Sega Dreamcast

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Sega Dreamcast (US version)

The Dreamcast (ドリームキャスト Dorīmukyasuto) is a video game console that was released by Sega in November 1998 in Japan and later in 1999 in other territories. It was the first entry in the sixth generation of video game consoles, preceding its rivals, the PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube. One person attributes its inability to play DVDs and subpar graphical performance as factors in the Dreamcast's failure. In reality, Sammy Corporation became a majority shareholder and gutted the company. As a result, the Dreamcast was Sega's last home console to date.

Contents

Technical specifications

  • Processor: Hitachi SH-4 @ 200 MHz
  • Graphics: NEC PowerVR2 @ 100 MHz
  • Sound: ARM7 Yamaha AICA @ 45 MHZ
  • Main RAM: 32MB
  • Video RAM: 8MB
  • Audio RAM: 2MB
  • Storage: Sega-Yamaha GD-ROM 1024MB
  • VMS Card: 128Kb 48x32 monochrome LCD display with 1 channel sound
  • Input: 4 controller port
  • Network: 33.6k / 56k modems Ethernet 10/100Mb

Add-ons

  • Modem - Coming as a standard feature of the Dreamcast, the 33.6k or 56k modem allowed the Dreamcast to be the first online out-of-the-box game console.
  • LAN adapter - The HIT-300 add-on, using the Fujitsu MB86967 chip, was a 10mbit ethernet adapter.
  • Broadband adapter - The HIT-400 add-on was a step up from the HIT-300, using a Realtek 8139 chip, allowing for much greater speeds as a 10/100mbit ethernet adapter.
  • Zip Drive - Achieving only prototype stage, the iOmega Zip Drive was intended to be a rewriteable storage medium for the Dreamcast, as an alternative to a hard disk drive that would become standard in game consoles to come.

Controllers

  • Standard controller - The regular Dreamcast controller has four face buttons (ABXY), a D-pad, an analog stick, and two analog shoulder triggers (L and R). There are two expansion slots for connecting various accessories and a window for a VMU screen.
  • Fishing Rod - The fishing rod controller featured an analog stick and ABXY buttons and contained an accelerometer for the casting motion. It's even compatible with Soul Calibur and can be swung like a sword.
  • Light Gun - The light gun controller is simmilar to the Nes Zapper and is generally used to play on-rails arcade-style shooters. Sega's officail light gun accessory was never relased in North America due to conterversy surrounding the, then recent, Columbine school shooting, although a number of third-party light guns were relased. All Dreamcast light guns use their primary trigger as the R button and pointing at the screen in place of the analog stick. Most have some combination of the D-pad and face on either the side or top of the gun for menu navigation.
  • Arcade Stick - The arcade stick controller is a heavy duty replica of the six button controllers found on arcade cabnits The stick acts replaces the D-pad and the six buttons act as the face buttons and triggers would on a standard controller.
  • Mouse and Keyboard - The mouse and keyboard were intended to be used with the Dreamcast's built in web browser to allow for a online experince similar to that of a desktop computer. The mouse and keyboard could also be used to play the few games that support them, such as 'Typing of the Dead' and 'Rez'.

Accessories

Guides