Classic Game Room's Fast Striker Review!


...Part one of two! This is the kind of attention this game really deserves: the game has been selling out since it was reduced on Play-Asia temporally and in my opinion it's the best indie shooter on the Dreamcast to date. There will be a 2nd video to this review soon.

Love Hina Limited Edition Survives Explosion in Japan

From Kotaku comes an odd story about a gas leak explosion in Japan, and the limited edition Dreamcast game that survived. Check out the original story:


Over the weekend, an explosion completely blew off the wall of a one-room Kyoto apartment. The occupant was not seriously injured, and fingers crossed, neither was the limited edition Dreamcast game he owned.


A nearby resident said the walls shook, thought it was an earthquake and opened his window to see a fire. TV Asahi reports that it is possible that the explosion was caused by a leak in one of the 5 gas cans that power a portable stove that ignited. The 35-year-old tenant made it out of the apartment with light burns to his hands and feet. “I fell asleep with the stove on,” the man told investigators.
As evident in the destroyed structure, the build quality doesn’t seem to be of the highest order. For many years, especially after World War II and right on through the 1980s, buildings in Japan were thrown up quickly. The buildings from right after the war were of especially low build quality, due to scarce materials and an overwhelming demand for construction. They did improve, but it’s still common to find even later buildings like this that seem to be held together with glue and gumtack. Another reason for the less than solid quality is that it was believed that a powerful earthquake would hit Tokyo and not Kansai (Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto), which is why stronger structures were built in the Tokyo area.

Kobe, however, was hit by the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 and many old, shoddy buildings fell in on occupants, often killing them. It was after this tragedy that the vast majority of the construction industry really began to take building very, very seriously, resulting in the sound, strong structures that are built today.

As serious as this explosion is and as dangerous as it could have been, Japanese netizens were quick to point out that in the tenant’s room, there is a copy of Dreamcast love simulator Love Hina: Totsuzen no Engeji Happening. But not just a copy of the game, a limited version of the game, which came with a limited edition Love Hina wall clock, a Love Hina towel, a stuffed animal, a shrine tailsman for good luck. The box appears to be in tact, but no word on whether the game made it out okay or if the wall clock was affixed to the wall that was blown clear off.


Love Hina was originally a manga, and it was quite popular, selling over six million copies and spun off into an anime. Besides the Dreamcast game, Love Hina was also turned into Game Boy colour and Game Boy Advance games as well as PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles.

Check out the original story here.

Dreamcast Collection gets Pre-Order Bonus Vinyl in Australia !

Does anyone remember that Vinyl LP that some people were lucky enough to get as a pre-order bonus with Mega Drive Ultimate Collection on PS3 and 360? Well looks like they are doing a similar deal again for the 360 release of Dreamcast Collection! So far though this only appears to be in Australia, but if it turns out anything like the Mega Drive one it *might* show up in areas of Europe too, I manged to pick up the mega Drive LP on Ebay in the end and only paid a tenner for it. Either way see where this offer has been first spotted here. Turns out the LP contains 3 Crazy Taxi tunes (not Offspring I'm presuming so er...kind of pointless IMO) 1 Sonic Adventure track (Open your Heart surely?) 1 Space Channel 5 part 2 track and one Bass Fishing track. Will make a cool collectible none the less if just for the design of it.

Via SegaBits and TSSZ

Arts & Crafts: Make your own DUX spine card!


Any Dreamcast fan should know what a spine card is. But for those who don't, it's that little strip of paper that wraps around the left spine of Japanese Dreamcast CD cases. You'll also find these on Japanese Saturn games and nearly any other Japanese thing in a CD case. Why do they do it? Well, I'd assume so they can cram even more information on the front cover without littering the actual cover with all that information. Also, the Japanese LOVE little bits of paper. I remember when I first opened my sealed copy of Jet Set Radio, it was like a confetti parade with all the inserts that fell out.


Anyway, I decided to give the indie game DUX its own spine card. Why? Well for one thing, DUX is the only retail indie game in a DVD case that does not feature the Japanese Dreamcast style spine. Instead it's a very stark (but stylish) white. While the special edition of DUX did feature a orange and white spine, it was limited to 500 copies, so you're sure to never see one of those unless you pre-ordered one at the time of release. Another reason I made one was so that anal retentive fans, like myself, can have a more orderly game shelf. I also added "Dreamcast" on the front bit of the card so that you know what system the game is for. Also, I designed two versions: Japanese and English. So you have a choice of language (DUX is such a simple word, that I'm surprised the Japanese translation is twice as long).

Let's get to the arts & crafts! First off, download the DUX spine cards here.

Next, print the file out on a piece of paper, preferably a slightly glossy, thicker (but not too think) paper stock so that you cannot see through the paper. I used 32lb premium choice laserjet paper, and printed it on a laserjet printer to create solid bits of color.


Now, with an x-acto knife and ruler, use the guides and cut out the spine card you wish to use, or just cut them both out. If you're using scissors, be careful and create a straight cut.

Finally, lay the DUX case out flat (like the picture at the top) and slide the spine card in over the cover art. Carefully line up the card so that the spine is in the correct spot. Finally, close the case, adjusting the card if needed. The result should be a clean, convincing spine card.


Enjoy! If you have any problems with the uploaded files, let me know and I'll see how I can help.

Classic Game Room Reviews DUX


Classic game Room, by far my favorite video reviewer on the web, has finally got his teeth stuck into some Dreamcast indie goodness, starting off with DUX and hopefully more will follow. He does a much better job at reviewing this than i ever could simply because I couldn't even beat the first level in it! Lord Karnage has been reviewing a lot of Dreamcast games recently that you should also check out, such as Capcom vs SNK 2, Mortal Kombat Gold, Street Fighter Alpha 3, the Rumble (or Puru Puru) pack, and the Blue VMU. oh, to do this for a living..

Wind & Water Puzzle Battles Arrives on PC for Free! Also free on Wiz and GP2X!


Thanks to Wind and Water Puzzle Battles developer Hao via a reply to my article "5 Indie Dreamcast Games Worth Your Time" over at SEGAbits, it was revealed that the great indie Dreamcast game Wind and Water Puzzle Battles has been released for free on the PC! What more, the Wiz and GP2X handheld versions are also now free. Even more what more, if you scroll down on their main page you'll find that they have knocked down the cost of a custom sprite for a limited time. $10 for a custom avatar sprite, and $15 for a full animated set of four avatar sprites! The sprite can be used in the PC version, as well as on the handheld versions. I'll be picking one up, if only to fund potential future Dreamcast projects (Little Ninja, please?). Hao also mentioned that depending on the feedback for the PC version, they will develop W&W Online with netplay.

You might be asking "where does the Dreamcast play into this?", well I downloaded the PC version and spotted Mr. VMU himself! Finally, an anthropomorphic piece of SEGA hardware on my computer screen. So give it a download, buy a custom sprite and give the Yuan brothers your thoughts!

Note: While I only operate on Macs, I was able to get the game running flawlessly via the Mac application CrossOver. I'm certain other PC emulating applications will also do the trick.

5 Indie Dreamcast Games Worth Your Time


While there are a lot of great independent Dreamcast games out there, many worthy of a Dreamcast collector’s collection, not every game is worth it for the casual fan. Some games are too short, too difficult or too simplistic. Gamers shouldn’t be expected to pay $20 to $60 for a so-so indie game simply because that money goes towards development of new games. We’re not dealing with charities. People buy games with the promise that the game will be worth their money.


As such, I thought I’d share five independent Dreamcast games that are worth the time and money of not only collectors, but also those who have a Dreamcast console but aren’t into the indie scene. The following five games are just as good, and in some cases better than official Dreamcast games.

click here to read more 

In the comments, let me know what indie Dreamcast games you've enjoyed!

100 Games and Counting!

Over the weekend I realized that I've hit the 100 games mark with my Dreamcast collection! The epic event started when I paid a visit to the local used games store and found a few treasures: the Limited Edition version of Shenmue, complete with Jukebox CD for $17, Alien Front Online in box with microphone for $14, Versus Books Official Shenmue Perfect Guide with poster for $9 and the SEGA Saturn's Puyo Puyo Sun for $8 (check out the Saturn Junkyard for a look at that game).


Arriving home, I found that the indie shmup Fast Striker standard edition had arrived in the mail from Play-Asia (InsideOut video to come). So I got on the computer, went over to my playfire.com profile and added the games to my collection list and the counter hit 100! No flashing lights went off, and there wasn't any confetti, but it was a fun moment. I should note, the 100 count doesn't include games I own in multiple regions, demo discs and browser discs. If that were the case, I'd be at around 125. I plan on doing a collection photo roundup, just as Gagaman did back in November when he hit 200, but will hold off until a few other items arrive in the mail. Specifically Unreal Tournament, Quake III, Fur Fighters, Wetrix+, Seventh Cross Evolution, Slave Zero, Soul Fighter, Time Stalkers, Trick Style and Tokyo Xtreme Racer which were all in a lot sale. The seller just has to get back to me once he "finds all the games", lolz.

There's something about the winter months that make me buy more Dreamcast games than usual. I think it's due to the lack of new games being released in January and being stuck indoors.

DCJY InsideOut - Clear White Dreamcast

Frequently seen in my collection photos, but never featured in a video, it's my clear Dreamcast!

NG.DEV.TEAM bringing GunLord to the Dreamcast in 2011!


Less than a month into 2011 and already we have two games to look forward to on the Dreamcast! RedSpotGames announced the shmup Strumwind, and now NG.DEV.TEAM announced a game called GunLord! Very little is known of the game, aside from a teaser site and logo. However, above the logo are the words "Jump. Shoot. Explore." as well as "A Jump N Shoot Action Game", leading me to believe that the game will play very much like Metal Slug and Contra. An indie Dreamcast game that ISN'T a space ship shmup!? Exciting! Check out the teaser site for a bit of music, presumebly created by SoniQfactory.

Thanks to Anthony817 for the tip! Remember readers, the little comment box on the right column is a great place for comments and news tips.

EDIT: I took a closer look at the teaser image and spotted what I assume to be the star of the game:

Dreamcast Collection for 360 and PC Revealed (don't get excited)


From SEGA comes the full press release revealing just what that Dreamcast Collection compilation disc contains. For those not in the know, back in December we made note of an XBOX 360 Dreamcast Collection compilation disc momentarily made available for pre-order at GameStop's website. This collection was confirmed in a Game Informer interview with Alan Pritchard. Well speculate no more, it contains exactly what I thought: Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, Space Channel 5 Part 2 and SEGA Bass Fishing. As Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 have yet to hit downloadable marketplaces, I assume they will first release on the disc, thus providing a little incentive to pick it up. Also, I should note that no PS3 version has been announced. Then again PS3 owners get Virtua Tennis 4 this year, so it all evens out. ;)

SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that a packaged compilation of  classic titles from  SEGA’s  popular Dreamcast™  console will hit retail shelves on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PC. The Dreamcast Collection will be available on February 25th 2011 in Europe and February 22nd in North America, February 24th in Australia and February 25th in New Zealand.
The Dreamcast Collection includes the fan favourites Sonic Adventure™, Crazy Taxi™, SEGA Bass Fishing™ and Space Channel 5™: Part 2.  Players will get to enjoy four very different Dreamcast experiences, from hopping behind the steering wheel of Crazy Taxi, to taking things a little slower by luring in their fish before catching them hook, line and sinker with SEGA Bass Fishing. Alternatively, take over as intergalactic news reporter Ulala in Space Channel 5: Part 2 and dance your way past the evil Rhythm Rogues, or make it all about speed in Sonic’s first Dreamcast outing, Sonic Adventure!
SEGA’s Dreamcast Collection features enhanced graphics for both platforms versions, providing an even more engaging experience. In addition to this, achievements and online leader boards will be available for each game providing a competitive edge and allowing players to prove their skills!
“The Dreamcast console is still remembered as a pioneering console for online gaming,” commented Gary Knight, VP of Marketing at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe “We are delighted to be able to offer to our large community of dedicated fans a collection such as Dreamcast Collection for them to enjoy old favourites on this generation of consoles”.
Dreamcast Collection will be available in Europe in February 2011 for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PC and PC digital download.

While I know this might be a letdown for some who were hoping for many more games on the disc (such as Skies of Arcadia, Shenmue, Sonic Adventure 2 and Jet Set Radio), did we really expect SEGA to cram all those great games on one disc? What is more likely the case, we'll see all those other games down the line and hopefully they'll receive the same treatment as successive volumes. If the retail price of $30 remains, at the very least those who didn't pick up the games on XBLA will save $10 by getting the disc.


Dreamcast rarity Space Channel 5 Part 2 could be a great port and the cover art is pretty cool. There's also a chance that there will be a disc menu in which you can select the games, unless the disc simply causes the titles to appear in your game library. I'll probably pick it up simply because it isn't every day that you see something Dreamcast related on game store shelves.

DCJY InsideOut: Dreamcast Doujinshi + Maken X Manga Comics


Probably the weirdest thing you'll ever see me feature for DCJY InsideOut, and actually a bit NSFW although unlike most Doujinshi (fan comics) it's not a hentai porn comic, but it is in places a tad perverted with quite a few er..well you'll see but you have been warned.

The comic features short stories based on Shenmue, Space Channel 5, Code Veronica, Soul Calibur and many others, but they pretty much all resort to rubbish and just plain weird jokes. The art is mixed, sometimes pretty decent and other times wonky.

Because Maken X features in the Doujinshi I also decided to show off a Official Maken X manga I bought years ago, which is just a tad more gory than I recall the game being. So yeah, this one is defiantly not for the younger lot or easily offended this vid. :P

DCJY InsideOut: Segagaga Box Set + Perfect File Book


This is a video from sometime in 2009 I found on my hard drive that I never got around to editing and uploading for some reason. Better late than never I suppose! This is of course that rather wonderful Segagaga box set that I bought back then, with the t-shirt, pin set, organizer and game in a DVD case. I posted some photos and info about it here back when I got it, but somehow this video got put aside until I found it today.

I have another InsideOut video that I made a few months back that I've also finally sorted out that will be up (probably) tomorrow and then after that I will work on some new videos with any luck!

Talking Classics – Keith Dreams of Dreamcast

It had to happen sooner or later. Keith of Talking Classics takes a bizarre look at the Dreamcast. Enjoy!

Click the image below to view the video:


Thanks to George of SEGAbits

Indie Game SQRXZ 2 Brings Free Run and Jump Action to the Dreamcast


While the Junkyard missed the boat on the first SQRXZ (pronounced... hell, I don't know!), developers of the freeware run and jump platformer recently announced that the sequel to the game is now available for the Dreamcast! According to the first SQRXZ (Squirxzey?) website, SQRXZ was originally a computer game developed in 1996. In early 2010, different folks got permission from the SQRXZ creator to remake the original game with improved graphics and new play modes. In addition to being available for computers, the game was also released on GP2X handhelds and our beloved Dreamcast! Better yet, its free! If you know how to burn Dreamcast game discs, check out the download page.


The sequel features ten more levels and can be downloaded here. While I've yet to master Dreamcast CD burning techniques, I have played both games for a bit on my GP2X Caanoo and they're quite fun! Sort of like a faster Mario with improved graphics. The music is definitly a highlight, and it's great to see indie platformers released for the Dreamcast. So if you need a break from puzzle games and shmups, give SQRXZ and SQRXZ 2 a try! All they'll cost you is a blank CD.


Links:
http://www.sqrxz.de/
http://www.sqrxz2.de/

Dreamroom 2010 Marathon Videos Hit YouTube!


Dreamroom 2010 was an eleven hour marathon that took place on September 9th, 2010 in celebration of the Dreamcast's 11th birthday. I streamed the event live from my living room, and throughout the day a number of viewers popped into the live chat to talk about Dreamcast memories. If you missed the event, you can watch the event in full (almost) thanks to YouTube's latest policy of allowing super long video uploads. The videos were originally recorded from the Justin.tv web stream that I held, so I apologize that they aren't in the HD we're so accustomed to.

The first part is above, the second and third are below. I have a good three or four more videos to share, so stay tuned to the DCJY and YouTube for more videos! For whatever reason, one video was being problematic. So I might not be able to share the final stages of Space Channel 5, Zombie Revenge, 18 Wheeler and Sonic Adventure 2. Still, there are a good 9 hours of gameplay footage to look forward to, enjoy the videos!



UPDATE: Added two more videos! Part 4 features Star Wars Demolition, part 5 features Rush Rush Rally Racing and Samba de Amigo. Again, enjoy!