Chu Chu Rocket online demo

[02.04.00] » Want to see Sega's puzzle game in action? A new Shockwave demo offers 25 levels from the game.

   Sega of Japan recently posted an online demo of its puzzle hit Chu Chu Rocket. Featuring 25 levels and catchy music both taken straight from the game, the demo offers an excellent chance to see just what Chu Chu Fever is all about. (Shockwave 8 is required to play the demo.)

   Although the demo is in Japanese, the controls are simple enough that no Japanese knowledge is required. To begin the demo, simply select the number of the level you want to play, then click on the playing field in the lower-right corner of the menu screen. The goal in each level is to get all the mice into the blue rockets; this is accomplished by clicking to place the blue arrow tiles on the playing field. Clicking the button in the upper-left button will start the mice running; once started, the mice run in a straight line until they hit a wall, then turn 90 degrees to the right. If they hit any arrow tiles, they automatically start running in the direcion the arrow points. While the mice are moving, clicking the upper-left button again will turn super-speed mode on and off, and clicking the lower button will reset the level should the mice get stuck.

   In later levels you'll encounter roving orange cats (neko wa kowai!) and stationary black holes. Both of these hazards are fatal to mice; if even one of them comes into a contact with a cat or black hole, you lose and the level automatically resets. Letting a cat into a rocket also results in failure. Note that cats move more slowly than mice, but are affected by arrow tiles.

   The early levels are fairly simple to solve, but later ones will require a fair amount of thought. Expect to take about an hour to an hour and a half to complete the entire demo.