Sega Dreamcast
Sega Dreamcast
The CD Revolution and Graphics
Games were getting too big, and floppies too unreliable. A 35-inch floppy could hold a megabyte and a half, and it wasn’t uncommon to get five or six of them for a game. Any one of them could be duff, making picking up a new game as much of a gamble as an investment. And even if they worked when you bought them, you never knew what might happen when you came back to it later.
CDs were a game-changer; literally. As well as giving developers more space than they could ever hope to fill – cough cough – they were seen as expensive enough to be pirate-proof; to the extent that the CD version of games would frequently remove the copy protection that forced floppy disk players to keep searching for keywords in manuals and other such tedious honesty checks.
The main push, however, came from games’ sudden obsession with production values. Freed of space constraints, and desperate to be Hollywood producers, orchestral audio, fully-spoken text, and those dreaded words Full Motion Video raced into the industry, and things haven’t been the same since. Interactive movies harnessed blue-screens and cheap actors to create some of the worst pieces of cinematic slurry in history.
Gameplay became a dirty word, with action turning almost entirely into multiple choice situations where two of the three options meant instant death, or bizarre ‘My First Funbook’ level puzzles, all wrapped in a desperate urge to be a horror epic (The 7th Guest) or Star Wars (Wing Commanders and 4), or simply gather souls for Satan (Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties). The number of genuinely good interactive movies can be counted on the fingers of two insulting hand gestures. Gabriel Knight 2,The Pandora Directive and Spycroft. That is all.
Thankfully, developers quickly learned their lessons. Hollywood style is all very well, and speech and dynamic, balls-out action sequences, instead of simple text screens and blooping sprites have been with us ever since. The main reason was simple. We got something better than FMV. We got 3D, which could not only show you the cool stuff, but let you be an active participant in it.
Battle between 3DFX and PowerVR
In the mid 1990s, two graphics companies were locked in a bitter war: 3DFX and PowerVR. Both made 3D graphics accelerators, but only one could be the winner, since every game had to be specially coded for one or the other system. Both of the companies had high-profile supporters. PowerVR was the chip behind the Sega Dreamcast, at the time, still a hefty contender, while 3DFX had, well, increasingly everyone else. 3DFX’s killer applications included the first Tomb Raider game and Quake, id’s next big first person shooter game after Doom finally ran out of steam.
3D graphics took the pressure off the CPU, letting developers do far more with game worlds. To begin with, their presence wasn’t guaranteed, so they were put to work adding an extra level of polish. Textures became clearer. Computers could handle higher resolutions, in turn helping the graphics to be sharper. Almost every game developed a chronic case of lens flare, with most overdosing on enough colored lighting to give the world’s tackiest disco a headache. It was years before 3D cards became mandatory, with even technology showpieces like the original Unreal grudgingly allowing players without a card to take part – albeit in the increasingly foul ghetto of software model where even the most powerful PCs would choke on the number of calculations needed to produce 3D graphics and keep them moving at arcade speeds.
Like soundcards, almost every motherboard now comes with basic 3D support built-in. The difference is that unlike the audio side, you’re not going to get decent performance out of it. Dedicated cards are still required, and as motherboard technology has advanced, they’ve taken a much more central role. The original 3DFX cards went into the PCI slot – in short, accessories. They moved up to the dedicated AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot in the late 1990s, giving them much more bandwidth to play with, and a dedicated route to the player. Current cards use the PCI Express slot, which offers better performance still.
The original 3D graphics cards couldn’t handle 2D at all, relying on a whole separate card for those programs. Now, they can do everything. The next obvious addition is physics, which remains in much the same position as 3D graphics were back at the launch of Tomb Raider. Without a solid userbase, game developers can’t risk building their latest titles with a built-in demand for full physics support. Without being able to make them a core part of the game, they’re restricted to simple aesthetic effects.
But that’s simply the next step in the PC’s story, and one that’s nowhere near over yet. Looking back at that original 8086 PC, with its simple green text and blinking text inputs, nobody could have predicted the three decades that would take it from new kid on the block, to plucky contender, to absolute master of the home desktop world, and now, the most important platform in the world.
Even if consoles win a few minor victories; get a few temporary success stories the personal computer will still be there, not only as a powerful system in its own right, but the birthplace of any new game and genre you care to mention. It’s on PCs that those games are coded. It’s on PC that the developers inevitably return to once the sheen has worn off the next big thing.
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What do you think about Sega’s Dreamcast early retirement ?
Do you think if Sega hadnt gone under, and added the dvd feature to the Dreamcast, It would of been one of the best early generation consoles meaning(Ps2,xbox,Gamecube)
I guess I understand why it under, (Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft)
However, If Sega had a better advertising campaign, I feel it would have gone over better.
Still being, this is a funny moment to answer this because I just got done playing the Dreamcast for the first time in about a year
The History Of Sega Dreamcast (Part 1/2)
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100% Compatible Power Cord for PSX, PS2, Xbox, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast and Other Gaming Systems $6.79 Did your dog chew through your notebook or game console power cord? No reason to be too angry with your best friend, but he is not grabbing the car keys and going out to buy you a new one! There is no reason to stare at that blank TV screen, either. Here is the cost effective solution: A premium superior quality, heavy-duty 18AWG replacement External AC Power Cord. Non-polarized, figure 8 cable co… |
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Precise Racing Chair * Everything you need to start a renown super realistic racing experience in one convenient package. * The Award Winning Precise Racing Chair is made from top quality material (300lbs certified), ergonomic in design making it notably very comfortable (even on long hours), easy and light to carry around (21 lbs, 39×29x29 inch), and perfect for both indoors and out. * Along with it is F1 sl… |
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Ozzfest-Second Stage Live $19.97 There’s no messing about on Ozzfest: Second Stage Live. Metal purists will possibly be scared off by the sprinkling of eyebrow-pierced alt-metal types, and some will say that, even in the context of metal’s obsessive rigidity, we’ve heard all this before. But you know what you’re going to get on Second Stage Live, and it’s appealing, not least because, unlike most albums recorded live at festivals… |
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Sega Dreamcast Sports Pack $179.90 … |
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NBA Showtime: LA Lakers vs New York Knicks $3.99 Showing off the extreme attitude of the arcade smash hit NBA Jam, Midway’s NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC brings intense two-on-two arcade-style hoops to the Dreamcast. The emphasis is on fanatical basketball, with gravity-defying dunks and over-the-top animations. The game lets you select from 140 actual superstars representing all 29 NBA teams. Throw in wacky unlockable players such as team mascots an… |
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Dreamcast Mouse $12.98 … |
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Compact Digital Camera Leather Case of Sonic the Hedgehog on Blue Swirl $23.97 This digital camera case uses genuine leather material with a foam-padded interior to give it reinforced protection. It can fit most models of compact digital cameras in the market, but please note dimensions to ensure proper fit…. |
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Digital Camera Leather Case of Sonic the Hedgehog on Blue Swirl $23.97 Made from genuine leather. Foam padding for extra protection. Separate compartments for memory card & extra battery. Zipper closure over the top. Dimensions: 5.5″ x 4″ x 1″ …. |
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SEGA Dreamcast Black Visual Memory Unit VMU $8.95 … |
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SEGA Dreamcast Green Visual Memory Unit VMU $5.95 … |
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Sega Dreamcast S-Video AV Cables $13.99 … |
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Resident Evil Code: Veronica (Prima’s Official Strategy Guide) $14.99 Strategies for surviving Umbrella’s horrorsHandy item reference sectionTips on dispatching all enemiesHerb mixing chartSealed bonus section with details on the Battle Game and moreDouble-sided 30″ x 24″ Map Poster!… |
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NBA Showtime Official Strategy Guide (VIDEO GAME BOOKS) $5.75 BradyGames-NBA Showtime Official Strategy Guide Features: SECRET CODES: Hidden Characters, Including NBA Mascots – Special Courts – Tiny Heads – Big Heads. ALL 29 NBA TEAMS: Strengths and Weaknesses for Every Team – Complete Stats for Each Player – Hotspots for Every Player. IT’S SHOWTIME! … |
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Sega Dreamcast Collection: Prima’s Official Strategy Guide $14.99 Prima’s Official Strategy Guide will feature some of the newest and hottest Sega Dreamcast titles, including Sega Bass Fishing, Sonic Adventure, Virtua Fighter 3TB, Power Stone, NFL Blitz 2000, and Soul Calibur. This guide will provide strategy, hints, and tips to the hottest games to launch in 1999…. |
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Disney’s Zoog Genius: Math, Science, Technology $2.77 … |
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Wacky Races Wacky Races is a cross between South Park Rally and Mario 64, and stars classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters. While this kart racing game doesn’t really bring anything new to the racing genre, it does bring hours of lighthearted fun. All the members of the motley crew from the cartoons are here, including Penelope Pitstop, Dick Dastardly, Muttley–even the Slag Brothers. They’ve all com… |
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Janes Attack Squadron $9.99 … |
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HYDRO THUNDER VIDEO GAME (SEGA DREAMCAST CD-ROM VIDEO GAME VERSION) (SEGA DREAMCAST CD-ROM VIDEO GAME VERSION) SEGA DREAMCAST VERSION. GREAT GAME. HARD TO FIND. When you think about racing games, you naturally think of wheels – be it two, four, six, or ten. The most memorable racing games have put you on some sort of road. Why is that? Perhaps air is too bland in its sheer openness, and water simply doesn’t deliver insane jumps, tight corners, and clever tracks. Prepare to reevaluate that opinion, because… |
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Wallet / Billfold of Sonic the Hedgehog (Shadow the Hedgehog, Sega, Adventure, Shuffle, Blast, Triple Trouble, Drift, Unleashed, High Speed, Riders, Rivals, Rush, PS2, PS3, Dreamcast, XBox 360, Wii, PSP) $21.97 It is a brand new wallet, made out of imitation leather. The edge of the metal photo frame is in chrome color. The photo is printed out on a high quality photo paper and coated with a top quality waterproof enamel that is crystal clear, with a long time duration. Inside the wallet it has a driver’s license (photo id) opening, six slot openings for cards, two bills or notes compartments, and two… |
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Belt Buckle of Sonic the Hedgehog Portrait (Shadow the Hedgehog, Sega, Adventure, Shuffle, Blast, Triple Trouble, Drift, Unleashed, High Speed, Riders, Rivals, Rush, PS2, PS3, Dreamcast, XBox 360, Wii, PSP) $19.97 This belt buckle is a brand new high quality belt buckle in chrome finish. The belt buckle measures 3″ x 2″ and fits up to a 1 1/2″ belt strap in width. It was made from zinc alloy and is hand-made with crystal clear enamel coating over the image for a longtime duration…. |
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Sega Dreamcast Mouse $19.99 The Dreamcast Mouse by Sega plugs directly into the Sega Dreamcast control port. The mouse has three buttons and a scrolling wheel. Features: Mouse for Sega Dreamcast Plugs directly into Dreamcast control port Three buttons Scrolling wheel Official Sega product |
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Sega Dreamcast Standard AV Cable $19.99 Replace your broken standard AV cable with the Dreamcast AV Cable. The Dreamcast AV Cable provides the same picture quality as the standard AV cable included with your Dreamcast system. This is an official Sega product. Features: Composite Video output for use on most TVs Six-foot long shielded cable Official Sega product |
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Sega Dreamcast Wired Controller $29.99 Designed to ergonomic perfection, the Dreamcast controller nestles comfortably in your hands yet offers amazingly fast response. Connect up to four controllers on the Dreamcast console for multi-player action. Analog thumb pad plus two analog triggers. Two built-in high-speed expansion slots. Offers extremely fast response. Features: 4 Front-mounted buttons Analog joystick Digital directional control 2 Analog triggers 2 Expansion Slots Compatible with Visual Memory Compatible with Memory Pack Official Sega product |
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Sega Dreamcast Console (New) $159.99 The Dreamcast system is, in a word, awesome. Fire up Soul Calibur, and instantly you’ll appreciate that the graphics and gameplay are even better than in the arcade version. And Sonic Adventure, with its light-speed gameplay, is sure to wow even the most jaded gamer. It’s amazing that such a small machine (it’s about the size of your mouse pad) can deliver such incredible performance. Chalk it up to superior engineering. Features: Ultramodern components: Custom-made video, audio, and processor technology blows away the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation and puts Dreamcast in the same league as PS2 and XBox. Integrated modem: In another video-game first, Dreamcast comes with a 56K modem. Use your regular Internet service provider and the separately sold keyboard to access e-mail, shopping, and the World Wide Web. Not only can you upload high scores, participate in chat discussions, and download updates and enhancements for your games, but, through a membership to the SegaNet Internet service provider, you can play Quake III Arena, NFL 2K1, and other games against Dreamcast owners over the Internet. The Visual Memory Unit (VMU): More than just a memory card, the VMU is a miniature portable game system that fits inside a controller–so its LCD screen is easily seen by you but hidden from your opponent. All-in-one entertainment: It plays games. It plays audio CDs. It connects to the Internet and lets you browse the Web or e-mail friends. Our note to the cost-conscious: If you have a Dreamcast system, you just don’t need a separate CD player or a separate computer. Dreamcast does it all, and does it well. Includes: Dreamcast System (New) 1 Original Sega Controller AC Adapter AV Cable |
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Sega Dreamcast Console (Refurbished) $69.99 The Dreamcast system is, in a word, awesome. Fire up Soul Calibur, and instantly you’ll appreciate that the graphics and gameplay are even better than in the arcade version. And Sonic Adventure, with its light-speed gameplay, is sure to wow even the most jaded gamer. It’s amazing that such a small machine (it’s about the size of your mouse pad) can deliver such incredible performance. Chalk it up to superior engineering. Includes: Dreamcast System (Refurbished) 1 Controller AC Adapter AV Cable |
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Sega Dreamcast Fishing Controller $39.99 Reel Action! Real Fun! The Fishing Controller is every fishing video game enthusiast’s dream. This authentic controller features a rod and reel-inspired design as well as internal vibration feedback motors that simulate the nibbles, strikes and pull of real fish! Also, built-in Motion Sensors react to upward, downward and lateral movement of the controller. With the flick of your wrist, you can cast your bait or set your hook! Features: Authentic Fishing Rod Design Analog Thumbstick Four Control Buttons Powerful Vibration Feedback Official Sega product |
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Nintendo Wii – Sega Bass Fishing $39.99 With over 20 different types of lures to choose from, budding anglers can cast off using the Wii Remote to try and land one of four different types of freshwater bass. SEGA Bass Fishing also offers players the freedom to select time-of-day and season during play, which impacts the activity of the fish, their appetite, and their depth. Featuring 15 beautifully designed lake environments, SEGA Bass Fishing also has four fun-filled game modes including Arcade, Tournament, Practice and Nature Trip. Features: Four fun-filled modes. Arcade, Tournament, Practice and Nature Trip modes. 15 stages. Find your favorite fishing spot in seven brand new stages created exclusively for the Wii, or re-live your glory fishing days in four classic arcade and four Dreamcast stages Variable conditions. A variety of seasonal conditions can vastly effect your fishing trip, with seasons, time of day and weather all playing a part. Four types of bass. Hook four breeds of bass: Florida Large Mouth, Red Eye, Small Mouth and Northern Spike Large Mouth. Reinvention of a classic. This classic title first made a splash in the arcades and now the gameplay and graphics have been updated for the Wii. |
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Nintendo Wii – Sega Bass Fishing + Quick Catch Fishing Rod $59.99 SEGA Bass Fishing With over 20 different types of lures to choose from, budding anglers can cast off using the Wii Remote to try and land one of four different types of freshwater bass. SEGA Bass Fishing also offers players the freedom to select time-of-day and season during play, which impacts the activity of the fish, their appetite, and their depth. Featuring 15 beautifully designed lake environments, SEGA Bass Fishing also has four fun-filled game modes including Arcade, Tournament, Practice and Nature Trip. Features: Four fun-filled modes. Arcade, Tournament, Practice and Nature Trip modes. 15 stages. Find your favorite fishing spot in seven brand new stages created exclusively for the Wii, or re-live your glory fishing days in four classic arcade and four Dreamcast stages Variable conditions. A variety of seasonal conditions can vastly effect your fishing trip, with seasons, time of day and weather all playing a part. Four types of bass. Hook four breeds of bass: Florida Large Mouth, Red Eye, Small Mouth and Northern Spike Large Mouth. Reinvention of a classic. This classic title first made a splash in the arcades and now the gameplay and graphics have been updated for the Wii. Quick Catch Fishing Rod If you are a fan of fishing and an avid Wii gamer, you will love the Quick Catch Fishing Rod. Comprised of an extendable rod and a chrome rotating reel, you can reel in your catch with accuracy. The Quick Catch Fishing Rod is designed to fit your remote controller in the fishing pole and the nunchuk controller in the rotating reel; it gives you an authentic feel as if you are holding a real fishing rod. Its lightweight body and detachable pole makes storing the Quick Catch Fishing Rod easy. The Quick Catch Fishing Rod lets you join in the fun and reel in your catches with ease. Features: Extendable fishing rod and chrome rotating reel Fits remote controller and nunchuk controller in place Lightweight body and detachable pole for easy storage Plastic body and chrome reel Compatible with Rapala Tournament Fishing, Hooked, Sega Sea Bass Fishing, Fishing Master and much more |
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Dreamcast Player’s Pak $29.99 Get all the essential Dreamcast accessories in one convenient package! The Dreamcast Player’s Pak includes an Astropad, Tremor pak and a 6 foot controller extension cable. Includes: Astropad Tremor pak 6 foot extension extension cable |
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Sega Saturn Mission Stick $69.99 The Sega Saturn Mission Stick controller is perfect for any shooting and flying games. It features analog technology, x, y, and z axis, 8 action buttons and 2 Left and Right shift buttons. The Sega Saturn Mission Stick works wonders with compatible Sega Saturn games – including Panzer Dragoon, Black Fire and others. Features: Compatible with Sega Saturn only Works with flying or shooting games Eight action buttons and two shift buttons Official Sega product |
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Sega Saturn Virtua Stick $49.99 Grab the only arcade fighting stick for the Sega Saturn! Equipped with eight buttons and rapid fire action, the Sega Saturn Virtua Stick is a must have for any arcade games or fighting games on the Sega Saturn. Features: Compatible with Sega Saturn only Works with arcade games and fighting games Eight buttons and rapid fire action Official Sega product |
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Universal Power Cable for PSX, PS2, DC & Xbox $9.99 Did you misplace or destroy the AC power cord to your gaming system? Don’t stare at a blank TV hoping the piece will replace itself. The Universal Power Cable is a replacement for damaged or lost original manufacturer’s AC power cord. It is designed for use with the Sony PlayStation, Xbox, and Sega Dreamcast game systems. Features: Replacement AC Power Cord Works with PSX, PS2, Xbox, Dreamcast gaming systems |
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Sega Genesis 6 Button Controller $19.99 Replace your broken or lost controller with the Genesis Six Button Controller. The controller features eight-way directional pads and six action buttons, and it is compatible with any Sega Genesis systems. Features: Compatible with Sega Genesis gaming system Eight-way directional pad Six digital buttons |
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Nintendo Wii – Sega Superstars Tennis $59.99 EGA Superstars Tennis includes over 15 playable SEGA characters – like Sonic The Hedgehog, AiAi from Super Monkey Ball fame, Ulala of Space Channel 5 and Amigo from Samba De Amigo, each of whom have their own unique attributes, and superstar tennis skills. The game’s arcade style matches are played out on courts based on environments from Sega games of the past such as the lush tropics of Sonic’s Green Hill Zone or the street fair fiesta of Amigo’s Carnival Park to name a few. In addition, there are a host of cameos and other surprises for fans of Sega games. Features: Features 16 characters from across the SEGA universe, such as NiGHTS and Sonic the Hedgehog Each character has an alter ego that can turn the tide of each match Swing, lob, and serve by using the Wii Remote as a tennis racket Play on 10 colorful courts from your favorite SEGA games, such as the Green Hill Zone and Space Channel 5 Tournaments, exhibitions and unlockable special events are sure to keep you busy Complete four high-intensity tournaments to uncover bonus content Soundtrack features beloved tunes from your favorite SEGA games Other familiar characters serve as hilarious umpires and make cameo appearances For 1 to 4 players |
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DC Sega Snowboard Pants Black – Men's $159.96 The DC Sega Snowboard PantsKey Features of The DC Sega Snowboard Pants: # 10,000 Waterproof/10,0000gm Breathability Standard Fit Standard Slim Fully Taped Seams Boxer Gaiter |
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DC Sega Snowboard Pants Indigo – Men's $159.96 The DC Sega Snowboard PantsKey Features of The DC Sega Snowboard Pants: # 10,000 Waterproof/10,0000gm Breathability Standard Fit Standard Slim Fully Taped Seams Boxer Gaiter |