About this game
The House of the Dead 2 (1999) is the Dreamcast's definitive light gun shooter and the game that made the console's launch in North America feel like a true arcade experience at home. Built on the Sega NAOMI hardware by Sega AM1, it brought the zombie-filled European streets of the 1998 arcade sequel directly into living rooms — and in Japan, Sega bundled it with the official Dreamcast Gun in a hardware package that defined the platform's early identity.
Key Features
Six chapters of rail-shooter action across a zombie-infested European city. Multiple branching paths determined by player performance — rescuing specific civilians affects which route the player takes through each chapter. Two-player co-op with two light guns. Bosses are named after Tarot cards (Judgment, Tower, Hierophant) in keeping with the series' mythology. The Dreamcast port includes a training mode and an original scoring system rewarding headshots and civilians saved.
The Story Behind
In Japan, the game launched on March 25, 1999 — just four months after the Dreamcast itself — and the gun bundle made it the showcase hardware experience. In North America, it launched with the Dreamcast in September 1999 as one of the 18 launch titles. Sega decided not to release the official Dreamcast gun in North America following the 1999 Columbine High School shooting; North American players had to import the Dreamcast gun or use the standard controller.
Tricks & Tales
The game's voice acting — particularly the infamous 'Goldman' monologue and the endearingly stiff English delivery throughout — became a cult phenomenon. Lines like 'Suffer like G did?' and 'Who are you calling a fool, fool?' are quoted decades later. The NAOMI board that powered the arcade version was identical to the Dreamcast hardware, making this one of the most technically faithful arcade-to-home ports of the era.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Japan received a gun bundle edition. In North America, the official Dreamcast gun was not released; North American players needing the gun experience had to import. Europe and Australia received the game with optional gun support.
Maintenance Tips
Standard GD-ROM care. The Dreamcast Gun accessory requires a CRT display for accurate targeting — it does not work on LCD/modern flat-panel displays. If the gun is responding inconsistently, check the sensor light-path alignment inside the accessory.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
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