Gizmodo: Dreamcast

John Carmack Says iPhone As Powerful as Dreamcast, More Powerful Than DS and PSP Combined

Jason Chen — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:52:57 EDT

We're all for making hyperbolic statements about how powerful the iPhone is as a gaming system, but John Carmack's taking things to the next level. As you remember, Sega has previously said that the iPhone is as powerful as their Dreamcast system, and EA has previously said that it's more powerful than the DS, but less than the PSP. Carmack, on the other hand, is having none of this. He says that it's more powerful than "a Nintendo DS and PSP combined." Combined! Like, if you taped the two together and had them working simultaneously, he's saying it won't be as good as an iPhone!

He also goes on to say that it's almost as strong as a PlayStation 2 and an Xbox 1 at launch. Think back to the games you played on the PS2 and Xbox. Now think of the games you're playing on the iPhone. Doesn't quite match up, does it?

It's strange to us that Carmack is throwing out so much hype for Apple, seeing as he's got a love/hate (mostly hate) relationship with the company.

The verdict is also out on whether Apple has a concrete grasp of gaming, the id co-founder said. The company's reception to criticism has also been counterintuitive, which has led to its relationship with id being something akin to a roller-coaster ride.

Apple essentially kisses his ass when they need him to show up for one of Steve Jobs' keynotes, but then throws him the cold shoulder the second he passes judgment, Carmack said.

[Apple Insider]

Previous Carmack coverage

Sega Says the iPhone Is As Powerful As the Dreamcast

Jason Chen — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:39:40 EDT

Developers are just getting their heads around the concepts introduced by the iPhone, but so far they like what they see. EA said it's more powerful than the DS, and now Sega—the guys who made Super Monkey Ball for the platform—is saying that it's just as powerful as the Dreamcast. The Dreamcast! Do you remember how good that was? Soul Calibur? House of the Dead? Typing of the Dead? Shenmue? Those were some quality games. Who else wants some of that action in the next few years? [Kotaku]

Very NSFW Video: Topless/Bottomless Dreamcast

Mark Wilson — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:20:41 EST

If you enjoyed the original topless Wii video or the more recent, even hotter sequel, then you are probably the type to get a kick out of this semi-nude rendition of Samba de Amigo on the classic Sega Dreamcast. Live it up, pervs. Today is your day. Hit the jump for the full NSFW action.

[Thanks Steve!]

Portable Dreamcast Makes Us Cast Our Dreams Away in Favor of Reality, Almost

Haroon Malik — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:10:00 EST

The Dreamcast, borderline success that it was, always held a special place in our hearts. We just had a soft spot for punching the crap out of each other during a session of Virtua Fighter. That is why this Portable Dreamcast, put together by a zealous fanboy, has us experiencing a warm feeling in the pits of our stomachs.

What could endear us more to the plastic, white, game-playing god? An absence of a disc tray, meaning the disc spins freely, thus creating an awesome spectacle on LCD screen and off. Smashing. Only thing is; we can't get our hands on one. Oh, the bitter sweet irony; how it burns us so. [Dvice]

Rumor Smashed: Sega Not Working on Dreamcast 2

Jason Chen — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:00:20 EST

Sega's put a stop to the Dreamcast 2 rumors quickly, reiterating that they're going to stay a software company and not re-enter the console business. They told GameDaily this:

We're very happy being a platform agnostic company and have moved up the ranks the past three years from #11, to #9, and now stand at #6 in terms of our market share by units among third-party publishers. We like our current strategy and have no plans to change in the middle of this outstanding growth.

So no Dreamcast 2, just a renewal of the trademark—which means we'll have to stick to hoping there's an Ikaruga 2 for PS3/Xbox. [Gamedaily]

Is Sega Working on Dreamcast II? Please Let This Be True

Sean Fallon — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:40:55 EST

I know that there are a lot of Dreamcast fanboys out there, so let me get your hopes up (only to have them dashed later on down the line most likely). A recent trademark update by Sega has sparked rumors that they may be thinking about a return to the console biz with a second coming of the Dreamcast. From the filing:

home video game machines; player-operated electronic controllers for electronic video game machines; video game interactive controller, namely, hand held pads, and floor pads or mats; joysticks for video games; computer cursor control devices, namely, computer mouse; flash memory cards; video game software, computer game programs

Flash memory cards and floor pads/mats? Any Dreamcast fan would tell you that those devices were not involved with the original machine. Odds are that this means nothing in the long run—after all, this is probably not the time to pick a fight with the big three. As our friends at Kotaku noted, it probably means that Sega is trying to prevent somebody from developing these devices under a Dreamcast brand. Still, the idea of a new Dreamcast is a pleasant thought. What do you think? Could and should Sega consider this? [Videogamer via Kotaku]

Prototype Dreamcast with Zip Drive Costs More Than 28 Xbox 360s

ybaranovsky — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:45:20 EDT

As a proud owner of a Dreamcast, I am a man that can appreciate one with a prototype Zip Drive jammed into it. And now, thanks to the Internet, I can get one — for $10,000 on eBay. Apparently, before the DC's fatal collapse, Imega Corp. made a 100MB Zip drive attachment that would help hold everything from saved games to emails. The drive was intended to help promote the DC as not only a console but as an entertainment system. The Dreamcast inevitably failed and now I'm left staring at it sadly while considering playing Virtua Tennis and mortgaging a house to get the Zip drive attachment. [DC News]

Sega Dreamcast Guitar (Verdict: Pretty Much the Most Awesome Instrument Ever Crafted)

Matt Buchanan — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:45:55 EDT

While it only has three strings and could use something stronger than a spit shine to clean it up, our unabated Dreamcast love completely blinds us to the Dreamcast guitar's flaws. If someone could magically transform it into a wireless controller for Guitar Hero 3, it would probably be the greatest peripheral ever. At least until someone makes an SNES guitar. [Destructoid via Neatorama]

Sega Dreamcast Wristwatch

Jason Chen — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 20:45:36 EDT

Although this isn't an actual Dreamcast system that you can play on your wrist—oh how we wish that were so—it's the next best thing. This watch, comissioned by Sega, has an actual Dreamcast-like face which flips open to tell you the time. Classy and nerdy. You can pre-order one at Playasia now for the Sept. 29 release date. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Playasia via dc emu]

World's Smallest Sega Dreamcast

johnb — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 09:59:07 EST

Our drunk brother-in-law, Kotaku, picked up this wee Sega Dreamcast. No, it doesn't work, but it's so cute. It's actually a little collector's thing that comes in a little bag and you can PRETEND you own a very small obsolete console.

Tacohead over at lowdown411.com sent word of a teeny tiny Dreamcast he bought via Lik-Sang. The toy consists of a Dreamcast console deck, removable modem, 2 VMUs, one controller and a copy of Space Channel 5. It gets better. The friggin console s lid opens. Insane.

I would eat the entire thing and wait until each piece—the Dreamcast, the controller, and the game CD—passed through me like a glorious, Sega-themed comet.

World s Smallest Sega Dreamcast [Kotaku]