Wii ShopOverview
Boku wa Plarail Unten-shi: Shinkansen & Jōkikikansha-hen, loosely translated to "I am a Plarail Driver: Shinkansen & Steam Locomotive Edition" is a train driving game developed and digitally released by Tomy for the Wii (as a WiiWare title) exclusively in Japan on January 5, 2010.
Based on Tomy's Plarail line of electric toy train sets, Boku wa Plarail Untenshi has players driving two trains: the N700 Series Shinkansen and the C12 Steam Locomotive. Intended for children, the game takes place on a fictional rail line made up of the toyline's signature blue plastic tracks, with a simplistic art style resembling a toy set.
Using simplistic Wii Remote controls, players drive station-to-station while following the conductor's instructions. They are graded on multiple criteria, including following both the speed limit and railway rules and braking as close to the goal as possible. The game also support two-player multiplayer, with the second player doing support actions.
The "Boku wa Plarail Unten-shi" brand is also used on three plug-and-play games: one released in 2004 (Nihon'isshū Boku wa Plarail Unten-shi) and two released in 2012 and 2015 (Boku wa Plarail Unten-shi: Shinkansen de Ikou! and Boku wa Plarail Unten-shi: Shinkansen de Ikou! Plus).
Gameplay
As players drive their train, they hold their Wii Remote sideways, and use the D-Pad and front buttons to control the train:
- The D-Pad is used for the throttle lever, with Up increasing the level and Down decreasing the level. Left toggles the windshield wipers and Right toggles the headlights.
- The "1" button is used for the either controlling announcements (N700) or the train whistle (C12).
- The "2" button is used for toggling the brake lever.
With the N700, the "1" and "2" buttons are also used at times to control arrival/departure announcements and door opening/closing. The "A" button is used at times for visually confirming signals.
With the C12, players also perform a mini-game at times where they hold the Wii Remote forward and make scooping motions to shovel coal into the furnace. The "1" button is also sometimes used as the train whistle.
Routes
The game takes place in a fictional rail line, with players choosing one of four routes:
- Mijikai-rosen (Short Route) - Three stations.
- Nagai-rosen (Long Route) - Five stations.
- Mugen-rosen (Endless Route) - Endless.
- Free Run - Endless, and without any restrictions.
