Tokimeki Memorial has a Sidearms/Soldier Blade style minigame.

SignOfZeta · 05/23/2008, 12:44 AM

Quotenot sure if the minigames were actually different at all... And I have no intention of trying out all 4 editions ). And by the search results, they definitely know about this game. It just didn't help that this game didn't appeal to westerners, as it'd be mostly random icon clicking and seeing numbers go up & down to non-Japanese readers. And those who previously reviewed it in English (even ones that were the pretty thorough like hardcoregaming 101's review) didn't mention anything about Force Gear.

Tokimeki actually was kind of well known with import gamers in the mid 90s, but everyone I know, including me, played it on SS or PS. Its not really that hard to get into as a gaijin compared to other chick sims.

I really don't think that the later ports to other systems had Force Gear in it. I don't have any reason to think this other than the fact that it just looks so PC Engine-y that I'm assuming they substituted it for something else. It probably was an abandoned PCE project that just got thrown in there for the hell of it.

termis · 05/23/2008, 12:58 AM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 05/23/2008, 12:44 AMI really don't think that the later ports to other systems had Force Gear in it. I don't have any reason to think this other than the fact that it just looks so PC Engine-y that I'm assuming they substituted it for something else. It probably was an abandoned PCE project that just got thrown in there for the hell of it.

Yeah, I'm sure I've seen TwinBee minigames in other versions, but I didn't think Force Gear was in the other ports either. I was just more concerned with Force Gear possibly not being in one of the 4 different _PCE_ prints.

shubibiman · 05/23/2008, 03:25 PM

Thanks to Termis and Chris for all that cool stuff ;)
Chris>I could not make out how to use your program

Nazi NecroPhile · 05/23/2008, 03:34 PM

Quote from: ccovell on 05/22/2008, 10:03 PMIf you can't use a CDR in your Duo, but have a PCE flash card, you could use my PCE BRAM Tool ROM to alter your Tokimeki Memorial save file to match Termis'.

Thanks for that Mr. Covell; I'll play around with it this weekend and see if I can get 'er working.

shubibiman · 05/23/2008, 04:50 PM

Just used the ISO way and it works! SO cool!

termis · 05/23/2008, 06:57 PM

If you want to use Chris' BRAM editor, here's the actual PCE save data you can use & refer to. This way you don't have to try digging it out from the iso.

TurboXray · 05/23/2008, 07:59 PM

Some hacking info on the game:

(From the title screen)

Ram $3326: 00= loop, 01= game start, $02-7f= reset, $80 = Twin bee game, $81-8f= Force Gear, $90-ff= some strange message with a pic of a boy sitting in a spot light.

Ram $3323: 00=null, 01 = menu option 1, 02= menu option 2, 03= some sort of debug screen

Update: I isolated both games and saved them, but it looks like they can't be put into a hucard format. They write to ram that the hucard format doesn't not have (some self modifying code).

ParanoiaDragon · 05/24/2008, 02:12 AM

Quote from: TurboXray on 05/23/2008, 07:59 PMSome hacking info on the game:

(From the title screen)

Ram $3326: 00= loop, 01= game start, $02-7f= reset, $80 = Twin bee game, $81-8f= Force Gear, $90-ff= some strange message with a pic of a boy sitting in a spot light.

Ram $3323: 00=null, 01 = menu option 1, 02= menu option 2, 03= some sort of debug screen

Update: I isolated both games and saved them, but it looks like they can't be put into a hucard format. They write to ram that the hucard format doesn't not have (some self modifying code).

Can they atleast be turned into seperate iso's?? Maybe even make complete games of them, BWA HAHA!

geepee16 · 06/13/2008, 06:20 AM

WOW. the surprises don't stop, do they? first the ZENKI news and now this. i joined the TML in 96 and there were LOTS of hard core members there who played these types of games and no one has ever mentioned it. and....hold on, i have an idea... okay, i have this VERY cool book that has lots of codes for almost every game in the pce/pc-fx/sgx libraries through '96. i have s l o w l y been translating and testing for an eventual dump onto the much neglected pcecp.com. i've been working on this for a few months and brought it with me this summer. i am looking at the tokimeki memorial file and, among many other secrets (most meaningless unless you play the game) is something that says (hasty translation here):

"Full Power Extra Game-

First, in the second year of the Culture Festival, go to the computer lab and play "Twin Bee Returns". Then, while playing, hit pause, Up Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, II, I in that order. The area around the "jigi" (this may refer to the austomatic probes that accompany you ?) turn white indicating the code was successfully entered. Now you will be able to play at full power."

There is no mention here of the other game which means the publishers discovered later and put it in the '97 edition or didn't know about it.

TurboXray · 06/13/2008, 05:27 PM

I look forward to you updating pcecp.com

CrackTiger · 06/13/2008, 07:55 PM

Quote from: geepee16 on 06/13/2008, 06:20 AMWOW. the surprises don't stop, do they? first the ZENKI news and now this.

What is this surprising Zenki news?

Keranu · 06/13/2008, 10:51 PM

Quote from: guest on 06/13/2008, 07:55 PM
Quote from: geepee16 on 06/13/2008, 06:20 AMWOW. the surprises don't stop, do they? first the ZENKI news and now this.
What is this surprising Zenki news?

I think he's referring to these top secret codes.

geepee16 · 06/14/2008, 06:41 AM

Yes I am.

you know, tokimeki memorial was hugely popular here in japan. even my wife knows of it though she has never played it.
the big questions for me now are:

1. what other versions of TM on other consoles will have something like this in this in there?
2. since we know twin bee returns was a real game, should we assume that force gear was also?
3. what else have those crafty bastards at konami done? could there be other games in a 2D computer lab hiding behind hours and hours of gameplay and lines of unreadable text?

this is really exciting. i am stil puzzled why it's not in this codebook i have (but twin bee is)

spenoza · 06/14/2008, 09:35 AM

I have one of those massive game catalogs/code books/review tomes from '98/'99. I can look through it and see if there's anything in there for some of the later Tokimeki games like for the PSX and Saturn (well, when I get home from work I can).

shubibiman · 06/14/2008, 03:19 PM

Quote from: geepee16 on 06/13/2008, 06:20 AM"Full Power Extra Game-

First, in the second year of the Culture Festival, go to the computer lab and play "Twin Bee Returns". Then, while playing, hit pause, Up Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, II, I in that order. The area around the "jigi" (this may refer to the austomatic probes that accompany you ?) turn white indicating the code was successfully entered. Now you will be able to play at full power."

This code will work on EVERY Konami shooter of the time ;)
And yes, Tokimeki Memorial is a very well-known game in Japan, even non-gamers know about it.

spenoza · 06/14/2008, 07:47 PM

It will work in every Konami game but it won't always just power you up. Isn't Gradius II the one where it powers you up all the way and then kills you 5 seconds later?

Lochlan · 06/14/2008, 08:57 PM

Quote from: guest on 06/14/2008, 07:47 PMIt will work in every Konami game but it won't always just power you up. Isn't Gradius II the one where it powers you up all the way and then kills you 5 seconds later?

The Konami code? It powers you up all the way in Gradius II except for the shot which is still the default pea-shooter IIRC.

In Gradius III it will blow up your ship unless you use the L and R triggers instead of left and right on the d-pad, maybe that's what you're talking about?

spenoza · 06/14/2008, 10:32 PM

Maybe it was one of the arcade games I was thinking about.

Keranu · 06/15/2008, 05:09 AM

In regards to geepee's second point, I think Force Gear had to be a game in full development. Just seemed like too much effort for a mear demo game to be hidden. If we can find any leads on this, that would be great.

megane72 · 09/12/2008, 06:08 AM

Hi guys...

since I needed to make those saves and save states of ME working with mednafen (cause I prefer to compress my bakcups with MPC/MP3, only supported by mednafen), I finally succeded in converting them and also I remake the saves and save states for ME so you can directly access the games from the option menu in the main menu now for both games.

I uploaded the saves/save states for both emulators on megaupload (that I think will not expire soon).

Mednafen saves and savestate: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=21YSMUML
Magic Engine saves and savestate: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4S32RUDH

For ME i made the saves also in old and new ME mode (see ME docs for this).

Hope to have made a nice thing for everybody.

shubibiman · 09/12/2008, 12:29 PM

Thanks a lot!

geepee16 · 09/12/2008, 04:35 PM

hey all...been a while since i read this thread and it may have already been mentioned but i will bring it up just in case:

i was initially surprised that these mini-games got by us and marvelled at how. true, tokimeki is not a highly playable game for non-japanese speakers yet, i can' believe that after 15 years and thousands of people in the community, no one picked up on it and here is a major reason why: i returned to greece where much of my pc engine collection is and decided the other day to peek in the instruction manual for TM and, would you believe, there it was! the game is not a secret. it is more like an announced unlockable right in the manual. i guess we all need to examine our manuals more closely. i have other TM games for the saturn and DC and guess i should probably see if there is anything there as well.

Ninja Spirit · 09/15/2008, 08:01 PM

Y'know in light of Megaman 9 going back to its original 8-bit state, with Wii VC, XBLA, etc., this is a great opportunity for Force Gear to become a full game

ccovell · 12/07/2009, 04:27 AM

Hey, I finally did a little poking around the game code for Tokimeki Memorial, and I've found the code in the ISO that turns off the "Omake" option in the options menu. So, I created an IPS patch for track 2 of the game CD, so you can patch the game directly and not have to worry about save states or BRAM copying.

I also added all the "voices" in the omake option and upped the time limit for Force Gear from 3 minutes to 10 minutes. (Can that last boss be killed, anyway?)

https://www.chrismcovell.com/data/tokimeki02.ips

This IPS file should work with any good IPS patcher.

SignOfZeta · 12/07/2009, 07:38 AM

Sorry for the noob question...So this is a patch for the actual game? Can I just Turbo Rip it, apply the IPS, and burn the CD? Then the omake will be on the title screen? If so, awesome, way to go!

That would be more convenient than using Nanami's bank.

CrackTiger · 12/07/2009, 08:41 AM

Quote from: ccovell on 12/07/2009, 04:27 AMHey, I finally did a little poking around the game code for Tokimeki Memorial, and I've found the code in the ISO that turns off the "Omake" option in the options menu. So, I created an IPS patch for track 2 of the game CD, so you can patch the game directly and not have to worry about save states or BRAM copying.

I also added all the "voices" in the omake option and upped the time limit for Force Gear from 3 minutes to 10 minutes. (Can that last boss be killed, anyway?)

https://www.chrismcovell.com/data/tokimeki02.ips

This IPS file should work with any good IPS patcher.

This is so amazingly awesome.

Thanks a lot, I don't know when I'd have ever gotten around to trying to unlock it the normal way.

shubibiman · 12/07/2009, 09:15 AM

Quote from: ccovell on 12/07/2009, 04:27 AMI also upped the time limit for Force Gear from 3 minutes to 10 minutes.

OMFG! This is so great and awesome.

Nazi NecroPhile · 12/07/2009, 11:54 AM

Simply awesome, Mr. Covell.

I'll finally get to play what I'm too lazy to unlock the 'correct' way.

TurboXray · 12/07/2009, 04:16 PM

Chris, can you translate the hidden screen in the last option? (I assume it's a hidden screen shot, but I've never played the game)

QuoteSome hacking info on the game:

(From the title screen)

Ram $3326: 00= loop, 01= game start, $02-7f= reset, $80 = Twin bee game, $81-8f= Force Gear, $90-ff= some strange message with a pic of a boy sitting in a spot light.

Ram $3323: 00=null, 01 = menu option 1, 02= menu option 2, 03= some sort of debug screen

exodus · 12/07/2009, 05:50 PM

seconding zeta's noob question...

ccovell · 12/07/2009, 06:27 PM

It's not a message; it's a song, with a name that translates to "The Sissy Boys' Poem". (This probably just means a guy who cries too much and pines over lost (no?) loves.)

＜＜女々しい野郎どもの詩＞＞
窓に映る景色は偽りに溢れて
僕の胸を冷たい暗闇が閉ざすよ
Ａｈ君がいるならば
抱きしめたいのに
Ａｈ時を戻せるならば
帰りたい今すぐ

製作・著作　コナミ株式会社

"The Sissy Boys' Poem"

The scene reflected in a window is full of falsehood.
Cold darkness shuts my breast.
Ah, if only you were here, I would want to give you a tight hug.
Ah, if only I could go back to that time, I'd leave right away.

Manufacture and writing KONAMI CO., LTD.

Regarding noobish questions, yes, rip the game CD using TurboRip, and patch the track02.iso file using an IPS patching program. Be sure to test it out in an emulator before burning it onto a CDR!

If the patch doesn't work, then here's what gets changed (so you can try to hex edit it): Locations 24795A, 24795D, and 247960 in the ISO get patched from $9C (stz) to $8C (sty). If these 3 bytes don't match what you have in your ISO, you can always search for the byte string 9C 08 3C, and 9C 09 3C right after that. The time patch is at 1100B21, where the string (A9) 03 8D D9 3C gets changed to (A9) 0A....

There, that should be enough for everyone.

ParanoiaDragon · 12/07/2009, 10:24 PM

Cool, I just won Tokimeki a couple days ago off ebay for $3! Looking forward to recieving it

TurboXray · 12/08/2009, 02:37 AM

Thanks Chris

esteban · 12/12/2009, 03:03 PM

Would one of you fine fellows point me to a video of this minigame?

I have Tokimeki Memorial, I just wish the mini-game was accessible. Goddamn.

Mr. Covell, as always, your contributions are invaluable...

Nazi NecroPhile · 12/14/2009, 11:16 AM

Quote from: esteban on 12/12/2009, 03:03 PMWould one of you fine fellows point me to a video of this minigame?

From the first post of the thread:

Force Gear & Twinbee Returns

MotherGunner · 12/14/2009, 03:15 PM

Can someone please host the updated iso of Force Gear? I missed my chance to grab it.

Ji-L87 · 05/06/2013, 02:41 AM

Doing a bit of necro-posting here, sorry for that, but I thought a new thread was unnecessary as this existed

Sat down yesterday with a rather serious intent of actually unlocking this, seeing as I bought the TokiMemo PCE version for this exact purpose. And, sheesh, I'd forgotten for just how long this games goes on.

I played a little, little bit earlier because I was curious in how the PCE stood up against the later Saturn/PS1 version and I didn't join the computer club right away, but hopefully I have a chance to unlock Force Gear still.
I did get to play Twin Bee on my second year, so far so good. Doesn't help however my Duo-R is a bit under the weather and at one point actually locked up when loading in a new week

Actually, while on the subject, is the Saturn/PS1-version essentially the same as this game or have they received changes in how the game plays out? I've yet to see any bombs show up and the bookworm girl, whose name escapes me, have left me alone - whereas I could never escape her clutches in the Saturn version.

If I manage to unlock Force Gear I'll report back. ...and probably also if I fail.

SignOfZeta · 05/06/2013, 03:37 AM

There are quite a few updates to the Saturn/PS version but its essentially the same game with everything redrawn for the higher resolution.

roflmao · 05/06/2013, 10:05 AM

Wow, Force Gear looks pretty neat! Gradius + the Soldier series = win!

It looks like there might be an iso of just Force Gear floating around? If so, anyone care to PM me info on how to get it?

Ji-L87 · 05/06/2013, 03:23 PM

Quote from: guest on 05/06/2013, 10:05 AMWow, Force Gear looks pretty neat! Gradius + the Soldier series = win!

It really does. Too bad it never turned into a proper, full release.

Quote from: Ji-L87 on 05/06/2013, 02:41 AM...I've yet to see any bombs show up...

Ignore that, they are in this version as well

Got a whole bunch of them as I started out the 3rd year.
Speaking of which, Yuina Himoo is pretty much mine and have occasionally "offered compliments" on my computing skills so there is still hope. Think I'm in September now, so the culture festival should be just around the corner. Exciting

Edit:

Aaaand no. Nope.jpg
3rd culture festival was a live hacking demonstration - and while amusing, sadly must be considered a failure in this case. Unless it will magically appear in the menus after getting through the game.

SignOfZeta · 05/06/2013, 04:24 PM

Quote from: guest on 05/06/2013, 10:05 AMWow, Force Gear looks pretty neat! Gradius + the Soldier series = win!

It looks like there might be an iso of just Force Gear floating around? If so, anyone care to PM me info on how to get it?

There is an ISO of Tokimeki Memorial with Force Gear already available from the menu.

Ji-L87 · 05/06/2013, 04:52 PM

Guys!

SHIT.YES.

Good thing I decided to keep on going instead of starting a new game

Didn't unlock it at the culture festival, but rather after new years eve, when you're awarded in a game creation competition. I forgot about that, as I thought you sending in a game for a competition was just another quirky line of dialogue without any real meaning. Now I just have to finish the game so that I can access it through the omake menu...