General Introduction:
-----------------------------
The first Dreamcast-compatible product to be released, the Godzilla VMS
(Visual Memory System) is basically a Tamogotchi-style, Virtual Pet-type game.
The purpose of the game is to raise monsters (based on the Toho Godzilla
universe) and fight them against other people's monsters. While the premise
is simple, it can get confusing quick,especially if you don't know how to
read Japanese. This FAQ was created to help those of you who just bought the
Godzilla VMS and are having a hard time figuring out what to do with it. Also,
we're far from being masters ourselves, so this FAQ is by no means complete.
We're hoping that the rest of you gamers out there can write in with what
you've learned, so that we can all better understand how to play.
As a favor to the authors, please do not reproduce any part of this FAQ
without their written permission. This is especially directed to any
videogame magazines out there.
Table of Contents
-----------------------------
Part 01: General Description
Part 02: Getting Started
Part 03: The Menu
Part 04: General Tips
Part 05: Monster List
Part 06: DNA List
Part 07: Locations List
Part 08: Godzilla Generations
Part 09: Misc Stuff
Part 10: Tips And Tricks
Part 11: Bugs And Glitches
Part 12: Conclusion
Part 13: Credits
Part 01: General Description
-----------------------------
For those who don't know, A VMS (Visual Memory System) is a memory card for
Sega's upcoming Dreamcast console system. It works almost exactly like a
PlayStation Memory Card, except that the VMS is much more powerful and can
actually run certain programs. It also has a LCD screen, unlike the
PlayStation Card, which can display graphics and text. Here are the general
technical specs for the standard VMS:
CPU: 8-bit
Memory: 128 KByte
Display (LCD): 48 by 32 dot Monochromatic Liquid Crystal Display
Display Size: 1 7/16" by 1"
Console Dimensions: 1 13/16" (W) X 3 1/8" (H) X 5/8" (D)
Power Source: 2 Watch Batteries / Has Auto-Off Function
Sound: PWM Sound Source 1 channel
Weight: 1.5 oz
Now, the Godzilla VMS is exactly the same as a standard VMS, with one major
exception: All you can do, initially, is play the Godzilla game. The other VMS
options, such as the notebook, are not accessible until you actually plug the
Godzilla VMS into the Dreamcast console controller and have saved a game on
it.
Part 02: Getting Started
-----------------------------
When you first get your Godzilla VMS, you will have to pull out the battery
guard that is sticking out of the back of the unit. This allows the two
batteries to touch each other, and will "turn on" the unit. After the initial
intro screens and sounds, push buttons A and B together. You should then see
a picture of an egg. Hit the A and B buttons again, and the egg will hatch
into a baby monster. A few seconds after the hatching, you will be taken to
the main menu screen. This is where you will have to choose the location to
raise your monster in.
Part 03: The Menu
-----------------------------
The menu system is broken up into six different sections:
* Menu 1: Locations
* Menu 2: Missile Game
* Menu 3: DNA
* Menu 4: List
* Menu 5: Battle
* Menu 6: Sound
Menu 1: Locations
There are four selectable locations to raise your monster:
normal (farm)
kind (rural)
tough (city)
dodgy (pyramids)
There are actually four stages of growth that your monster will go through
and the locations that you raise your monster in, during these stages, will
determine what its final, adult form will look like.
Menu 2: Missile Game
Basically the only really interactive aspect of the Godzilla VMS, the
missile game is used to increase the fighting strength of your monster.
The object of the game is to successfully dodge missiles launched at your
monster by the Earth Defense Force. You do this by selecting the area where
you think the missile will hit: high, medium or low. Using the directionl
pad on the VMS,move the arrow to the area where you think the missile will
hit and then hit the A button. You should then see a missile appear on the
screen and move towards your monster.
If you successfully selected the right area, your monster will be able to
block the missile. If you didn¦t select the correct area, the missile will
hit your monster just like in the movies.
Choose correctly two outof three times and you win the game. Choose
incorrectly two or more times and you will lose. If you want to build up
your monster, you should play this game as often as you can. It can make a
big difference on the outcome of a fight.
Note: If you lose the first two times, during a game, simply hit B and you
will be taken to the main menu system. You can then start the game over and
not waste any time on that third time.
Menu 3: DNA
This option is only selectable when your monster is fully grown. It reveals
the number and name of your monster as well as its attribute points. This
option is the fatest and easiest way to determine information about your new
monster should you win a match (See Menu 5: Battle).
Menu 4: List
This menu option keeps track of all the different monsters that you have
raised and fought with since the moment you ¦turned on" the Godzilla VMS.
You can find the number, name, picture, attribute points of each monster here.
There is also an extra screen that you can access here that can not be found
in the Menu 3: DNA.
This extra screen indicates three different things:
Iksei: (This indicates if you have raised this monster)
Shori: (This indicates the track record of your monster)
Mita: (This indicates that you have seen this monster)
Menu 5: Battle
By far the coolest feature, this option allows you to link two Godzilla VMS's
together and fight the monsters. To do this, remove the plastic covering on
the end of your VMS and plug it into the second VMS. You then need to select
Menu 5: Battle on both VMS's and push the A buttons. Both VMS units should
then start loading information which is represented by the black box blinking
in the upper left corner of the screen. After a couple of seconds of this
loading, the screen will change telling you to pull the VMS units apart. When
you do this, the battle between the two monsters will begin and each person
will be able to view the fight on their own VMS. Fights are not limited to a
certain length of time. Some fights last a few seconds while others can last
for several minutes. It just depends on how evenly matched the two battling
monsters are.
Note: On rare occasions, a monster may pull off a "Critical Hit" that can
completely destroy the other monster in a single attack. There doesn't seem
to be any pattern to these hits, as it looks like they occur at random
intervals.
If you win the fight, your monster's DNA will combine with the losing
monster's DNA and create a new monster that is stronger. If you lose, your
monster will die and you will have to start all over again.
Note: Regardless of whether you win or lose a battle, your opponent's monster
will still be added to your VMS's Monster List (See Part 5: Monster List).
Menu 6: Sound
This menu option allows you to turn the game sounds on or off. In most cases,
you will want the sound off because it tends to slow down the game especially
during battles. However, if you are raising a monster you should keep the
sound on. This allows you to hear the beeping sound that occurs whenever a
monster changes to a new form. To get back to the main menu, simply push the
B button.
Part 04: General Tips
-----------------------------
Considering that the game is based a lot on randomness, there are only
a few useful strategies that can be used. As mentioned above, the rocket
game tends to be very important when you are planning to fight against
another monster with a similar skill level. Also, you should look at the
locations table and try to raise the strongest monster you can from the
beginning. The only other point you should remember is that monsters can
only live for a certain period of time. If you leave the VMS on for too
long, your monster will die and a message will appear on the VMS screen
stating: "You're Dead". That is the last thing you want to see, so be
sure and shut the VMS off whenever you are not going to use it for an
extended period of time. To do this, simply hit the SLEEP button. To
turn the VMS back on, hit the SLEEP button once more. We will be adding
more tips to this section as we discover them.
Part 05: Monster List
-----------------------------
Here is a complete listing of all the different monsters that we have
uncovered in the game. We have also included the stats for each monster,
but we are unsure of what exact effect they have on the outcome of a
fight. Just becasue a certain monster has a higher stat rating doesn't
mean it will always win. As stated before, the Missile Game plays a more
important part then anything else (See Menu 2: Missile Game). A lower
rated monster can easily defeat a higher rated one if it has won more
successful Missile games.
The numbers on this chart represent the 35 possible monsters that can be
obtained using the Godzilla VMS. To determine what your monster will
transform into after winning a battle, simply find the number of the two
fighting monsters (which are the left-most and top-most numbers) and see where
they intersect on the chart. The number at the intersection is the new monster
that your monster will transform into. Some of the monsters, namely 28 and
above, are harder to get because they can not be obtained in a single battle.
You have to fight certain monsters in a certain order to get them. As soon
as we finalize that order, we will post them on this chart.
Part 07: Locations List
-----------------------------
In order to produce a specific adult monster, you must raise it in varying
environmental settings. This table shows which locations you should place
your monster in during its different growth stages. If you follow the chart
correctly then you will end up with the adult monster that is listed in the
right column of the chart. However, there are only a few monsters that you
can ever hope to raise. The others can only be obtained by winning a fight
against another monster.
Baby Little Junior Adult
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm/City Farm/House Farm Minira
Farm/City Farm/House House Radon
Farm/City Farm/House City Mosura
Farm/City Farm/House Pyramids Edira
Farm/City City/Pyramids Farm Angirasu
Farm/City City/Pyarmids House Maguma
Farm/City City/Pyramids City Gorozaurusu
Farm/City City/Pyramids Pyramids Jettojyagaa
House/Pyramids Farm/Pyramids Farm Kingogidora
House/Pyramids Farm/Pyramids House Gaigin
House/Pyramids Farm/Pyramids City Supeesu Gojira
House/Pyramids Farm/Pyramids Pyramids Kamakirasu
House/Pyramids City/House Farm Gaira
House/Pyramids City/House House Biorante
House/Pyramids City/House City Gezora
House/Pyramids City/House Pyramids Gabora
Part 08: Godzilla Generations
-----------------------------
The main purpose of the Godzilla VMS is to use it in conjunction with GE's
(General Entertainment) Godzilla Generations Dreamcast title. There is a mode
in the game called "VMS Battle" which closely resembles the Pokemon Stadium
game for the N64. However, the Godzilla game is much less interactive.
Basically, players choose which monster they want to play as (you can use any
monster that you have unlocked in the VMS) and then have to go up against four
other monsters. The only real interaction is that you get to choose which
of the four monsters you are going to attack. The rest boils down to pure
chance. And the winner is the last monster left standing.
Note: If you manage to unlock a majority of the 35 VMS monsters, then it looks
like all the main Godzilla characters become selectable in the normal Godzilla
Generations game. Meaning, you can play as U.S. Godzilla, Minira, Classic
Godzilla, Godzilla and Mecha Godzilla instead of being able to play as only
Godzilla and Mecha Godzilla. Dr. Serizawa, however, still remains hidden until
you finsh the game with all the other characters.
Part 09: Misc Stuff
-----------------------------
This is the section that we devote to rumors and other things that we are
not quite sure about. This is the section that will probably be added to
the most.
The Magic Date
Hypothesis: One of the more interesting thoughts that we've had about the
Godzilla VMS is that the date kept by its internal clock may somehow
influence the game, itself. Some of you may remember an older Sega game
called Christmas Nights. Depending on the date that the internal clock in
your Saturn console was set to, the game would change in different ways.
For example, if you played the game during Christmas time, the trees would
be covered with ornaments. Play it on other holidays,and other elements
would change. Anyway, the point is that Sega could have done the very same
thing with the Godzilla VMS.
The only date we can think of that is really pertinent to the VMS is the
Japanese release date of the actual Dreamcast console - November 20, 1998
(11/20/98). Since there is no real way to reset the date on your VMS,
aside from popping out the batteries or hitting the reset button, we have
yet to try out our theory. If anyone out there is willing to test out this
date, we would be most appreciative. Just remember, if you take the
battery out, all of your game data may be lost. It would be best to try
this when you first take it out the packaging, before you start playing.
Results: After typing in a few different dates, we have discovered that
none of them (so far) have any effect on the Godzilla game. We will keep
trying but we now assume that there are no "magic" dates to be found.
Hidden Codes
Hypothesis: Considering that game developers just love to include hidden
modes and other secrets in their games, it seems possible that the Godzilla
VMS may contain some. Perhaps there might be hidden monsters or mini-games
that we have yet to find. How to access them is a mystery but perhaps SEGA
will reveal some more information when the Godzilla Generations game gets
released in Japan.
Results: We have yet to discover any codes or hidden secrets of the Godzilla
VMS but SEGA might still have a couple of tricks up its sleeve. If you
discover any cool secrets, please email us so that we can include them in
this FAQ.
Part 10: Tips And Tricks
-----------------------------
While the overall Godzilla VMS game is pretty simplistic, there are a few
tips and tricks that can be used to speed up your monster gathering. Here are
the ones that we have compiled so far.
Resetting The VMS
The game "saves" your current stats whenever you go from the "Spade" mode to
the "Clock" mode and back. These saved stats can be recovered by resetting the
VMS, but only if you have not started a new egg once your monster died. There
are a few uses for this trick.
- If your high-level monster accidentally dies on you because you forgot to
put the VMS in sleep mode, you can just reset the game with a pin, and the
game should resume from when you last entered and exited the "Clock" mode.
- This trick is extremely useful when you have two VMS's and want to get all
of the 35 monsters on one of them. Let's say VMS1 is the main VMS and you
are using VMS2 to help VMS1 get all the special monsters. After every
successful battle/mutation for VMS1, enter and exit VMS1's "Clock" mode to
save your progress. In the case that the VMS2 accidentally beats VMS1,
simply reset VMS1 to recover the saved data. That way, you won't have to
start over with a new monster.
With that in mind, you can save both VMS stats, and reset the battle results
that you don't like and save the ones that are favorable. Using this method,
you can get both VMS's to have level 16+ monsters rather quickly. This is
important because you need to fight two 16+ monsters in order to get a level
27+ monster.
Changing The VMS Screen Font
While in the "Clock" mode, hold the D-pad left and press the 'A' button. A
Japanese message will say 'tokei saisettei' (reset the time?). On the
bottom of the screen, 2 choices will also appear. The left side is 'hai'
(yes), the right is 'iie' (no). Choose the right side and a row of numbers
will appear. Pressing up or down on the D-pad will scroll through the 3
(maybe 4) different fonts available. Press the 'A' button when you find a
font you like. The Godzilla VMS will return you to the time display at this
point.
Part 11: Bugs And Glitches
-----------------------------
We have yet to discover any bugs or glitches in the Godzilla VMS but that
doesn't mean there aren't any. If you discover any, please be sure and email
us about them.
Part 12: Conclusion
-----------------------------
Hopefully, after reading this FAQ, you will gain a better understanding of
the Godzilla VMS. There are still several aspects that we have not addressed,
so if you would like to add something or have any questions about the FAQ,
please email the author at s_frost@earthlink.net. We will continue to update
this FAQ as we find out more information about the Godzilla VMS.
Part 13: Credits
-----------------------------
This FAQ was written by Stephen Frost with the assistance of Chris Slate.
Minor contributors include Craig Harris and Jeff Chen. Thanks goes to
Benjamin Hsu and Gaijin for their help on the Tips And Tricks section. Also,
we give credit to Fernando Mosquera's Godzilla VMS faq, which provided us
with the inspiration and general information to create this guide.
As always, the items explained in this FAQ (namely the VMS and Godzilla) are
copyright by their respected owners SEGA and TOHO. This FAQ was written for
the pure porpose of helping owners of the Godzilla VMS. It should not be
altered in any way except by premission of the authors.
=============================================================================
Godzilla Atsumete VMS Guide Copyright 1999 Stephen Frost
