"Is your Dreamcast broken?"

I look across the room and shake my head. "No."

"Then why is it in pieces?"

"I was playing Chu-chu Rocket."

"And the game caused you such frustration and anguish that you ripped apart the console?"

I point at a box covered with worried cartoon mice, running for their lives. "Chu-chu Rocket is only available as an import title. You have to remove the screws and void the warranty if you want to play Japanese games on a U.S. Dreamcast."

Erin looks at the screen. "So you read kanji?"

"No. I mash on buttons until I win. Just like any other game."


Sega Dreamcast. It plays Soul Calibur - who cares about the specs? Comes with a single gray controller and a 56K modem. ("It's one player," Erin says, flipping over the jewel case. "What is?" I ask. "The Web," she replies.) Because PlayStation 2 doesn't come out 'til next year.

Chu-chu Rocket. Get the mice into the rocket ship before the cat eats them. One to four players. (Networked play is not supported outside of Japan.) Available as game disc only, or with a limited edition see-thru orange Dreamcast controller. TSUBABABABA!

Related Links
* You can find the Chu-chu Rocket commercial at <http://www.thegia.com/dc/chuchu/chuchuother4.html>.
* You can get info on the Dreamcast swap trick at
<http://www.maxpages.com/dcswaptrick/>.



Recommended: Yes