Super Trains: Deluxe Edition vs Super Trains: First Ride

Dustin
Jan 20
5 min read

Super Trains: Deluxe Edition launched on Kickstarter in 2024, was fulfilled in 2025, and is available now through our store.

Super Trains: First Ride is Treasure Falls Games’ first direct-to-retail release (meaning it wasn’t crowdfunded), and it’s available now as of January 2026.

With the launch of First Ride, I wanted to put together a clear guide explaining the differences between the two versions of Super Trains. Not because one replaces the other — but because they were designed for different kinds of families and different moments around the table.

If you’re just looking for the short version, here’s the TL;DR:

What’s the Same in Both Versions

At its heart, Super Trains is the same game in both versions.

The core gameplay loop, theme, objective, and artwork are identical. In both editions, you play as a team of super hero trains defending the robot city of Gearland from the mischievous semi-truck Rollar by delivering passengers and cargo across the city and solving emergencies along the way.

Why Super Trains: First Ride Exists

The idea behind Super Trains: First Ride was simple: I wanted to create a version of Super Trains: Deluxe Edition that was easier to get to the table.

That meant making a version that is:

More affordable

Deluxe Edition MSRP: $59
First Ride MSRP: $34

Easier to learn

A simplified ruleset with fewer concepts to teach
Faster onboarding for kids and families

Quicker to play

Deluxe Edition: about 60 minutes
First Ride: about 45 minutes

Better suited for slightly younger players

Deluxe Edition: Ages 7+
First Ride: Ages 6+

Which Version Is Right for Your Family?

If you’re looking for a family-weight train adventure with premium components, more content, and deeper strategy, Super Trains: Deluxe Edition is likely the better fit.

If you’re looking for an exciting, child-weight adventure with cool train miniatures, fewer components, and a quicker path to fun, Super Trains: First Ride was made for you.

If you’d like to see both versions in action, we also have in-depth how-to-play videos for each edition available HERE.

We have in-depth how-to-play videos for both versions HERE.

For readers who want the full breakdown, here’s a detailed look at what changed — and what stayed the same — between Super Trains: First Ride and Super Trains: Deluxe.

What's the same?

OK, now down to all of the fun details. I am going to start with the things that are the same between the two versions.

The Core Game-play Loop and Objective

As I said earlier, First Ride has similar game-play to Deluxe Edition: players will roll dice to generator gears based on the gear generators beneath their train board. They will then use these gears to complete jobs and solve emergencies around Gearland. The Super Train with the most stars after the final emergency is solved is the winner.

The Super Train Miniatures

The same exact train miniatures for Enzo, Sonny, Millie, Deacon and Blaze are used in both versions of Super Trains.

The Dice

The same three dice are used in both versions and are used in the same way (to generate gears/emergencies and to move Rollar around the board).

The Art

All of the art used in First Ride is also in Deluxe Edition.

Kind Train Cards and Emergency Cards

There are fewer Kind Train and Emergency Cards in First Ride than Deluxe Edition, but the cards have the same design, art and function.

What's different?

Here are the differences between First Ride and Deluxe Edition.

The Game Boxes

Both versions have completely unique cover designs.

Also, while they are both 11" tall x 11" wide, Deluxe Edition's box is noticeably deeper and heavier than First Ride's.

Game Boards

The game board art is the same in both versions, however the board is noticeably smaller in First Ride and the spots for passenger and cargo cards at the top of the board has been changed to match the new rules.

The Insert and Storage Trays

Deluxe Edition has a custom dual layer insert which contains our super cool gear storage trays.

First Ride has a single layer custom plastic insert.

The Train Boards

Both versions have unique train boards for all 5 Super Train heroes. However, the function of these boards is the biggest difference in game play.

Deluxe Edition Train Boards

When using the Deluxe Edition train boards players are placing cardboard gear generator tokens within the 4x5 grid. Once a generator token is on the train board players have the ability to add a wooden gear token on top of the generator once it is earned.

Additionally, the train boards in Deluxe Edition have separate places for Passenger and Cargo cards, as well as a space for a Super Gear upgrade.

First Ride Train Boards

In Super Trains: First Ride players will still place their generated gears on the train board, however they will be added to the circular spaces at the bottom of the board.

The Gear Generators in First Ride are now cards and are placed beneath the train board. Also, the three job card spaces at the top of the board can hold either passenger or cargo cards.

Click here to view the rules of both versions where you can find a lot more info on the use of train boards in Super Trains.

The Rollar Miniature vs Standee

Rollar is still causing chaos in both versions of Super Trains. In First Ride he is in standee form and in Deluxe Edition he is in cool orange miniature form.

The Passenger & Cargo Card Content/Layout

In First Ride the Gear Generators and Passenger/Cargo cards have been combined into one card.

The fronts of these cards in First Ride shows the gear generator and star value associated with it, while the fronts of the cards in Deluxe Edition show if the card is a Passenger Job or Cargo Job.

The backs of the cards are very similar. The main difference is in First Ride each completed job earns a star and the amount of stars is shown in the bottom right corner.

The type of generator earned for completing the job is shown in the bottom right corner of the cards in both versions.

Gear Tokens

The gears in First Ride are cardboard tokens and the gears in Deluxe Edition are thick wooden tokens.

Gear Generator Tokens

In Deluxe Edition the gear generators are separate cardboard tokens. In First Ride the gear generators are located on the back of the Passenger and Cargo cards.

Rule books

Shockingly, the two different games have two different rule books!

Super Train Upgrades, Special Location Tiles, Mission Cards and Star Cabooses

The Super Gear tokens, Special Location tiles, Mission cards and Star Caboose component types are in Deluxe Edition, but are not in First Ride.

That's it! all the main difference in our two versions of Super Trains. I hope this blog helps clear up any confusion and gives a clearer picture of what each version has to offer.

Please let me know in the comments if you have an questions. Rule the rails and save the day!

Dustin