Densha de Go! 2 Kōsoku-hen
Densha de Go! 2 Kōsoku-hen is a train simulator. It is part of the Densha de Go! series. It was released in the arcades in Japan in 1998. It was ported to PlayStation, Nintendo 64, WonderSwan, Neo Geo Pocket Color, Windows, Dreamcast, and Game Boy Color. The Nintendo 64 version is titled Densha de Go! 64.
Gameplay
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.Unique to the Nintendo 64 version 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 to the next station as well as a fixed time that the train is 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 away from the remaining time they have to complete their task.
As with most Densha de Go! games, a special controller was available for the Nintendo 64 version, which is plugged into controller outlet 3, while the Voice Recognition Unit microphone is inserted into controller outlet 4, and a standard controller is 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 braking speeds 1–8, emergency brake, and doors opening. Between these two levers is a slot in which the player can place a pocket watch or stop watch to keep the time as they drive. There are five buttons, A, B, C, Start, and Select. The select button acts as the Z button to show distance to the next stop, in some game variations.
Release
Densha de Go! 2 was exhibited at the February 1998 AOU Show.The game was ported to Nintendo 64 as Densha de Go! 64 in Japan in 1999. The game was available standalone or in an "Engineer's Pack" bundle with the Voice Recognition Unit microphone accessory, which is used to announce train stations to passengers, Densha de Go! 64 is one of only two games to include VRU support the accessory, alongside Hey You, Pikachu!. A train-driving controller for this version was also sold separately, which simulates actual train controls.
In order to celebrate 3000 active Densha de Go! 2 arcade units, Taito released a new version of the game titled Densha de Go! 2 Kōsoku-hen 3000-bandai to the arcades. This version was ported to Dreamcast in 2000.