ChuChu Rocket!
1999 · Puzzle / Action · Dreamcast
Overview
ChuChu Rocket! (1999) is Sonic Team's four-player puzzle game, in which players lay arrows to steer mice into their rockets and away from cats — the first Dreamcast game with online multiplayer.
Deep Dive
Players place arrows on the floor to steer ChuChus, mice, into their own rocket while keeping KapuKapus, cats, away from it. Modes include single-player puzzles, a puzzle editor, a 30-second challenge and competitive games for up to four players. Critics praised the multiplayer and the cute style, though network lag drew complaints.
Developer Story
Yuji Naka directed and produced the game at Sonic Team, and Sega released it in Japan on 11 November 1999 and North America in March 2000. A Game Boy Advance version in 2001 included 2,500 of the 17,000 puzzles players had made.
Did You Know?
- Yuji Naka wanted to test the Dreamcast by moving about 100 sprites at once.
- In Europe it was mailed free to Dreamarena subscribers.
- Lessons from its online play helped Sonic Team build Phantasy Star Online.
Sources & further reading
- ChuChu Rocket! — Wikipedia
