Densha de Go! Ryojouhen

Overview

Ganbare Unten-shi!! Nonbiri Hashirou Densha no Tabi (loosely translated to "Hang in There, Driver!! Let's Run Leisurely on an Electric Train Trip") is a train driving simulation game developed and released by Taito for arcades in Japan on October 2000.

A spin-off of the Densha de Go! series, Ganbare Unten-shi!! focuses on Japanese light rail transit with two routes: the Enoshima Electric Railway (between the cities of Fujisawa and Kamakura) and the Iyo Railway in the city of Matsuyama. While the overall concept of the game is the same as the main series, with players driving an electric train between stops while managing the railway rules, the game includes unique controls and gameplay mechanics due to the older, lower-speed style of train.

The game was later ported to both the PlayStation 2 (on July 25, 2002) and PC (by Unbalance on June 5, 2003) as Densha de Go! Ryojou-hen (loosely translated to "Go by Train! Emotional Travel Edition"). This version features a revamped graphical engine (with a new interface and higher-quality 3D graphics), an updated scoring system, five new routes (two from the Keifuku Electric Railway, two from the Hakodate Transportation Bureau, and one from the Iyo Railway), new route options (including different times of day and the option to play the route in the opposite direction), and several unlockable trains.

Gameplay

Both throttle and braking levers are changed, with the throttle lever acting more like an automobile's manual shifter and the brake lever now applying or releasing the air brake directly (with a gauge to show the current brake pressure and a "G-Sensor" gauge to detect how heavy the player is braking).

While players no longer have to worry about maintaining a speed limit, being strict on the timetable, or using the horn, they are now tasked with opening and closing the doors at each station (using special switches, one for each side of the train), as well as making announcements on arrival and departure (using a single button). The time-based penalty system is replaced with a "lives" system ("penalty points" in the home versions).

In addition, some routes have players now dealing with street traffic, requiring them to follow traffic signals.

Routes & Trains

The Arcade version has two routes, each with four difficulties: Shokyuu (Beginner Class), Chuukyuu (Intermediate Class), Joukyuu (Advanced Class), and Pro-kyuu (Professional Class). The Shokyuu difficulty adds some tutorial elements while shortening the route.

The Home version includes several new routes, with four time-of-day settings (alogn with one that uses the system clock to approximate the proper time-of-day) and the option to play the route in the opposite direction (which is unlockable). Rather than difficulty settings, the game includes two game modes: Nonbiri ("Leisurely") and Honmono ("Genuine").

Iyo Railway

These routes takes place through the city of Matsuyama, in the southern Shikoku region.

In the Arcade version, only one route was available (Route 5), which goes through part of the Ōtemachi Line and the entirety of the Jōnan Line. The train used is the MoHa 50 Series, No. 57. The Shokyuu difficulty ends earlier at the Ōkaido tram stop.

A second route (Route 3) was added in the Home version. While that route shares most of the use of the Jōnan Line, it instead starts on the Hanazono Line to Minami-Horibata Station.

• Route 5 - From the entrance of JR Matsuyama Station to Dōgo Onsen Station.
• Route 3 - From the entrance of Matsuyama City Station to Dōgo Onsen Station.

Enoshima Electric Railway

This route takes place between the cities of Fujisawa and Kamakura, in the central Kanto region.

In the Arcade version, the train used is the 100 Series, No. 108. The Shokyuu difficulty ends earlier at Enoshima Station.

• Enoshima Electric Railway Line - From Fujisawa Station to Kamakura Station.

Keifuku Electric Railway

Added in the Home version.

These routes takes place through the city of Kyoto, in the southern-central Kansai region. While both routes take separate lines, both in their entirety, one station appears in both (Katabiranotsuji Station).

• Arashiyama Main Line - From Shijō-Ōmiya Station to Arashiyama Station.
• Kitano Line - From Katabiranotsuji Station to Kitano-Hakubaichō Station.

Hakodate City Transportation Bureau

Added in the Home version.

These routes takes place through the snowy city of Hakodate, in the northern Hokkaido region. Both routes follow the entirety of Yunokawa Line and Ōmori Line, followed by part of the Main Line up to the Jūjigai tram stop. From there, it either follows the rest of the Main Line (Route 5) or branches off to the entire Hōrai-Yachigashira Line (Route 2).

• Route 5 - From Yunokawa Station to the entrance of Hakodate Dock.
• Route 2 - From Yunokawa Station to the Yachigashira tram stop.