1976 新幹線ゲーム [初代] (Shinkansen Game [first generation]) by 九娯貿易 (Kyugo Trading) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Seisakusho)

Name: 新幹線ゲーム [初代] (Shinkansen Game [first generation])
Year: 1976
Company: 九娯貿易 (Kyugo Trading) & ニシキ製作所 (Nishiki Seisakusho)

The first version of this iconic game seems to be defined by the metal rails used.  Later versions had white acrylic rails.

The earliest marquees are black and have the train pointing to the right:

some have the writing in red, some yellow.

This style of marquee is not exclusive to the metal rail version.

From the DGM book

A quote from the book mentions that the train line opened in 1975:

このゲームは、昭和50年に東海 道新幹線・山陽新幹線が東京~博多 間で全線開通したのをきっかけに誕 生した。
This game was born in 1975 when the Tokaido Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen were fully opened between Tokyo and Hakata. 

 

The lower portion of this version seems to have a smaller visible window area.  Later versions had a larger window, and would have art to cover part of it.  Look at the gap separating the bottom rail to the window frame.

first gen

II

The first generation machines also seem to be the only ones that have metal trim around the machine's edges.

At some point during this initial run, the trim was switched from metal to a fake wood trim.   There are also numerous advertisements that show the original marquee, but with the rails already upgraded to acrylic. 

I believe this flyer is for the first generation of the game.

first gen

While the other photos above do not show the cityscape graphic at the bottom, this advertisement shows an important detail.  Please note how on one of the buildings you can only see 2 stories of windows:

The later models had a larger window area at the bottom, and on those machines you can see 3 stories of windows on this building.

This flyer has the first generation marquee, but has the building graphics and larger window that aligns with model II.

This model is also painted white, which you do not usually see.