Typing of the Dead is a quirky spin-off of the House of the Dead light gun shooter series, released by SEGA for the Dreamcast in 2000. WOW Entertainment and Smilebit took the original House of the Dead 2 and swapped the pistol for a keyboard, turning each undead encounter into a frantic typing challenge. Players plug a keyboard into the Dreamcast and defeat zombies by typing the words or phrases that appear above each enemy. The faster and more accurate the typing, the quicker the threat falls. This odd concept sounds like a joke, yet it works brilliantly because the core game retains the cinematic atmosphere, voice acting, and boss fights of the arcade original. The strange visual of agents James and Gary wearing backpack computers with keyboards strapped to their chests gives the title instant charm. It blends horror, comedy, and genuine educational value into one of the most memorable releases on the Dreamcast library, beloved by collectors and typing fans alike.
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Screenshots

1.2 GB · Dreamcast ROMs
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Specifications
| Platform | Dreamcast ROMs |
|---|---|
| Genre | Horror |
| File Size | 1.2 GB |
| Release Year | 2000 |
| Developer | WOW Entertainment / Smilebit |
| Updated | Jun 22, 2026 |
Overview
Typing of the Dead is a quirky spin-off of the House of the Dead light gun shooter series, released by SEGA for the Dreamcast in 2000. WOW Entertainment and Smilebit took the original House of the Dead 2 and swapped the pistol for a keyboard, turning each undead encounter into a frantic typing challenge. Players plug a keyboard into the Dreamcast and defeat zombies by typing the words or phrases that appear above each enemy. The faster and more accurate the typing, the quicker the threat falls. This odd concept sounds like a joke, yet it works brilliantly because the core game retains the cinematic atmosphere, voice acting, and boss fights of the arcade original. The strange visual of agents James and Gary wearing backpack computers with keyboards strapped to their chests gives the title instant charm. It blends horror, comedy, and genuine educational value into one of the most memorable releases on the Dreamcast library, beloved by collectors and typing fans alike.
The Dreamcast version includes Arcade Mode, Original Mode with character upgrades and branching paths, Boss Mode for quick rematches, and a Tutorial that teaches proper finger placement. A two player mode lets friends race through chapters together using two keyboards, which doubles the chaos and the fun. Drill Mode offers dozens of mini exercises that target weak keys, long phrases, and number rows, slowly turning casual players into skilled typists without them noticing. Difficulty settings adjust the length and complexity of the words, so beginners face short three letter terms while experts tackle full sentences during boss battles. Each of the six chapters mirrors House of the Dead 2 locations such as the Venetian canals, the underground laboratory, and the colosseum, giving veterans a fresh way to revisit familiar scenes. The combination of horror atmosphere, silly premise, and real skill development makes Typing of the Dead one of the most original action games ever made for any console.