New Game - Densha De Go!! Hashirou Yamanote Sen (Go by Train!! Drive the Yamanote Line)
After going to Magfest earlier this year, I saw crowds surrounding this large arcade machine where players were simulating operating a Japanese commuter. It looked fascinating and the controls looked wild.
After getting home, I discovered that one of the more recent versions of the game had been ported to the Nintendo Switch. I himmed and hawed for a while, but ultimately decided to import the game from Play Asia.
I am glad I did.
The game begins by introducing you to the controls. You are driving a train between stops on a commuter line. That's the basic premise. You have to turn off your lights when other trains pass; honk at train fans and folks standing too close to the tracks; and make sure you stop exactly at the end of the line to ensure commuters can enter / exit the train.
This is very much a timing based game; you have to hit buttons or pull back the brakes at precise moments to ensure that you actually stop on time. It makes for some unique challenges. My first few shots, I overshot the first stop by about 40 meters. My most recent attempt, I was about 40 centimeters off. I'm definitely getting better.
Now onto the difficulty for an English speaker like me - the entire game is in Japanese with no English language options. That can pose a challenge, but tireless fans of the franchise have spent tons of time translating all of the menu screens. With fan translations of the menus, I've had no difficulty navigating through the game.
This is a very different game for me and I found myself having a blast. Glad I got it. As are my kids as both of my twin 9 year olds have played and keep asking to borrow it.
They have to wait. I have commuters to help first...