sonic team
presents  ___________________________________________
         / ______              ______               /
        / /_  __/______       /_  __/______        /
       / __/ /_ /___  / ____ __/ /_ /___  / ____  / 
      / /_  __/____/ /_/___//_  __/____/ /_/___/ /
     /   /_/  /_______/     _/_/  /_______/     /____
    /___________  ______   / /____        __    __  /
               / / ___  / / __  _/_ _ __ / /   / / /
              / / /  / / /_/ / / ///// //  \  / / /
             / / /__/ /     / /   __/ // /\/ /_/ /
            / /______/     /_/   /___//_/   /_/ /
           /_________________     _____________/
                             \    \
                chu-chu        \   \
                   rocket        \  \
                                   \ \
                                     \\      faq &
                                       \        walkthrough
       by
        jt.kauffman
                                            ver.0.77
                       
------------------------------------------------------------
chu-chu rocket!
faq & walkthrough
ver.0.77
11nov99
by jt.kauffman

------------------------------------------------------------
00.table of contents
01.intro
02.getting started
   **basics:
   **controls:
   **screens:
03.battle modes
04.puzzle mode
   **normal:
   **hard:
   **special: <not yet included>
   **edit: <see note in section>
   **download: <not yet included>
05.misc
   **bonuses:
   **hidden modes:
   **clear controller set:
   **release info:
06.outro
   **version:
   **legal:
   **notes:
   **contact:


------------------------------------------------------------
01.intro

chu-chu rocket! is a fast-paced, four-player puzzle game by Sonic Team, 
the makers of the Sonic the Hedgehog series and NiGHTs. Announced during 
the 'Four from Sonic Team' series of press releases, chu-chu rocket! was 
released in Japan on 11.11.11 (11.11.99 on the Roman calender) amidst a 
fairly heavy marketing campaign. Clocking in at a mere 2800 yen (about 
US$26), or 4800 yen (US$45) with a limited edition clear orange 
controller, the game is a blast, whether you're playing the 4 Player 
Battle Mode with four friends, or attempting the Puzzle Mode by 
yourself.

this document will help get people who have imported the game started, 
as well as giving working solutions for the Puzzle Mode stages. It is a 
work in process, and should be considered as such.



------------------------------------------------------------
02.getting started


**basics:

the gameplay is simple. The object is to get the Chu-Chus (aka. 
mice)into their rocket, sensibly named the Chu-Chu Rocket. When the 
stage starts, the mice will begin to run from pre-set points on the 
screen. Much like lemmings, the mice follow each other. Upon hitting a 
wall, they will turn right (unless there is a wall directly to their 
right, in which case they will turn left). Capu-Capu (aka. cats) stalk 
the screen, moving exactly like the mice, but twice as slow. The cats 
will eat the mice if they hit each other, and will damage the Chu-Chu 
Rocket if they hit it.

in the battle modes of the game, you will find three variations of Chu-
Chus. The first is the normal blue and white Chu-Chu, which is by far 
the most common variety. Next is the purple and white ? Chu-Chu, which, 
upon reaching a rocket, will randomly select a different game-play 
option. Finally, the rare gold 50 Chu-Chus are worth, as their name 
implies, 50 regular Chu-Chus.

--names:
Chu-Chus       <aka. mice, or the white and blue things running around>
Capu-Capu      <aka. cats, or the orange things chasing the Chu-Chus>
Chu-Chu Rocket <the safehouses for the Chu-Chus, or blue, yellow, red, 
                or green octogon, depending on which player you are>
Chui           <the blue player Chu-Chu>
Chubee         <the yellow player Chu-Chu>
Chupii         <the red player Chu-Chu>
Chubahha       <the green player Chu-Chu>
Hatch          <the point in the battle modes that the Chu-Chus come    
               out of>


**controls:

the control scheme in chu-chu! is rather simple, and is fairly 
intuitive. there are four major control schemes used; normal 
(battle/puzzle), options select, edit, and online. I have listed the 
controls in this order below.


--normal (used for all of the gameplay sections of the game, including 
battle and puzzle):

Analog Stick:    move cursor around the screen (faster than D-pad)
D-pad:           move cursor around the screen 
Start:           pause
X button:        place an up arrow in the selected space
Y button:        place a left arrow in the selected space
B button:        place a right arrow in the selected space
A button:        place a down arrow in the selected space
L trigger:       reset stage (puzzle only)
R trigger:       once: start stage (puzzle only)
                 twice: speed up stage (puzzle only)


--options select (used for most out-of-game screens):

Analog Stick:    move cursor around the screen
D-pad:           move cursor around the screen 
Start:           accept currently selected item
A button:        accept currently selected item


--edit (used in edit mode):

unknown at current time (as I have only had the game a few hours, I 
haven't tried many of the modes, this being one of them)


--online (used in homepage mode):

not included in this FAQ. (as the homepage mode is simply a variation of 
the DreamPassport browser, and other documents already go into this 
program, I will not include the controls here. Please visit 
www.gamefaqs.com and search for DreamPassport FAQs if you wish to have 
more information on the subject)


**screens:

while the game isn't really that hard to figure out, the menus are all 
in katakana, so those who lack even minor Japanese language skills may 
be a bit confused at first. The following is a rough translation of what 
each screen actually says in English. In all of the screens, the Analog 
Stick/D-pad is used to move between the options, while the A 
button/Start button is used to confirm selections.

--main game select screen:
 help
    4 player battle (1~4P)
     team battle (1~4P)
      stage challenge (1~2P)
       puzzle (1P)
        puzzle edit (1P)
         network (1~4P)
          homepage
             options



--options screen:
  all mode options
  4 player battle, team battle options
  records
      reset all to default options


--all mode options screen: 
  character   <normal.?.?.download>
  sound       <monaural/stereo>
  vibration   <off/on>
  BGM test    <00>
  SE test     <000>
     reset to default options


--4 player battle, team battle options screen:
  play time   <1.2.3> minutes
  # of games  <1.2.3.4.5> (needed to win)
  ??
  ??          <off/on>
     reset to default options


--records screen:
  stage challenge 
     -total time 00:00     0 number of clears


--pause screen:
  <unpause   /   quit>

note: as the 'help' menu is all in Japanese, and this document is 
basically going to be the English equivilent of it, I won't be providing 
translations for it.

note: any other section not listed is under development.



------------------------------------------------------------
03.battle modes

one of the main two modes in chu-chu!, battle mode (and it's variations) 
is a four-player (either human or computer) Chu-Chu fest that is a blast 
to play. the gameplay is simple: get the most Chu-Chus in your rocket 
(differentiated by color), while avoiding the Capu-Capus, to win.

this mode is played in a first to X games won manner. the default number 
is three, but this can be changed in the options screen (see section 
02.screens for more info). the default game length is 3 minutes, 
although this can also be changed.

more quick facts about battle mode:

-each player can place three arrows at a time. After the third is   
  placed, the next arrow placed will cancel out the first one that was  
  placed, and so on.
-arrows will disappear after a while (15-20 seconds or so). They will 
  flash before doing so.
-cats (Capu-Capu) will eat 1/3 of the mice (Chu-Chus) in a rocket if 
  they enter it.

various mode use the basic battle mode layout, including 4 Player Battle 
mode and Team Battle mode. More on this mode to come...



------------------------------------------------------------
04.puzzle mode

one of the two ways that chu-chu rocket! really shines is it's puzzle 
mode. With puzzles ranging from simple to nearly devilish, it's quite a 
good play for a single player. While I only had trouble with a couple of 
stages, I am providing working solutions for all stages for those who 
may be stuck. Please note that whaat follows in this section are out-
and-out spoilers of the game, and it is recommended that you only use 
this section as a last resort. Before I get into the solutions, though, 
I will provide a few quick hints for how to tackle puzzle mode:

-don't be afraid to run the stage a couple of times. If you can't 
  picture how the Chu-Chus will run, just start the stage without any 
  arrows down - you can always reset by pressing the L trigger, and you 
  aren't penalised at all for doing so (nor are you penalised for 
  failing a stage).
-arrows will redirect an unlimited number of Chu-Chus, but will only 
  re-direct Capu-Capu twice; after the first time, the arrow will 
  shrink, but still function, and after the second time, the arrow will 
  disappear.

note: there may be more than one working solution to a puzzle - when 
known, multiple solutions are listed



**normal

key:  ^=up arrow
      v=down arrow
      >=right arrow
      <=left arrow

solutions are provided using the following grid manner:

   a  b  c  d  e  f  g  h  i  j  k  l
  ___________________________________
1|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
2|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
3|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
4|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
5|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
6|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
7|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
8|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
9|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|


stage 1
-------
^=9b, 9d, 9f, 9h, or 9j


stage 2
-------
v=1e or 1h


stage 3
-------
>=2k


stage 4
-------
v=2h
>=3h 


stage 5
-------
^=9f


stage 6
-------
<=2e


stage 7
-------
^=9c


stage 8
-------
>=9b


stage 9
-------
<=2e, 4e, 6e, or 8e
<=2i, 4i, 6i, or 8i


stage 10
--------
^=8c, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8i, or 8j


stage 11
--------
<=1g
>=9f


stage 12
--------
^=9e


stage 13
--------
v=1i
<=6l
^=9h


stage 14
--------
v=1i


stage 15
--------
<=2l
<=7l


stage 16
--------
<=4l


stage 17
--------
<=2g
<=6c


stage 18
--------
^=5g


stage 19
--------
v=1d
>=6f


stage 20
--------
v=3g
^=6f


stage 21
--------
v=1b
<=6c
^=7c


stage 22
--------
v=1b
v=1i


stage 23
--------
v=5e


stage 24
--------
>=4i
^=5g


stage 25
--------
>=1j
^=5f





**hard:

key:  ^=up arrow
      v=down arrow
      >=right arrow
      <=left arrow

solutions are provided using the following grid manner:

   a  b  c  d  e  f  g  h  i  j  k  l
  ___________________________________
1|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
2|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
3|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
4|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
5|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
6|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
7|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
8|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
9|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|



stage 1
-------
>=8d
>=8f
>=8g
v=8i


stage 2
-------
>=5c or 5e


stage 3
-------
>=7a
>=7c


stage 4
-------
>=9a or 9b


stage 5
-------
^=6b


stage 6
-------
v=8e
>=8h


stage 7
-------
^=8g


stage 8
-------
v=4k
^=8k


stage 9
-------
v=1b
>=5a
<=5l
^=9k


stage 10
--------
^=5g


stage 11
--------
v=1k


stage 12
--------
>=6f
<=8k


stage 13
--------
^=4c
^=5j


stage 14
--------
v=1k
>=3a


stage 15
--------
^=6f


stage 16
--------
<=2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, or 6b
v=4g


stage 17
--------
v=1h
>=4a
<=7l


stage 18
--------
^=5g
v=6d


stage 19
--------
v=3e
>=8a


stage 20
--------
^=9a
>=9b


stage 21
--------
v=2e
^=9f


stage 22
--------
>=3g
<=5l


stage 23
--------
<=1f
v=1k
<=3c
^=7c
<=7f
v=7i


stage 24
--------
v=4i
^=6d


stage 25
--------
<=5l



**special:

coming in a later revision


**edit:

this section is impossible to list solutions for, as you will create the 
puzzles on your own. it is included merely for completeness' sake.


**download:

as I have yet to try the online options in the game, I don't yet know 
what kind of puzzles this section will contain. the only puzzles that I 
will list solutions for are official Sega/Sonic Team puzzles.



------------------------------------------------------------
05.misc

**bonuses:

as with Sonic Team's other Dreamcast game (Sonic Adventure 
[International]), chu-chu rocket! contains a folder accessable by 
Windows computers. Inserting the game disk into your PC CD-ROM drive, 
and accessing the contents of the drive will reveal a folder titled 
'extras' (as well as three text documents that have very minor info in 
them). This folder contains two more folders: '1240x1024' and '800x600'. 
Each of these folders contains 8 chu-chu rocket! wallpaper images. Note 
that 1240x1024 has a different aspect ratio to 800x600, so the former 
images contain a bit more of the picture.


**hidden modes:

as of this release, I have revealed two hidden modes in the game. Modes 
and methods of uncovering are listed below:

--Puzzle mode:
   Hard mode: clear all 25 Normal mode puzzles (opens 25 additional 
     puzzles)
   Special mode: clear all 25 Hard mode puzzles (opens 25 additional 
     puzzles)

Upon clearing the final stage, you'll be treated to a lovely credits 
roll, followed by a Chu-Chu telling you 'thank you!', and the 
announcement of the additional mode.


**clear controller set:

upon it's Japanese release, chu-chu rocket! was released in two 
versions: a traditional game only version for JY2800 and a limited 
edition set that included a clear orange/white Dreamcast controller for 
JY4800 (this is a savings of JY500, aside from the fact that the 
controller is only available in this package). As far as I know, the 
contents, sans the controller and it's instruction book, are exactly the 
same, and the game itself should be unaltered as well. Regarding 
availability of the set, it was fairly hard to come by here in Japan, 
although the large stores (such as Laox) had plenty of copies; mainly 
the smaller independant game stores had trouble stocking the set.


**release info:

title:        chu-chu rocket
system:       Sega Dreamcast
company:      Sega Enterprises
dev.team:     Sonic Team
release date: 11.11.11 (11.nov.99)
format:       1 GD-ROM
prod.#:       HDR-0048
region:       NTSC-J (Japan), NTSC-A (Asia)
price:        JY2800 (JY4800 for the Clear Controller Set)
players:      1~4 players
genre:        action puzzle
supports:     memory backup [Visual Memory] (3 blocks), Modem, PuruPuru  
                Pack, Arcade Stick, Dreamcast Keyboard, VGA Box.
instr.book:   32 pages
dreambank:    120 points
includes:     1 GD-ROM, 1 instruction book, 1 warantee card, 1 point 
                sheet, 1 sheet stickers, 1 DreamLineup [vol.5] booklet, 
                1 spine card, 1 tray liner in a totally clear 
                traditional jewel-case
limited ed.:  titled 'chu-chu rocket Clear Controller Set'
                includes all items in normal release (sans spine card) 
                plus: clear orange/white ltd.ed. Dreamcast controller, 
                Dreamcast Controller instruction book, ltd.ed. box
other:        NetFront JV-Lite, macromedia FLASH3 supported


notes: as I only own the Clear Controller Set, the regular release may 
or may not have the stickers included, and may have a different product 
number. Everything else should be the same.



------------------------------------------------------------
06.outro

**versions:

0.77 12nov99
  First version. Everything added.


**legal:

chu-chu rocket!, chu-chu rocket! Clear Controller Set, Dreamcast, Sonic 
Team, and all other related terms/trademarks are copyright/trademarked 
by Sega Enterprises. All other copyrights are properties of their 
respective owners. 

This document is copyright J.T.Kauffman 1999 and cannot be reproduced 
for profit in any form. It can be freely distributed over the internet 
as long as it is unaltered and is only distributed on free (i.e. non-
subscription) sites. If you do choose to post this document on your 
site, please email me to let me know.


**notes:

this document was written after playing the game for a mere few hours. I 
have played through the 4 Player Battle mode once, and completed normal 
and hard in Puzzle mode. Past that, I have gotten very little chance to 
play the game, although I'm sure this will change, seeing as I've only 
had it for less than a day (as I write this, at least)...
 
a quick note about the formatting of this document... Since the title of 
the game is lower-case, I've chosen to keep this somewhat similar in 
this document; hence, the first letter of every paragraph is not 
capitalised _on purpose_. All other sentences should be capitalised...

about the name of the game, I feel that this is minor, but I feel that I 
should add it. The title of the game differs slightly depending on which 
you look at: the English or the Japanese title. The English title listed 
on the packaging is 'chu-chu rocket', while the Japanese translates to 
'ChuChu Rocket!'. To make things even more complicated, I have chosen to 
use the title 'chu-chu rocket!', or simply 'chu-chu!', in this document. 
This is merely to make the all-lower-case title stand out more. I don't 
think that it's that big of a deal, but I though that I should put it in 
anyway.


**contact:
J.T.Kauffman
stormwalker@hotmail.com


since 11nov99
shibata, miyagi, japan
jtk.