Ramblings on the Dreamcast

Nostalgia 7 comments

There are few game consoles that have launched with games that when the console died, they are still considered “must plays”. You have the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) with Super Mario Brothers and the Xbox with Halo: Combat Evolved, but the system that exemplifies this statement is the Dreamcast.

Launched on 9/9/1999, in the US, the Dreamcast had 17 software titles available to the gaming populace:

1. Blue Stinger
2. Expendable
3. Flag to Flag
4. House of the Dead 2
5. Hydro Thunder
6. Monaco Grand Prix
7. Mortal Kombat Gold
8. NFL 2K
9. NFL Blitz 2000
10. PenPen TRiIceLon
11. Power Stone
12. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing
13. Sonic Adventure
14. Soul Calibur
15. TNN Motorsports Hardcore Heat
16. Tokyo Xtreme Racer
17. TrickStyle

While not all the DC launch titles were great, several are remembered fondly and still played to this day. It is easy to identify the popular titles, by simply looking at what has been rereleased on other consoles.

  • House of the Dead 2 (and 3) on the Wii,
  • Hydro Thunder  remake on XBLA,
  • Powerstone  (and the sequel) were released as a collection on the Sony PSP
  • NFL series tranitioned to PS2/Xbox/Gamecube until EA bought exclusive rights,
  • Soul Calibur was released on XBLA
  • Upcoming rerelease of Sonic Adventure is the worst kept PSN/XBLA secret.

So the question you have to ask yourself is, why? Why did the Dreamcast launch with so many games? Why were so many successful? Why was there not the usual tech demos (PS2’s Fantavision or Wii’s Wiiplay) associated with its launch?

Well to answer all these questions, we need to look to Japan. The Dreamcast launched in the land of the rising sun on November 27, 1998. Almost a full year before it hit American shores. Few would describe the Dreamcast Japanese launch as smooth. Sega was unable to meet their own shipping goals due to production issues with the graphics chip. In addition, the Japanese Dreamcast would only launch with 4 titles

1.       Godzilla Generations

2.       July

3.       Pen Pen TriIcelon

4.       Virtua Fighter 3tb

Famitsu, Japan’s premiere gaming magazine, reviewed all of these games, ranking them from good (Virtua Fighter) to atrocious (Godzilla Generations). So how did a company that failed at the local launch correct, turn around a year later and create the most successful console launch in video game history?

History reports that it is all thanks to this gentleman, Bernie Stolar. As the story goes, Bernie defied Sega of Japan’s demands for the console to be priced at $249.99. This price point would have allowed Sega to profit on each unit, but Stolar fought saying that the 199.99 price point would move more units. Also, that the 199.99 price would drive more software and accessories sales, which ultimately turned out to be true, with over $100 Million in sales occurring in the first week of the American launch. The irony of this successful launch is that Stolar resigned from Sega days before the Dreamcast launch, due to a disagreement with the new president of Sega.  Before leaving, Stolar had set up the Dreamcast launch, stock piling software from Japan to expand the number of titles available day one for the Dreamcast,  he was able to get the many game enthusiasts excited about the launch and he even used the calendar (9/9/99) to mark the significance of the Dreamcast launch.  The American launch ultimately proved to be the most successful launch of the Dreamcast. But in the end, even with all of this momentum, the console ultimately failed. The second part of this series will expound upon the Dreamcast’s early exit from the marketplace.

7 comments

  1. Darunter sind zahlreiche Boni ohne Einzahlung, Freispiele ohne Einzahlung sowie Einzahlungsboni in Form von Willkommensboni.
    Probieren Sie alle erlaubten Casino Spiele nach Herzenslust aus und stellen Sie fest, welche Ihnen liegen ohne dabei Ihr eigenes Geld zu verspielen. Selbst wenn die
    Spielauswahl eingeschränkt ist, die Durchspielbedingungen etwas zu hoch sind, um den Bonus freizuspielen, oder der Höchstgewinn recht niedrig
    ist, sollten Sie die Unterhaltung in den Vordergrund stellen. Manche Casinoanbieter legen die normalen Bonusbedingungen zugrunde, wie sie
    zum Beispiel auch für den Willkommensbonus gelten. Haben Sie
    Freispiele für Spielautomaten erhalten, dann müssen Sie
    beispielsweise mindestens 1 Euro pro Spin einsetzen, um den Bonusbedingungen zu genügen.
    Wählen Sie anschließend einfach einen Online Slot aus, legen Sie Ihren Einsatz fest und starten Sie mit Ihrem
    Spiele Bonus mit dem Echtgeld gewinnen.
    Mit Gratis-Bonus in Form von Echtgeld möchten die Online Casinos erstens bekannter werden und zweitens ihre Webseite den Spielern präsentieren.
    Wer einen Bonus ohne Gewinnlimit mag, bei dem man eine bessere Chance auf einen nennenswerten Gewinn hat, der
    sollte eher einen Einzahlungsbonus in Erwägung ziehen. Kann man damit wirklich
    geschenktes Geld gewinnen, und wenn ja, wie viel?
    Der Umsatz kann entweder nur den Bonus betreffen oder aber Ihre Einzahlung
    und den Bonus, wenn es ein Einzahlungsbonus ist. Einen Bonus zu erhalten ist immer toll, vor allem, wenn es sich dabei um einen Casino Bonus ohne Einzahlung handelt.
    Und auch wenn Sie kein neuer Spieler sind, heißt das
    noch lange nicht, dass Sie auf attraktive Bonusangebote verzichten müssen. Deshalb werden wir nicht müde, mit den Online Casinos zu verhandeln und exklusive Bonusangebote für Sie
    herauszuschlagen. Zu allen Angeboten sehen Sie die Anzahl der Freispiele und an welchem
    Slot diese vergeben werden.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/pelican-casino-login-so-tauchen-sie-in-die-welt-der-spiele-ein/

  2. Once signed in via the King Billy Casino login, unlock tiered VIP benefits,
    periodic cashback, and scheduled tournaments. We support cards, trusted e‑wallets, bank transfers, and select
    cryptocurrencies. Access the cashier after the King Billy Casino login to manage
    deposits and withdrawals. Create yours from the Sign Up button near the King Billy Casino login.
    Names like NetEnt, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, Yggdrasil bring
    new innovations, from high-RTP slots to live dealer games.
    The platform has a wide range of categories, from slots to live dealer games.

    This type of bonus often includes free spins or bonus credits which
    can be used on specific games. The platform offers weekly cashback,
    free spins, deposit matches and VIP perks for loyal
    players. Now that the account is ready, let’s look at some common casino
    login Australia issues and how to fix them. Go to the
    casino login Australia page and enter your registered email and password.

    You can access the entire game library and all features directly through your
    mobile browser without downloading anything. King Billy Casino stands out as a
    premium gaming destination for Aussie players, offering an impressive A$2,000 welcome bonus package with 225 free spins.
    King Billy Casino login provides instant, secure access to your personalized gaming dashboard with military-grade 256-bit SSL encryption and
    biometric authentication. Your games, rewards, and victories are always ready—fully protected,
    fully accessible, and waiting for you to claim your next success in the gaming realm.
    Have confidence in a platform that not only delivers thrilling gameplay but guarantees that
    each return is secure, swift, and tailored to your journey.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/australia-mobile-casinos-apps-the-complete-guide/

  3. Find out which sites offer exciting games, secure payment options, and great bonuses for Australian players.
    Gambtopia.com is an independent affiliate website that compares
    online casinos, their bonuses, and other offers. Live dealer games are redefining the online casino experience in Australia by delivering real-time action with a human touch.
    At Australian real money casinos,
    the thrill isn’t just about betting—it’s about diving into an expansive selection of games that
    cater to every playing style. Australian real money online casinos offer great payout percentage.
    Wagering requirements are the conditions set by Australian real money online casinos that
    specify how many times you need to bet your bonus amount before withdrawing any winnings.

    If you want an additional layer of protection and a piece of mind when enjoying casino games,
    you should do the same. The interesting thing about gambling in casinos is that the problems are always around the corner, even in the platforms that seem flawless.
    What you are looking for if you want a safe gaming experience online is a platform
    that operates under the latest SSL-encryption technologies.
    The licensing regulators thoroughly check this when they issue a license to a specific online casino.
    Outside of the part where you’re having fun in an online casino, the platforms security is vital.
    If you aren’t sure what a decent gaming selection looks like,
    imagine at least a thousand games from some of the
    leading developers in the industry.
    If you are facing problems with gambling, contacting one of the organizations below could be a great first step towards recovery.
    If you are dealing with a gambling problem or gambling addiction, we encourage you to stop gambling.
    The Australians are the world’s top loser of money per adult per year due
    to the prevalence of gambling and slot machines.
    What is more, if an Australian casino has no mention of any licenses at the bottom of its homepage, 9 times out of 10, you should choose another casino instead that is more safe.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *