The “Tokyo Game Show 2026” is being held at Makuhari Messe from September 17 to 21, 2026.
This event brings together a wide variety of games, ranging from highly anticipated new releases to notable titles yet to be discovered. Among the titles on display, we’d like to highlight a particularly niche indie title: “TRAMCITY HAKODATE,” a railway driving simulator developed by TramWorks.
Set in Hakodate, Hokkaido, this game lets you operate real-world trams in an incredibly realistic environment. One of its most distinctive features is the custom-developed controller.
Featuring two levers—which hardly look like they belong on a game controller—and several mysterious-looking switches, this controller is, believe it or not, an almost exact replica of the driver’s console used in real streetcars. Just what’s it like to use? Here’s my first-hand account after trying it out at the event.
The feel of the levers changes depending on the vehicle… it’s incredible!
For those who aren’t rail enthusiasts, let me explain: on this controller, the left lever controls acceleration, while the right lever controls the brakes.
So, during gameplay, you grip the controller and tilt it back and forth—and the sensation is very mechanical, with a distinct clunking feel. It has a unique heft that makes it feel as if you’re actually operating a real train lever.
What’s even more surprising is that the feel of this controller changes completely depending on the train model. For example, the right brake controller’s feel changes 180 degrees depending on whether the brakes are electrically or pneumatically controlled.
When in electric control mode, it emits a satisfying, mechanical “clunk-clunk” sound, much like shifting gears in a manual transmission car; but the moment you switch to pneumatic brakes, the sensation changes to a “squeeze” as if you were pulling a pump.Of course, there are no step-by-step adjustments like those in the electric control mode; instead, brake force is fine-tuned gradually within a single stroke.
In this way, it’s possible to reproduce the handling feel of multiple vehicles using a single controller. Furthermore, this can be controlled via software, making it a feature that can be applied to other vehicles or even different game titles. It truly is a next-generation vehicle controller unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Driving around Hakodate while using such an amazing controller makes you feel just like a skilled streetcar conductor. Incidentally, this game is a licensed title that has received official authorization from the City of Hakodate, so the accuracy of the vehicle recreations is guaranteed. Furthermore, the cityscape faithfully recreates actual Hakodate, and when combined with the controller described above, it delivers an incredibly realistic driving experience.
However! This controller is still in the prototype stage. The developers plan to continue refining it while seeking support through crowdfunding, so if you’re interested, be sure to keep an eye on it in the future.
"TRAMCITY HAKODATE" is currently available on Steam in Early Access.
