[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek

ghi3000
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Posts: 3

[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek Sept 25, 2021 12:25:56 GMT extremewreck2000 likes this

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Post by ghi3000 on Sept 25, 2021 12:25:56 GMT

(LAST UPDATE 2021-10-05)

Welcome from Poland!

Turns out I have been in possesion of what, despite relatively broad distribution (it was sold in newsstands), was mostly lost to time - original, Polish version of children multimedia series CD-Romek, made by long-defunct Longsoft Multimedia, mostly remembered for something else (children platofrmer Lew Leon released in 1997).

The series is rather badly documented, with little in Polish language. A Czech language documentation is better, due to local version of CD-Romek switching after running out of source material to own-produced PC adaptations of Čtyřlístek, a once very popular Czech children comic series so obscure outside of its country's border that it is completely unknown in Poland (there's not even a page on it on a Polish Wikipedia!). That series got its own fanpage and happened to document Polish version of CD-Romek despite it being out of its scope - chrz.wz.cz/?stranka=1518 . The documentation is lacking (Ugly Duckling was listed here as number 12 instead of 11), but its here.

Some of the releases are "infamous" (like anybody cared) for PS2 "ports" released by Phoenix Games after Longsoft already went moribund. Those were abysmally ported with mouse arrow still present at all times and having now to be controlled by joypad. I wouldn't be surprised if those ports were illegal (taken without as much as asking). Either way, both Longsoft and Phoenix are long gone and left no descendants, so its safe to say CD-Romek is abandonware.

These CD-ROMs include a short animated story based on children's tales or books, and, typically, some of the following: moving puzzle games, painting outlines ready to be color-filled like players wanted, english vocabulary sessions, mathematic jumping games, memory games, and more. They were originally shipped with a thin magazine (16-24 pages), with some of them getting rereleased later in standard DVD boxes or by other means (more of this below).

The magazines were disposed long ago, so no scans of them - but I happened to still have the CDs, which i thought before they were gone too. I don't have them anymore (I live in a small home and had to toss something), but I got rips, complete with photoscans.

What was released (bold font means a found title, ph means a PS2 version exist)?

Issue No. 1 - Królewna Śnieżka i Siedmiu Wspaniałych (ph)

Issue No. 2 - Kopciuszek (ph)

Issue No. 3 - Złota Kaczka

Issue No. 4 - Twoje ulubione piosenki (a music cd)

Issue No. 5 - Królowa Śniegu

Issue No. 6 - Jaś i Małosia (ph)

Issue No. 7 - Dziewczynka z Zapałkami

Issue No. 8 - ?

Issue No. 9 - Piotruś Pan (ph)

Issue No. 10 - Nowe Szaty Cesarza

Issue No. 11 - Brzydkie Kaczątko

Issue No. 12 - Wakacje z Przygodą - Słoneczne Piosenki (a music cd)

Issue No. 13 - Piotruś Pan - Część Druga

Issue No. 14 - Orle Gniazdo / Historia Camelotu (half ph)

Issue No. 15 - Księżniczka na Ziarnku Grochu

Issue No. 16 - Czerwony Kapturek

Issue No. 17 - Mikołajkowe nutki (a music cd)

Issue No. 18 - Opowieść Wigilijna

There is also Dinozaur Gadzio (sub)series, released after that, starring a purple dinosaur in what are now 3D movies. There are four known titles:

Mały Dinozaur Gadzio bawi i uczy

Dinozaur Gadzio Afryka

Issue No. 20 - Dinozaur Gadzio Azja

Dinozaur Gadzio Europa

Here's what I got (some are already released on Internet Archive here - archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Longsoft+Multimedia%22 - but since the uploader also uploaded many titles that aren't abandonware, they might be purged wholesale with the account):

1 - Królewna Śnieżka i Siedmiu Wspaniałych. Warning - includes a blackface character.

BIN: mega.nz/file/Hop3hS4Z#RsvGkNoLabsfoR1bpODmhnH3re8elQg1qKuFVj6f7fk

CUE: mega.nz/file/P9whlaJT#WrwX38xfIL1VJ2WiRQaBJ413ccm8R9w7SXLYduJtXcw

2 - Kopciuszek

BIN: mega.nz/file/m45VlYST#jZG6us1zs6_y_wvPQfnfENxySja6CJ9928_Fg_9nJGE

CUE: mega.nz/file/aopRlahA#mJ53VqOsPGdIHwLQ-cFs3orQmK-RHcuM5S2MZeMQCfc

3 - Złota Kaczka. This is a Polish folktale unknown elsewhere, but still got Czech version.

BIN: mega.nz/file/OhhRkQ5S#ZzoETHCJVGFP_YFqIjVp8SMuY-2GXGpowqMpOPu0fpE

CUE: mega.nz/file/Lg5hwaAR#FV_nyKQlIgkiwsrv7qIyxF6Vbq9eK9AIsDldmlpsRCg

5 - Królowa Śniegu. Not the original disc, but a rerelease included with children magazine Ciuchcia (defunct 2010). It is from somewhere in 2004 because the cover advertises trailer for Shrek 2, even though it's not included on the disc. So, probably identical with original 2000 one.

BIN: mega.nz/file/W8ohUKyY#M79oLRBchaFd2_J3ZR9pa3wzgZgiVPquOc_KgIoTOyA

CUE: mega.nz/file/P5pVwSqQ#6QP7RREl1MrO_nN6W6R_gn53G5Qyns_qH1D0iywg0sM

10 - Nowe Szaty Cesarza. The movie here is animated with digital shadow puppets instead of being hand-drawn like other releases.

BIN: mega.nz/file/Dwg13SxY#0taLFkzoFOcBfm-jMyIsBlrkNjPTH_Zlyjqs79N6CO4

CUE: mega.nz/file/i4hBiQ7Y#rRJyupDZYfWWOFdPiErxMMu71V-wUN6h_FXTT4XwGiY

11 - Brzydkie Kaczątko. I distinctly remember the magazine having a misprint - content of one page was copied into another (something like that) and instead of reprinting it all, they simply added monochrome page with what was intended a couple pages later. But that besides the CD.

BIN: mega.nz/file/mxp1RKSI#24_xyxV8zNR3VHH50PGAylZXXBceOdX4haIHlFNZKOE

CUE: mega.nz/file/yowliahQ#DsXoua_0qZjHiy3m1kWNS3pL5nER0pozARKwAXHj4CY

13 - Piotruś Pan - Część Druga. The file bears number 9, because I've been tipped off by that number being printed on CD despite also listing "Część Druga". Manufacturing error.
BIN: mega.nz/file/utg3nKYR#8_Wbhzss-G_d8pU1aRYU-Z3sVjEJWtMC6UuOhzNq6-M
CUE: mega.nz/file/CkoFFALC#8NBcV6p3NUuqIiCbZgJXFGxzY9Fo83rJwksjJ19ioUM

14 - Orle Gniazdo / Historia Camelotu. Two-movie release - the former one a Polish tale about founding Gniezno, the frist capital of Poland. PS2 release cut that one and included Camelot only.

BIN: mega.nz/file/fgojDAJS#KaBddMUJnVwG_OmLXzpeCltqqZLz1jfXCi8BGZmLhpc

CUE: mega.nz/file/CwpzkYqK#GROzjNaeLERAanFnkZ2EpuKBEVZIQP0FS7pTBLfdnmk

15 - Księżniczka na Ziarnku Grochu

BIN: mega.nz/file/u9ohHYqI#VK0j8z2PcrRfUBN6lMJ0abntMWqCVSY7HNsqMIkCZg0

CUE: mega.nz/file/at5B3KgR#Tx0Y3fjFWWEkWOwiMUm5S4LFQUkMSV5yr2T7znMhtuQ

Dinozaur Gadzio - Europa. This one was a freebie to Danonki, a Danone-owned children yoghurt brand. Probably still identical content with original (if it wasn't released first as that).

BIN: mega.nz/file/Xxh1gQoT#Ri74rZmQTQ99PUT1R0dMsX2RwxcYq2ZmrKy_zELtuto

CUE: mega.nz/file/G0hR3SqS#lfs4Hwq0JWxLN7JZs89cZoM-YTxfR-simJowSatT2Dw

Dinozaur Gadzio - Afryka

BIN: mega.nz/file/O5gl1KjR#6D5PM3lLl6XIT5cIc0utDwaLtaYBvoqHjV_7ZH22kS4

CUE: mega.nz/file/Dk4T1I6K#tkSbbPMVIEnh6jFmeHLW1JIjnVyHA2PtmPG2-9mVybc

There's also two more titles that don't fit the chronology above:

CD-Romek w szkole/Mały Uczeń. School subjects such as English and mathematics, mosty taken from earlier titles. No movie.
BIN: mega.nz/file/Ol5jACZI#4OZN_0vTLiwj8Hnk9wxCov6VALVPiA6V-AtzYUw2Hk0
CUE: mega.nz/file/vk5znKCT#MbixB68DnpUMC-nbU5qyGTGHxs2x_ZaE12eafYLEBIc

Komiks do Poduszki. Not a multimedia CD, but two audio tales - Ugly Duckling and Red Riding Hood.
BIN: mega.nz/file/f15hSARQ#z-ckvyzz8EH_1J7z_2NSacN1oBsrCVKyzJ7nOz3SO04
CUE: mega.nz/file/X5wHyIZQ#4zcb2tsTAxR7Gx6gX7wm2ZEKn2bbDnOwXjKS3o_O4Ro

In addition, I've got several more ISO from elsewhere, included here for completion:

9 - Piotruś Pan

ISO: mega.nz/file/WgoTBC4Y#s5jda5e-N6DF2HhWnlCCEbS6SUxsT83m8pJrHz6OzM0

16 - Czerwony Kapturek

ISO: mega.nz/file/6xgRUQJS#pRMCoiFW8xn6IEdLppxFdVn608Pjf1AhoIpWwAH8E-4

18 - Opowieść Wigilijna

ISO: mega.nz/file/DtgDDSJJ#vXAVSol3874F2lXbW8XX8i5guO_fRK6W91FK3--rkvA

Orle Gniazdo (standalone version)

ISO: mega.nz/file/ak4jQCCR#T4qaoaWY94pfqLjRvfmDj_kVH25IznQdlLaCM7_eJsM

Bajkowe Puzzle

ISO: mega.nz/file/r04l2SZL#hvFy9CzVQud1BTRscUXgA4CLq_cHt9z3xoInb9DE1ns

I also got photoscans.

mega.nz/file/foxVhCAC#3siuEsKlBYjZ6J1WDXQRu6E8pKT927Baom4wgW9QvgE
mega.nz/file/e4gzTITB#C400PePeAvlqxT-jz6nLVGOvua6lwussMfH8TOtLupE
mega.nz/file/akpxSQID#jAeQpwi4jFn-N0ua5xhQyGhCQyyF4WJpw5t8uZN9PPs
mega.nz/file/D5wl1AjT#ILb_eh4gVXp6O8bW99iC3AqCWJb-gi9flrfoMwjVDRk
mega.nz/file/35xViI5B#qJ9PS2iDGeJinOpdXLjIAUqRwnV_EDyeAnU9v_WrJZk
mega.nz/file/K5plgCKa#E8QOKV_eweJXsE-_xaA5NpGu8HkJYdB1bcIGoHQ9fw4
mega.nz/file/Ch4HUAhZ#qmQGiWkEpJ0-nrpb8P7XRftedOzAqhZNtDSiFhIu0yg
mega.nz/file/H84XGaZR#5VI1KHqW7Awrkljc_NTJWQu6Qs8ef8lDxiBnT2NSWGM

Help appreciated!

EDIT: Magazines looked like this: www.olx.pl/d/oferta/familijny-cd-romek-2001-rok-CID751-IDLiesh.html?isPreviewActive=0&sliderIndex=0

Last Edit: Oct 5, 2021 7:47:37 GMT by ghi3000: update

chrz
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Posts: 2

[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek Sept 29, 2021 16:49:28 GMT extremewreck2000 likes this

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Post by chrz on Sept 29, 2021 16:49:28 GMT

Hi, thanks for new info, I updated my page.
#8 MUST be Pinokio.

OT:
To clarify, yes, Čtyřlístek is virtually unknown one meter outside borders of Czechia, but it is the same with most of popular Czech people and things :^) And maybe vice versa with Polish things. But reedition of Čtyřlístek CD-Romek games made some impact with multiple foreign editions: chrz.wz.cz/?stranka=1517
I don't know any Polish comics apart from Kajko i Kakosz and it is only because of PC games too :^)

"A Czech version got better, due to local version of CD-Romek switching after running out of source material to own-produced PC adaptations of Čtyřlístek"
Well, only 13 issues of Polish version were translated to Czech. Then there was Čtyřlístek, later translated to Rumunian as PC Campion.

Last Edit: Sept 29, 2021 17:41:49 GMT by chrz

ghi3000
Lost Media Beginner

Posts: 3

[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek Oct 2, 2021 17:25:32 GMT extremewreck2000 likes this

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Post by ghi3000 on Oct 2, 2021 17:25:32 GMT

Thanks, chrz. I had no idea that site was active, much less interested in what was only covered by-the-way.
For "A Czech version got better", i meant documentation of CD-Romek in Czech language. I fixed it.

For clarity, you used Wii cover for Pinocchio. It is very unlikely Phoenix Games ever released antyhing on the Wii, as the company collapsed after 2007 Christmas season due to overstretching themselves by releasing umpteen shovelware titles on pastgen (PS2) when everyone was talking about seventh generation, and probably spend 2008 and 2009 solely trying to liquidate already produced stock (while gameplays of its DS titles exist on Youtube, it is unlikely those were ever released commercially). Can you change the cover to one for PS2, please? (https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/935400-pinocchio/images/179600)

Besides, I have two more releases I haven't mentioned.

Mały Uczeń - Edukacja i Zabawa dla Każdego (Small Schoolchild - Education and Fun for Everyone)

A compilation of school subjects such as English, minilexicon about Polish terms etc. Logo of Brio is on both cover and CD. The copy is identical with one listed here - ksiazkitanie.pl/pl/p/MALY-UCZEN-EDUKACJA-I-ZABAWA-DLA-KAZDEGO-PC-CD-GRY-/109397 .

Komiks do poduszki (Comic to [be sent to] pillow [and sleep])

One shock - googling provides NO results. What? I hope my copy still works.

I may also still have CD-Romek 12 (Wakacje z Przygodą) hidden somewhere, but I doubt. Cross-fingers!

...

Oh, one more thing.

Most of titles posted in the first post lack video walkthroughts online. Unfortunately, what I have at home is weak, and I cannot do this myself.

So, to anyone reading this and having free time - please record videos about these titles! Favourably without commentary and posted to Internet Archive.

Thanks for any help

nickolashx
Lost Media Beginner

Posts: 4

[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek Jan 28, 2022 23:17:41 GMT extremewreck2000 likes this

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Post by nickolashx on Jan 28, 2022 23:17:41 GMT

Hello!

I was just looking for that dinosaur game, Issue No. 20 - Dinozaur Gadzio Azja.
I remember playing it when I was younger, he was wearing an oriental straw hat in the game.
However, I played the game in Dutch, I couldn't speak any other language back then, since I'm from the Netherlands.
It seems there is also a Dutch version of this game then.

nickolashx Lost Media Beginner Posts: 4	[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek Jan 28, 2022 23:20:08 GMT extremewreck2000 likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by nickolashx on Jan 28, 2022 23:20:08 GMT I have found a copy of a Dutch version of the asia game, it seems it was called Dinkie Dino here.

yanaz Lost Media Beginner Posts: 1	[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek Sept 7, 2023 10:42:45 GMT extremewreck2000 and yanaz like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by yanaz on Sept 7, 2023 10:42:45 GMT 7 - Dziewczynka z zapałkami BIN: mega.nz/file/kyl2mAqQ#HFsCC2WSpMTXNM74ckaQ-j-M5L-o_ZMrb3H1-Ik-lL0 CUE: mega.nz/file/031HjazD#Fj7tWm4PUgTSwtlW9VY0ny-xXxBsIStFTRGKBt5X_7g
	Last Edit: Sept 7, 2023 10:48:01 GMT by yanaz

sonilink
Lost Media Beginner

Posts: 1

[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek Feb 10, 2024 20:02:35 GMT extremewreck2000 likes this

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Post by sonilink on Feb 10, 2024 20:02:35 GMT

Actually, number 8 is Piotruś Pan - Część pierwsza (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9Cxi4WuznU which in the description, the channel's creator says that the numeration is wrong on the internet), number 9 is Piotruś Pan - Część druga (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUYKgGodFsI) and number 13 is Pinokio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP_MBcuQx1g). And in that channel is also a CD rip from a CD that was never mentionned here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ufQiOILlSU) in which there's few songs from CD-Romek's interactive CD-Roms with its instrumentals.

extremewreck2000 Lost Media Veteran You like weird video games, European cartoons & tracker music? Then you've come to the right place. Posts: 4,560	[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek Feb 11, 2024 8:00:37 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by extremewreck2000 on Feb 11, 2024 8:00:37 GMT There's actually a TVTropes page about this series: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/FamilijnyCDRomek
	Dreams are boundless, imaginations are infinite, space is a multi-directional spiral & Akazukin ChaCha is my favorite anime

chrz Lost Media Beginner Posts: 2	[PARTIALLY LOST] CD-Romek Feb 12, 2024 17:28:25 GMT extremewreck2000 likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by chrz on Feb 12, 2024 17:28:25 GMT Hi again. Also dubbingpedia.pl/wiki/Familijny_CD-Romek I have updated chrz.wz.cz/?stranka=1518 according to the latest findings (the order 8, 9 and 13) and also added a large number of reissues.

Post by ghi3000 on Sept 25, 2021 12:25:56 GMT

Post by chrz on Sept 29, 2021 16:49:28 GMT

Post by ghi3000 on Oct 2, 2021 17:25:32 GMT

Post by nickolashx on Jan 28, 2022 23:17:41 GMT

Post by nickolashx on Jan 28, 2022 23:20:08 GMT

Post by yanaz on Sept 7, 2023 10:42:45 GMT

Post by sonilink on Feb 10, 2024 20:02:35 GMT

Post by extremewreck2000 on Feb 11, 2024 8:00:37 GMT

Post by chrz on Feb 12, 2024 17:28:25 GMT

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