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The PC has developed itself from a boring office machine into the most veratile machine in the world that could perform the widest variety of tasksk, from boring word-processing to the wildest adventure and shoot-them-up games. Of course, simulation is something that a PC could do very well, maybe even better than the PlayStation could do. There are a few train simulation games available with Japanese trains and Japanese routes.
Microsoft Train Simulator by Microsoft
Platform: PC running under MS-Windows 98 or newer. Add-ons available from Microsoft and many 3rd parties.
This computer-generated graphics simulator is supplied with a number of routes, including 2 Japanese routes. New routes and trains can be added later and there are many add-ons available, and Japanese trains and routes are no exception. MS Train Simulator is technically based on the famous MS Flight Simulator, but of course different to operate. You can mix trains and routes, it is possible to let the Flying Scotsman run through the suburbs of Tokyo! For optimum performance your PC should rum at at least 700MHz, preferably 1GHz or more. This is demanding software!
Trainz by Auran
Platform: PC running under MS-Windows 98 or newer.
This more or less a model railway layout in your computer! Again you can choose for a number of trains from all around the world, including Japanese trains. You can create your own liveries and trains with add-on modules. It is also possible to add terrain textures, rivers, mountains and buildings etc.
Train Simulator by Ongakukan
A train simulator classic from Japan. A wide range of routes is
available, ranging from rural branch lines to busy city lines and
anything in between. Latest is the Kyushu Shinkansen and its connecting
'Relay Tsubame' service. A German route along the rivewr Rhine is
also available. Controls are much like 'Densha de Go!', but the image
is video recorded from a running train. When playing, you control the
advance of the frames, and the image will get a bit jerky when running
at slow speeds. A special controller is also available, but as far as I
know this controller can only be used with Sony's PlayStation2 console.
Boso View Express by Mackoy
Platform: PC under MS-Windows 98 or newer.
This simulator is available for free! The standard version runs only under PCs with a Japanese operating system and Japanese BIOS. Some routes have been translated and will run on a US or European PC. Have a look at Crotrainz for information on how to adapt BVE and its routes for use on non-Japanese PC's.
Densha de Go!
Many Densha de Go! titles are now available for the PC through Unbalance. As these games have become obsolete for the console market, they have been ported to the PC by Unbalance. You can download demos from Unbalance's website (japanese language). Good fun to give them a try!
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