Fun fact: Back in 1986, veteran Japanese studio Artdink set out to revolutionize simulation games. Their early success with the original A-Train titles on PC-88 eventually led to this Mega Drive adaptation, A Ressha de Ikō MD, making them one of the first to bring a true real-time train sim to a home console.
I’ve just laid down our first tracks on Scenario 1, and already I love how the game blends strategy with pacing. The day-night cycle is seamless—you build at dawn, then tweak schedules after dark.
It’s 1992, and I still can’t believe this runs so smoothly on a cartridge. The top-down view feels sprawling, like a miniature railroad empire on my screen. Look at those pixelated cities sprouting along the rails!
Gameplay Highlights
- Real-Time Construction: Build during the day, then pause to adjust timetables at night—no endless menus, just switch modes and play.
- Dynamic Development: Surrounding towns grow organically. Soon you’ll have passengers lining up, and freight volumes climbing.
- Scenario Variety: Five scenarios from tutorial to brutal challenge. We breezed through the beginner map, but the later ones feel like facing down a rail tycoon with a personal vendetta.
- Speed Settings: Three speeds let you slow things down for planning or crank it to rush through years of growth.
That early-game surge when the first station hits 100 passengers—that’s pure gold. The soundtrack loops, but somehow it stays charming. It’s like waiting on a dial-up connection but in musical form.
At times it gets a bit quiet—no voice prompts, just ambient rails clacking. Yet when a new industry appears beside your line, the jingle feels triumphant. It’s understated celebration.
Hot Tips
- Start small: Lay minimal tracks and small stations. Overbuilding early chokes your funds.
- Balance freight and passengers: Heavy industries pay well, but passenger volume keeps towns growing.
- Watch the clock: Night mode isn’t just cosmetic. Adjust schedules religiously—missed connections tank your revenue.
- Upgrade selectively: Each train model upgrade is pricey. Wait until you’ve banked enough from consistent schedules.
- Use terrain: Hills slow you down. Plan gentle curves to maintain top speeds, even if it means longer routes.
I’ll never forget the first time I misread the clock and left my trains idling overnight. My profit took a nosedive—felt like watching floppy disks spin fruitlessly!
That’s why the pause button is your best friend. Though you still can’t save mid-scenario—those Sega autosaves are merciless.
Memorable Moments & Anecdotes
Remember Scenario 5? We called it “The Financial Titan.” By year ten, the CPU competitor had built this monstrous express line that torpedoed our market share. It felt like battling a steam-powered boss with unlimited funds.
Our final “boss fight” involved dismantling their monopoly by cleverly flooding suburbs with commuter services. When we finally snatched back the passenger crown, I nearly spilled my neon slushie in victory.
And that last second, when the announcer text flashes “Victory!”—there’s no fanfare, just that simple message. It’s oddly satisfying, like the trainee conductor passing his final exam.
I also love how the manual tips from the cartridge box feel like lore. “A well-planned line yields wealth beyond measure.” It’s pure early ’90s optimism.
Looking back, the only rough edge is the steep learning curve. You need to invest hours just to grasp the economy, but once you do, it clicks in a way few simulations of the era managed.
Indeed, the UI can feel clunky—too many nested menus when adjusting train priorities. But I forgive it, because when development blooms around your track, you get a real sense of accomplishment.
Overall, A Ressha de Ikō MD stands out as one of the best console simulations of its time. It’s complex, rewarding, and even in 1992, it feels like a grand epic spanning decades of growth.
Twenty-five years from now, I’ll still think about that triumphant final schedule tweak, the towns cheering your name. Artdink nailed the essence of railroad management on a Mega Drive cart—and that’s nothing short of legendary.
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