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Dreamcast (Finally) Goes Broadband

Posted by timothy on from the around-sixty-smackers dept.

Thornburg writes: "The Dreamcast Broadband adapter is finally available for sale directly from Sega's online store. I got the story from Console Wire, here." So the next time you hear someone complain about how the Internet isn't how it used to be and Why Back In The Day Sonny We Didn't Have "Keyboards," you can tell him how you "use your existing Ethernet network, DSL or Cable modem services for smooth, low-ping gameplay."

4 of 135 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Not as good as it sounds by slim · · Score: 5

    There's no excuse for not planning for the future, and this is what Sega has done. If this system flops before the XBox and the PS2 and the GameCube, then good. They were slow and they didn't look forward far enough... killer flaws in the video game world.

    First company to produce a modem for a console (with the Saturn NetLink); first console with online functions as standard (Dreamcast with its built-in modem); first console with broadband -- and you're saying Sega are slow? I guess you're going to argue next that PS2 was quick to market (coming a year later than Dreamcast, with online functioned vaguely promised for some time in the coming year), or that XBox and GameCube show better timeliness (XBox's launch date is bound to slip again, while GameCube doesn't even *have* a launch date AFAIK).
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  2. Direct link: by GeorgeH · · Score: 5

    http://www.sega.com/pc/segastore/SegaProduct.jhtml ?PRODID=447&CATID=39

    Too bad games need to explicitly support it, so I can't download new tags for Jet Grind Radio without swapping out the NIC for a modem
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    Why can't I moderate something "Wrong" or at least "Grossly Misinformed"?
  3. What about NAT? by Fizgig · · Score: 5

    I don't have any video game systems, but as soon as I have some free time I'll be all over them :)

    My question is how well all of these broadband adapters (I guess this is the first) will deal with NAT (IP Masquerade in Linux). It's becoming increasingly popular, with all those hub-router broadband boxes that people are buying. But games tend to use UDP, which has problems with NAT, being connectionless and all. I can't imagine anyone wanting to unplug their computer from the broadband connection and plug their Dreamcast in instead very often, so NAT seems like the best option. Will it all be painful or smooth? Or will it all be on a game-by-game basis?

  4. Re:Which games support it? by Boone^ · · Score: 5
    Nope, sorry... Only new games will support it. Games will be labeled "BB Ready" or something. From this link: http://www.consolewire.com/news/item.asp?nid=538
    Q. Will NBA and NFL, Quake III and other games that are already out support broadband adaptor? What are the games that will support it?

    A. At this time, the "Dreamcast Broadband Adapter" supports "Quake III(TM) Arena," "Pod(TM) 2," and "Unreal Tournament(TM)." More great games shipping in 2001 will support the "Dreamcast Broadband Adapter." All games supporting the BB Adapter will be labeled as such at retail.

    I guess we wait until NFL 2k2. :(