Might Get a Dreamcast - What to Look out For?

[mas]

This is just general Craigslist advice, but I would always ask for a picture before driving anywhere if the description is vague. I wouldn't pay $50 for (as mentioned) a yellow console and 15 disk-only game, and I'd hate to waste gas just to find out that the listing was misrepresented.

good point

[marlowe221]

Well fortunately the seller is in the same town as I am.

But yeah, I'm being careful!

[Breetai]

I have a rev.1 model that is July 2000, so you can definitely go at least that new and play CD-Rs.

If it is a DC with 4 controllers and 15 complete games, it's a good deal. Hopefully there are some decent games, and hopefully come VMUs as well. If it has RF and not AV, you can get it for cheap later on (or s-video, or a VGA box).

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I'm still of the opinion that only a few Japanese models ever locked out the ability to play CD-Rs. I've never heard of a single US system having any trouble. Besides that, the majority of Dreamcasts sold were 99-00 anyways.

[Breetai]

I'm still of the opinion that only a few Japanese models ever locked out the ability to play CD-Rs. I've never heard of a single US system having any trouble. Besides that, the majority of Dreamcasts sold were 99-00 anyways.

Haha, I had one of those Japanese models.


While we are on the topic, what is needed to play import games? For me, this is JP games on a US console. I've seen import boot discs. Perhaps one can be burnt. Are there other ways around this?

[CD AGES]

I'm still of the opinion that only a few Japanese models ever locked out the ability to play CD-Rs. I've never heard of a single US system having any trouble. Besides that, the majority of Dreamcasts sold were 99-00 anyways

I personally own a US rev.2 model that is not MIL-CD compatible. This includes any back ups, and all homebrew releases I've attempted to use. I bought it preowned "refurbished" at a gamestop 9yrs ago!

While we are on the topic, what is needed to play import games? For me, this is JP games on a US console. I've seen import boot discs. Perhaps one can be burnt. Are there other ways around this?

You can burn a utopia bootdisk although this is a bit of a pain as its not VGA friendly and will not boot certain games in VGA mode. Your other alternatives is purchasing or buring Gameshark or Codebreaker. I persoanlly use a "cheats n codes vol 1" disc which is essentially a demo/trial gameshark. They sell em brand new on ebay for only about $5!

[Breetai]

Your other alternatives is purchasing or buring Gameshark or Codebreaker. I persoanlly use a "cheats n codes vol 1" disc which is essentially a demo/trial gameshark. They sell em brand new on ebay for only about $5!

And these all work without issue, including in VGA mode?

[CD AGES]

Aside from what I just mentioned about Utopia, yup! I can confirm for the "Gameshark" and "Cheats n Codes" discs!

[marlowe221]

What is all this VGA business? Can I connect a Dreamcast to an HD tv with a VGA cable or something?

[CD AGES]

Correct! Dreamcast is able to display a majority of its software in beautiful 640x480 resolution with a VGA accessory! Games like Soul Calibur, Project Justice, Daytona USA, Guity Gear X look damn impressive.