Choose Train Simulator Classic
Choose Train Simulator Classic if it's the newer release (2015) and ships with the modern feature baseline. 10,602 Steam reviews back the pick.
Train Simulator Classic vs Trainz™ Simulator 12
Train Simulator Classic and Trainz™ Simulator 12 both land in Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both are Simulation games on Steam. Trainz™ Simulator 12 (2011) is 4 years older than Train Simulator Classic (2015). Trainz™ Simulator 12 scores higher on Steam reviews (77.4% positive) than Train Simulator Classic (73.4% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Trainz™ Simulator 12
Choose Trainz™ Simulator 12 if you want the Multi-player side of the pairing. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 77.4% positive across 880 reviews.
Both Train Simulator Classic and Trainz™ Simulator 12 sit in Simulation on Steam and both list Steam Leaderboards, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Train Simulator Classic |  Trainz™ Simulator 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2015 | 2011 |
| Genres | Simulation | Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 29.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 73.4% positive (10,602 reviews) | 77.4% positive (880 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Multi-player |
| Developers | Dovetail Games | N3V Games |
Side by side
- Both are Simulation games on Steam.
- Trainz™ Simulator 12 (2011) is 4 years older than Train Simulator Classic (2015).
- Trainz™ Simulator 12 scores higher on Steam reviews (77.4% positive) than Train Simulator Classic (73.4% positive).
- Train Simulator Classic is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Trainz™ Simulator 12 has no Deck rating yet.
Train Simulator Classic vs Trainz™ Simulator 12 — FAQ
- Which is better, Train Simulator Classic or Trainz™ Simulator 12?
- On Steam reviews Trainz™ Simulator 12 scores higher (77.4% positive) than Train Simulator Classic (73.4% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Trainz™ Simulator 12 is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Train Simulator Classic or Trainz™ Simulator 12 first?
- If you want chronology, Trainz™ Simulator 12 (2011) came out before Train Simulator Classic (2015). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Train Simulator Classic and Trainz™ Simulator 12 similar?
- They overlap on Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does Train Simulator Classic have multiplayer like Trainz™ Simulator 12?
- No. Trainz™ Simulator 12 supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player), while Train Simulator Classic is listed as single-player only.
- Does Train Simulator Classic run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Train Simulator Classic is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Trainz™ Simulator 12 doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.