The Sega Dreamcast is just over a year old and despite the Playstaion 2's dramatic entry into the game market, the Sega Dreamcast still has a strong user base and hundreds of quality games. Some may be wondering why I’m wasting my time writing a review on a video game system that was recently declared “dead” by it’s own manufacturer. If there is one thing that ticks me off in the video game industry more than anything else, it would be all those misinformed retards out there that buy video game systems based on their sequential number. “The Playstation 2 has to be better because it’s 2! Two!!!” Yeah big deal. Not only is it “2,” but it’s also at least $300 and has only a fraction of the software that the Dreamcast has. Any true gamer knows that the measure of a great video game system is the games itself, not the technology behind it.

So, with the Christmas shortage of Playstation 2’s and the slow and painful death of the Nintendo 64, Sega was expecting to take advantage of the holiday season by pushing their Dreamcast systems harder with a substantial price drop and two months of releasing numerous hit games. Unfortunately Sega’s attempt to appeal to hardcore gamers was not eye-catching enough for the mass media, which only generated more hype for the Playstation 2’s technology (but not it’s games). The second month into 2001, Sega confirmed the rumors that they would be dropping out of the hardware manufacturing business and concentrating solely on software titles; A devastating move for serious gamers as well as Dreamcast software developers. Sega announced that it would sell off its remaining surplus of Dreamcasts and peripherals at reduced prices.

The news spread like wildfire, through the internet and more importantly from the mouths of children and amateur gamers. “Sega is Dead!” they exclaimed. “Why buy a Dreamcast if they stopped making them?” was their argument to anyone considering an investment in quality gaming. The truth of the matter is that Sega has indeed stopped the production of the Dreamcast Hardware, but has millions (about 3 million) Dreamcast systems in stock. That’s enough to last retailers another year. Although Sega will not continue their own production of the standard Dreamcast hardware, they have begun a licensing program to offer the Dreamcast technology to other hardware formats. If this plan takes off you may soon see dedicated DVD players and TV recording devices with the added capability to play the hundreds of Dreamcast titles that are now available. Pace Technology has recently announced a line of TV recorders (similar to TIVO), that will be capable of playing Dreamcast games. It is also expected that a upgrade card for personal computers will soon be available that will allow for Dreamcast games to work on your Windows machine. Sega has also hinted towards licensing the technology for Cell phone and PDA use. If the Dreamcast can work its way into our home appliances, it will become a standard that will insure more quality games for years to come. Note I said “if.”

If not, you can expect the Dreamcast to “die” like the rumors have stated. Sega has reassured fans that at least 100 new games are still on track for release on the Dreamcast for the next year. That says to me that the Dreamcast will be a very viable system well into 2002. Especially if the games are half as good as the previous ones were.

I have always been a firm believer in "Learning from your own mistakes." Sega has made plenty of them. With numerous unsupported failures in their past Sega has earned a bad reputation as a video game console maker. I know that it took me about 8 months of on and off research and market watching to determine if the Dreamcast was worth my money. I shelled out less than I expected, as the price of the system had not only dropped, but with a little searching I was able to snatch it up with a free memory card and controller, via a store promotion. Currently I spend most of my video gaming time with the Dreamcast and until the competitors get some quality titles of their own, I’m sticking to my Dreamcast.

What Sega has done with this system just makes sense. There are so many reasons to own a system, yet very few actually make this much sense. GAMES, PRICE & SUPPORT. Games (obviously) being the most important of the three, but you will find that it all starts with “support”. Sega realized that not only do you have to provide a system that has the technology to display eye-pleasing graphics and pump out crisp sound, but you have to provide a comfortable environment for the game makers to sculpt quality games and still turn a healthy profit. From countless interviews from game developers, Sega’s system is the winner for ease of development.

Sega decided to use a GD-Rom format. A mix between a CD-rom and a DVD. This proprietary format does raise the cost of the game a small amount (surely $1 or less), but provides more storage space for game content and helps thwart piracy of the games (which in the long run- keeps the prices down). There has been progress in the hacker scene to crack the GD-rom and pirate games, but copying (like with Playstation games) is not yet possible for almost all users. Pirates games, if one can find one, must be downloaded. In most cases this means downloading 600 MB or more of data just to burn one game. The point is that Dreamcast game pirating exists, but is out of the reach of 99% of Dreamcast owners.

Sega has also teamed up with Microsoft to give the Dreamcast a Windows-like operating/development environment al la Windows CE. This is a wonderful aspect of the Dreamcast, allowing game developers to easily port over popular PC games. There have been many popular Windows PC games appearing on the Dreamcast with enhanced graphics and exclusive levels and features. Some amature developers have begun work on their own Dreamcast products; taking advantage of this easy to develop for system. I have seen the rise of a Dreamcast MP3 player, a Video CD player, and various programs that will allow you to play retro games such as Nintendo, Genesis and Super Nintendo games right on your Dreamcast (called emulators). These programs are not endorsed by Nintendo or Sega, and can be downloaded for free.

Sega has provided another platform for developers to help them create games. This platform is almost identical to the one that most popular arcade games are created with. You will see that many arcade games created in this way have already made it over to the Dreamcast, such as House of the Dead 2, Datona 2001 and Silent Scope. This is one of Sega's big selling points for armature and seasoned gamers alike.

The Dreamcast will come standard with a fast GD-rom drive (that will minimize the NOW LOADING… screen found in most Playstation games), a 56k modem for connecting to the internet or playing games over the internet, a controller and a demo disk to get you started. A broadband adapter is also available if you want to play bandwith intensive online games over a cable modem or DSL.

The 56k modem is a nice feature that I do not use as much as I would like to. Although I have purchased the optional Dreamcast Keyboard ($25) and mouse ( $25) for playing first person shooters like Quake III, I prefer to use the PC for connecting to the Internet. Sega has recently established SEGENET, an ISP targeted towards online gaming (primarily Dreamcast gaming, but you can use it on your PC as well). Gamers can now take on others around the world in games such as NFL2K1, NBA2K1 and Worms World Party. The online gaming feature is exclusive to the Dreamcast and will be for at least another year.

Sega followed Nintendo and Sony by offering game controllers with force feedback or “rumbling” responses to crashes or hits in the games (rumple packs will set you back $10) each. As an innovative step, Sega game up with a memory card called a VMU (Visual Memory Unit). Memory cards are a necessary part of saving you place in games, because you cannot save data to a CD-rom or GD-rom). The VMU will not only save your games, but it also has a LCD display that shows through your Dramcast Controller. Some games will display your character's health or items in the window; others will simple put meaning less animations or comments while you play. This is a nice touch and I'm hoping some developers will take it further and implement the display into the game play. Some games will come with mini games that can be downloaded to your VMU and played on it just like a miniature Game Boy. The display isn’t nearly as good as the Game Boy, but it’s a nice touch.

The Dreamcast not only has your standard Action, fighting, Role Playing, Puzzle and Sports games, but Sega has been promoting fresh and original gaming experiences. The kind of games that you haven't played before, that pull you in because you want to see what it will do next. Notably every gamer will point out that Sega is the leader of innovative gaming experiences. Chu-Chu Rocket, Sea-Man, Jet Set Radio, and Samba De Amigo are examples of such games that are making gaming history. The Dreamcast not only has plenty of games on the shelves, but hundreds are on their way. As long as people keep buying games and new users picking up Dreamcast systems or technology, we can expect new crops of games to spring up years down the road. It's these wonderful games that will keep the Dreamcast alive and a fan favorite while new and more powerful systems arise.

Would you rather have a powerful system with many great games or the latest technology with amazing graphics only a few good games? Better games? That's what I thought. You’re not as stupid as you look. Hey that’s why that old Nintendo GameBoy is still around- it has hundreds of quality games! Soon, you will even be able to play old Plastation games on your Dreamcast, with improved graphics and minimal load times, with the help of Bleem for Dreamcast.

Right now you can pick up a sparkling new Dreamcast for less than $100. Look around for promotions from major retail chains. They will usually offer a free memory pack, controller or game when you purchase from them. The games, which have also received a price cut, are less expensive than you would expect (from $20 for top sellers from last year to $40 for new releases). I personally recommend the following games:

Shenmue: An epic Role playing games that has the best graphics and story I have witnessed in a video game- ever. Read my review (http://www.epinions.com/content_6783078020).

Jet Grind Radio: Another beautiful title with a hip street skating theme. The art and music make this game a unique experience. (http://www.epinions.com/game-review-22-39F59B28-3A1A9FB6-prod6).

Metropolis Street Racer: Only the best racing game ever! Real cars, real physics, real cities. You can ever listen to different radio stations! This game is phenomenal.

DOA2: The best 3D fighting game I’ve played in a while This one has fast moves and hot women. What more could you ask for?

WORMS Armageddon & WORMS World Party: Worms is hands down the best party game if you and your friends like blowing up cute little worms. (http://www.epinions.com/content_9968717444).

There are so many more great games I want to list that I just don’t have the time for. You’re best bet for finding them out are to get a Dreamcast of your own.What are you waiting for, get your finger out of your crack and get out there and buy the best gaming system out there, and I'll guarantee that you will not be disappointed*.




*Not a guarantee.


Recommended: Yes