Dreamcast
Latest
Dreamcast demo display shows up on eBay
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]
WRUP: top angler edition
On this week's release list, the Dreamcast-to-Wii port Sega Bass Fishing is likely on a lot of minds. It was a pretty fun game when it initially released on Sega's now-dead system, so without a required peripheral and some additions to the game, it's looking like quite the package. What do you all think? Is the game just another cash-in? Are you looking to get your game on with something else this weekend? What are you playing?%Gallery-14457%
Revolutionary: Precursor Legacy
Every (other) Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities. var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Revolutionary_Precursor_Legacy'; Fans of Midway's Ready 2 Rumble Boxing series are no doubt anticipating the spiritual successor in EA's Facebreaker. When you're madly swinging Wiimote and Nunchuk in abuse of cartoony pugilists, you probably won't give any thought to how you could have been doing this nearly a decade ago. While our Nintendo allegiance may make it easy to dismiss claims that the Wii concept was outright "stolen," in Iwata's own admission, it was built from technologies already in existence. And some of those technologies had even used for gaming prior to the Wii. Read on as we examine how the Wii carries on a legacy of hardware past and dreams cast.
Triggerheart Exelica screams onto XBLA on February 27
Triggerheart Exelica, everyone's favorite debris-flinging, vertical scrolling shooter, will finally make a move onto a console that hasn't been dead for seven years next Wednesday, when a translated and updated port will go on sale on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 MS Points, according to developer WARASHI Inc.. The above video gives a pretty good idea of what to expect -- It's one part Ikaruga, one part Olympic Hammer Throw, with just a dash of the near-constant screaming of generic Anime cyborg/heroines. Sounds like a winning combination to us!
Rumor: Space Channel 5 coming to Wii, other systems
Between Nights and the upcoming Samba de Amigo, Sega seems pretty committed to remaking their classic franchises on the Wii. Soon there might be a third series to add to the list, as Japanese news site The Magic Box is reporting that Sega has announced Space Channel 5.0. The Wii remake of the stylish, rhythmic original will feature licensed songs from series fan Michael Jackson, according to the extremely brief report. The lack of detailed information and a Sega denial via IGN make us less than certain on the validity of this information, but we wouldn't be surprised (or sad) if this turns out to be true.Don't own a Wii? Don't lose hope! In an interview with Wired, SC5 creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi hinted that he might be interested in bringing the Dreamcast game to modern download services, a la the upcoming Rez HD. "If I had a reason to remake Space Channel 5 on the new platforms, I will do that," Mizuguchi said. Of course, for that to work, he'd have to get the rights for the game back from Sega. Maybe if we all sing in unison the company will be convinced to make it happen.
Wii prototype auction is disappointing
eBay seller funky_fruits put one of the rarest items we've ever seen on eBay: a one-of-a-kind Wii prototype system, complete with pre-production controller. Produced well in advance of the final system's design, this item features unique properties like "Sensor Bar port for detection of anyone coming within 5m of Nintendo Wii™ prototype - automatically vaporises intruders," "Accessory port on bottom of Wii Remote which can also control your TV and VCR," and "Wireless Free."How could we possibly be disappointed by an item that is so powerful that "Everything is just shoved into memory because there is so much of it - blinking fast"? Because the auction has been ended early by the seller. Nintendo must have gotten to him and threatened to vaporize him like they did the 10 scientists who originally created the system while living in a deserted Japanese airfield.
Rumorang: Updated 'Dreamcast' trademark spurs Dreamcast 2 speculation
The internet has been all a-titter recently over the rumor that Sega might be getting back into the console manufacturing business. The source of this rumor is an updated trademark application for "Dreamcast," which overlaps with the current trademark filing for the title, set to expire in December 2009.At best, this rumor is a stretch. Renewing trademarks is a common practice for companies, and any overlap between previous filings and updates can be attributed to the indeterminable amount of time between filing and proper registration of those trademarks. To either confirm or deny the speculation, GameDaily contacted Sega for an official response, and while PR rep Charlie Scibetta was unsure of why the trademark was updated, he did state that Sega has no intentions of re-entering the console business. According to Scibetta, Sega's quite content with their current platform-agnostic status, and it would be unwise to shift their business strategy during a period of "outstanding growth." Sadly, it seems like this rumor might be little more than smoke and mirrors. Of course, we're always happy to be proven wrong.
Debunk: Sega protects the Dreamcast trademark, not doing another console
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]
Bass Fishing's return confirmed for Wii
While some of our fondest memories growing up are of lazily casting lures from the bank of some nearby pond, we're much bigger fans of soaking up the fishing experience vicariously without having to deal with the so-called 'great outdoors.' To this end, Hudson's Fishing Master for the Wii was a tame recreation of the sport, and to be honest it left us wanting, reason enough to be excited that Sega plans to release a port of its Dreamcast favorite Sega Bass Fishing for the Wii sometime next spring.As previously rumored, the title looks to have gotten little by way of a cosmetic makeover since players first grappled with the Dreamcast's optional fishing rod controller nearly a decade ago, so those quick to call out the Wii for its failure to keep up the high-def Joneses will find plenty to balk at here. However, Sega points out that this latest version will include 'content developed exclusively for the Wii,' though the company has not been forthcoming with what exactly has been added, only to note that Sega Bass Fishing will feature more than 20 different types of lures to entice the the game's four different kinds of freshwater bass. In addition, players will also be able to select the season and time of day, as well as choose from 15 different lakes, giving us plenty of reason to stay indoors as we try to reel in that elusive whopper from the comfort of our easy chair.
Rumor: Sega Bass Fishing on Wii?
A NeoGAFfer named ram reports that Sega's arcade/Dreamcast fishing game Sega Bass Fishing (known in Japan by the much catchier name Get Bass) will see a 2008 release on the Wii. Apparently, rather than a new game, this will be a port of the original with new content (including changing weather conditions and 15 different locales). The very Dreamcast-like screens he posted would certainly support that conclusion. We don't know what the source is for the information or the screens, unfortunately.Considering how well the Dreamcast fishing controller works for Wii-like tennis, we wonder if Sega will have some special insight for fishing with the Wiimote and Nunchuk.
Revolutionary: Emulation-ary
Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities. Traditionally, consoles have had to carry over hardware from previous generations in order to offer backward compatibility. This can be thought of as a burden, as the costs of including that hardware might be better used increasing the specs and features of the system for the benefit of new games. This generation marks a change in the method of operations in providing backward compatibility. The Xbox 360, Playstation 3 (in select models and territories), and Wii use a process known as software emulation to provide backward compatibility with their predecessors, so that they don't have to include that old hardware. What emulation does is allow one set of hardware to mimic the functions of another set of hardware. Emulation isn't a new technique, and it isn't exclusive to consoles. In fact, many people have been using it for years to play games on hardware other than for which it was developed.
eBay auction reveals prototype Dreamcast Zip Drive
As at least two members of the Engadget staff can attest to, the Dreamcast was a totally bodacious system -- one which has been surprisingly kept alive well past its cancelation from commercial sale by a core group of terrifically dedicated gamers and home-brewers. You'd think that a system which was discontinued in 2001 (though Sega did start selling refurbished units in 2006) would have run out of tricks... but you would be wrong. Some DC-fanboys just discovered an eBay auction for a prototype Iomega Dreamcast Zip Drive, an add-on that was clearly just on the brink of making it to market. The unit would have sat beneath the system and interfaced via the DC's expansion port, providing 100MB of storage (per disc) of your precious Shenmue and Code Veronica save-states. Listen, it's not too late to own this piece of Dreamcast history, though we can't promise we won't be desperately trying to outbid you. Oh, by the way, the starting price is $10,000.[Via DCNews, thanks Darksaviour69]
Dreamcast still strong, two new indie games at Leipzig
Coming up on its eight birthday, the Sega Dreamcast continues to prove that it's worthy of attention, with two new independent titles announced for the aging system. Publisher RedSpotGames will be debuting these titles at this year's Leipzig Games Convention, starting this Wednesday.The first game, Dalforce, is a vertical-scrolling "bullet hell" shooter title which allows for up to four players. The second, Wind and Water Puzzle Battles, is an action puzzle game being ported from the GP2X. According to Arcade Renaissance, both games are scheduled for first-quarter 2008 releases, although RedSpotGames' website is currently down for maintenance, and we can not confirm this. Both titles will, however, be shown off at Leipzig this week, so stay frosty as we bring you more details once the conference gets under way.
Behind the price cut: The long, strange saga of the $599 PS3
If the recently rumored $100 price cut for the PS3 turns out to be true, it will end the era of one of the most controversial pricing moves in the history of consumer electronics.The writing was on the wall early on, with former SCE President Ken Kutaragi hinting way back in July 2005 that he hoped gamers would "work more hours to buy [a PS3]." When the price was officially announced at Sony's E3 2006 press conference the first wave of ridicule was practically immediate. Kutaragi's comment that the price was "too cheap" for what consumers were getting just stoked the fires, leading at least one Joystiq blogger to call the company "out of touch." Hey, $599 is pretty cheap if the thing is made of uranium.Yet by launch time there were some signs that the high price wasn't really a deterrent. Despite some launch window reviews saying the system "just isn't worth it yet," the initial stock of PS3s sold out to mobs of fans who waited in the November cold to drop up to six Benjamins on a game console. Many of those who managed to get one of the limited initial allotment put them up on eBay, where some fetched ridiculously inflated prices. Maybe $600 was a bargain after all.
Raiden IV port could hit the Dreamcast
The developer of the Raiden series of arcade shooters, Moss, recently posted a poll that suggests the console that's died a dozen deaths may not be out of life just yet. The "Which system should Raiden IV be ported to?" section features the usual suspects -- PS2, Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360, etc. -- but curiously the Dreamcast is also an option. Sega officially killed the console a few months ago, but it seems the Dreamcast just won't go away. The system has been a sanctuary for Japanese shmups even after production halted, so perhaps our grandchildren will enjoy Raiden IX on an antique jury rigged Dreamcast someday.[Via insert credit]
Waggle Tennis circa 2000
Wii Sports is totally innovative for its motion controls, right? You can move the Wiimote and swing your tennis racket, which is what makes the game so accessible and compelling. That's probably why the Wii has been such a big hit. Just like online gaming, the Dreamcast already did it. While experimenting with the Dreamcast fishing controller, The GagaMan from The Dreamcast Junkyard discovered that its motion sensors worked perfectly with the fantastic Virtua Tennis. In fact, he claims, the controls are more nuanced and sensitive than Wii Sports Tennis. On top of that, you can actually move your character around with the analog stick. We wonder if things would have gone differently for the Dreamcast if anyone had figured this out back then. Probably not. But at least we can pick up a fishing controller and try this ourselves!
Ontama shows random Dreamcast influence
This is probably more of a coincidence or an unintentional influence than anything else, and there's always the possibility that we're imagining things, but doesn't Ontama's protagonist Beat look somewhat familiar? He looks like a cross between Sonic Adventure-era Sonic (look at the poses!) and Jet Set Radio's main character, also named Beat. Well, if you had to pick two games to resemble, you could do a lot worse than these, both of which had fantastic art. The actual game, a rhythm-puzzle thing that we totally want, doesn't look like anything else. We've got new screens after the break.
Karous blasts onto the Wii
Old school gamers rejoice; vertical shoot-em-up Karous is headed for the Wii. Karous was released a couple of months ago on the Dreamcast and currently stands as the last game released on the system.We've already talked about how many classic shooters are available on the Virtual Console, so it's nice to see a new release joining the party.The cel-shaded shooter is hardly a genre classic, but does add something a little different to the Wii's library. Who knows, if sales figures are good, a few other shmups might find their way over. Radiant Silvergun on Wii, anybody? Now we're dreaming ...There's no release date yet, nor any confirmation of a U.S. release. Keep your itchy trigger fingers crossed.
Microsoft's Peter Moore Dreamcasts the PS3
When the topic of sluggish PlayStation 3 sales is brought up, Peter Moore recalls his previous corporate life and asks, "Remember the Dreamcast?" Speaking to Next-Generation's Colin Campbell, the Microsoft exec compares Sony's current difficulties with those he experienced with Sega on its final console. "We thought we were doing right," he says. "All of a sudden it didn't pan out."Though we're not privy to the same lucid and possibly prophetic dreams Mr. Moore is, lumping Sony's latest effort into the same category as the Dreamcast brings with it many sticky implications, intended or not. Is Moore saying the PlayStation 3 is failing to "pan out" for Sony, less than a year into its supposed ten-year life? Sega came out of the gate strongly and promptly drove off a financial cliff like Thelma and Louise, whereas Sony is off to a slow start and has every chance of picking up the pace. Moore goes on to say that Sony's focus on the Cell processor and the Blu-ray drive was a mistake, that it "miscalculated the global consumer's appetite for the experience the offered at the price point they offered it at." But wasn't the PS2's "Emotion Engine" and DVD drive instrumental in its triumph over Moore's ex-box?We remember when the Xbox 360 was given the Dreamcast treatment as a means to highlight impending failure, and it was as odd then as it is now. Despite the system's commercial demise under the watch of a struggling manufacturer, it enjoyed amazing first-party support and is still remembered for hosting some remarkable games and innovations. When did being compared to the Dreamcast become such a bad thing?[Via Xbox 360 Rally]
Crazy Taxi still looks crazy bad
Sega's upcoming PSP version of Crazy Taxi has come a long way. The very first video of the game ran at a sluggish rate, featured nearly deserted streets, and had textures worse than the original Dreamcast version. It appears that some significant progress has been made, but is it enough? We say no. A new gameplay montage on IGN reveals greatly improved visuals, but the textures and polygon count still fall short of what we expect from our handheld. While the gameplay looks fun, we can't help but remember playing the taxi cab mode of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and being far more impressed.At least we won't be charged an arm and a leg for this technically shallow Dreamcast port: releasing at a budget price makes sense to us. But still, wouldn't we love to see a game that truly takes advantage of PSP's capabilities?
