Dreamcast Questions...

[Soldier Blue]

I have a few questions about a Dreamcast I just picked up at a thrift store. I know nothing about the system so please bear with me here.

The controller I have dosen't have a screen in the boxed area in the middle of the controller. Does this affect gameplay? I also noticed that there are two ports in the back of the controller. What are these for?

I was also wondering about how durable this console is because I have been having bad luck with my PS2. Do Dreamcasts typically last longer than a PS2? (IE: less disc read errors, games not loading).

[BoringSupreez]

Your controller has no screen because you have no VMU. The VMU is a memory card that plugs into the slots in the controller. The VMU screen is only required for a small number of games. A jumper pack, which provides rumble, can be plugged in to the bottom slot. As far as durability goes, it's better than the fat PS2, but not as good as the slim PS2.

[CRTGAMER]

I have a few questions about a Dreamcast I just picked up at a thrift store. I know nothing about the system so please bear with me here.

Congrats on getting a great console. Dreamcast and PS2 are both reliable, keep the cooling ports clear and avoid scratched dirty discs. Click the Guides section at the top of the page, its right below the Racketboy Title. You can find tons of information for various consoles in different categories.

Here is a direct link for Dreamcast: http://www.racketboy.com/category/retro/sega/dreamcast

[BRIK]

Your controller has no screen because you have no VMU. The VMU is a memory card that plugs into the slots in the controller. The VMU screen is only required for a small number of games.

While the VMU screen its self isn't used that much, I would recommend buying one anyway because that's how you save the progress of your games.

[Flake]

Congrats on the purchase! I got my first dreamcast two years ago and it has been a real treat. If you're at all interested in arcade type gameplay, then you have the perfect system.

[flojocabron]

There are some memory cards that dont come with screens! There are also some multi memory cards that have extra "pages" so you can cram them with lots of saves.

you can also double up on memory cards if you place them on the bottom port of your controller.

Theres also a microphone attachment for a strange game called Seaman.

Memory cards come in plenty of different colors as well.
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depending on if you're gonna play burned games, the laser may or may not last as long.

I also think its not recommended that you unplug a controller when the system is on. I think that it may mess up a fuse in the dreamcast.

Lets hope the person that owned it before you didn't treat it too badly.

[BoringSupreez]

Congrats on the purchase! I got my first dreamcast two years ago and it has been a real treat. If you're at all interested in arcade type gameplay, then you have the perfect system.

Or even if you aren't interested in arcade stuff, it'll still be great. Rayman 2, Sonic Adventure 1 & 2, Shenmue, THPS 1 & 2, and many more games like these are available on DC.

[scarper]

Dreamcasts are very durable, as long they haven't been bashed on, torn up, spat on, or set on fire HOWEVER *DUN DUUUN*

If you intend on burning backup discs to play games, be warned that bad files can cause permanent damage to the disc drive, to the point where it can die out completely. These include multiple games on one disc, and poorly made homebrew titles. Use Tux's releases.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Tux's cdi's are available at theisozone.com

[SpaceBooger]

Dreamcasts are very durable, as long they haven't been bashed on, torn up, spat on, or set on fire HOWEVER *DUN DUUUN*

If you intend on burning backup discs to play games, be warned that bad files can cause permanent damage to the disc drive, to the point where it can die out completely. These include multiple games on one disc, and poorly made homebrew titles. Use Tux's releases.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Tux's cdi's are available at theisozone.com

Here is Tux's own listL http://snesorama.us/board/showpost.php? ... stcount=94
I hate file sharing sites but at least you can use this list to try to find his stuff on theisozone or undergroundgamer.