Sega Dreamcast Type Console Developer Sega Release Date 1998-Nov-27 Region(s) Japan, North America, Europe, Australasia, Brazil Initial Price $199 USD Games Released Approximately 690 History & Reviews Models & Clones Games & Emulation Specs & Manuals Other Media Web Resources DW FACTS

by Dark Watcher Around March 12th, 1997 rumors began to surface about what originally began as a 64-bit upgrade for the Sega Saturn. Eventually news began to leak about Sega's development of a totally new console. By June 1997 it was known that Sega had two different design specs for consideration to become the new console, one code-named 'Black Belt' and the other code-named 'Dural'.



'Black Belt' was being designed by Sega of America. The console would sport an IBM/Motorola PowerPC 603e CPU with 3Dfx Voodoo graphics chipset. As a result of the programming difficulties of the Sega Saturn, Sega of America also approached big time PC developer Microsoft to develop an easy to program operating system for the console (probably where Microsoft took an interest in the console market). Sega of Japan however began developing 'Dural' which would sport a Hitachi SH-4 CPU with PowerVR2 graphics chipset designed by old console rival NEC/Video Logic (maker of the TurboGrafx 16, Turbo Duo and PC-FX). Both designs were brought to the big shots at Sega and compared side by side. It was determined that the 'Dural' design would be used, but would incorporate elements of the 'Black Belt' design. As a result most of the members of the American design team quit the company. 3Dfx then files a breach of contract lawsuit against Sega.



Sega worked with Microsoft, Hitachi, NEC\Video Logic and Yamaha to produce this machine. It was announced to the public as the Sega Katana on September 7th 1997 and would be the first 128-bit console to enter the videogame market. Sega fueled the console's hype by spending $100 million to launch it. Due to the demand for units, the system now called Dreamcast was rescheduled a number of times and was finally released in Japan on November 27, 1998. By July 16, 1999, the Dreamcast was outselling the Nintendo 64 by a 3 to 1 ratio. Meanwhile in America, advertising for the Dreamcast (their infamous 9.9.99 campaign as displayed to the right) was taking place and was released on September 9, 1999. Europe also saw a successful release on October 14, 1999.



The Dreamcast was an impressive system boasting powerful specs, a simple to program Windows CE operating system and a built in modem for use in internet browsing and online game play. The year long wait from the Japanese release gave 3rd party developers ample time to bring a collection of software titles for the release. After some delays, SegaNet was finally introduced. SegaNet allowed Dreamcast users the ability to play games over the Internet. In January 2000, 30% of Japanese Dreamcast owners were online and by February 17 this had risen to almost 50%. In the US over 300,000 people were using DC's Internet and in Europe over 200,000 were reported. It would seem that Sega had finally corrected the mistakes that plagued them in the past.



Even with the success of Dreamcast all was not well in the world of Sega. Sega faced numerous lawsuits from companies such as 3Dfx and were attempting to recover from a failed merger with Japanese company Bandai that occurred in January, 1997. The eventual release of Sony's 128-bit over hyped successor complicated matters with its backwards compatibility and ability to play DVDs (more bang for the buck). The President of Sega Sholchiro Irimajiri steps down and is replaced by Isao Ohkawa. One of Ohkawa's first steps is to issue an ultimatum and 500 million dollars to Sega of America to make the Dreamcast healthy in the U.S. market again. Sega also faced difficulties in a price war with Sony. Sega initially could not afford to lower the price of the console or they would never meet the break-even point due losses from previous console failures. With the announcements by Nintendo and Microsoft of new consoles, Sega knew they couldn't hold out.



On January 31, 2001, Sega of America announces a major restructuring. The price the Sega Dreamcast dropped to $99.95 on February 4 and production of new systems ceased on March 31. Sega left behind the hardware business and became a software developer. Sega of Japan followed suit two days later.



The Sega Dreamcast was an amazing console and possibly one of Sega's greatest successes. It opened the gateway to console online gaming and its heart lives on in Sega's NAOMI arcade board. Its a shame that the Dreamcast's success could not save Sega as a hardware company, but its amazing game library lives on in console / PC ports.



FACT: Sega's choice to use a simplistic operating system to run its console was not only a benefit to 3rd party software developers, but also to private programmers around the world. Even after Sega announced they would no longer support the console, the Dreamcast lives on special thanks to these amazing private software authors.

MODELS

Officially licensed releases The Sega Dreamcast had a number of Limited \ Special Editions released, but only had three basic models due to its limited production run. The initial release featured a 33.6 kbps modem, while systems released after September 1999 featured an upgraded 57.6 kbps unit. The disc drives were also altered sometime in early 2000 to provide upgraded anti-piracy protection for the system. Most of the variations involve changes in the color of the chassis and packaging. See the examples below from the massive Dreamcast collection of Bel at Beta-Zero.



The original model had a light grey chassis, while later releases featured a myriad of different color combinations (chassis, logo, lighting indicators, etc.). The most rare version is the Dreamcast Gold Pro Yakyuu Contest model (pictured directly to the right). Though there are rumored to be five in existence, multiple sources claim that only one was actually [produced. Dreamcast Biohazard Claire

Dreamcast Biohazard S.T.A.R.S.

Dreamcast Chu Chu Rocket

Dreamcast Claire Airbrush

Dreamcast CSK Model

Dreamcast D-Direct Black

Dreamcast D-Direct Metallic Silver

Dreamcast D-Direct Pearl Blue

Dreamcast D-Direct Pearl Pink

Dreamcast Divers 2000 CX-1

Dreamcast Gundam RX-78 Custom

Dreamcast Hello Kitty Blue Edition

Dreamcast Hello Kitty Pink Edition

Dreamcast K. Sugiura Partner

Dreamcast Maziora

Dreamcast Milka Promo

Dreamcast MSR

Dreamcast Regulation 7 - R7

Dreamcast Sakura Wars

Dreamcast Seaman Clear

Dreamcast Seaman Xmas Edition

Dreamcast Sega Sports

Dreamcast Sonic 10th Anniversary

Dreamcast Toyota Edition

Dreamcast Trial Edition

Dreamcast Tsutaya Rental Unit

Dreamcast Virtua Tennis

Sega Dreamcast Box Contents (North American release) CLONES

Non-licensed hardware releases By far, the most famous Dreamcast clones is definitely the Treamcast. This system featured a built-in LCD screen and actually had a few different releases due to its popularity. If you intend on acquiring one of these units, be prepared to shell out a few bucks. In addition to having been released in multiple colors, accessories are also available for those that are diehard Dreamcast fans. This clone is manufactured in China, yet it runs on standard 110/120 US power. Another plus for this clone is that it is region-free.

FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO

Interesting facts on software for this system Software for the Sega Dreamcast was distributed on the GD-ROM format, which were packaged in the standard jewel case. Initially the cover art for US titles featured a white, concave side banner, which was subsequently changed to black with an added Dreamcast logo.



The Dreamcast was also the first mainstream console to include networking capabilities built directly into the hardware. Most games which took advantage of this multiplayer network gaming featured an Online Enabled button image on the front cover. Details on the specific requirements, supported accessories and online features were located on the back of the casing. An example of Online Enabled game (Unreal Tournament) is pictured to the right.



Online access was initially provided through the SegaNet ISP, which was a shirt lived venture. After less than one year of service, SegaNet was shut down and third party suppliers entered the scene.

applemctom's Games that Defined Compiliation Sega Dreamcast Game Boxes

SCREENSHOTS

Captured in-game images 18 Wheeler American Pro Trucker

Cannon Spike

Capcom vs. SNK

Carrier

Crazy Taxi

Daytona USA 2001

Dead or Alive 2

Deadly Skies

Giga Wing 2

Grandia 2

Gunbird 2

Hundred Swords

Jet Grind Radio

Mars Matrix

Marvel vs. Capcom 2

NBA 2K2

NFL 2K1

Phantasy Star Online

Rayman 2

Rez

Sega Bass Fishing 2

Skies of Arcadia

Sonic Adventure

SoulCalibur

Star Wars: Jedi Power Battles

Street Fighter 3: Third Strike

Virtua Cop 2

Striker 2

Virtua Tennis

World Series Baseball 2K1



EMULATION

First and third party system emulators DEMUL



This is an amazing Sega Dreamcast emulator for Windows.

SPECS & MANUALS

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love. Processor Type Processor Speed Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM 128-bit Hitachi SH4 CPU 200 MHz \ 360 MIPS \ 1.4 GFLOPS PowerVR2 CLX2 GPU 16 MB \ 8 MB Screen Resolution Color Palette Polygons \ Sprites Audio Up to 640 x 480 16.78 million colors 3 M polygons\sec 64-Channel Yamaha AICA Sound

Processor (32-Bit ARM7 RISC CPU) Media Format Media Capacity Games Released Other Supported Formats Proprietary GD-ROM (12x Yamaha) 1.2 GB Approx. 690 Internal Storage External \ Removable Storage Game Controllers Other Game \ Peripheral Devices None Visual Memory Unit (128 KB)

4X Memory Card (512 KB) Mutli-function Gamepad with

shoulder trigger buttons Keyboard, Rumble Pack, Mouse, MIDI cable, Microphone, Digital Camera Controller Ports Network Ports Other Ports Audio \ Video Four (4) 57.6 kbps Internal Modem

(33.6 kbps PAL) None RF \ Composite \ S-Video

(VGA via optional accessory) Power Supply - Internal Other Outputs Other Details \ Notes AC 100-120V, 50/60Hz, 27W None Customized Windows CE operating system with DirectX support Manuals Sega Dreamcast Owners Manual (PDF) - 31.4 MB

OTHER MEDIA

Peripherals, Promotions, Commercials, Brochures, Etc. Sega Dreamcast Television Commercials - Promotional Campaign Sega Dreamcast Television Commercials - Post Launch Sega Dreamcast Magazine Promotions

