House of the Dead Mobile: Rare 2005 Vodafone Game Preserved by Feature Phone Community

A significant moment in video game preservation has unfolded this week, as a rare trial version of the 2005 mobile adaptation of Sega's House of the Dead has been recovered and archived, thanks to the diligent efforts of the feature phone preservation community.

Originally released for select Vodafone handsets in Japan, this early mobile port provided a unique glimpse into how iconic arcade games were adapted for limited hardware during the formative years of mobile gaming. House of the Dead mobile first launched in February 2005, targeting a narrow range of Vodafone feature phones including the V602SH and the innovative, motion-control compatible V603SH.

In addition to a full version, Sega distributed a one-chapter trial version that same month—an artifact that until now, had largely disappeared from public access.

Recent preservation work led by RockmanCosmo highlighted the successful extraction of this rare trial build from the V804SH, a Vodafone model released in January 2006, with a feature phone enthusiast known as Cuebus facilitating the recovery. The mobile iteration of House of the Dead remains faithful to the celebrated 1996 arcade original, replicating its environments and iconic zombie adversaries within the technical constraints of Japanese feature phone hardware.

Unlike its arcade counterpart's trademark lightgun controls, House of the Dead mobile challenged players to navigate and aim using either motion controls or traditional button inputs—a novel approach tailored to the devices of the era.

The aiming reticle was fixed to the center of the screen while players interacted with a 3D environment, offering a streamlined yet immersive experience for on-the-go play. In a 2005 review by Shiori Komatsu, published on IT-Media, the game's motion-based control scheme came under scrutiny.

Komatsu remarked that the physical movements required for aiming made the game difficult for players sensitive to motion sickness and could be awkward in public settings.

She offered practical advice, encouraging regular breaks to avoid feeling disoriented—a condition she dubbed “Zombie Drunkenness”—and recommended playing the title with friends to maximize enjoyment and mitigate embarrassment. The preservation of this trial version underscores the ongoing commitment of communities like those on the Keitai Wiki Discord, who are dedicated to cataloging and saving the history of Japan’s early mobile games.

For enthusiasts interested in exploring emulation of feature phone titles, as well as those curious about broader preservation efforts, the Keitai Wiki Discord provides a valuable resource and hub for collaborative discovery. Sega’s House of the Dead mobile is a noteworthy example of how beloved game properties found renewed life on platforms outside traditional consoles, highlighting the innovative spirit of both developers and the preservationist community.

This latest achievement ensures that another fragment of gaming history remains accessible for future generations.

Sega Rare arcade House of the Dead mobile Mobile Vodafone RockmanCosmo Cuebus Keitai Wiki Shiori Komatsu IT-Media