Choose Train Simulator Classic
Choose Train Simulator Classic if you want the Steam Leaderboards side of the pairing. On Steam, it's currently about 25% cheaper on the Steam Store. 10,602 Steam reviews back the pick.
Train Simulator Classic vs Train Sim World® 5
Train Simulator Classic and Train Sim World® 5 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. Train Simulator Classic (2015) is 9 years older than Train Sim World® 5 (2024). Train Sim World® 5 scores higher on Steam reviews (79.5% 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 Train Sim World® 5
Choose Train Sim World® 5 if you want the Subtitle Options, Camera Comfort, and Custom Volume Controls side of the pairing. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 79.5% positive across 1,156 reviews.
Both Train Simulator Classic and Train Sim World® 5 sit in Simulation on Steam, 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 |  Train Sim World® 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2015 | 2024 |
| Genres | Simulation | Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Playable |
| Price | 29.99 USD | 39.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 73.4% positive (10,602 reviews) | 79.5% positive (1,156 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Dovetail Games | Dovetail Games |
Side by side
- Both are Simulation games on Steam.
- Train Simulator Classic (2015) is 9 years older than Train Sim World® 5 (2024).
- Train Sim World® 5 scores higher on Steam reviews (79.5% positive) than Train Simulator Classic (73.4% positive).
- Train Simulator Classic is currently ~25% cheaper on Steam than Train Sim World® 5 (29.99 USD vs. 39.99 USD).
- Both are Deck Playable.
Train Simulator Classic vs Train Sim World® 5 — FAQ
- Which is better, Train Simulator Classic or Train Sim World® 5?
- On Steam reviews Train Sim World® 5 scores higher (79.5% positive) than Train Simulator Classic (73.4% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Train Sim World® 5 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 Train Sim World® 5 first?
- If you want chronology, Train Simulator Classic (2015) came out before Train Sim World® 5 (2024). 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 Train Sim World® 5 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.