Topic: Japanese Rail Sim 3D: Journey in the Suburbs #1

Japanese Rail Sim 3D: Journey in the Suburbs #1 is a train simulator apparently releasing on the eShop next week (in NA) for $9.99.

Unlike A-Train, this one looks to be all about conducting the train from the inside, with all your relevant nobs, buttons, gauges, etc. on the touch screen, while the top screen presents your view from the conductor's seat. The neat thing is that all footage up top is actual video of the real world tracks your riding in the Japanese countryside!

It's page can be found by going to the advanced search, and searching with no particular parameters set.

Yesssss! Is this one of the Sonic Powered ones? I remember seeing one of them in their "localization" page (which I visited because I reallly wanted another Airport Hero to come here), and got excited but then forgot about it because I figured it was just getting localized to some other market.

Is this coming to NA at all? I have Trainz 2009 on PC and it's pretty cool.

World said something interesting. Is this an actual train sim like the ones on PC or is it like Airport Hero Hawaii where it's a puzzle game disguised as a 'simulator'? I can't find any articles of this game at all.

I wish Sony handhelds got simulations. It seems they're all coming to Nintendo handhelds. Still would be nice to play one on a bigger screen though.

Okay, the screenshot Barbiegurl777 posted is from Sonic Powered so I assume it's another puzzle game with the word 'sim' in the title, although after looking at the trailer, I can't actually tell if it's a sim or a puzzle game.

It seems like it'll be just a train driving game, but it's Sonic Powered so I would expect more Airport Hero and less Trainz 2009.

Here's a link to one of the many videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=47&v=VwMgJ6Mb16Q

I actually was editing my post at the same time you were typing a reply. Since it's from Sonic Powered, it's probably another puzzle game then and not a true simulator. That's fine though, as Airport Hero is pretty good, although an actual train sim would've been nice too.

Apparently there are a bajillion Airport Hero titles for the 3DS....

Gah, I KNOW RIGHT? The most recent one came with a toy airplane or something. And they introduced the inside-the-plane camera at some point.

I can see how a sim fan would want nothing to do with these games, but they're the kind of thing where if you like what's being offered, there's no such thing as too much of a good thing! But maybe I'd think differently if they localized a few more...

To some of the questions:

1. Yes, it's coming to NA. How I found out about it is by going to the advanced search function in the eShop (I'm in NA), and I searched without any particular parameters set. It was one of four upcoming titles that popped up (the others being Ninja Usagimaru & Swords & Darkness for the same week, as well as Comic Workshop 2 for the week after that).

2. Yes, it's developed by Sonic Powered.

3. As for actual gameplay style, it appears you're actually driving the train. The top screen shows actual video of the real world tracks you're riding, but I'm not sure if that makes it more likely to be a genuine sim (to give you an extra sense of realism), or a puzzle title (maybe the real footage is just there to give you something cool to look at while you do your "puzzling" on the bottom screen).

Thanks for the info, RR529. I thought you meant look on the Japanese eshop for info, but that wouldn't make any sense if you said 'in NA.'

This game certainly sounds neat, but I'm concerned about the longevity. Airport Hero has unlimited scenarios thanks to the camera feature, but with this game, it seems that once you travel through the Nagaragawa Railway, you've seen all the sights and there's nothing left to do afterwards. It's not like planes where they have the freedom of the skies. Trains can only go on rails. It's not like you can make your own track layout and travel on it, especially when the graphics are videos from the actual location. I'd like to have more info on this game before deciding whether to get it or not.

It doesn't help that Dr. Mario is coming the same week too, and both are the same price, $12.48 Canadian. HMMMMM.

BTW, I was trying to look up more info about this game online, and the very first link that shows up in a Yahoo! search result is this very thread! How about that?

Though I guess it's kind of sad that this thread is apparently the most relevant place on the entire internet in regards to this game at the moment, according to Yahoo! at least...

Yeah I did the same. Other than this thread and the official website (which is rather useless since it's all in Japanese), I can't find a single bit of info on this game. I never even heard of it until this thread. It's not really surprising though. Incredibly niche games like this on a console/handheld are usually overlooked. Despite that though, Airport Hero and A-Train had more coverage than this game.

I wish I could get learn more before launch but I guess I'll have to wait til people have played it.

Even though Dr. Mario is also coming out too, and I'm kind of in the middle of too many games right now, I'm debating just getting this. Even if there's one rail line, I'll probably just replay it. If it turns out to be as simplistic as that, at least it won't take long to come up with some impressions!

I'd love to hear your impressions! Tell us how it is and what you do in it.

Will do! I'm just super excited that this is really coming to North America! Also, I checked the info on the eShop and it says something about how high scores unlock trivia, so I guess another Sonic Powered Puzzlesim confirmed?

After watching that video I'm buying Day 1! bring me that train!

This game is HARD. Playing the demo and I can't stop in time at the next platform.
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Okay I finally made it on my third try and earned a C grade for my efforts.

Okay after several more tries, I got a B for both legs. WOW. AMAZING. It's a MIRACLE.

Okay finally got my first 'A' and unlocked some history on that trip. Neat. Anyway, this game is pretty neat. Not sure if I can get it though. I want Dr. Mario too and both games are at least $13, which is a little above my budget right now.

I like the game but it only has 11 train stations. I beat the demo in about 20 minutes with A scores on each section of track. I'm wondering if the game is really short like a 5 hour game. I really like the game but I wanted to pick up Swords and Darkness today along with this but I'm about a Dollar short with my Eshop credit. I've been saving 16 dollars to get Gotcha Racing in a week or two when it hits the eshop. I'm so tempted to get both games today though. I'm just worried that the Train Driver Sim will be very short experience

Yeah I don't think the game is going to have much replayability compared to Air Traffic Hero with its ability to make unlimited stages. I'm already thinking of getting Dr. Mario first and wait for a sale for the other game or something.

@Windy
You got A grade on both stations already? Wow. If you're this good, the game may not be much of a challenge for you.

@Donjwolf @Windy So I finally downloaded this (yay!) and the game keeps track of your score for each difficulty level. I haven't played it on hard yet, but it doesn't seem like it unlocks more content as there are twelve entries in the library (one is unlocked from the beginning).

Anyway, I really love it but I've also been waiting for it since December so I'm biased. I can post more impressions as I go if you guys aren't too deep into Dr. Mario and/or Gotcha Racing (I also want THOSE games, but it isn't quite summer vacation yet so I still have to be picky about gaming time)

Yes, more impressions please :3 I actually didn't get Dr. Mario yet. Someone in another forum also said this to me if people are wondering:

"There's apparently multiple difficulties (since the demo is Easy Mode). Getting a high score for each segment also unlocks a bit more of the Gallery/Museum. And if the demo/DdG!'s legacy is any indication, that WON'T be an easy task. The games are pretty unforgiving.

The price is stopping me from getting it too. I don't know how many routes are in the original retail release of the game, but if they're splitting it into individual routes in America and releasing each for $10, I don't think it'll be worth it at the eShop price. Might be better to wait for a sale."

Well I was going to buy either This or Swords and Darkness today after playing both demos of this and swords and Darkness I bought this and will wait for a sale on Swords and darkness. The good news is that this game is great! The Bad News is its a short game for sure on Normal setting. I was able to open everything up in about 4 hours on Normal. I absolutely love the gameplay and Turning off the 3D I felt there was a Graphic improvement playing in Full View. its just a really neat Train Driving game which I have never played before so it was a first time experience for me. Tomorrow I will give Hard difficulty a shot and see what the difference is. I'm glad I got it although I kind of wish I would have waited for a sale. who knows if it will ever get one. but I'm glad I chose this over Swords and Darkness that Demo played so slow for an action game. I am going to hold off on Sword and Darkness till it gets a sale. I think I should have enough to get Gotcha Racing when it comes out in a couple weeks since its 4.50 USD in the Japanese Eshop. I'm excited for that one

Anyway I recommend Japanese Rail Sim if you want to try out something totally unique which we don't get a whole lot of in these types of games. I play with 3d off which bums me out a little bit (I love my 3d) the game just looks better with 3d off. The game pretty much is about keeping your train on Time to the next station and parking near perfect when you pull into the Station. also keep in mind there are speed restrictions for various things on the track like corners and track switches. you also get credit for tooting your horn at the right time. If you can't pick it up now, keep your eyes peeled for future sales. for 9.99 its a short lived experience.