Densha de Go - a niche train driving game that’s more fun that you might think!

Many years ago when I owned a Sony PSP I tracked down on eBay from a seller in Hong Kong a copy of the massively popular (in Japan anyway) train driving game, Densha de Go!, and that was where my love for the game began.  Because the PSP is region free it played perfectly and handily for me English instructions were provided giving details of all the controls too.  The basic objective of the game is to drive a suburban train on various different lines around Tokyo, however you must stick to the advertised speed limits, sound your horn and dim your lights (Japanese politeness) for passing trains, make sure you keep to time and most importantly time your braking on arrival at a station to stop at the correct point, the PSP version looked great and I had an absolute blast playing it. The series was released on many different machines including Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS and WonderSwan to name but a few.

After I sold my PSP and the game I thought my Densha playing days were over, then last year a Switch version was released in Japan which I managed to purchase thanks to Play Asia and I’m very glad I did as it’s every bit as good as the PSP version I enjoyed! You begin the game with just two trains and two lines but more can be unlocked through the Mission mode which carries various objectives which have to be completed, if you achieve a decent enough ranking you unlock more trains and lines to drive on, a freeplay mode is also available where, as with the PSP version you have to stick to the speed limit, sound your horn, dim your lights, keep to time and time your braking perfectly at stations.

The game being in Japanese is not a major issue and it’s pretty self-explanatory although an excellent English translation guide is available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1up2i8Iyv-_imCq7S_UTIUItQTdcaJhLc3AFpvdv361M/edit

As you can see from the screenshot at the top of this post the game looks great and is a lot more fun and entertaining than you’d think a train driving game would be, it’s a strangely Zen-like and calming experience and one I’m glad I discovered all those years ago!

For added realism a dedicated Switch controller for the game is available in Japan, I hope at some point to get hold of this as it would definitely add to the fun!

Wave Race 64 (N64) Review

Many years ago when I owned an N64 undoubtedly one of my favourite games was Wave Race 64 and thanks to my Powkiddy X18s handheld and the excellent Mupen N64 emulator it still is! Let me just start by saying I absolutely LOVE this game! And over the next couple of paragraphs I shall attempt to explain why…..

Firstly, the graphics - these are fantastic with some really clever effects, from the water which gets increasingly rough and choppy the further you get into the game to the Drake Lake course (my favourite course) which begins shrouded in mist which gradually burns away as your three lap race progresses, it’s just stunning stuff.  The jet-skis look amazing as to the people steering them.

Next audio and controls, the music is just brilliant, fits each course perfectly and is really catchy! Also you’re treated to occasionally verbal notes in the game such as ‘OK’, ‘Everybody’s behind you!’, and should you finish first in a race - ‘BANZAI!’   The controls are perfect too and really easy to master, one button to accelerate, one to brake and the analogue stick to control your jet-ski around the red and yellow buoys all of which have to be passed around to either the left or the right, miss too many and it’s game over!

The normal difficulty level on the game is a very good starting point and is actually quite easy, it’s possible to finish each course in at least 1st or 2nd place thus earning you a place on the podium, the other difficulty levels however present a more considerable challenge so the game eases you in gently!

I cannot recommend this game highly enough, it was brilliant on the N64 then and it’s still brilliant now! It’s totally worth buying a second-hand N64 (or a Powkiddy X18s handheld) just to play this game, it really is that good!

A GameCube Wave Race game was later released, Blue Storm which is reasonably playable on the Dolphin Emulator but early next year I plan on tracking down a second-hand GameCube on eBay with a copy of the game and when I do I shall be reviewing that as well!   For now Wave Race 64 will keep me entertained nicely!  TRJ RATING : 5/5