Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 72 (then Dreamcast Weekly)
From Video Game Morgue File
__________________________________________________
/ \
/_______> > > DREAMCAST WEEKLY MAGAZINE < < <________\
//// \\\\
//// ~ Issue #72 - March 5 th 2000 ~ \\\\
\\\\ ////
\\\\ ////
\\\\ Sponsored By www.PrimaGames.com ////
\\\\ ////
\\\\ www.DreamcastWeekly.com ////
\\\\________________________________________////
\____________________________________________/
o> Please SCROLL DOWN for the Editors Comments <o
----------------------------------------------------------
====| DREAMCAST WEEKLY INFO |======== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe please enter your e-mail address on this
page: Server.com/WebApps/mail-list-unsubscribe.cgi?id=5918
> To ask questions, please click Reply to this message,
only be SURE to include "Q&A" some where in the Subject.
We regret we're unable to personally reply to each e-mail,
but the best questions will be selected weekly and printed
in our Q&A page.
> For daily game news, over 200 Prima Fast Track Guides(tm)
online, codes, downloads, and contests every day, be sure
to visit Primagames.com. Prima is the number one source for
video and computer game strategy in the world.
------------------ www.PrimaGames.com --------------------
> For past issues visit http://www.dreamcastweekly.com
> For the latest game news, reviews and previews visit the
Premier Video Games Site www.totalvideogames.com With over
300 archived News Articles and the greatest game reviews.
Up-dated throughout the day with everything!
---------------- www.totalvideogames.com -----------------
> Our domain name for DC Weekly is provided thanks to Total
Video Games, the UK's premier video games magazine up-dated
daily, and The Junction, the best place for Teens to chat.
------------------ www.the-junction.com ------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
====| EDITORS COMMENTS |============= www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
This coming week the online revolution begins. Chu Chu
Rocket is taking gamers across America and throwing them
into a world of competition, fun, and strange mice. For
it's the first console game to play online 'out of the
box', which means without any additional hardware such
as the Netlink.
For everyone that picks up the game this week, we've got
a special feature explaining just what all the Chu-Chus,
Chupii's, Chui's, and Chewbacca's are (ok yes ignore the
last one), and how to play.
Our cover story however reviews many VMU Mini Games you can
download through your Dreamcast, or a Nexus memory card for
that matter. In the near future we'll also look at some of
the amazing VMU games people are working on at the moment.
Among the other parts of the magazine as listed below,
the news this week features a bi-monthly RPG from Capcom,
Dead Or Alive 2, Sonic Adventure 2, and Tetris Online.
Until next week then, Happy Gaming everyone!
~ Graham "Tails" Parker (Editor)
.oO Page 1 - Cover Story Oo.
.oO Page 2 - The News Oo.
.oO Page 3 - Rumors Oo.
.oO Page 4 - Into The Web Oo.
.oO Page 5 - Prima Games Corner Oo.
.oO Page 6 - Feature Oo.
.oO Page 7 - Cheats Oo.
.oO Page 8 - Q&A Center Oo.
.oO Page 9 - OUR SUPPORT SITES Oo.
.oO Page 10 - Credits Oo.
HOT QUOTE This Issue: "So in just 2 months and 1 week
(67 days - Yes I'm a big Sonic fan!) we'll get our first
look at the Sonic sequel."
-- Sonic Adventure 2 - This Weeks News
----------------------------------------------------------
====| COVER STORY |================== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> VMU Mini Game Reviews
>>>> Written by Tails
1) Mini Tetris
2) VM-A-Sketch
3) Sliding Puzzle
4) Snaky
5) Sega VMU Football
O Mini Tetris:
Developed by - Marcus Comstedt
Download from - http://marcus.mangakai.org/dc/files/TETRIS.VMI
File Size - 7 blocks
Tetris is one game that needs no introduction. In 1985
a Russian programmer, Alexey Pazhitnov, created a game
that would be converted to almost every PC and console
you can name (even the 128-bit Dreamcast), and cloned in
countless variations of the game.
For those who haven't played Tetris before however, which
there should be few of, the object is to move, rotate and
drop different shaped blocks around to make rows. Complete
rows then disappear and increase your score. The more
rows you delete at once, the higher your score is. But if
your blocks ever pile up to the top of the screen, it's
game over mate.
Now when the game can be ported successfully to a simple
system such as the VMU, it has to be an example of pure
gameplay at work. Despite missing the "Coming Next" box,
showing which block your going to receive next, the
game is as fun as ever. There's certainly enough space
left on the screen to include this feature, so perhaps
we'll see it on a future version.
The only complaint I really have is the game is perhaps
too small... it's often very frustrating to realize you
miss judged where the block was to go and dropped it
one space too far on the left. Leaving you with a mess
that honestly wasn't your fault. However being such a
small system as the VMU, there isn't any way around this.
It comes down to a little price to pay for mini Tetris.
Finally, the game is heavily score based. So just after
finishing one of your best games, it's not a bad idea to
post your highest score over at a local message board,
and start up your own Tetris Tournament.
Final Score: 91%
----------------
O VM - A - Sketch:
Developed by - Richard Munn
Download from - http://rvmu.port5.com/data/SKETCH.VMI
File Size - 4 blocks
If you feel the urge to sketch, VM-A-Sketch is for you.
Wether it looks anything like you wanted however is
a totally different matter. Yes it's rather hard to use,
and does lack the challenge and replay value of a real
'game', however at just 4 blocks, it's certainly worth
a try.
The d-pad moves the spot around, which draws a line behind
it. The A button shakes the screen, and the B button
wipes it clean. Which really sums up VM-A-Sketch.
As I said, if you want to sketch, this is worth a go,
but don't expect to be creating any works of art, just
play around.
Final Score: 70%
----------------
O Sliding Puzzle:
Developed by - Booyaka
Download from - http://www.booyaka.com/games/vmu/download.fcgi/PUZZLE.VMI
File Size - Add blocks here
We've all tried those sliding tile puzzles at some stage,
moving tiles around to try and see the complete picture.
Well all the fun (and frustration) of this puzzle has been
replicated for your VMU.
However in this first version there isn't any picture to
be seen. Instead there are numbered titles, 1-23, the
object to get them all in order. Not quite as interesting
as a picture, which also sort of defeats any replay value
of the game, and the strive to finish the puzzle doesn't
have quite the same effect when you know what the result
is.
Booyaka promises pictures in future versions, although
they said the feature would be added a week after this
numbered version was complete. That was a few months ago
now.
This game has lots of promise, but needs more work spent
on making it interesting
Final Score: 45%
----------------
O Snaky:
Developed by - M.F. Entertainment
Download from - http://www.dreamfiles.com/jap/snaky.htm
File Size - Add blocks here
This game is almost a year old now, and doesn't currently
work with American Dreamcast's, however if someone
converts it, Snaky will surely be a hit.
If you've played the Trick Style JR Mini Game, you'll
know what to expect. However Snaky adds a new aspect to
the game, with obstacles in each level.
There are 20 levels to complete, and a high score mode
which makes Snaky perfect for competing with other gamers,
and certainly increases it's replay value. Here's hoping
for an English version.
Final Score: 95%
----------------
O Sega VMU Football:
Developed by - Sega Of America
Download from - http://www.dreamcast.com/games/downloads/vmugames/files/FOOTBALL.VMI
File Size - 110 blocks
The first free VMU game from Sega was greeted by
disappointment by many gamers. It wasn't quite what
everyone had in mind after playing Sonic Adventure's Chao
VMU Adventure, that's for sure.
Never the less, the game has it's own appeal. The object
being to run down 100 virtual yards, and to dodge the
defenders (who are controlled by the computer). The game
is played in 3D, and the good artwork (for the VMU at
least) on the players deserves a special mention here.
The animations when you reach a touchdown and other
moments of the game are fairly impressive, and provide
incentive to reach the goal.
You yourself are represented by a football, and can move
left to right using the D-pad. Press A for the stat
screen where you can see downs, field position, yards to
go, scores and time remaining. Press B while in the stat
screen to bring up the options. When you are tackled,
a down is registered and the play is dead. On fourth
down, try a run or push B to punt. If you are closer than
40 yards to the goal then you will automatically attempt
to kick a field goal.
The game serves it's purpose of a small free game everyone
can download, although it lacks the depth of Sega's other
VMU titles.
Final Rating: 84%
----------------
----------------------------------------------------------
====| NEWS |========================= www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Acclaim Get Rights To Dead Or Alive 2
Tecmo's Dead Or Alive 2 has caused quite a stir in the
gaming industry this year. Not because of the fighters
bouncing booty, but because of the release dates and
different versions.
The game is due out for the Playstation 2 on March 20th
of this year, with no plans announced for a Dreamcast
version to date. However in America, it's the opposite.
The Dreamcast version is coming (on March 20th), and it
may be exclusive to Sega's console in the states.
This week Tecmo revealed the details for the European /
Australia / New Zealand release. The rights have gone to
Acclaim, who will publish the game in those mentioned
territories. The current release date is May 26th for the
UK.
>>>> Sonic Adventure 2 At E3 - Confirmed
Last week we reported rumors that Sonic Adventure 2, along
with a Sonic Racing title would be revealed at this years
E3 show. This week Peter Moore, Sega Of America's Senior VP
of Marketing confirmed Sonic Adventure 2 at least will be
there.
So in just 2 months and 1 week (67 days - Yes I'm a big
Sonic fan!) we'll get our first look at the Sonic sequel.
Further games to be shown include...
Jet Set Radio
NFL 2001
Seaman
Space Channel 5
Just to name a few. There will be well over 40 titles on
Sega's floor, hopefully including an English Shenmue.
Finally the Dreamcast's MP3 player will be revealed, along
with a new cable modem.
Bring on May 11th 2000.
>>>> Tetris Online
Blue Planet Software are looking for a new game designer,
associate producer, game and network programmers to work
on an upcoming Dreamcast title. The game description as
spotted by DC Swirl reads as "a Tetris product (immediately
Dreamcast, Tetris online, further products to follow)"
The company plays an important role in the development
of all Tetris games. They are in charge of development,
licensing and marketing for all Tetris products.
>>>> Capcom's Monthly RPG
Back before the Dreamcast was launched in Japan I remember
writing about a huge RPG series from Capcom. The game was
said to be an RPG where the next chapter is released
every month. What happens in each part you play effects
the story line in the next release, and so forth.
The game may now finally be revealed at the upcoming Spring
Tokyo Game Show in Japan. No details have been given out
yet, expect that a new chapter will be released every two
months.
----------------------------------------------------------
====[ RED HOT RUMORS ]=============== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the rumors section of Dreamcast Weekly, each
week we'll keep you up to-date with the latest rumors going
around.
>>>> Namco's Next Game
Yes this has been a quiet week, and I haven't heard any
rumors aside from the usual on Namco's next game. This
time it's said to be "Mr. Driller", their new arcade
game based on the System 11 hardware.
---------------------------------------------------------
====| INTO THE WEB |================= www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> First Carrier Movie
The first movie of this new survival horror game has been
posted online. Does Carrier have what takes to challenge
Resident Evil? Judge for yourself.
Why are they featured in Dreamcast Weekly? Because the
movies are quite possibly of the highest quality on the
net, that's why. If you haven't checked them out yet,
now's a good time to start.
www.NextGenVideos.com
>>>> Lik-Sang Update
O Virtua Cop 2 & Carrier:
The Dreamcast version of Virtua Cop 2 is now in stock at
Lik-Sang, for the cheaper price of US$32. Carrier was
also released this past week, and is now online for
US$58.
O Mod Chip Price:
To fix up the last 2 weeks of pricing on their Mod Chip,
US$18 is the price of the chip, not including worldwide
shipping. With shipping it comes to US$39.90. Sorry about
any confusion this has created recently.
www.Lik-Sang.com
Lik-Sang don't pay Dreamcast Weekly in exchange for writing
about them each week, after the great feedback we've had
for our readers about them, we just believe they are the
best importer on the web.
----------------------------------------------------------
====| PRIMA GAMES CORNER |=========== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
Since 1990, Prima Games has been The Most Trusted Name in
Games(tm). Prima pioneered the strategy guide market and
continues to push the edge of game strategy with insightful
and helpful content in every Prima Official Strategy Guide(tm).
Prima publishes guides for every platform, and will be
supporting the latest game systems, including Sony's
PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's "Project Dolphin." Click below
to see the entire catalogue of Prima Official Strategy Guides:
Prima Official Strategy Guides
http://www.primagames.com/primagames.ASP?WCI=Titles&WCE=All
If you're looking for quick, easy online help with your
latest game, look no further that Prima Fast Track Guides(tm).
These online strategy guides provide basic game help that
can give you the edge you're looking for. With over 200
titles available, and more coming each week, we're sure to
have a Prima Fast Track Guide that you want to see. Click
below to see the catalogue:
Prima Fast Track Guides
http://www.primagames.com/FastTrack.ASP?WCI=FullIndex
Primagames.com provides daily news updates on new game
releases and announcements, game developments, and other
game industry happenings. With a quirky and irreverent
outlook, "Mr. News Guy" tells it like it is in his own
way. Whether you're a hardcore PC gamer or a casual
console player, you'll enjoy getting your daily game news
from Primagames.com. The link to our main news page is
just below:
Primagames.com News
http://www.primagames.com
And once you get to Prima's homepage, be sure to check out
our Codes, Downloads, interviews, game previews, and our
stellar lineup of Prima Fan Site Affiliates.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| FEATURE |==================== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Chu Chu Rocket
The Chu Chu's are ready to take the world of plug and play
online gaming to consoles later this week. But what exactly
are Chu Chu's? Like Chao's or Nightopians it's another
interesting name from Sonic Team. This small feature
explains all, and more importantly how to play.
First up Chu Chu's are mice, the main characters in the
game as they run around the levels. The object being to
help them into rockets, and avoid getting eaten by cats.
Only a cat isn't a cat in the world of Sonic Team, they
are known as Kapu-Kapu's. The Kapu Kapu's walk around
the levels at a slower speed to the frantic Chu Chu's.
Which wouldn't normally make them the best hunters,
although in this world speed is the Chu Chu's downfall.
They are fast, but don't think for themselves. They will
run right into a Kapu Kapu's mouth, as Lemmings will off
a cliff. But like Lemmings, you can help them find their
way to the end of the level (the Chu Chu Rocket). Each
level is played on a grid filled with walls. The Chu
Chu's will run in a straight line until they hit a wall,
where they will turn and continue on their merry (or
suicidal) way. Before they hit a wall however, your job
is to decide where you'd like them to go, and place an
arrow title in their way.
Simply move your cursor around the level, and press
a button to drop an arrow tile in place. A, B, X and Y
are used like a second D-Pad, X making upwards facing
arrows, B down, A left, and Y right. Then when the
line of Chu Chu's reach the arrow, they spin around
and walk you want them too.
Soon there will be Chu Chu's all over the place, and
the screen turned into a mess! Then if you thought that
was bad, wait till to see what a multiplayer game in
action. Chaos. But addictive chaos, and soon you'll
be infected with the Chu Chu fever.
Now you know how to play, if you'd like to get a little
practice in before battling it out online, Sega Of Japan
have a Shockwave version of the game here...
http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/puzzle/3.html
----------------------------------------------------------
======| CHEATS |===================== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Virtua Cop 2
O Big Head Mode:
Successfully complete the game on the easy difficulty
setting. Then, press X, A, Y, B (3 times), Up (5 times)
on controller D when the game returns to the "Press Start
Button" screen. If you entered the code correctly, you
will hear a sound.
O Mirror Mode:
Successfully complete the game on the normal difficulty
setting. Then, press L, Left, L, Right, L, Down, L, Up,
R, Left, R, Right, R, Down, R, Up on controller D when
the game returns to the "Press Start Button" screen. If
you entered the code correctly, you will hear a sound.
>>>> Wild Metal
O All Weapons:
During the game, hit A(2), Right, Y, A, Right.
O Friendly Enemies:
During the game, hit B, Down, A, Down, X, Y.
O Full Health:
During the game, hit Down(2), A, X, B, X.
O Invincibility:
During the game, hit Y, Right, B, Left, X, Down.
O Level Skip:
During the game, hit Up, Right, B, Y, Down, Left.
O Reveal Token Locations:
During the game, hit Y, B, A, Left, Down(2).
O Speed Boost:
During the game, hit Up, X, Down, B, A, Y.
----------------------------------------------------------
====| Q&A CENTER |=================== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
To ask questions, please click Reply to this message, only
be SURE to include "Q&A" some where in the Subject. We
regret we're unable to personally reply to each e-mail,
but the best questions will be selected weekly and printed
here.
>>>> Dayyyyyyyyyyytonaaaaaa
Q) DAYTONA USA?? I know this question must have been asked
many time previously, but are there any plans to bring
out Daytona USA on Dreamcast!?!?!? - Marty Dittmar
A) There hasn't been any word on a port in a little while
actually, however Daytona USA 2 is one of those games
everyone just assumes Sega is secretly working away on
somewhere. Hopefully we'll see something at the E3.
If your talking about the original Daytona however,
if Virtua Cop 2 is a success, I imagine we'll get a
port of Daytona USA. Here's hoping it's not of the PC
version though, as was Virtua Cop 2.
>>>> Where can I buy a seperate modem?
Q) Many people this week have asked about buying a separate
modem for their Dreamcast, which I'm assuming is for
Asian Dreamcast's?
A) As they come built in, no where sells them separate
However you could give Sega's support team a call and
see if they sell replacement modems.
>>>> A Dreamcast printer?
Q) I have a Dreamcast and sometimes I want to print things
off the internet, but I can't so I was wondering if the
Dreamcast was bringing out a printer? - Rcunningham
A) There haven't been any announcements on a printer yet,
however with the cable modem, MP3 playing VMU, and
DreamEye (the digital camera) due out this year, the
Dreamcast is becoming more PC like all the time. A
printer wouldn't be a bad idea.
>>>> Sonic Questions
Q) 1. Is there a way to go super sonic on the action stages?
2. Where is the second emblem in the mystic ruins?
3. Where are big's power up's?
4. Is there a better way to catch fish instead of waving
the lure in front of the fishes face?
5. What is the dreamcast dreamcast web site? - Matthew
A) 1. No, sigh...
2. There's one inside the tree next to Big's Hut, and
one down a path leading away from his hut. A cliff
opposite from Tails Workship also holds another an
emblem, and finally there's one above the entrance
to Red Mountain.
3. The first (his fishing rod) is under his bed, where
the game begins. Second is the life belt, which is
just outside the ladder to the Ice Cap level. There
are also 4 lure power-ups, hidden in the water
tunnel behind the Twinkle Park entrance in the Ice
Cap level, inside the Egg Carrier, and finally in
the woods of Mystic Ruins.
4. No, but that should normally work fine.
5. http:\\www.Dreamcast.com
>>>> More Questions (Which would be the point of Q&A)
Q) 1. As I have not yet purchased a Dreamcast I was
wondering how well they will go up against the
Playstation 2. As a Playstation owner myself and
a big fan of Sega too I was hoping you could tell
me some reasons the Dreamcast will be better.
2. I heard that the Dreamcast was upgradeable. Is
this true?
3. Do you know how long until Australia will get the
Dreamcast network?
4. Do you know if they are still developing a VMU that
play's MP3's, and when will it be released?
5. My final question is have u any idea is Starcraft
will ever be released on the Dreamcast? - Josh
A) 1. The built in modem, the VMU, and 4 controller ports
are all good places to start. The Dreamcast network
will have been up and running for a long time before
Sony launches the Playstation 2 network.
2. Yes, in particular the modem which can be taken off
the side of your console and swapped in a snap.
3. We're currently slated to receive Chu Chu Rocket
down here in Australia and New Zealand in April. The
Dreamcast Network will have to be up and running
by then.
4. The MP3 playing VMU will be shown at this years E3,
starting on May 11th.
5. Starcraft? I'd have to say it's very unlikely.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| BEST OF THE WEB |=================================
----------------------------------------------------------
There are sooooo many Sega sites across the web, wouldn't
it be great if one place listed the most interesting bits?
Presenting the Best Of The Web...
>>>> Sega X - www.segadreamcast.net
Plenty of news added every day, including a IRC Java
chat room where you can chat about all the latest Sega
topics.
>>>> Sega 2000 - www.sega2000.net
Look out for the return of Sega 2000 soon, with an all
new webmaster!
>>>> The Next Level - www.the-nextlevel.com
The Next Level is a multi-platform gaming magazine focused on
all current and upcoming next-generation systems. We provide
up-to-date news, in-depth reviews, reader reviews, intriguing
editorials, and more.
>>>> Perfect Zero - http://www.perfect-zero.com
They have the biggest collection of video game mp3's, video's
(including some Saturn video's you've probably never seen
before) and more.
>>>> The Sonic Zone - www.suneet.com/soniczone/
Updated daily with a HUGE amount of Sonic content that is
sure to blow you away! From Fan Fiction to Chatting,
and even Fan Created Games, this is your one stop Sonic site.
>>>> Gaming Central Starpath - www.startpath.com/gamingcentral
This site contains hundreds of links for anything a gamer
might be interested in, no matter what format, including
some game specific links.
>>>> DC Australia - www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Fortress/6831/
Now the Dreamcast is out in Australia, and after SegaDC.co.nz
closed, this should be your first stop for news down under.
The official website for the Dreamcast Weekly is now open at
www.dreamcastweekly.com :) The site includes the history of
the magazine, back issues, and more. Then in the future...
who knows, hopefully we'll be a print magazine one day
(Hint hint to any publisher that may be reading this :) )
----------------------------------------------------------
====[ CREDITS ]====================== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
O Editor: Graham Parker "Tails" - Webmaster@sega2000.net
Thanks to all our support sites above, along with our
sponsor, PrimaGames.com, all for helping make Dreamcast
Weekly as big as we are today!
>>>> http://www.DreamcastWeekly.com - Our Official Website!
>>>> http://www.PrimaGames.com - Our Sponsor
----------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1998-2000 Graham Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
Written and edited by Graham Parker. No parts may be
copied without prior permission. Otherwise I'd be forced
to send out my goons... Ok so I don't have any goons, but
copying is just mean... very mean. There, that should
scare everyone off :)
