/dp/B08D9H9GB6 If you’re planning on ordering and you’ve never ordered from Amazon Japan before then you’ll need to set up a new account as the non Japanese ones won’t work. The language can be changed to English at the top of the page.
I absolutely adore this game series! Having lived in Japan and loving trains this game just brings back so many memories! I actually wrote the (unfinished) GameFAQS for the PS2 version of this game back in the day, and I've recently been playing the PS4 version of the recent 3-screen arcade port - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikmOhISsIIM
I have to ask how I’d go about getting this game to work on a UK PS5...is it just a matter of buying the disc. It’s been a long time since I imported any games, so I’m unsure if things have changed.
Hey Mat! Fantastic video. I've been fascinated by this Japanese train series for a long time ever since I saw the Game Center CX episode about it. Not sure if you are familiar with GCCX but its a beautiful and hilarious Japanese show about a comedian called Arino who tries to complete old videogames, his journey is condensed into an hour episode. Its a magazine type show, so him playing the game is intercut with other features such as him going out to arcades etc. Its a very relaxing show and has a very dedicated English fanbase that have been translating the show for nearly a decade. All of the episodes translated are on the internet archive. If you have an hour, here is the episode where he plays Go By Train and it's actually one of the best episodes. https://archive.org/details/game-center-cx-season-12/Game+Center+CX+094+-+Go+by+Train!.avi
I’ll watch that later - many thanks. Also, no, I’d never heard about this before.
I would really like something like this, if it were situated in Europe, like Dutch, German or Swiss. I imagine that they put it the most on commuter travelling since that's actually more fun than doing a high speed train, where you basically don't have a lot to do when you're cruising for a longer time.... Thanks for sharing!
Oh, this is fantastic, i hadn’t heard of the plug and play before. I used to have Densha 2 on the original PlayStation and have spent years trying to find something that replicates its chilled gameplay. All the western railway games are far too serious and involved.
They're still for sale on Amazon.jp - and of course they'll ship internationally. I was amazed when mine arrived before Christmas, because it only took something like two days to get here.
There are many videos of train simulator games on YouTube. I've no interest in playing the games but there's something oddly fascinating about seeing how well a familiar route or location has been simulated. Happy New Year to Mat and his viewers.
I can imagine it would be interesting to recognise your house in one.
Random Question: Does anyone know the purpose of the circular cut-out at the top of the controller. Some non-possibilities: i) An ashtray that would melt. ii) An ill-advised cup holder.
It's for keeping loose change to pay tolls/etc.
I've played an arcade version of this while I was in Japan. It was really fun even though I've no idea what I'm doing at all. Now I miss riding in Yamanote Line so so much. I miss riding in Yamanote line so so much right now.
Of course, the UK equivalent would be a game where you'd have to get a Pacer train between Piccadilly and Chester without losing too many rivets in the bodywork between Mobberley and Delamere.
Hey Mat, that looks so much fun, not really into games much but even I probably could manage that!! Hope you had a good Christmas BTW
It's been surprisingly good. Didn't have to go to any parties or hang around boring relatives houses. Just had a Christmas dinner at home, then subscribed to Disney+ to watch Soul...so all in definitely one of the better ones. Hope yours was as action packed.
There are more people interested in this than you might think. Perhaps throw in a few Japanese sentences in your YouTube video description, and you’ll be surprised how many Japanese viewers will be viewing this. A friend of mine actually bought the arcade machine for this game recently. It’s a blast!!
I saw one that took up a room, with multiple screens. Looked like a flight sim.
This is relevant to my interests! I knew they made a controller but didn't know there was one with the whole game built in. For some reason decent rail controllers are rare, which is odd considering how many people play rail simulators.
There seem to be some pretty heavyweight controllers on Amazon.jp - this one is rather lightweight...but does the job.
I for one am at least mildly interested in this. Played a much older version at a friends house, if memory serves. I believe he had brought it from Japan.
I'll take mildly - This should be the Mildly Interesting Channel.
Your wrong matt I suspect this will be very popular, Ill put money on it being the new prision tec
I'll take that bet - it may be the only money this one will earn. ;-)