Jim's Dreamcast Arena - Dreamcast Specifications


This FAQ was writtento answer the most frequently asked questions about Sega's upcoming Dreamcastconsole system. Granted, there are a lot of details about the console that are not yet known so this FAQ will be continuously updated from time totime. If you have any information that you would like to add, then pleaseemail me at ukpsxzone@yahoo.com. Q. What is the Dreamcast? A: The Dreamcast is a newvideogame super-console that was released by SEGA, in Japan, on November27th 1998. It signifies the largest leap in console technolgy since thestart of the videogames industry and is capable of arcade-quality graphicsand gameplay. Q: Will the name of theconsole be "Dreamcast" in all countries? A: Yes. That's not so bad,is it? Early codenames for the Dreamcast include "Katana" and "Dural". Q: When will the Dreamcastbe released? A: The release date forthe Dreamcast in Japan was November 27, 1998. The U.S. launch is set forsome time in September of 1999 but may end up being earlier. The launchdates for other countries have yet to be announced but it looks like theU.K. will be getting Dreamcasts around the same time that the U.S. getsthem. Q: What are the technicalspecifications for the Dreamcast? A: The Dreamcast specsare simply amazing. Here is the breakdown: CPU: Hitachi 128-bit graphicsengine with an on-board SH-4 RISC processor (200MHz 360 MIPS/1.4FLOPS) Graphics Chip: NEC PowerVR-SG(Rendering Capacity: over 3 million polygons per second) Sound Processor: Yamaha SuperIntelligent Sound Processor (64 Possible Sound Channels) Operating System: CustomizedOS using Windows CE as its base (Supports Direct X) Main System Memory: 16MByteSD-RAM (128Mbit) Video Memory: 8MByte (64Mbit) Audio Memory: 2MByte SD-RAM(16Mbit) CD-ROM Drive: Yamaha High-Density12x (Maximum) Modem: 33.6Kbps modem (Possibly56K in the U.S.) Controllers: Red, Yellow, Blue,and Grey Console Dimensions: 7 7/16"X 7 11/16" X 3" Weight: 4.4LBs Dimensions: 190 mm (W) x 195mm (H) x 78 mm (D) Q: Is the Dreamcast goingto be a 64-bit or a 128-bit system? A: The whole bit thingis somewhat open to debate but if you simply consider the Dreamcast's CPU(an Hitachi SH-4) then the console is a 128-bit system. Sega seems to bemarketing the console as having 128-bit performance but this merely refersto the graphics system and CPU and not the actual bandwidth (which is 64-bits). Q: What is the retailprice of the Dreamcast going to be? A: Sega has set the priceof the Dreamcast at 29,800 yen. This is the equivalent of about $250 dependingon the exchange rate. The SRP of the U.S. Dreamcast has yet to be announcedbut industry insiders predict a price in the range of $150 - $200. Thereis rumor of two different versions of the Dreamcast being released in theU.S. - one with the modem and one without. The one without the modem mayretail for about $179. Q: Is the Dreamcast goingto feature any sort of territorial lockout? A: Like with most otherconsole systems, each territory will only be able to play the games specificallymade for sale in that territory. Most often, however, someone comes upwith a way to bypass this lockout and I am sure the case will be the samewith the Dreamcast. Q: Where can I purchasea Japanese Dreamcast? A: Aside from flying toJapan and picking up one yourself, you can also order a Dreamcast fromseveral online mail-order companies. Several of them are already takingreservations. Here is a small list of merchants that you can contact: NationalConsole Support BuyRite TheRage Q: Will the Dreamcast takeadvantage of any force or vibration feedback? A: Unfortunately, the standardDreamcast controller does not have any built-in support for feedback. However,the second controller cartridge slot will allow for peripherals such asPuru Puru vibration pack. As for force-feedback, Microsoft may releasesome joysticks that take advantage of it later on. Q: Is the Dreamcast goingto use a DVD drive? A: No. Instead, the Dreamcastwill use a special high-density CD-ROM format that has been specially designedfor it. This special CD-ROM disc is capable of holding 1GB (Gigabyte) ofdata compared to the standard 650MB (Megabyte) that normal CD-ROM discscan hold. Q: Will the Dreamcastbe backwards compatible with the Sega Saturn? A: It is unheard of fora company to create a console that is backwards compatible with an earliergeneration of consoles. The only real exception, in Sega's case, is thePower Base Converter which allowed you to play Master System games on your16-bit Genesis console. The Dreamcast will not feature any sort of backwardscompatibility. Q: How will players connectto the internet when using the Dreamcast? A: Sega is developing aHeat.net-type ISP service for Dreamcast owners which will allow them todial-up and interact with other gamers from across the country. There mayalso eventually be support fot point-to-point gaming so gamers can justcall each other up directly without going through Sega's service. The consolewill come with a disc that contains the Dream Passport Internet kit. Thiskit includes a browser, an email reader and a few extra programs to makeonline access easy for everyone. WebTV and Microsoft will be releasingmore powerful browsers later on 1999. Q: What game titles wereavailable for the console at launch time in Japan? A: There were four initaltitles at launch, and here they are: Virtua Fighter 3tb Godzilla Generations Pen Pen Triathalon July Q: What games have beenconfirmed for the Dreamcast? A: There are so many rumorsof possible games being developed for the Dreamcast, but here are the titlesthat have been pretty much confirmed: Sonic Adventure Incoming Evolution Sega Rally 2 Power Stone House of the Dead 2 Zombie Zone Godzilla Generations Geist Force Sengoku Turb Marvel vs. Capcom Monster Breed Seventh Cross Akolyte Elemental Gimmick Gear (E.G.G.) Mercurius Pretty To The North: White Illumination Sega Rally 2 Shenmue Resident Evil: Code Veronica Power Stone Rampage World Tour NFL Blitz Mortal Kombat 4 Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation Metropolis Blue Stinger Climax Landers Aerodancing Get Bass Tetris 4D Cool Boarders Puyo-Puyo Buggy Heat Cho-Hamaru Golf The King of Fighters '98 Hiryu-no Ken Retsuden Crack 2 Nijiiro Tenshi Pata Pies Giant Glam Entertainment Golf Let's Make a Pro Soccer Club! Let's Make a Pro Baseball Team! Gundam D2 Dynamite Robo Ohzumo MDK 2 Psychic Force 2 There are tons of other titlesthat will be released but these are the ones I know about right now. Forthe latest listing of confirmed Dreamcast titles, go to DreamcastLife. Q: Will the Dreamcasthave any 2-D games developed for it, like Street Fighter III or Castlevania? A: There have been no completelyconfirmed 2-D titles for the Dreamcast, except The King of Fighters '98and Marvel vs. Capcom, but I assume that Capcom will eventually be releasingplenty. There are also rumors of Konami making a new Castlevania game thattakes advantage of 2-D and 3-D elements. BACK

This FAQ was writtento answer the most frequently asked questions about Sega's upcoming Dreamcastconsole system. Granted, there are a lot of details about the console that are not yet known so this FAQ will be continuously updated from time totime. If you have any information that you would like to add, then pleaseemail me at ukpsxzone@yahoo.com.

Q. What is the Dreamcast?
A: The Dreamcast is a newvideogame super-console that was released by SEGA, in Japan, on November27th 1998. It signifies the largest leap in console technolgy since thestart of the videogames industry and is capable of arcade-quality graphicsand gameplay.

Q: Will the name of theconsole be "Dreamcast" in all countries?
A: Yes. That's not so bad,is it? Early codenames for the Dreamcast include "Katana" and "Dural".

Q: When will the Dreamcastbe released?
A: The release date forthe Dreamcast in Japan was November 27, 1998. The U.S. launch is set forsome time in September of 1999 but may end up being earlier. The launchdates for other countries have yet to be announced but it looks like theU.K. will be getting Dreamcasts around the same time that the U.S. getsthem.

Q: What are the technicalspecifications for the Dreamcast?
A: The Dreamcast specsare simply amazing. Here is the breakdown:

CPU: Hitachi 128-bit graphicsengine with an on-board SH-4 RISC processor (200MHz 360 MIPS/1.4FLOPS)
Graphics Chip: NEC PowerVR-SG(Rendering Capacity: over 3 million polygons per second)
Sound Processor: Yamaha SuperIntelligent Sound Processor (64 Possible Sound Channels)
Operating System: CustomizedOS using Windows CE as its base (Supports Direct X)
Main System Memory: 16MByteSD-RAM (128Mbit)
Video Memory: 8MByte (64Mbit)
Audio Memory: 2MByte SD-RAM(16Mbit)
CD-ROM Drive: Yamaha High-Density12x (Maximum)
Modem: 33.6Kbps modem (Possibly56K in the U.S.)
Controllers: Red, Yellow, Blue,and Grey
Console Dimensions: 7 7/16"X 7 11/16" X 3"
Weight: 4.4LBs
Dimensions: 190 mm (W) x 195mm (H) x 78 mm (D)

Q: Is the Dreamcast goingto be a 64-bit or a 128-bit system?
A: The whole bit thingis somewhat open to debate but if you simply consider the Dreamcast's CPU(an Hitachi SH-4) then the console is a 128-bit system. Sega seems to bemarketing the console as having 128-bit performance but this merely refersto the graphics system and CPU and not the actual bandwidth (which is 64-bits).

Q: What is the retailprice of the Dreamcast going to be?
A: Sega has set the priceof the Dreamcast at 29,800 yen. This is the equivalent of about $250 dependingon the exchange rate. The SRP of the U.S. Dreamcast has yet to be announcedbut industry insiders predict a price in the range of $150 - $200. Thereis rumor of two different versions of the Dreamcast being released in theU.S. - one with the modem and one without. The one without the modem mayretail for about $179.

Q: Is the Dreamcast goingto feature any sort of territorial lockout?
A: Like with most otherconsole systems, each territory will only be able to play the games specificallymade for sale in that territory. Most often, however, someone comes upwith a way to bypass this lockout and I am sure the case will be the samewith the Dreamcast.

Q: Where can I purchasea Japanese Dreamcast?
A: Aside from flying toJapan and picking up one yourself, you can also order a Dreamcast fromseveral online mail-order companies. Several of them are already takingreservations. Here is a small list of merchants that you can contact:

Q: Will the Dreamcast takeadvantage of any force or vibration feedback?
A: Unfortunately, the standardDreamcast controller does not have any built-in support for feedback. However,the second controller cartridge slot will allow for peripherals such asPuru Puru vibration pack. As for force-feedback, Microsoft may releasesome joysticks that take advantage of it later on.

Q: Is the Dreamcast goingto use a DVD drive?
A: No. Instead, the Dreamcastwill use a special high-density CD-ROM format that has been specially designedfor it. This special CD-ROM disc is capable of holding 1GB (Gigabyte) ofdata compared to the standard 650MB (Megabyte) that normal CD-ROM discscan hold.

Q: Will the Dreamcastbe backwards compatible with the Sega Saturn?
A: It is unheard of fora company to create a console that is backwards compatible with an earliergeneration of consoles. The only real exception, in Sega's case, is thePower Base Converter which allowed you to play Master System games on your16-bit Genesis console. The Dreamcast will not feature any sort of backwardscompatibility.

Q: How will players connectto the internet when using the Dreamcast?
A: Sega is developing aHeat.net-type ISP service for Dreamcast owners which will allow them todial-up and interact with other gamers from across the country. There mayalso eventually be support fot point-to-point gaming so gamers can justcall each other up directly without going through Sega's service. The consolewill come with a disc that contains the Dream Passport Internet kit. Thiskit includes a browser, an email reader and a few extra programs to makeonline access easy for everyone. WebTV and Microsoft will be releasingmore powerful browsers later on 1999.

Q: What game titles wereavailable for the console at launch time in Japan?
A: There were four initaltitles at launch, and here they are:

Virtua Fighter 3tb
Godzilla Generations
Pen Pen Triathalon
July

Q: What games have beenconfirmed for the Dreamcast?
A: There are so many rumorsof possible games being developed for the Dreamcast, but here are the titlesthat have been pretty much confirmed:

Sonic Adventure
Incoming
Evolution
Sega Rally 2
Power Stone
House of the Dead 2
Zombie Zone
Godzilla Generations
Geist Force
Sengoku Turb
Marvel vs. Capcom
Monster Breed
Seventh Cross
Akolyte
Elemental Gimmick Gear (E.G.G.)
Mercurius Pretty
To The North: White Illumination
Sega Rally 2
Shenmue
Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Power Stone
Rampage World Tour
NFL Blitz
Mortal Kombat 4
Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation
Metropolis
Blue Stinger
Climax Landers
Aerodancing
Get Bass
Tetris 4D
Cool Boarders
Puyo-Puyo
Buggy Heat
Cho-Hamaru Golf
The King of Fighters '98
Hiryu-no Ken Retsuden
Crack 2
Nijiiro Tenshi
Pata Pies
Giant Glam
Entertainment Golf
Let's Make a Pro Soccer Club!
Let's Make a Pro Baseball Team!
Gundam
D2
Dynamite Robo
Ohzumo
MDK 2
Psychic Force 2

There are tons of other titlesthat will be released but these are the ones I know about right now. Forthe latest listing of confirmed Dreamcast titles, go to DreamcastLife.

Q: Will the Dreamcasthave any 2-D games developed for it, like Street Fighter III or Castlevania?
A: There have been no completelyconfirmed 2-D titles for the Dreamcast, except The King of Fighters '98and Marvel vs. Capcom, but I assume that Capcom will eventually be releasingplenty. There are also rumors of Konami making a new Castlevania game thattakes advantage of 2-D and 3-D elements.

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