The dreamcast when it was released was a computer games console that everyone wanted. The prices for it were outrageous and people were still buying it. But the sega ran in to trouble like they have with all games machines before the dreamcast. They went bankrupt. So now they have switched to producing games for all consoles.
They stopped making dreamcast about two months ago now. So you should get one whilst you still can as the games are still going to be made.
The rest of this opinion is going to tell you everything that you wanted to know about the dreamcast and tell you the advantages and the disadvantages of sega going bankrupt. Enjoy……………
The standard package: The standard dreamcast package on its own used to cost £99.In that package you would receive. · The dreamcast platform which had he following features: four controller ports, Hitachi SH4 RISC processor (128 bit 3d engine), Yamaha 64 channel output sound system, custom gd-rom technology (which has 1gb storage) and networking capabilities. · One controller . · Power plug. · The cables to connect the T.V. to your dreamcast. However now for only £100 from toysarus shop you can get: · The dreamcast. · Virtue fighter. · MSR. · One other game. · Keyboard. · VMU(visual memory unit) ·
Controller. All this is because the shops are trying to clear out the dreamcast stock. ____________________
Accessories: There are lots of different accessories to be brought here is some information on them:
VMU: This is a dreamcast memory card. You need one of these to save your game. The reason that they are visual memory cards is because there is a little screen on it which allows you to see what files you have saved delete and copy them. You can also use it as a alarm clock and to play mini games which you download off some games search as sonic adventure. You can also get the mini game off of the Internet.
Scart lead: Improve the sound and picture quality of your dreamcast for a very small price. This is very good if you intend to use your dreamcast as a C.D. player. It also means that their are less cables to get tangled up. But before you buy one make sure that your T.V. has a scart socket as you will not be able to use the official one. But do not fear if your T.V. does not have a scart socket you could just buy a unofficial scart lead which has different types of cables to fit any T.V.
Spare controllers: You can buy spare controllers so that you can play your friends and family on two player games. The official controller features: four coloured buttons, a d-pad, a joystick for your thumb and to buttons under the controller. There is also two slots, one slot for the memory card and on slot for a rumble back however it is possible to but two memory cards in but not two rumble packs. There are no auto fire buttons on the official controller. However it is possible to get unofficial controllers with auto fire buttons and lots of other little bits and bobs.
Light gun: The first light guns that sega brought out were not very good as they were big chunky things. But mad catz designed some new light guns and sega started selling these as the official guns. The gun is white with little flashing orange lights. There is a little thumb joy pad so you can select which from the games menu. There is another button that lets you choose from three different types of fireing modes. They are: · Auto fire. · Normal. · Automatic reload. The light guns can only be used on two games at the moment and they are confidential mission and house of the dead two both of which are excellent games.
Steering wheel with foot pedals: The steering wheel can be used with any racing game and makes it much more fun. Depending on which make of steering wheel you get depends on whether you get foot pedals or not. They are great fun but at a hefty price.
Arcade joy pad: This controller pad is excellent with fighting games but not very good with much else. It has six different buttons and a proper joystick. There is a little slot for your memory card and a start button. This controller is worth a look if you are into fighting games.
VGA cables: If you buy these cables you can connect your dreamcast up to your p.c monitor. But this doesn’t improve the graphics or anything. I don’t really see the point in them, but you never know you might have one reason or another to buy one.
Bleem pack: After much arguing sega have brought out this little gadget that allows you to buy playstation games on your dreamcast. With improved graphics and sound. However there is one catch and that is that there are for different Bleem packs each containing loads of different games that it can play. They do sound really good but I’m still to buy one. You eve get a playstation look a like controller with the package.
Vibration pack: The vibration pack is designed to add to the realism of a game. Buy placing this little pack in the second slot of your controller you can feel all the thrills of the game. The packs do not need batteries to run and the vibration is quite a strong one. _________________________
The C.D. player: The dreamcast also features a C.D. player. It has a 64 channel out put and sounds amazingly crisp and smooth. You have all the skip, pause repeat and play as options when playing you C.D. When the C.D. is being played a disc spins around on your T.V screen. I think this is a great c.d. player and if you were to buy a 64 channel output c.d. player on the market I reckon you would be looking at paying round about£60.
The games: Their are loads of games out on the dreamcast. You get games ranging from £2.99 to the most expensive of £29.99. This is all due to sega going bankrupt that the prices of the games have dropped so dramatically. There are some really good games on the dreamcast. But at the same time some producers have just transferred playstation games to it which ruins it and its individuality.
Now I have told you all this about the games lets look at the good and bad things about owning a dreamcast: Good: · Cheap games. · Cheap console. · Great fun. · Great C.D. player. · Its now possible to play playstion games on it. Bad: · Expensive accessories. · Friends will take the mick because you own one.
I f you Ask me there are more good reasons to buy a dreamcast then their are bad and even the bad things aren’t something that you can’t cope with. If you ask me I think you should go and buy a dreamcast while you still can. You never know one day they could be a collectors item!
So what the dreamcast was never very popular when it came out but for all of my reasons give it a chance now.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
(+) Plenty of storage space, for media. Good Games, Great for partys, with singstar. Very Reliable. (-) Sometimes the optical drive, breaks; but not very likely, my 60gb still working after 2 1/2 years.
We've just got one, but it doesn't work so we have to take it back tommorrow. What a swizz! Great op.
Simmer 23.01.2002 20:05
Yeah, the DC is great, and now it's very cheap. Great op.
Sarah_B 05.12.2001 10:51
I've played the Dreamcast a couple of times before - I found that I liked it much better than N64, which surprised me as I've always been a loyal Nintendo fan! (hehe). So, if I ever manage to find one for sale, I'll be sure to pick it up - thanks for giving your readers such an in-depth review of not only the system itself, but also the accessories and games. Very helpful! - Sarah
Advantages: vague internet feature Disadvantages: not a good selection of games, all seem to be new games that haven't appeared on other platforms that are below par!
scottkilner 12.06.2000 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: not helpful
Review of Sega Dreamcast
Dec 1st, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
