Die Hard Arcade's sequel, Dreamcast-exclusive. More improvised weapons, more absurdity, and the same two-player co-op.
Dynamite Cop was developed by Sega AM1 and released for Dreamcast in November 1998 — the sequel to Die Hard Arcade, released as a Dreamcast exclusive with the original Die Hard license removed, reverting to Sega's original characters. Players fought through a ship-hijacking scenario using hundreds of improvised weapons — fire extinguishers, pineapples, pipes, chickens — picked up from the environment. Two-player cooperative mode was retained from the original. Dynamite Cop added a branching stage system allowing multiple routes through the ship. The game sold approximately 250,000 copies on Dreamcast.
About this game
Dynamite Cop (1999), known in Japan as Dynamite Deka 2, is the Dreamcast port of Sega's arcade beat 'em up sequel — a game built entirely on the pleasure of picking up improbable objects and hitting things with them. Lobsters, giant tuna, rocket launchers, chairs, barrels: anything that isn't bolted down becomes a weapon. Set aboard a hijacked cruise ship, it delivers its absurdist action in under an hour, but with enough content variation across its branching path structure to reward multiple playthroughs.
Key Features
The game's weapon improvisation system is its defining feature: over 50 interactable objects can be grabbed and used as weapons, each with different reach, damage, and comedic effect. Three playable characters — Bruno (power), Cindy (speed), and Eddie (balance) — offer distinct combat feels. Branching paths through the ship create three routes to the final boss, each with different enemies and boss encounters. Two-player simultaneous co-op is supported.
Gallery
The Story Behind
Dynamite Cop is the direct sequel to Die Hard Arcade (Dynamite Deka, 1996), one of Sega's surprise arcade hits. The original Die Hard Arcade had been licensed using the Die Hard film franchise; the sequel and its home versions could not retain that license, which is why the Western title became simply 'Dynamite Cop'. The game exemplifies Sega's arcade-to-Dreamcast pipeline: arcade hits were ported rapidly and faithfully to the home console, giving the platform an enviable library of coin-op classics.
Tricks & Tales
The arcade version ran on Sega Model 2 hardware and featured the Die Hard license, with John McClane as a playable character — all removed for the home release. The Dreamcast port adds a playable third character (Eddie) and the branching path structure not present in the original arcade version. The game is notorious among Dreamcast enthusiasts for its short length — an experienced player can complete it in under 30 minutes — but its replay value through route variation and co-op keeps it relevant.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The Japanese version retains the 'Dynamite Deka 2' title while international versions use 'Dynamite Cop'. The Die Hard film license was not used in any home version. Content is otherwise largely consistent across regions.
Maintenance Tips
Dreamcast GD-ROMs can degrade over time. Store discs in cases away from humidity and direct light. The Dreamcast laser lens benefits from occasional cleaning with a lens cleaning disc.
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 Dynamite Cop copies regularly.
Will this Japanese Dreamcast game work on a North American or European Dreamcast?
No, not on unmodified hardware. The Dreamcast enforces regional lockout via the console BIOS — Japanese GD-ROMs will not run on Western consoles. Options include a boot disc (such as Utopia Boot Disc or DC-X) that bypasses region protection without hardware modification, a BIOS replacement, or a Japanese Dreamcast. The Dreamcast's regional protection is widely considered one of the easiest to bypass among disc-based consoles of its era.
Do I need a VMU (Visual Memory Unit) to save game progress?
Yes. The Dreamcast has no internal save storage. A VMU must be inserted into the controller's memory card slot to save game data. Each VMU holds 200 blocks; most games use 1–20 blocks per save file. The VMU also has a small LCD screen and can run mini-games independently of the console. Third-party memory cards are available, but the official Sega VMU is recommended for reliability.
How should I handle and care for a Dreamcast GD-ROM disc?
The Dreamcast uses GD-ROM, a proprietary high-density disc format. Handle by the edges and center hub, avoiding the data surface. Clean by wiping from the center outward in straight radial strokes with a soft lint-free cloth — never in a circular motion. If the console struggles to load an otherwise intact disc, the Dreamcast laser may need cleaning or adjustment, which is a common maintenance issue in aging Dreamcast hardware.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Dynamite Cop
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.
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