Overview
Densha de Go! 2 Kousoku-hen (loosely translated to "Go by Train! 2: High-Speed Edition", also known as "Let's Go by Train! 2") is an electric train driving simulation game developed and released by Taito for arcades in Japan on March 1998.
The sequel to the 1997 game Densha de Go!, Densha de Go! 2 features an updated user interface and a new set of real-life train routes (the Hokuhoku Line, the Akita Shinkansen, and an alternate version of the Keihin-Tōhoku Line) with different difficulty levels and sub-routes.
The game later received an update on September 1998, known as Densha de Go! 2 Kousoku-hen: 3000-bandai (loosely translated to "Go by Train! 2: High-Speed Edition, 3000 Series"). This version extends the number of courses (most of which are alternate versions of the included routes with different vehicles) while adding parts of the Yamanote Line and Tōkaidō Main Line (both of which differ from the parts from the original game).
Both versions of the game received console ports, and the 3000 Series version was later included in an update to the 2017 arcade game Densha de Go!! (as a bonus game mode, known as "Fukkoku-ban"). The game was also used as the base for the console spin-offs Densha de Go! Professional Shiyou, Densha de Go! Nagoya Tetsudou-hen, and Kisha de Go!.
Routes
Unlike the previous game, each route in Densha de Go! 2 has multiple sub-routes with different difficulty levels, each changing the trains used and/or changing the route itself:
- Shokyuu (Beginner Class)
- Chuukyuu (Intermediate Class)
- Joukyuu (Advanced Class)
- Tokkyuu (Special Class)
In the 3000 Series version, routes are split into four groups:
- Hokuriku Route (Hokuhoku Line)
- Tohoku Route (Akita Shinkansen, Ōu Main Line, Tazawako Line)
- Kanto Route (Keihin-Tōhoku Line, Yamanote Line)
- Kansai Route (Tokaido Main Line)
Hokuhoku Line
Begins at the northern tip of the Shinetsu Main Line (at Naoetsu) and runs eastward through the whole Hokuhoku Line, ending at Muikamachi.
Not included in the "Fukkoku-ban" version.
- Beginner Class (Type HK100) - Ends earlier at Uragawara.
- Intermediate Class (Series 485) - Added in 3000 Series.
- Advanced Class (Type HK100, Rapid)
- Special Class (Series 681) - Hidden in the original Arcade version.
Akita Shinkansen
The original version of the game has a small eastward part of the Akita Shinkansen, from Akita to Ōmagari. The 3000 Series version includes an extended version that runs through the entire route, ending at Morioka.
- Intermediate Class (Series E3)
- Intermediate Class (Series E3) - From Ōmagari to Morioka. Added in 3000 Series.
- Special Class (Series E3) - Stricter speed limit.
- Special Class (Series E3) - Extends to Morioka. Added in 3000 Series. Hidden in the Arcade version.
In both Special Class routes, exceptional performance can lead to a bonus round in the Tōhoku Shinkansen where players drive a Series 200 from Morioka to Shin-Hanamaki. This bonus route can be played on its own in the N64 version (as a hidden unlockable) with three trains: Series 200, Series E3, and Series E2.
Ōu Main Line
Added in 3000 Series.
The game includes the part of the Ōu Main Line that shares the same track as the Akita Shinkansen, from Akita to Ōmagari.
- Intermediate Class (Series 701)
Tazawako Line
Added in 3000 Series.
The game includes the part of the Tazawako Line that shares the same track as the Akita Shinkansen, from Tazawako to Morioka.
- Intermediate Class (Series 701)
Keihin-Tōhoku Line
The game includes a part of the Keihin–Tōhoku Line that spans northward through most of the Tokyo region, from Shinagawa to Ueno. Later versions expand this route, starting at Yokohama.
- Intermediate Class (Series 209) - From Shinagawa to Ueno.
- Intermediate Class (Series 209) - From Yokohama to Shinagawa. Can be extended to Ueno through exceptional performance. Added in 3000 Series.
- Intermediate Class (Series 209) - From Yokohama to Ueno. Dreamcast version only.
Yamanote Line
Added in 3000 Series.
The game includes the southern half of the Yamanote Line, running clockwise from Tokyo to Shinjuku. This route appears in the first game, albeit in the opposite direction.
- Advanced Class (Series 205)
Tōkaidō Main Line
Added in 3000 Series.
This game includes the "JR Kobe Line" part of the Tōkaidō Main Line from Osaka to Kobe. While the railway appears in the first game, that version runs the "JR Kyoto Line" part.
- Intermediate Class (Series 207) - Not included in the "Fukkoku-ban" version.
- Intermediate Class (Series 223)
- Advanced Class (Series 201) - Not included in the "Fukkoku-ban" version.
- Advanced Class (Series 221)
Osaka Loop Line
PS1 version only.
This version includes the western half of the Osaka Loop Line, running counter-clockwise from Osaka to Tennoji.
- Intermediate Class (Series 103)
- Special Class (Series 223)
Kagoshima Main Line
PS1 version only.
This version includes part of the Kagoshima Main Line northward from Hakata to Kokura.
- Advanced Class (Series 813) - Starts later at Orio.
- Special Class (Series 883)
Ports & Re-releases
Like the first game, Densha de Go! 2 received multiple console ports:
- The 3000 Series version was ported to the Nintendo 64 (as Densha de Go! 64) on July 23, 1999. Along with practice courses and bonus unlockables, this version is notable for supporting the Voice Recognition Unit peripheral (the only other game being Hey You, Pikachu!). A special bundle was released including the peripheral, and a special controller peripheral was made for the game.
- The 3000 Series version was also ported to the Dreamcast on January 20, 2000. A special controller peripheral was made for the game.
The original version of the game was also ported to Windows PCs (by Unbalance on March 18, 1999) and received multiple handheld adaptations: one for the WonderSwan (on October 7, 1999 as Densha de Go! 2), one for the Neo Geo Pocket Color (on October 21, 1999 as Densha de Go! 2 on Neo Geo Pocket), and one for the Game Boy Color (by CyberFront on December 8, 2000 as Densha de Go! 2).
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