Densha de Go! 64

Densha de Go! 64
Developer(s)	Taito
Publisher(s)	Taito
Platforms	Nintendo 64
Release date(s)
Genre(s)	Vehicle simulation game
Mode(s)	Single player

Densha de Go! 64 (電車でGO!64, Go by Train 64) is a train driving simulation game for the Nintendo 64. It was released in Japan on July 30, 1999. Densha de Go! is the only game that works with the special N64 version train driving controller which simulates actual train controls, and one of two games that uses Nintendo 64's "Voice Recognition Unit" or "VRS" as it is known in Japan. Like Hey You, Pikachu!, it is packaged with or without a microphone (called the Engineer's Pak), which is used to announce train stations to passengers. It is part of the Taito Densha de Go! series.

Playability

With 13 vehicles, on 16 missions, there are 7 main lines: Hokuhoku Line, Akita Shinkansen Line, Ōu Main Line, Tazawako Line, Keihin-Tōhoku Line, Yamanote Line, and the Tōkaidō Main Line.

New to N64 is a "Beginner Mode" which allows 999 seconds for the player to complete either the Training Course, or Practice Course. The player is given an allotted amount of time to bring their train into the next station as well as a fixed time that the train was expected to arrive. If the player goes around curves too fast, stops suddenly or incurs other such dangers of train operation a few seconds are taken way from the remaining time they have to complete their task.

Densha de Go! 64, Controller

Densha de Go 64, Controller by Taito for N64

As with most Densha de Go! games, the N64 version has a special controller which is plugged into controller outlet 3, while the voice mic is inserted into controller outlet 4, and a standard controller in outlet 1. It consists of a switch on the left that goes up and down, and it controls the train's speed, all five of its drive speeds, and Neutral. The handle on the right controls the breaking speeds 1–8, Emergency brake, and doors opening. Between these two levers is a depression in which that the player can place a pocket watch or stop watch (not included but designed to look more realistic) to keep the time as they drive. There are five buttons, A, B and C, a start and select button, the select button acting as the Z button to show distance to the next stop, in some game variations.

Reception

On release, Famitsu magazine scored the game at 32 out of 40.

See also

• Arcade game
• History of rail transport
• List of Nintendo 64 games
• List of Taito games
• Shinkansen
• Simulation game
• Hey You, Pikachu!