Space Channel 5

1001 Video Games

The Dreamcast version of Space Channel 5 appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Lawsuit

Lady Miss Kier Kirby of the former pop/funk group Deee-Lite unsuccessfully tried to sue Sega regarding the character of Ulala.

According to her claim, Sega approached her, and offered her $16,000 to license her name, image and music for the game, but she rejected their offer. She later found out that Sega went ahead and made the game anyway, with the lead character Ulala bearing a strong resemblance to her.

She ultimately lost the suit and a later appeal. Lady Miss Kier was then liable to pay Sega's legal fees of $608,000 (reduced from the $763,000 requested).

Michael Jackson

Towards the end of the game, Ulala encounters a character named Space Michael, who is actually (and obviously) none other than Michael Jackson. And speaking of Jacko, he also teamed with Sega in the early 90s to produce a Sega Genesis game called Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, based on a very obscure movie he wrote and starred in. Maybe that old relationship with Sega is what got him slipped in with Ulala and her crew in SC5.

Playstation 2 version

The Playstation 2 version featured less compressed FMV footage and less vibrant colors then that of the original Dreamcast version.

Information also contributed by Guy Chapman and shifter