Capcom strapped its idols into a swivel chair and let them fire in every direction at once.
Known in Japan as Gunspike, this is a 2000 multidirectional shooter built by Psikyo on Sega's NAOMI hardware, and the strange joy of it is the cast list. Cammy and Charlie wander in from Street Fighter, Arthur clanks in from Ghosts 'n Goblins piloting a golden mech, and if you dig deep enough, Baby Bonnie Hood and Mega Man slip out as hidden characters. The Western title isn't a brand name at all: 'Cannon Spike' is just the name of one of Cammy's moves. Once you notice that, the whole game reads like a family photo where everyone wandered in from a different house.
About this game
Cannon Spike is a 2000 crossover fiction for the dreamcast, developed by Psikyo.
Gallery
Tricks & Tales
The Western name 'Cannon Spike' is literally one of Cammy's special moves — the title is a character's attack, not a franchise. Mega Man and Darkstalkers' Baby Bonnie Hood are hidden, unlockable characters — Capcom snuck two more mascots into an already crowded crossover. Cammy starts in her Delta Red outfit, but you can unlock her Shadaloo costume from Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The Dreamcast enforces a regional lockout by software, with discs manufactured for Japan (NTSC-J), North America (NTSC-U), and Europe (PAL) each restricted to their respective consoles. Most Japanese Dreamcast games output at 60 Hz over composite or S-Video, which works on NTSC televisions worldwide; VGA output bypasses the TV standard entirely and is supported by the majority of titles, making a VGA box or HDMI adapter a practical solution for overseas buyers. PAL-specific titles are the exception: a minority of PAL games do not support VGA or force 50 Hz, so checking compatibility lists before purchasing PAL software for use on a Japanese console is advisable.
Maintenance Tips
The GD-ROM drive is the Dreamcast's most common point of failure — the laser lens wears out faster than those in most contemporaneous CD players. If games freeze, fail to load, or the drive makes repeated seeking sounds, the lens is the first thing to check. Clean it gently with a cotton swab lightly dampened with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol; do not press hard or use high-speed cleaning discs, which can scratch the lens. Compressed air is useful for blowing dust out of the drive bay and the fan area. The console's internal clock is maintained by a rechargeable ML2032 coin cell — the correct replacement type is ML2032 (not CR2032, which is non-rechargeable and can be damaged by the console's charging circuit).
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Cannon Spike copies regularly.
Is the Japanese version a different game from Cannon Spike?
No — the Japanese release is titled Gunspike, but it's the same game. The Western rename to 'Cannon Spike' references Cammy's move.
Why is the PAL/European Dreamcast copy talked about so much?
Cannon Spike was the last official Dreamcast game released at retail in Europe, which makes the PAL edition a notable late-era collector's piece.
Did this game only ever appear on Dreamcast?
It debuted in arcades in 2000 on Sega's NAOMI hardware and was ported to Dreamcast the same year; the Dreamcast version is the standard home release collectors seek.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Cannon Spike
A short checklist for buying a used Dreamcast disc wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Check the disc for scratches
Deep scratches on the playing surface cause freezes and read errors. Light surface marks are usually fine.
Ask for a clear photo of the disc's underside. A seller who tested it will confirm it loads and plays through.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese Dreamcast GD-ROM. The Dreamcast is region-locked, so a Japanese disc generally needs a Japanese console.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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Saves use a VMU — no disc battery
Dreamcast games save to a VMU memory card; the disc itself has no battery.
Make sure you have a VMU with a working battery and free blocks.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
See what it's selling for on eBay →Unexpected Discoveries
Games you weren't looking for — but might be glad you found.
Rooms this game lives in
Wander deeper — explore the themed rooms where Cannon Spike sits alongside its kin.
Memories from around the world
This is a young museum, and this page is still waiting for its first voices. The memories people send reach Taisei personally, and the ones that move him find a home here over time — always with the writer's blessing. Yours could be the very first for this game.
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