Sega Dreamcast: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Sega launched the Dreamcast in North America on September 9, 1999. It was the first console with a built-in modem for online play, and despite a short life it is remembered for Soulcalibur, Jet Grind Radio, Shenmue and Sonic Adventure.
Quick facts
| North American launch | September 9, 1999 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sega |
| Media | GD-ROM |
| Controller ports | 4 |
| Best-selling game | Sonic Adventure |
| Worldwide sales | 9.13 million |
| Discontinued | 2001 |
Models and what changed
North American Dreamcast consoles share the same design, with a built-in 56k modem on most units. Internal revisions changed the GD-ROM drive and motherboard, but they play the same games.
Special editions such as the black Sega Sports Dreamcast use the same internals as the standard white console.
Each controller has two slots for memory units, including the Visual Memory Unit (VMU) with its own small screen, and Jump Packs for rumble.
Tips for buying one today
- Get a VMU or other memory card, since Dreamcast games save to memory units in the controller, not the console.
- Test the GD-ROM drive with a few games. A loud, grinding drive or long load times can point to laser or motor wear.
- If the console asks for the date and time every time you turn it on, the internal clock battery has run down. The console still works, and the battery can be replaced.
- Most Dreamcast games support VGA output at 480p with a VGA adapter, which looks much sharper on a modern display. An HDMI adapter for the AV port is another simple option.
- Dreamcast games are region locked, so North American consoles need North American discs.
Games to play first
- Sonic Adventure
- Soulcalibur
- Jet Grind Radio
- Crazy Taxi
- Shenmue
- Skies of Arcadia
- Power Stone 2
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Shop by genre
Dreamcast Action & Adventure Games · Dreamcast Shooters · Dreamcast Sports Games · Dreamcast Racing Games
Guides
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Dreamcast ask for the date and time?
The internal battery that keeps the clock running has run down. The console still plays games normally, and the battery can be replaced.
Does the Dreamcast support HD or HDMI?
Not natively. Most games support 480p through a VGA adapter, and HDMI adapters for the AV port are available.
How do Dreamcast games save?
Games save to a memory unit, such as the VMU, that plugs into a slot on the controller. The VMU stores saves in non-volatile memory, so its batteries power only the small screen and sound and are not needed to keep saves.
Is the Dreamcast region locked?
Yes. Unmodified consoles only play discs from their own region.