PC content
From Sega Retro
PC content refers to hidden content that can be found by inserting the disc of a CD-ROM-based Sega game into a Windows PC or Macintosh, which can range from artwork to hidden messages from the developers for users curious of what would happen if they were to insert the game disc into a home computer.
Contents
Description
When a game disc is inserted into the CD drive of a home computer, the user will commonly find the extra content either on the root directory of the disc or contained inside folders (such as "OMAKE"). In the case with Dreamcast games, PC content is stored on the PC-readable portion of the GD-ROM disc. In most cases this extra content can be various artwork pieces, or wallpaper to decorate the user's desktop background with in various sizes and colour depths. In some cases, the extra content may be text files or word processing documents containing various messages from the developers such as greetings, commentary or copyright notices.
The practice of including PC content in games became more common by the mid-1990s as the rising adoption rate of home computers running Windows or Mac OS at time meant more console owners are expected to have a computer. As such, this type of content is primarily found in Saturn and Dreamcast games, and very few Mega-CD games contain such content.
CD-ROM identifiers
Outlined in the Yellow Book (CD-ROM) file system specifications (standardised as ISO 9660 and ECMA-119), a "primary volume descriptor" (PVD) must be defined[1] to describe, in broad terms, what file system the CD-ROM looks like. Among this information, three fields are reserved for "file identifiers"[2]. Typically stored in the PVD are the names of plain text files housed on the root of the disc:
- A "copyright file identifier", for copyright information.
- An "abstract file identifier", for a brief overview of the disc's contents.
- A "bibliographic file identifier", for a list of sources used to create the disc's contents.
File identifiers are entirely optional, but many CD-ROM publishers, including Sega (who appears to have mandated their existence in some cases), chose to include one or more of these identifiers for cataloging purposes. The nature of these files appearing on the root of a CD-ROM means they can appear alongside the type of hidden content mentioned above, however as any CD-ROM following the specification could include these files, Sega Retro does not typically class CD-ROM identifiers as hidden content.
An exception to this rule is when developers did not use these identifiers for their intended purposes. While the existence of copyright, abstract and bibliographic files may have been enforced, their contents were not always policed. When the contents of an identifier deviate greatly from the intention outlined in the standard, these may also be classed as hidden content.
Games with PC content
Mega-CD
- Dark Wizard (Hidden content)
- Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine (Hidden content)
- Mighty Mighty Missile! (Hidden content)
Saturn
- Advanced World War: Sennen Teikoku no Koubou (1997) (Hidden content)
- Airs Adventure (1996) (Hidden content)
- Akumajo Dracula X: Gekka no Yasokyoku (1998) (Hidden content)
- AnEarth Fantasy Stories: The First Volume (1997) (Hidden content)
- Astra Superstars (1998) (Hidden content)
- BackGuiner: Yomigaeru Yuusha-tachi: Hishou-hen Uragiri no Senjou (1998) (Hidden content)
- BackGuiner: Yomigaeru Yuusha-tachi: Kakusei-hen Guiner Tensei (1998) (Hidden content)
- Baku Baku Animal (1995) (Hidden content)
- Battle Athletess Daiundoukai (1996) (Hidden content)
- Battle Garegga (1998) (Hidden content)
- Bomberman Wars (1998) (Hidden content)
- Brain Battle Q (1996) (Hidden content)
- Bubble Symphony (1997) (Hidden content)
- Burning Rangers (1998) (Hidden content)
- Burning Rangers Taikenban (1998) (Hidden content)
- Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams (1996) (Hidden content)
- Clockwork Knight 2 (1995) (Hidden content)
- Code R (1998) (Hidden content)
- Cotton 2 (1997) (Hidden content)
- Daisenryaku Strong Style (1997) (Hidden content)
- Darius II (1990) (Hidden content)
- Dark Savior (1996) (Hidden content)
- Dead or Alive (1996) (Hidden content)
- Decathlete (1996) (Hidden content)
- Densetsu no Ogre Battle (1996) (Hidden content)
- Detana Twinbee Yahoo! Deluxe Pack (1995) (Hidden content)
- Doukyuusei 2 (1997) (Hidden content)
- Doukyuusei if (1996) (Hidden content)
- Dragon Ball Z Idainaru Dragon Ball Densetsu (1996) (Hidden content)
- Enemy Zero (1996) (Hidden content)
- Falcom Classics II (1998) (Hidden content)
- Fantastep (1997) (Hidden content)
- Fighters Megamix (1996) (Hidden content)
- Fighting Vipers (1995) (Hidden content)
- Goiken Muyou: Anarchy in the Nippon (1997) (Hidden content)
- Gradius Deluxe Pack (1996) (Hidden content)
- Gun Frontier Arcade Gears (1997) (Hidden content)
- Hankou Shashin: Shibarareta Shoujo-tachi no Mita Mono ha? (1996) (Hidden content)
- Hansha de Spark! (1997) (Hidden content)
- Harukaze Sentai V-Force (1997) (Hidden content)
- Heir of Zendor: The Legend and The Land (1996) (Hidden content)
- Honkaku Pro Mahjong Tetsuman Special (1996) (Hidden content)
- Iron Storm (1995) (Hidden content)
- J.League Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou! (1996) (Hidden content)
- Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius: Forever With Me ( ?) (Hidden content)
- Jikuu Tantei DD: Maboroshi no Lorelei (1996) (Hidden content)
- Kaitou Saint Tail (1997) (Hidden content)
- Langrisser III (1996) (Hidden content)
- Langrisser IV (1997) (Hidden content)
- Langrisser V: The End of Legend (1998) (Hidden content)
- Logic Puzzle Rainbow Town (1996) (Hidden content)
- Lunar Silver Star Story (1996) (Hidden content)
- Madou Monogatari (1998) (Hidden content)
- Magical Drop 2 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Mahjong Kyou Jidai: Cebu Island '96 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Maria: Kimitachi ga Umareta Wake (1997) (Hidden content)
- Mizubaku Daibouken (1998) (Hidden content)
- NIGHTRUTH: Explanation of the paranormal - "Maria" (1996) (Hidden content)
- NiGHTS into Dreams (1996) (Hidden content)
- Ninja Jajamaru-kun: Onigiri Ninpouchou Gold (1997) (Hidden content)
- Noël 3 (1998) (Hidden content)
- Panzer Dragoon (1995) (Hidden content)
- Panzer Dragoon Saga (1998) (Hidden content)
- Panzer Dragoon Zwei (1996) (Hidden content)
- Parodius (1995) (Hidden content)
- Pia Carrot e Youkoso!! 2 (1998) (Hidden content)
- Planet Joker (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Data Hen Race Queen F (1996) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Data Hen Race Queen G (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Tokubetsu Hen Campaign Girl '97 (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Tokubetsu Hen Cosplayers (1996) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Tokubetsu Hen Kogal Daihyakka 100 (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 10: Masaki Mai (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 11: Hirose Mayumi (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 1: Kinoshita Yuu (1996) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 2: Uchiyama Miki (1996) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 3: Ooshima Akemi (1996) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 4: Kuroda Mirei (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 5: Fujisaki Nanako (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 6: Yoshida Satomi (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 7: Asou Kaori (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 8: Furukawa Emiko (1997) (Hidden content)
- Private Idol Disc Vol. 9: Nagamatsu Keiko (1997) (Hidden content)
- Puyo Puyo Sun (1996) (Hidden content)
- Puzzle & Action: Treasure Hunt (1995) (Hidden content)
- Quiz Nanairo Dreams Nijiirochou no Kiseki (1997) (Hidden content)
- Radiant Silvergun (1998) (Hidden content)
- Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus (1997) (Hidden content)
- Saturn Super Vol. 10 (1997) (Hidden content)
- Saturn Super Vol. 11 (1997) (Hidden content)
- Saturn Super Vol. 2 (1995) (Hidden content)
- Saturn Super Vol. 3 (1995) (Hidden content)
- Saturn Super Vol. 4 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Saturn Super Vol. 5 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Saturn Super Vol. 6 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Saturn Super Vol. 7 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Savaki (1998) (Hidden content)
- Sega Touring Car Championship (1996) (Hidden content)
- Sentimental Graffiti: First Window (1997) (Hidden content)
- Sento Monogatari Sono I (1995) (Hidden content)
- Sexy Parodius (1996) (Hidden content)
- Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Akuma Zensho (1996) (Hidden content)
- Shinouken (1997) (Hidden content)
- Sonic Jam (1997) (Hidden content)
- Sorvice (1998) (Hidden content)
- Sotsugyou Album (1998) (Hidden content)
- Sotsugyou S (1997) (Hidden content)
- Soukyugurentai (1996) (Hidden content)
- Steeldom (1996) (Hidden content)
- Steep Slope Sliders (1997) (Hidden content)
- Strikers 1945 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Super Casino Special (1997) (Hidden content)
- Tactics Ogre (1996) (Hidden content)
- Taikenban Saturn Soft Taizen (1995) (Hidden content)
- Tech Saturn 1996/Vol.1 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Tech Saturn 1996/Vol.2 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Tech Saturn Tsuushin Vol.4 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Tech Saturn Tsuushin Vol.5 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Ten Pin Alley (1997) (Hidden content)
- Thunder Force V ( ?) (Hidden content)
- Thunderhawk II (1995) (Hidden content)
- Tokimeki Memorial Selection Fujisaki Shiori (1997) (Hidden content)
- Tokimeki Memorial: Taisen Pazurudama (1996) (Hidden content)
- Tokyo Shadow (1997) (Hidden content)
- Tomb Raider (1996) (Hidden content)
- Twinkle Star Sprites (1997) (Hidden content)
- Virtua Cop (1994) (Hidden content)
- Virtua Cop 2 (1995) (Hidden content)
- Virtual Open Tennis (1995) (Hidden content)
- Virus (1997) (Hidden content)
- Waku Waku Monster (1998) (Hidden content)
- Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon (1998) (Hidden content)
- Winning Post 2 Program '96 (1996) (Hidden content)
- Winter Heat (1997) (Hidden content)
- World Advanced Daisenryaku: Sakusen File (1996) (Hidden content)
Dreamcast
- 4 Wheel Thunder (2000) (Hidden content)
- Atsumare! Guru Guru Onsen BB (2000) (Hidden content)
- Blue Stinger (1999) (Hidden content)
- Cardcaptor Sakura: Tomoyo no Video Daisakusen (2000) (Hidden content)
- ChuChu Rocket! (1999) (Hidden content)
- Cleopatra Fortune (1997) (Hidden content)
- Dead or Alive 2 (1999) (Hidden content)
- Dream Passport (1998) (Hidden content)
- Dream Passport 2 (1999) (Hidden content)
- Dream Passport 3 (2000) (Hidden content)
- DreamFlyer (1999) (Hidden content)
- Dreamkey (1999) (Hidden content)
- Dreamkey Version 1.5 (1999) (Hidden content)
- Dreamkey Version 2.0 (2001) (Hidden content)
- Elemental Gimmick Gear (1999) (Hidden content)
- Fur Fighters (2000) (Hidden content)
- Idol Janshi o Tsukucchaou (1999) (Hidden content)
- Ikaruga (2001) (Hidden content)
- Industrial Spy: Operation Espionage (1999) (Hidden content)
- Marie & Elie no Atelier: Salberg no Renkinjutsushi 1-2 (2001) (Hidden content)
- MDK 2 (2000) (Hidden content)
- Pen Pen TriIceLon (1998) (Hidden content)
- Phantasy Star Online (2000) (Hidden content)
- Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (2001) (Hidden content)
- Puyo Puyo~n (1999) (Hidden content)
- Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (1999) (Hidden content)
- Rent A Hero No.1 (2000) (Hidden content)
- Sega Smash Pack Volume 1 (2001) (Hidden content)
- Sentimental Graffiti 2 (2000) (Hidden content)
- Seventh Cross Evolution (1998) (Hidden content)
- Shenmue II (2001) (Hidden content)
- Sonic Adventure (1998) (Hidden content)
- Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) (Hidden content)
- Sonic Shuffle ( ?) (Hidden content)
- Time Stalkers (1999) (Hidden content)
- Toy Commander (1999) (Hidden content)
- Urban Chaos (2000) (Hidden content)
- Yu Suzuki Game Works Vol. 1 (2001) (Hidden content)