Imports on Dreamcast Question

[retrosportsgamer]

With US Dreamcasts, what do you need to play real (not downloads) imports? Can you use the original Boot CD that was once used to play backups?

[brunoafh]

The Utopia boot disc has worked with every NTSC-J game I own, but that isn't very many. I've heard that people sometimes have trouble with it.

I'm hesitant about going the modchip route myself, since you never know if you're going to get a beat to death laser or not.

[ZenErik]

Mine is modded. I highly recommend it. Swapping laser assemblies on the DC is very simple if you need to do it. Just buy a working system for 15 - 20 dollars. Remove a few screws and take out the whole laser assembly. Would also recommend adjusting the laser that isn't working well before going this route.

[skate323k137]

There's also a one-wire region mod that lets you re-flash the region whenever you want.

make sure you read the first few posts.
http://dcemulation.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=89863

if you want to do this and can't find the necessary cd to switch regions once you've done the one-wire mod, let me know and i'll send it your way.

[Reprise]

The Utopia boot disc definitely doesn't work with all games, I've experienced this first hand. It works with about 70-80% of my imports.

The one disc I find the best is actually called DC-X I believe. I haven't had any problems with that. Another good one is also Codebreaker. DC-X is best for me as I have a PAL Dreamcast (living in the UK) and it forces the games to boot up at 60hz. That shouldn't be an issue for yourself though.

Honestly I'd go for my two suggestions over the Utopia disc, Utopia is pretty shitty if I'm being honest.

[Hobie-wan]

Honestly I'd go for my two suggestions over the Utopia disc, Utopia is pretty shitty if I'm being honest.

Of course Utopia will only cost you a blank and a few minutes of your time.

[elmagicochrisg]

The Utopia boot disc definitely doesn't work with all games, I've experienced this first hand. It works with about 70-80% of my imports.

The one disc I find the best is actually called DC-X I believe. I haven't had any problems with that. Another good one is also Codebreaker. DC-X is best for me as I have a PAL Dreamcast (living in the UK) and it forces the games to boot up at 60hz. That shouldn't be an issue for yourself though.

Honestly I'd go for my two suggestions over the Utopia disc, Utopia is pretty shitty if I'm being honest.

Yup, DC-X is the best when it comes to original games...

There's also a one-wire region mod that lets you re-flash the region whenever you want.

Add a switch to your Dreamcast so you don't have to open your console every time you want to change regions. Just make sure the connection is always open when you're not using the region changer disc. Leaving the connection closed may corrupt your Dreamcast and brick it giving you the Black Swirl of Death...

[flamepanther]

I've had slightly better luck with the version of the Utopia disc that has the VGA patch.

[theclaw]

Modchips are mainly for speed and ease of use. Compatible real imports will direct boot as seamless as the DC's native region games. Avoiding the extra time needed by disc swaps, bios flashes, or CD-R copies. Of course some games without VGA support may still require a boot disc.

[elmagicochrisg]

Modchips are mainly for speed and ease of use. Compatible real imports will direct boot as seamless as the DC's native region games. Avoiding the extra time needed by disc swaps, bios flashes, or CD-R copies. Of course some games without VGA support may still require a boot disc.

Yup, those 30 seconds of swapping are like a lifetime and a real pain in the ass...