Everything Else

   VMU Saves. ChuChu!'s VMU saves work in sets of 3 blocks. First is the main ChuChu! data. The file's name is CHU_CHU__SYS, its description is "ChuChu!/main", and its size is 3 blocks. The icon for the main file is a rocket on a black space background, and is not animated. Also, it is read-only (signified by a red-border), and cannot be copied to another VMU. Next is the series of Puzzle Edit mode (Original) data files. Each file is named CHU_CHU__Exx, where xx is the number of the stage, from 01-25. It's description is "ChuChu!/puzzle edit", and it too is 3 blocks. The icon for the puzzle edit files are a single chu on a white background, and is not animated. It is copyable, signified by it's black border. Last is the series of Puzzle mode Download stages. Downloadable from the ChuChu! online game server, each stage is 3 blocks. The file is named CHU_CHU__Dxx, and it's description is "ChuChu!/download". The icon is a KapuKapu on a blue background, and is not animated. They are black-bordered, and thus can be copied from VMU to VMU.

   As a final note, there is no mini-game (green border) for ChuChu Rocket!.

   Japanese/English changes.As could be expected, not much has changed in the game from its initial Japanese release to its new English translation. Many of the names were slightly altered, including the title of the game itself. The English title for the Japanese version was 'chu-chu rocket,' written in all lower case letters. For the English version this was changed to 'ChuChu Rocket!' All of the pilots recieved name changes: Chuii became Chuih, Chubee got a slight change into ChuBei, Chupii turned into ChuPea, and Chubahha got changed into ChuBoch for obvious reasons - when said correctly, Chubahha sounds very, very similar to a certain Wookiee that we all know and love. Finally, Capu-Capu turned into KapuKapu. Other than the obvious Japanese text translated into English, both in game and in the packaging, the game has stayed fairly true to its Japanese origin.

   Records. So, you think you're good at ChuChu? Well, the online servers keep records of both the highest victory margin (the amount that the winner had over the second place player), as well as the fastest Stage Challenge Mode time. In the heyday of Japanese online play the largest victory margin was 758 Chus, while the fastest time was a blazing 3'04". Of course, with the release of the English versions of the game, it is probably only a matter of time before these records are smashed...

   Japanese Color Controller Set. Upon its Japanese release, ChuChu Rocket! was released in two versions: a traditional game only version for 2800 yen and a limited edition set that included a clear orange/white Dreamcast controller for 4800 yen (a savings of 500 yen, as normal controllers are 2500 yen, aside from the fact that this version of the controller is only available in this package). The contents, sans the controller and it's instruction book, are exactly the same, and the game itself is unaltered as well (the only real differences with the game's packaging are a lack of a spine card and a different product number). The set was quick to sell out, but should give diehard Chufans something to keep their eyes open for. If you're curious as to what the set looked like, we have the packaging scanned and avaible in our ChuChu Rocket Media section.

   ChuChu Links.If you're looking for ChuChu information online, there are a few places to find it. Both Sega of Japan and Sega of America have set up their own pages:

Official ChuChu Rocket! homepage (English)

Official chu-chu rocket! homepage (Japanese)

   Sales.ChuChu Rocket! has the honor of being the first Sega Dreamcast game to reach the top spot in the Famitsu sales chart (for most copies sold in one week). First week Japanese sales were fairly brisk, clocking in at over 33,108 copies sold (including the game-only and controller set versions).

   Totally Random.In the 12/24/1999 issue of Dreamcast Magazine, it's revealed that ChuChu! actually supports the Dreamcast Twinstick, which was designed for Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (a much, much different type of game; fast mech battling). From what I can gather, the controls work out something like this: use the left stick to move the cursor, and use the triggers and buttons (on the tops of the sticks) to place the arrows. The L trigger places < arrows, the R trigger v arrows, the left stick button ^ arrows, and the right stick button > arrows. While not the easiest way to play the game, it's interesting nonetheless, and ups the compatibility chart... Now if Sega could just work in the Microphone, the Mission Stick, the Racing Controller, and the Fishing Controller, it would support everything...

   Also, something that is more fun than anything else... If you leave ChuChu! sitting idle for a while while in Homepage (Internet) mode, instead of the screen darkening, then the random colors starting (as the Dreamcast normally does when it has been idle), one of the very cool ChuChu screensavers will start. The first screensaver features rows upon rows of the little mice appearing on your screen, then disappearing, over, and over... The second screensaver features the game's namesake, the ChuChu Rocket, moving toward you on the screen and disappearing, only to be replaced by another rocket. There may be more screensavers tucked away within the disc, but we'll let you find those for yourself...