They're pretty cool, and even change the icons for My Computer and the Recycle Bin to little icons mimicking characters from the game. Ah, Windows 95...they just don't make 'em like that any more. I think I had a Windows 3.1 computer back when the Dreamcast came out, and I specifically recall writing game reviews for my local newspaper on it. Halcyon days indeed. On the subject of the Voldo costume, it only came to my attention when a gentleman called Sunil commented on a post on the Junkyard's Facebook page.
That lead me down another rabbit hole, but not one anywhere near as deep as the recent sojourn into the very bowels of the internet when I was looking for the Dreamcast barber. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, allow me to explain. Apparently, to celebrate the astronomical success of Soul Calibur, Namco Japan released a downloadable VMU file that comprised three mini games, and completing the mini games unlocked a special costume for Voldo.
The following description of the mysterious mini games is taken from a Game Stop Plus article from December 1999, announcing Namco reaching 1 million sales of Soul Calibur:
Namco has officially announced that Soul Calibur for the Dreamcast has sold a million copies worldwide. In celebration of this feat, the company's Japanese web site will let users download new VMU minigames.
Text Adventure: Shenhua's Story lets users play through a mini digital novel with Shenhua as the main character. The Mini-Game 3 Pack features minigames; in one, the player controls Voldo and prevents him from dropping the treasure chest. When you beat the minigames, you will be treated to a surprise.
- Game Stop Plus, December 1999
Anyhow, I thought these shots of Windows 95 looking like the stage of history were worth sharing. I'm off to read Asimov's Foundation again for 8th time. And so should you.
Update:
I've been speaking with fellow gaming type person @sairukau on Twitter and there may be light at the end of this tunnel. Sairuk has been doing more internet archaeology and has assembled a page over at Mame AU detailing the different versions of the Soul Calibur VMU mini-game files, along with download links. At the time of writing, the actual game file is still to be found (only the VMI files have been unearthed, and Sairuk informs me that Blueswirl generates the VMU game files using an XML file...or something), but we'll keep you updated. Note: this is why the Dreamcast community is freaking awesome.
Update 2:
It appears that the files have now been found. Head over to Sairuk's Mame AU mini site detailing the file types here. We're currently working on getting a bootable VMU Tool disc made, and will be endeavouring to play the shit out of these mini-games ASAP to see if we can finally unlock that Voldo costume. If it's just Voldo with a VMU for a codpiece, well...hmm.
Wait, wait, wait....
ReplyDeleteShenhua???From Shenmue??!!!!!!!!!!
Probably a typo. Must mean Xianghua.
DeleteHave you checked VMU Backup CD? Might be on it: http://www.bucanero.com.ar/download/30/
ReplyDeleteAlso, look on vmu save sites, like this one www.bucanero.com.ar/dreamcast/vmu/soulcalibur
The Japanese versions of these mini games gave you two passwords that could be entered on Namco's website for some extra artwork:
ReplyDeletehttps://web.archive.org/web/20010222081247/http://www.namco.co.jp/home/cs/dc/soulcalibur/password.html (not longer working)
Nothing in the English version though.
wow! I just stumbled across the archived links to these on Sega's old American site. The downloads don't appear to be working for me, but it's still interesting information.
ReplyDeletehttps://web-beta.archive.org/web/20000621094604/http://www.sega.com:80/sega/vmu/vmu_main.jhtml