Tokyo Bus Guide | December 23, 1999

 "Tokyo Bus Guide" is a racing game and job simulation game released for the Dreamcast on December 23, 1999. In this game, the player takes on the role of a bus driver for Tokyo's public transportation, going through various courses. The game was marketed with the catchphrase "Urgent! Tokyo Bus Driver Wanted. Beginners Welcome." and supported peripherals like the "Buru Buru Pack," Racing Controller, and VGA Box. Additionally, players could download a "Traffic Sign Quiz" from the Visual Memory to enjoy.

In the main story mode, the player becomes a new bus driver for the Tokyo Metropolitan Bus Company and performs a final practical training in September, driving buses for one month. There are three main routes to drive in different times of the day: morning, evening, and night. The routes are as follows:

• 虹01: Kokusai-tenjijō Station → Hamamatsuchō Station (Kōnan Branch, Fukagawa Operations)
• 田70: Nakano Bridge → Shinjuku Station West Exit (Shinjuku Operations)
• 梅76: Higashi-Ome Station → Kamisaki (Ōme Operations, excluding Kitakozogi)

The buses used in the game are Isuzu Cubic models, and the low-emission bus signage indicates the use of hybrid vehicles for 田70 and CNG vehicles for 虹01. In reality, the Isuzu Cubic C-B626, which was assigned to the Shinjuku Operations, is featured in the game and was later transferred to the Kōnan Branch, operating on the 虹01 route.

There is no continue feature in the game, and if the driver’s points run out, the game ends immediately. The game scores players based on how well they drive without reducing driver points until they reach the final stop. Also, the game’s script was written by Atsuto Izumi, a columnist known for being a bus fan, and a character based on him appears in the game, sharing trivia about Tokyo buses and the routes.

On December 21, 2000, a limited edition called "Tokyo Bus Guide: Beautiful Bus Guide Ride-Along Pack" was released. This edition included the same game disc as the regular version, but with an additional "bonus disc" containing a model playthrough video narrated by a bus guide.

The arcade version of the game was released in 2000 as a reverse port from the Dreamcast version. The arcade version uses a large two-player cabinet resembling a road bus, similar to Sega's 18WHEELER, with a large steering wheel, turn signal levers, and a horn. The vibrations from the steering wheel and deep bass from the subwoofers simulate the feeling of driving a bus. While the gameplay and courses in the arcade version are largely the same as the Dreamcast version, the story mode, 梅76 route, and the night courses were removed. The beginner-friendly 虹01 daytime route was made into a "temporary license zone" where no points are deducted except for delays.

The arcade version features a different game balance, making it more challenging than the Dreamcast version, but with less severe penalties for speeding violations and minor traffic infractions.