Dreamcast -- Engadget

by **Tim Stevens** posted Oct 5th 2009 at 8:31AM

Dreamcast-mounted iPhone dock sends VMU into jealous rage

It was just over 10 years ago that Sega made the ill-fated move to release the Dreamcast, taking it down a road that would result in the company ditching the hardware scene entirely -- well, almost entirely. Out of the deal we got this wonderful white console, which Jay Hauf has remembered with this bit of simple hackery. He's popped the D-pad out, removed the controller's bottom-mounted cable, threaded an iPhone dock through, then, apparently, went back to creating cute little box-headed figurines. It's perhaps not the most amazingly complex controller mod of all time, but a worthy one nevertheless.

[Via iPhone Savior]

by **Joseph L. Flatley** posted Oct 2nd 2009 at 1:57PM

The OpenPandora kids have dropped us a line to say that yes, finally, "after a lot of serious tweaking," it looks like Pandora is ready to roll. And as an added bonus, they've given us a little demonstration of the open source game platform rocking a Dreamcast emulator. Not that you'll be able to play The House of The Dead 2 flawlessly on the thing -- apparently the CPU suffers from some sort of floating point unit problem and a great many texture / blending modes are not supported. So don't abandon that Dreamcast Tablet just yet. As far as getting your hands on the handheld yourself, here's the skinny: of the four thousand devices in the initial lot, there are about a hundred units unspoken for and still available for pre-order. Priced at $330 each, if you're interested you'd better jump now -- there won't be another batch until 2010. In the meantime, you can see that Dreamcast emulator we told you about in action after the break.

[Thanks, Devon]

by **Darren Murph** posted Sep 9th 2009 at 7:23AM

In at least a few time zones, today is 09/09/09. Aside from being the same day that Apple holds a keynote on the left coast, Leica launches something and The Beatles: Rock Band encourages gamers everywhere to call in sick, today also marks the ten year anniversary of Sega's iconic Dreamcast. Looking back, it's hard to believe that the always-Thinking console was only in production for two years, but even today it holds an oh-so-special place in our hearts. We still maintain that the defunct VMU could eventually be the next coming of the Tamagotchi, and there's still zero doubt that the designer of Seaman was on copious quantities of LSD during the conception process. Any particularly touching stories as we celebrate a solid decade of The Swirl? Share 'em below -- tissues are on us.

by **Vladislav Savov** posted Jul 29th 2009 at 7:19PM

Finally, your lovingly prepared SNES model is getting some well-heeled new friends to hang out with. Cubeecraft is a website wholly dedicated to the paper-based recreation of cultural icons, and it's prepared a pair of exquisitely detailed clones of the NES and Dreamcast. While some such projects might require patience and finesse, putting together the above templates doesn't even ask for any glue or tape. So what are you waiting for, grab your scissors and run to the links below for full 150dpi printouts -- just be sure to make the time for some imaginary Contra action afterwards.

[Via Technabob]

Read - NES cutout
Read - DC cutout

by **Darren Murph** posted Jul 13th 2009 at 8:31AM

We'll admit, that cheap-o Virtual On mod we peeked earlier this year was pretty stellar, but those obsessed with the anime-themed title are likely tired of using a hacked up Xbox 360 gamepad in order to advance from stage to stage. If you've found yourself in that increasingly narrow niche, HORI has a fine piece you should feast your eyes upon. The refreshed TwinStick EX was designed specifically for Microsoft's latest console and to be used specially with Virtual On. The result? A ¥30,000 ($325) joystick that you'll probably never quite justify the purchase of to your significant other. Get your pre-orders in early; we get the feeling these are bound to sell out.

[Thanks, Marv]

by **Joseph L. Flatley** posted Mar 31st 2009 at 7:37PM

This isn't the first Dreamcast mod we've seen around here, not by a long shot -- but it's surely one of the most elegant. Built around a 15-inch LCD, this guy is a scant 2 1/4-inches thick, but it gets up to 3.5 hours of playtime on a full charge, sports an A/V out, one watt stereo sound, and a custom-built tray loading GD-ROM -- just the thing for playing House of the Dead 2 on the go. We won't belabor the point -- just make sure you check out the mod-licious video after the break.

[Via Nowhere Else]

by **Darren Murph** posted Mar 29th 2009 at 7:47PM

9.9.99 will always hold a special place in our hearts, and so long as hackers are making the most of Sega's last great console, we'll continue to pay attention. Today, we're doing our best to wrap our minds around the Dreamcast SD Adapter, which could be used to easily bring SD-based homebrew apps and emulators over to the console. It's still a touch unclear what exactly the device would be used to deliver, but needless to say the potential is mind-boggling. Right now, the creators are feeling out the market to see just how many Dreamcast loyalists would be willing to hand over €20 ($26), so if you think you're willing to pony up, tap that read link and let 'em know.

[Thanks, Craig]

by **Ross Miller** posted Feb 28th 2009 at 9:12AM

This may look like a beloved iMac, but make no mistake, it's just a shell of its former self. CGCC forum member Logicdustbin decided to gut the all-in-one and replace its innards with a Sega Dreamcast and 15-inch LCD monitor. The result? The iCast, a beautiful homage to simpler times. Hit up the video after the break to see this Fronk-en-shteen in action, playing a game that'll assuredly prepare our children for a post-apocalyptic world.

[Via hack a day]

by **Joseph L. Flatley** posted Nov 27th 2008 at 8:34AM

Following hot on the heals of the Sega Saturn case mod we saw last month, the gang from Akiba PC in Japan are back with the Dreamcast PC. This machine sports a Sony NEC Blu-ray drive, an AMD mini-ITX mainboard with 780G Chipset and ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics, HDMI output, 4GB RAM and 160GB storage. We thought that the four USB ports (previously the console's controller ports) were a particularly nice touch. Manufactured for ¥100,000 (roughly $1,045), the machine is unlikely to go on sale any time in the near future, but if you're so inclined feel free to take the long weekend and jet over for a look yourself. Be sure to tell 'em Engadget sent you. And mourn for Shenmue.

by **Darren Murph** posted Oct 15th 2008 at 5:51PM

Look out Ben Heck, you don't want to be overcome by one of your own followers, now do you? Merely months after the clearly talented hailrazer churned out a mighty impressive portable Nintendo 64, the guy has done it again by creating an on-the-go Dreamcast -- using the same style of Lazer Doodle shell, to boot. After acquiring another chassis, a Dreamcast, a Quantam controller, PSOne LCD, power supply and some serious battery power, the DarthCast was created. Reportedly, the thing can go for around three hours before puckering out, and you'll know your time is short when it starts sighing heavily in a muffled tone. Check the vid after the break, and pay your respects in the read link, son.

by **Darren Murph** posted Oct 3rd 2008 at 2:09PM

Console collectors know good and well that Sega dished out a few less-than-easily-attainable versions of the Dreamcast back in the day, but only the hardest of hardcore fanatics are apt to have one this bad boy. Just 1,800 of these limited edition bundles were made, which feature an atypical Code: Veronica box, a translucent red version of the Japanese console, a matching controller, a copy of Biohazard Code: Veronica (Japan's version of Resident Evil Code: Veronica), all the traditional connection cables and a huge dose of bragging rights. Number 280 out of the 1,800 units can be yours right now for the low, low asking price of $800, and believe us, we don't foresee this one hanging around sans an owner for too much longer.

[Via Gadget Review]

by **Joshua Topolsky** posted Jun 11th 2008 at 10:42AM

Apparently ASUS thinks that people will want a tiny computer which they can delicately slip into their back pocket, but would also be interested in carrying around a slew of cabled peripherals. Hence the creation of this USB "handwriting pad" for the Eee -- not to be confused with a steam-rolled Dreamcast controller (VMU included, of course). Honestly, when the plastic takes up more space than the screen, things might not be as "handy" as you suspect. Guys, Sega and 1998 called, they want their design back.

[Via Pocket-lint]

by **Joshua Fruhlinger** posted May 13th 2008 at 6:23PM

Dreamcast fans are doing what they can to keep the final Sega console alive in handheld fashion. This latest one certainly isn't the most elegant mod in the world -- in fact, it's a boxy Frankenstein that looks pretty uncomfortable and crampy after a long game session. That said, the clean, straight lines and generous 5-inch screen are an impressive step up from some rough versions we've seen elsewhere. Taking an entire Dreamcast's guts, adding an LCD screen, forging a portable power supply, and fitting it all in one portable box is no easy task -- so we salute you, modders. And we confess, we totally dig the brass hinges. Video after the break.

by **Nilay Patel** posted Mar 4th 2008 at 8:32AM

Man, remember when the Dreamcast was all the rage, but no one actually had one, so you could only play on in-store demo units while fending off enraged Software, Etc. employees? No? Trust us, it was quite the thrill, especially topped off with some rockin' TCBY and maybe a pensive moment at the back of Spencer Gifts -- and now you can relive it all in the comfort of your own home, here in the future. Yep, a working Dreamcast demo station has just popped up on eBay, for the shockingly low current price of £230 ($456), although you'll have to be in the UK to pick it up (or be really, really dedicated to Sega). The Dreamcast is actually eminently hackable and still has quite a following, so you're well on your way to impressing your friends high-school style. Just try to not revive those raver pants while you're at it, slick.

[Thanks, Dan]

by **Ryan Block** posted Dec 6th 2007 at 10:52PM

We know tons of aging Dreamcast fans' hearts skipped a beat today -- us included -- when Sega made a rustle with the brand name at the USPTO. But as it turns out, the recently filed trademark application is just a renewal on brand, and doesn't express any intentions to do another Dreamcast console. In fact, Sega further explained to GameDaily, rather flatly we might add, that they have "no plans to get back into the console business." We know, we're already reaching for the Zoloft, too, but did anyone really think Sega wanted to make one last go of game consoles when even mega-players like Sony can't keep it together?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Dreamcast-mounted iPhone dock sends VMU into jealous rage

Pandora rolls into production this month, emulates Dreamcast now

Sega's Dreamcast turns 10, inspires us to find that VMU and finish Shenmue

Papercraft NES and Dreamcast cost less, play just as many cutting edge games

HORI's revamped TwinStick EX: fit for Virtual On addicts only

Dreamcast tablet is a handsome, portable solution for your discontinued gaming needs

Dreamcast SD adapter could make for homebrew magic

Apple iMac murdered, reborn as all-in-one DreamCast mod

Dreamcast PC features Blu-ray, nostalgia for the late 1990s

Ben Heck apprentice strikes again with DarthCast

Limited edition red 'Resident Evil Code: Veronica' Dreamcast pops up on eBay

ASUS' Eee handwriting pad evokes the Dreamcast, flannel shirts

Modder creates Dreamcast portable from mom's plastic jewelry box

Dreamcast demo display shows up on eBay

Debunk: Sega protects the Dreamcast trademark, not doing another console

Palm Pixi review

ASUS UL80Vt review

HP Envy 15 unboxing and hands-on

Motorola DROID review

Crazy-hinged Dell Adamo XPS hands-on!

BlackBerry Bold 9700 hands-on and impressions

HTC's HD2 hands-on

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 hands-on

Engadget Podcast 171 - 11.13.2009

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