Dreamcast Collection Oddities - A Gallery as Submitted by Readers

A selection of the many superb collection items submitted by readers for this article.

Back in July we put out a call for readers to submit photos of items from their personal Sega Dreamcast collections that are unusual, unique, custom, weird, odd, obscure, esoteric, rare or overlooked. And of course, the network of international Dreamcast afficionados didn’t let us down. When placed together, all the submissions we received offer a great spread across the Dreamcast-weirdness spectrum that I’m delighted to now present here in this article.

Before we delve in though, a few words on the inspiration for this task. Firstly, exploring the esoteric nooks and crannies of Sega’s swansong console is something that can (occasionally) bring me joy, and, considering that the Junkyard has maintained a readership for two decades now, I guess that is the case for others too. Secondly, given that having more than a passing interest in the Dreamcast is clearly a niche affair, most are unlikely to have ‘real life’ friends or family that genuinely wish to hear about odd collectibles, so sharing with an internet community is where it's at. Lastly, in the context of auction bidding wars and inflationary prices, I thought it would be nice for folks to be able to share with each other, not in a boastful way, but in a spirit of mutual appreciation.

Fed up with this pretentious justification? I hear you. Here are the photos of cool Dreamcast stuff that you’ve come here for…

Not Your Average Console

I imagine most of you reading this know what a Dreamcast looks like (a sleek machine that can perfectly offset the offensive ugliness of the PS2 that it is designed to sit atop). The console wasn't around for long enough for second or third iterations which vary considerably in terms of physical appearance or technical features. Even so, a wide variety of special or limited editions were released (mainly in Japan), and now and then we get glimpses of D.I.Y. customisations that can vary in looks from, uh, shall we say "homely", to professional-grade perfection. The aesthetic variations of the Dreamcast have always interested me, and so I was pleased to see that we received five contributions that scratch that itch.

First of all, we have two official variants of the console, both of which have peculiar origin stories. According to a sketchy internet source, the CSK Dreamcast, a photo of which was kindly sent in by JoeEardley77, was distributed by the health insurance arm of Japanese conglomerate CSK to Sega employees under the impression that they would use it to digitally connect with healthcare providers from home. Whether that actually occurred on a widespread basis is unclear. Using a DreamEye to consult with a doctor is definitely no longer possible (or advisable), but the console itself, whose origins are only given away by a sticker placed atop the console shell and packaging, is a neat artifact nonetheless. 

CSK Dreamcast submitted by JoeEardley77.

The Regulation 7 Dreamcast, a photo of which has been submitted by Rosewood, was supposedly distributed to Japan's pachinko (slot machine) parlours, presumably to be used as either as a demo kiosk or perhaps a cheap internet browsing device. I seem to recall folks explaining that, because gambling for cash is illegal in Japan, this variant was also offered as a prize to parlour customers, although Google is now telling me that it was made available for mail order in 2001 too. Whatever the exact answer may be, the console looks lush.

Regulation 7 Dreamcast submitted by Rosewood.

Next up, we have two variants of the Dreamcast console that definitely aren't official. The custom-painted Illbleed-themed Dreamcast submitted by waynejamesp will undoubtedly appeal to devotees of the quirky horror game which has amassed a bit of a cult following in recent years. With an average NTSC-U copy of Illbleed now costing above $200, painting your console might actually be a more affordable way to demonstrate your love for this particular game. 

Illbleed console submitted by waynejamesp.

The black Treamcast, submitted by le_Pot_de_Mayo, isn't quite as unique, but is still legitimately worthy of the "L@@K RARE" eBay label, and has bizarre origins that are perfect for the scope of this article. First produced in 2002 or 2003 by a Hong Kong-based manufacturer, the Treamcast is essentially a modified Dreamcast, repackaged into a smaller shell with an integrated fold-out screen. Despite arriving after the console's official death, this transportable Dreamcast allegedly sold quite well, even despite the fact that its distribution to Western markets was hamstrung thanks to Sega's disapproval. 

Treamcast submitted by le_Pot_de_Mayo.

The last console that we are to feature is one which, on the face of it, might look pretty ordinary. OK, admittedly the packaging for this first launch variant featuring eight photos of the then-President of Sega Japan, Hidekazu Yukawa, is cool — but those of you that have browsed internet auction websites will know they are fairly common. What makes this particular edition stand out though is that it features stamps confirming it was purchased on the original Japanese release day of November 27, 1998. Thanks go to The SegaHolic of the Sega Guys for submitting these photos. Next you need to track down and interview the person who bought this exact console... How hard could it be?

Launch edition Dreamcast submitted by The SegaHolic.

Dream Disc '24 Compilation Goes up for Preorder! Dream Disc '25 also Announced!

The Dream Disc '24 Game Jam —which ran from December 20th to January 3rd— was a huge success, showcasing a wide range of fantastic new software from the Sega Dreamcast's passionate coding community. It was also an absolute blast to cover here at the Junkyard, and we did so at any opportunity we could — our podcast episode discussing the winners with organisers Ross Kilgariff and Cypress was a particular highlight. 

As fabled in the jam’s original press release, the top ten entries —as selected by a panel of judges— were promised a spot on a physical demo disc. Perhaps this is the titular "Dream Disc"? (We’ll have to wait for Ross and Cypress to officially confirm that particular piece of Dream Disc game jam lore.) Well, Ross's publishing outfit Orc Face Games has finally announced that preorders are open for the physical Dream Disc release. The best part about this whole arrangement? The only thing you need to pay is the shipping fee. In my case, it only cost three measly Great British pounds, which is an absolute steal. If you're not based in the UK, though, Orc Face Games also ships internationally. 

The games featured on this compilation will be Rizzo Island Remix by Dreameater Games, dRxLaX by dRxL_dk, Murph's Big Puddle Fishin' by PsyOp Studios, Order of Titan by bertholet and Ajaxpigeon, Trick Truck and Sky Pirates of Etalmar by WufSoft, Starship Madness by yomboprime, Black Hole Descent by Frogbull, The Eternal Sleep by Locked Door Puzzle, and Defuseball by Freakdave.

For those who have consigned their Dreamcast to a digital-only fate, there is also a digital .cdi version of this release which you can download right now, totally for free. Of course, all of the Dream Disc '24 entries were available digitally for free anyway, but this still gives you the chance to experience the glorious landing screen that Ross has put together, which is a loving homage to the magazine demos of old.

Orc Face also announced on their Twitter account that the disc should arrive with them this month, so if you pick up any other games alongside your Dream Disc preorder, they can be shipped out all at once. Perhaps a perfect opportunity to double up with a copy of the upcoming Chew Chew Mimic, which is now imminently due for release following a video update Ross provided towards the end of last month.

The final version of Chew Chew Mimic we will be recieving.

So, with the final echoes of Dream Disc ‘24 fading, the question on everyone’s mind is… will there be a Dream Disc ‘25 this December? The answer is yes! The organisers are still working out the details, but it’s definitely happening. In the meantime, feel free to stare longingly at this sleek new logo that Ross designed for the event.

Will you be preordering one of these Dream Disc '24 compilations? Are you looking forward to Dream Disc '25? Let us know on our socials or leave a comment below.

Dream Color Plus — New Controller Mod Turns the Sega Dreamcast's VMU Screen Full Colour

Dream Color Plus being tested with Resident Evil: Code Veronica. Credit: Costenaro

There's been a lot of buzz within the Dreamcast fan community as of late over Dream Color Plus, a new controller mod from Brazil-based developer Nai Adventure, which converts your controller to show VMU graphics in full colour, as opposed to its typical monochrome display. The idea with the mod is that by taking apart an existing Dreamcast controller, and removing the existing PCB, you can pop the Dream Color Plus in, and voilà, you now have a wireless Dreamcast controller that has a built-in, backlit VMU screen that displays in full colour. The mod will also include on-board save game storage. You can watch the mod in action below. It's looking very impressive indeed...

Many of our followers have been tagging us under social media posts about the Dream Color Plus in the past week — don't worry, we've been paying attention, and since a crowdfunding campaign has been confirmed, we thought it was time we spoke with the dev to get the lowdown on this exciting project.

DCJY: Nai Adventure, thanks for chatting with us. The Dream Color Plus project looks awesome — it’s wild to see VMU graphics of games we’ve been playing for decades suddenly brought to life in full colour. Can you explain how it all works? And with such a huge library of Dreamcast games, how do you plan on colouring every VMU graphic?

Nai Adventure: The controller has three modes:

• Monochrome, like the original Dreamcast. 
• Palette mode, [which is] similar to what the Super Game Boy does with Game Boy games. To switch palettes, you hold the analog stick (which works as a new button) and press A to change line colors, B to change background colors, and the start button to invert them (like a photo negative). Here’s a quick demo: 

• Full color mode: for new games, devs can send pixel-by-pixel colors directly to the controller (I’m preparing some sample code for that). For older games, the process is more manual. We capture the frames that the games send to the VMU, color them, and whenever the VMU calls for that frame, the controller swaps it.

It sounds crazy, but we already have a good list of games converted. Of course, coloring the whole Dreamcast library is almost impossible, but the main games will get full color support. Since the PCB has an SD card slot, new games can be added little by little over time.

Left: Dream Color Plus showing off a coloured-version of the Sonic Adventure 2 VMU graphic.
Right: The Dream Color Plus PCB.

Sounds great! So is swapping the stock Dreamcast controller board out for the Dream Color Plus easy?

Yes! The whole idea is for it to be plug and play. You just open the controller and replace the PCB. That’s actually why we didn’t make a version with a second analog stick (something people ask for a lot). If we can get a partner to make new shells in the future, then a dual-stick version would totally be possible.

That potential dual-stick mod is something the community would go crazy for, I'm certain. So, with the Dream Color Plus, as it is effectively a VMU built into the controller, how much storage for saving can we expect to see?

Right now we’ve got eight VMU pages by default, but that number can be changed with a config file on the SD card. The controller also comes with built-in rumble. You lose the external VMU slots, but the main features are all there.

New Dreamcast Game "Verdict Guilty Clash" up for Pre-Order — Exclusive Details Revealed!

While the Sega Dreamcast homebrew scene has been busier than ever as of late, the same sadly cannot be said for the console's commercial indie scene. Releases have slowed down considerably in the last few years, and the closure of WAVE Game Studios has left many questioning the future of the scene altogether. Fortunately, there are still reasons for optimism: upcoming titles from Orc Face Games —HarleQuest!, Chew Chew Mimic, and the Dream Disc '24 demo disc— promise fresh indie experiences, while publishers like VGNYsoft continue to keep the platform alive with new releases. Still, it’s become increasingly slim pickings for those eager to add brand new physical Dreamcast games to their collections.

Still soldiering on after all these years is PixelHeart (also known as JoshProd). Once known for releasing multiple Dreamcast titles each year, their output on the console has also slowed, but if their recent release GladMort is anything to go by, the quality is stronger than ever. 

On Friday we learned that the next release in the PixelHeart gameography —Retro Army's Verdict Guilty Clash— is now available for pre-order. This 90s arcade-style one-on-one fighter with a law enforcement vs. criminals theme, and a gritty, neon aesthetic, first saw a release in 2016 on Steam, with releases on the PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch eventually appearing in 2023. Now the game is coming to the Dreamcast with the "Clash" subtitle, and will feature exclusive content, unique to this port. During my research, I found that this game had actually been touted for release on Dreamcast all the way back in 2019, with a Saturn version also mentioned. Well, good things come to those who wait, I guess, although I doubt we'll be seeing that Saturn version any time soon.

The Dreamcast port of Verdict Guilty will include new stages and four exclusive fighters, each with their own unique story mode. Among the newcomers are Sho Kamui and Tia Langray from Breakers (another of JoshProd’s previous Dreamcast releases), as well as Saizo Tobikageno from Breakers Revenge. Rounding out the roster is perhaps the most intriguing addition: Ken Anderson, a genuine real-life professional wrestler who goes by the ring name Mr. Kennedy.

We can also reveal that this port is running natively on Dreamcast, and is not emulated in any way. This seems to be something PixelHeart have been prioritising going forward, as some of their previous releases to Dreamcast —such as their Neo Geo releases— were powered by emulation.

Verdict Guilty Clash's physical release will be available in three region-themed variants familiar to Dreamcast collectors, with the PAL-style edition coming in a PAL case with a certificate of authenticity. As with all of PixelHeart's Dreamcast releases, it will be professionally pressed on MIL-CD.

To pre-order yourself a copy of Verdict Guilty Clash, head over to PixelHeart's store, where you can pre-order your preferred edition for a cost of €39.90 (about £34.52), plus shipping. The game has an expected release date of October 24th 2025.

Mute Crimson DC Releases for Sega Dreamcast – Play It Now for Free!

 

Well, this was a nice surprise! To mark the 26th anniversary of the Sega Dreamcast’s North American launch (the iconic 9.9.99), two-person indie studio Iced Lizard Games has released a Dreamcast port of their stylish ninja platformer Mute Crimson DX, fittingly renamed Mute Crimson DC. And the best part: it's totally free to play!

Mute Crimson can already be found on all the usual modern platforms (Steam, Xbox, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch) — so to see the Dreamcast being added to a lineup like that is wild. The Dreamcast's weak copy-protection may have been one of many factors that hindered its commercial success, but it's also the reason the console gets to live on more than two decades later, continuing to receive a steady stream of new indie titles and homebrew constantly.

So, what's Mute Crimson DC like? Well, it's a lot of fun! It's a one-hit death kind of platformer (like Super Meat Boy, Celeste, that kind of thing). You know, the kind with instant respawns and no fear of running out of lives, but a focus on timing precise jumps to reach the next platform. Miss a beat and you’ll be spectacularly splatted, but a second later you're back into the action. I’m also happy to report that the controls are tight and responsive as you slash, double jump and wall-climb through the game's various levels. If the challenge does prove to be slightly too much for you though, there's always an easy mode with more checkpoints. Oh, and there's also a save system.

The retro-inspired monochrome graphics, with their accents of crimson, look lovely on the Dreamcast, and the game runs fast, flawlessly, and with surprisingly little compromise. To achieve this level of performance, the developers did have to scale back a few things: particle effects were reduced, audio bitrate was lowered, rumble support was removed, and the modern versions’ rewind system was cut. These are all relatively minor concessions, however, and they do nothing to diminish the gameplay experience — especially if, like me, this Dreamcast version is your first time playing Mute Crimson.

Oh, and the cutscenes are charming and well illustrated, too.

If you want to play Mute Crimson DC, simply head over to the game's itch.io page and download the available .cdi file for play on your ODE (such as GDEMU or MODE), or for burning onto a CD-R.

Hopefully we will see more from Iced Lizard Games on the Dreamcast in the future, but if you do enjoy what you play of Mute Crimson DC, they have other games available on other platforms, including one planned for release in 2026.

A Star Fox 64 Port for Sega Dreamcast is in the Works!

In January, we asked the question: is 2025 the year of the Dreamcast port? 

Yes. Yes it is. And undoubtedly the biggest force behind this trend is developer Jnmartin84, who has already brought extra-polished ports of both Doom 64 and Wipeout to the Sega Dreamcast. Now, as the Dreamcast community eagerly awaits the alpha release of his Mario Kart 64 port (which is apparently in its final bug-testing phase), Jnmartin has only gone and got another Nintendo 64 classic running on the system: Star Fox 64. Absolute mad lad.

I'm sure I don't need to explain what Nintendo's fifth-generation classic Star Fox 64 is — unless you're a European who entered a coma at the end of 1997, in which case, Lylat Wars is Star Fox 64. That trademark issue is no longer a thing. Oh yeah, and Sega's next console was called the Dreamcast... but it was a commercial failure, and it had issues with software piracy. But in a way that commercial failure is just one of many factors that still empower the passionate fan community to keep its legacy alive, and that piracy problem was actually what made homebrew development a lot more accessible than on other consoles of its era... Anyway, check out the footage below of Jnmartin84's impressive 48-hour Dreamcast StarFox 64 port.

UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE!!!! While I've been working on fixing the last couple of bugs in the Mario Kart 64 DC port, getting us ready for the alpha release, jnmartin has gotten STAR FOX 64 up and running on the Sega Dreamcast in just two freaking days!?!?

Sure, there are plenty of… pic.twitter.com/J3zgEK1sk7

— Falco Girgis (@falco_girgis) August 6, 2025

So yeah, it's looking like Jnmartin84 has firmly set his sights on StarFox 64. This means that once his Mario Kart 64 port finally releases publicly in the coming weeks (or likely days, at the speed he works), work will then begin on porting Star Fox 64. And just like his previous porting projects, we can expect another top-notch job.

What do you think of all these ports to the Dreamcast? Let us know in the comments below or on our socials!

Sovietborgs on IndieGoGo, El Dorado Gate Translation, Outtrigger Back Online - Summer DC News Round-Up

 Credit to Dreamcast Enjoyer for the Virtua Fighter 3TB background.

The scorching summer heatwave has finally dissipated, providing me with the opportunity to sit here and type up a Dreamcast news round-up without melting into my creaky computer chair. Fortunately though, while I've been lounging around outside, Mr Freeze in hand and with the neighbours clingy cat at my feet (Trevor, generally chill, occasionally bitey), others in the scene have been busy cooking up all sorts of goodness. And, really, given the variety on display, there should be something here to suit everyone's tastes...

One of the few consumer goods to have avoided the savage inflation of recent years. I'm still waiting for a response to my enquiry about a DCJY edition though - call me back Mr Freeze!

News from the Indie Front

The stream of commercial indie releases on Sega's swansong console has definitely slowed over the last year or two. During the frenetic period that roughly coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, dozens of titles were being published each year, and the pipeline of forthcoming games was packed. In hindsight, maybe that was never sustainable in the long-run, and it is feasible that the market became a little oversaturated. Who knows, maybe I'll scribble a deeper dive into the phenomenon soon, but regardless, the indie market is certainly far from finished and there is still plenty to look forward to.

Undoubtedly deserving of top billing here is the launch of the Sovietborgs crowdfunder by Dreamcast scene heavyweights Retro Sumus. After blessing us with the sublime Xenocider in 2021, this European development outfit took a well deserved break, but thankfully, last year we began to hear them stirring again. This time around they are pitching a top-down run 'n' gun game set in a parody world where the Soviet Union won the Cold War (and Gorbachev didn't end up starring in Pizza Hut adverts). Ample detail is available on the IndieGoGo page, so I won't regurgitate it all here. The campaign has around three weeks left to run, and the crew are 57% of the way towards their £41k funding goal. Here at the Junkyard we're hoping Retro Sumus are successful - if anyone is deserving of backing, then it is scene-stalwarts like them!

In other recent news, Gladmort, the 2D action-platformer that pays homage to titles like Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Metal Slug and Magician Lord, has been landing on the doormats of nerds all around the globe. Lewis was enamoured with the game's visual panache when he covered its KickStarter launch last year, and now we'll get to see if it lives up to his (and others) expectations. Those who missed the pre-orders but are now interested can pick up a copy from Pixelheart should they wish. I didn't take the plunge on this one, but a couple of our other writers-at-large did - hopefully one will turn out a review (yeah, Mike, that means you, buddy).

The PAL edition of Gladmort. Photo courtesy of MikeRox.

Elsewhere, occasional updates continue to arrive about the handful of other indie titles that are in the oven. A few days ago, the good folks at JKMCorp let us know that Shadow Gangs Zero is making steady progress and that the Dreamcast version is expected to be ready in early 2026. Orc Face Games, who published The Storied Sword earlier this year, are juggling several projects. In late April they announced that Chew Chew Mimic was available to pre-order (for a mere £15 a piece), but their latest news is that the Dream Disc '24 build is tested and "good to go", which hopefully means that discs will be printed soon. Ross of Orc Face has admitted that development of their key title HarleQuest! has slowed as a result of these other initiatives, but nevertheless, transparent KickStarter updates continue to arrive on a steady basis, and the latest post (May 2025) notes that the aim is to get the game to a content-complete state by the end of Q3 2025. Personally, as long as the game gets there in the end, I wouldn't begrudge a few delays - Orc Face are doing a lot of good for the scene and are worthy of some patience...

A work-in-progress version of the Dream Disc '24 demo disc cover.

Patience? Patience?! But Lozz, I here you cry, where is the news on Izzy's Arcade and Terminator 2D No Fate? Well, since Senile Team playfully hinted that Izzy could make a return to the Dreamcast, Roel and his posse have been tight lipped. We really must see that semi-sequel on our beloved console, though. Ditto for Terminator 2D NO FATE, which Bitmap Bureau have declared will be coming to retro consoles (without specifying which).

Whopping Big Translations

Anyone with even a passing interest in the Dreamcast will know that the Japanese market received swathes of titles that never saw the light of day over here in Europe or across the pond in the States. However, thanks to some plucky and selfless people who dedicate hours to producing translations, this disparity has been gradually chipped away at over the years.

Most recently, bigbanana23 (look, that it a perfectly good username alright?) announced that they have begun translating Capcom's multi-volume RPG El Dorado Gate. Spanning seven(!) entries on the Dreamcast, which, if you are lucky enough, you can pull together in a neat slipcase, this title has undoubtedly been high on the wishlists of many for a long time now. Clearly it is still early doors on this project, but the initial signs are looking positive. 

A complete set of El Dorado Gate, including the snazzy green slipcase.

It also fills my heart with joy to see that Exxistance is inching ever closer to being able to release their translation of the iconclastic Segagaga. This month they released a new video which demonstrates how far the project is progressing. Word has it that the aim is to drop this muther as a 25th anniversary patch, which would suggest that 29 March 2026 should be booked off work (and maybe a few days after that actually). Of course, we don't want to apply any undue pressure - when it's ready, it's ready. For now, if you've got Segagaga on the mind, be sure to check out our interview with its creator Tez Okano.

Oh, and how could I make a blog post without mentioning the Italian Stallion himself, Derek Pascarella?! Those with an interest in the technical side of translations should check out his recent social media posts exploring some problem-solving in action on the Love Hina: Suprise Engagement translation (W.I.P).

Dreamcast Curios and Oddities - Show Us What You Got!

A selection of reader submitted photos from last time around.

A lot has changed in the 20 years that the Junkyard has been in existence, yet our obsession with exploring the obscure and weird aspects of the Dreamcast and its scene has remained constant. Sure, we reminisce about the console's big hitting titles, and cover contemporary developments that attract attention from outside our niche community, but third-party fishing rods, potato-focused marketing events, and Chinese VCDs are also firmly within our wheelhouse. 

One way our passion manifests itself is in the collecting of esoteric Dreamcast-related items - little nick-nacks like this fan that Lewis cracks out during the (now worryingly common) sweltering British summer days. Should he have saved that money instead? Maybe. But now he has the perfect accessory that is coveted by all those who lay eyes upon it. 

We know full well that thousands of such items are tucked away in private collections over the globe... But why hide what your fellow nerds would love to see? Back in 2017 we published an article highlighting readers rare and unusual items, and a sequel is long overdue. 

So, we're making a call to the Scene. By no later than Saturday 16 August please send us photos and descriptions of any Dreamcast goodies in your possession that are unusual, unique, custom, weird, odd, obscure, esoteric, rare or overlooked. 

Update 17th August - the period for submissions has now ended.

Setting clear boundaries is going to be difficult, but to help, here are some examples of the types of things we're looking for:

• Promotional items (VHS tapes, CDs, posters, flyers, clothing)
• Third-party rarities (Treamcasts, controllers, memory cards)
• Obscure accessories (link cables, MIDI cables, karaoke units)
• Development stuff (dev kits, GD-ROMs, manuals)
• Autographed items (bonus points if it's Freddy D)
• Lesser-spotted indie releases (Frog Feast, Witching Hour, Geist Force)
• "Display Only" or "Not For Sale" goods
• Any unique items with a backstory

What we're not looking for:

• Photos of pristine "full sets" 
• Items that are expensive but not unusual (a PAL copy of Cannon Spike is cool, but too vanilla)

Our bar isn't set high, so don't be shy. We look forward to seeing what the community can muster and will feature submissions (with credit) in a forthcoming article.

Compilation of Late-Stage Dreamcast Trailers (2003-2007) Now Available

Both here in Europe and across the pond in North America, the final official Dreamcast releases arrived in the Spring of 2002, around a year after Sega announced they were halting production of the console. By stark contrast, over in Japan, the final official Dreamcast game didn’t see the light of day until 2007. To put that into context, while the first crop of Dreamcast games in Japan were competing with comparatively puny N64 cartridges and PS1 CD-Roms, the last few were vying for shelf space with the latest PS3 and Xbox 360 multi-million budget behemoths. 

Of course, the release schedule slowed to a trickle towards the end, but the fact that nearly a 100 games were officially released for the Dreamcast in Japan after the PAL and North American markets had shut up shop is something that continues to fascinate me. Why on earth did this happen? Who was behind it? Are there any comparable phenomena in the gaming industry? 

Well, I’m currently scribbling a longer-form piece that will dive into this bizarre period and address some of these questions, but before finishing that up, I wanted to share these trailers which should act as a nice little appetizer. They have been ripped from a set of Sega Press DVDs released between 2003 and 2007, and, as far as I am aware, this is the first time they have been made available online.

The Sega Press DVDs from which these trailers were sourced.

My understanding is that the ‘Sega Press' DVD series was distributed to gaming retailers, journalists and various other industry heads. Though dominated by the newer platforms of the time, Sega were fairly generous in giving space to the otherwise low-key Dreamcast titles of this era. Each DVD was also accompanied by leaflets/information sheets on a few chosen games, and on several occasions, despite the little white box being well into its twilight years, Dreamcast games were amongst the picks.

A typical 'Sega Press' kit, complete with contents sheet, DVD and flyers. 

Now, lastly, I'd like to give fair warning: this trailer compilation is mostly composed of shmups and ‘visual novels’, so will not be to everyone's tastes. Personally, though believing myself to be open minded, I often struggle to see the appeal of the visual novel genre, indeed, lots of the output from this time is, uh, a little off-putting (to put it mildly). Nevertheless, there are undoubtedly some gems, such as Ever 17: The Out of Infinity which features here.

Anyway, that’s enough jibber-jabber. I’ll leave you with the trailer compilation which, for the older heads, may stir memories of pre-ordering these games on Lik-Sang and insisting to your uninterested mates that the Dreamcast is ‘current-gen’.

What are your thoughts on this era of Dreamcast history? Are there any games featured here that are dear to your heart? Or, should Sega have afforded the Dreamcast a swifter demise in Japan, like they did in other markets? Let us know in the comments below.

Revisiting the “Jet Set Radio Future Multiplayer” Fan Game — an Interview with the Developer

In the spring of 2021, in my sun-soaked Seattle, WA apartment, I stumbled upon Jet Set Radio HD on Steam. It had been 20 years since the game’s creation during the dot-com boom, and so I found myself reflecting back on that era — on what we thought the future of the internet could look like compared to where our online worlds were now headed. JSR, in combination with the online-enabled super computer that was the Sega Dreamcast, represented an idea of where technology and games might go next. I was captivated. Maybe I still am.

I played through the game. I liked it — its energy, its vibe, and realized that the game now had a far deeper meaning that the younger me could ever piece together. The original hip-hop, funk and electronic synths —characters in their own right— played supporting role to my avatar, Cube, who cut through a Toyko-to basketball court tagging walls, a police state closing in on her.

Thoughts of data privacy, encryption technology, and artificial intelligence policing came to mind as I watched that deadly force unleashed on my protesting, spray-painting avatar ass. Developed in 1999, I also felt an influence of the pirate music sharing application Napster in my play through; in the JSR logo; in its ethos. I thought about intellectual property laws and how they are designed to re-appropriate property and wealth mostly for corporate entities. Entities like [Rokkaku Group].

I think Jet Set Radio can mean many things to anyone. I think that is one driver of its captivating nature.

Screenshot from Jet Set Radio Multiplayer

Others had taken an interest in Jet Set Radio, too. This led me to Jet Set Radio Future Multiplayer. JSRFMP is a fan-made game that takes Jet Set Radio Future, an original Xbox title and sequel to Jet Set Radio, and turns it into an online multiplayer, free-to-play extreme sport. The game’s character art is respectfully —how should I put this— pirated appropriately in the Jet Set Radio way from the Xbox title.

Before Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, there was 2018's Jet Set Radio Future Multiplayer. And while the game's server is no longer online, the game is still playable today single-player. JSRFMP has a custom soundtrack, and it features music artist 2Mello’s unmistakable sounds. There is fan-made graffiti art, and the game has more to offer than one might expect from a solo venture. There are a number of original characters to play, and expressive anti-fascist dance moves to unleash.

I ended up exchanging a few Discord messages with the solo developer, who goes by the name of screenracer. This is that interview, conducted over Discord messages in the Summer of ‘21.

Screenshot from Jet Set Radio Multiplayer

DCJY: When did you first dive into Jet Set Radio and why? Did you play the original back in the Dreamcast era?

screenracer: I played Future way back when the original Xbox came out. I was really young, and all I really remember was really liking 99th Street and I would always get my dad to complete the game up until 99th Street so I could just roam around since I wasn’t very good at games back then. I remember the game wouldn’t save for me as well, so I’d leave the Xbox on basically all the time haha. I forgot about Jet Set Radio for a while after that, since I was very young around seven or eight.

What got me back into Jet Set Radio was when Jet Set Radio HD came out. I was like, man I remember this game! But when I played it, it was different. I then found out that Future was the sequel. I wasn’t even aware of the Dreamcast version up until that point. So then I got an original Xbox and played Future, and started getting back into the Jet Set Radio series.

Mario Kart 64 has been Ported to the Sega Dreamcast!

Update (Friday 8th August 2025): This port is now available to play! Visit the project’s GitHub page to find a download as well as instructions on how to compile your own version for play on your Sega Dreamcast.

Mario Kart has been dominating discussions in online gaming circles lately, what with the release of Mario Kart World for Nintendo's brand-new Switch 2. Is it good? Is it bad? I couldn’t tell you — I'm still here playing Mario Kart 8 like the peasant I am. Haven't even got the expansion pass for all the courses. Times are tough, bro. Something I do have though, is the godliest console ever forged by mortal hands —the Sega Dreamcast— and it's getting a port of the Nintendo 64 classic Mario Kart 64 very soon. The wizard behind this feat is none other than Jnmartin84, who previously brought exceptional ports of both Doom 64 and Wipeout to the console.

The Dreamcast wasn’t exactly lacking in quality kart racers during its commercial run. Titles like Looney Tunes: Space Race and Wacky Races offered solid alternatives to the Italian plumber's blue-shell-'em-up. But as with everything Dreamcast in the last few years, the boundaries once imposed by the Dreamcast's commercial failings and Sega's position in the console wars are being broken down by the scene's talented homebrew community, who are making ports once thought impossible a reality. We've had Grand Theft Auto 3 and Vice City come to Dreamcast, and now it's Mario Kart 64's turn.

Mario Kart 64 was recently decompiled, and Jnmartin84 wasted no time in getting something running. Last weekend, Falco Girgis announced the project's existence, explaining the technical side of the project in detail, and showcasing early footage of the port running on real hardware.

FINALLY time for the big announcement everyone has been begging and waiting for... Here's a VERY EARLY direct hardware capture of Mario Kart 64... RUNNING ON THE SEGA DREAMCAST, of course!

This game was literally just BARELY decompiled the other day, with a codebase that is… pic.twitter.com/h76glP2QGu

— Falco Girgis (@falco_girgis) June 7, 2025

Only four days later, Falco posted an update on the project, and the progress made in such a short time is frankly staggering. Jnmartin84 sure works fast!

So how is the Sega Dreamcast's very own native port of Mario Kart 64 coming along? Well, lets take a look at some footage I just captured directly from my DC of jnmartin's latest build!

Minor texture corruption is still present on some of the sprites here and there, plus there's… pic.twitter.com/D3ng6SP0yX

— Falco Girgis (@falco_girgis) June 11, 2025

With Jnmartin84's Dreamcast ports of Doom 64 and Wipeout being regarded as the definitive way to play both games on any console, we have no doubt that his port of Mario Kart 64 is going to be nothing short of incredible as well. We look forward to seeing how he will leverage the console's power to add further enhancements to the game. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the project as it develops — in fact, I’m already taking bets on how soon a new update will drop after I hit publish on this news piece.

Are you excited to see Mario and friends race onto Sega Dreamcast? Let us know in the comments below or via our social media. And if you're a Nintendo AI bot out to get this project shut down, just remember — even in the robot world, nobody likes a snitch. Mario and Sonic competed at the Olympic Games together, so there's no reason why Mario Kart 64 can't be on the Dreamcast.

Sovietborgs hits IndieGoGo on June 25th — Dreamcast Version Details Revealed!

Update (June 25th): this campaign has now launched! You can back it by clicking here.

Back in November, we took a first look at Sovietborgs, the upcoming release from Retro Sumus, the Spanish development studio behind the excellent Dreamcast indie shooter Xenocider.

Set in an alternate reality where the Soviets won the Cold War, this top-down run-and-gun game is coming to the Dreamcast, Mega Drive (Genesis), and Neo Geo. Retro Sumus has been sharing development updates for a while now, and have finally announced that the project will launch on IndieGoGo on June the 25th.

We caught up with Retro Sumus themselves to get the scoop on everything you need to know about the Dreamcast version — the one that really matters!

Drawing inspiration from retro classics like The Chaos Engine and Gauntlet, Sovietborgs features pre-rendered graphics reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country and Vectorman. We had a blast with an early Mega Drive build, and with Retro Sumus confirming to us that the Dreamcast version will have enhancements like twin stick compatibility, no colour/palette limitations, achievements and improved sound (including an original soundtrack and additional voice samples), things are only looking up for us here at the Junkyard.

Speaking of those voice samples, Dreamcast YouTube royalty Adam Koralik will be providing voices for all characters in the game, including the enemies. Seeing as the Dreamcast version will have even more voice samples, that means more opportunities to hear Adam do a fake Russian accent. Winner.

Along with standard Dreamcast editions, the IndieGoGo campaign will feature an exclusive PAL Dreamcast case version of Sovietborgs, along with another for Retro Sumus’ previous title Xenocider —featuring brand new artwork— as pictured below. This will be the second chance collectors will have to get their hands on a PAL case version of Xenocider, as the original run was limited to 50 and sold out fast.

People who love fragile game cases are going to lose their shit

Retro Sumus have also let us in on what people can expect the Dreamcast versions to be priced at.

"The Dreamcast version will most likely be the cheapest option available. Both because it's (naturally) cheaper to manufacture and because it's kind of "our" community and we feel that's the way it should be. So the price range would be close to what we had for Xenocider, around €45 for the standard edition and somewhere between 60 and 100 for the special or super-ultra-extra limited whatever." 

When we asked Retro Sumus whether other variants of the Dreamcast release would be available —such as Japanese or US style versions— here’s what they had to say:

"The crowdfunding campaign will tell us what the demand nowadays is for the Dreamcast, in general, and for specific regional variants, but yes, that's totally the plan!"

***

Exciting stuff! To set yourself a reminder for when the campaign goes live, go to the IndieGoGo page and sign up for updates. You can also check out the reveal trailer below.

Will you be backing the campaign on June 25th? Let us know by leaving a comment or by dropping us a line on social media.

DCJY welcomes Mike Arkin

Another month means another episode of the DreamPod, and this time, we're joined by a very special guest: Mike Arkin. With over three decades of experience in the video game industry, Mike has worked for the likes of Acclaim, Sony Imagesoft, Fox Interactive, and Activision. Most notably for us, he served as an executive producer at Crave Entertainment, the publisher behind some of the most unique and unforgettable titles on the Sega Dreamcast.

Mike shares a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories from his time working on the releases of beloved Dreamcast titles like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Tokyo Xtreme Racer, Super Magnetic Neo, Draconus: Cult of the Wyrm, StarLancer, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and everyone’s favourite guilty pleasure, Razor Freestyle Scooter.

We also take some time to discuss Mike’s current role as co-CEO of the newly reformed Argonaut Games, their new remaster of Croc, and whether we will ever see a re-release of their Dreamcast opus Red Dog.

You can listen to this episode of the DreamPod and all of our previous episodes on Buzzsprout, along with all great podcast services.

8BitMods announces the VMU Pro — their Modern Take on the Sega Dreamcast VMU

When we first laid our eyes on the Dreamcast's memory card, the VMU, we all collectively thought, "Wow, it has a screen. This is the future", only to soon realise it had a battery life so short it could rival the lifespan of an adult mayfly. Still, the VMU was undeniably cool. When slotted into the Dreamcast controller, it added to gameplay, like providing an easy way to track your health in Resident Evil: Code Veronica or becoming a compass so you wouldn’t get lost in D2. When removed, it could play a whole host of little applications, even doubling up as a sort of Tamagotchi, letting you raise your chao from Sonic Adventure on the go. The VMU had plenty of cool features but was ultimately held back by the technology of the time — a point ex-Sega peripheral designer Kenji Tosaki reflected on in his interview with us last year.

It’s only natural, then, that those manufacturing modern takes on retro hardware would want to revisit the VMU and finally unlock its full potential. We’ve previously seen the excellent VM2 from veteran Dreamcast modder Chris Diaoglou, but now the UK-based 8BitMods are throwing their hat into the ring with the “VMU Pro”.

Considering the success of 8BitMods' MemCard PRO line of souped up memory cards for both PlayStation (1 and 2) and GameCube, it was inevitable that they'd turn their attention to the Dreamcast's VMU, and they started teasing the development of such a product as early as 2022. Various videos of the VMU Pro's development process would show up on 8BitMods' social media channels in the intervening years, including a video of an in-development prototype running DOOM. Watching the teaser trailer 8BitMods put out at the weekend, it looks like the VMU Pro will be capable of doing much more than that, though. 

Don’t let Nintendo see!

One of the hooks that is being heavily promoted as part of the product's announcement is the fact it can play "8-bit era handhelds and games consoles like the Game Boy Color, NES and Master System" and do so "on a beautiful 16-bit [colour] IPS TFT display", so no monochrome here. Another feature that isn't mentioned explicitly but I did notice flash up in the footage, is the inclusion of an in-built music player. A spiritual successor to the ill-fated VMU MP3 player before Grand Theft Auto 6? Madness!

A showcase of the on-board file management system.

Touted by 8BitMods as "the last VMU you'll ever need for your Dreamcast", the preview also boasts these following features:

• Wi-Fi enabled
• Backwards compatible with original VMUs 
• Rechargeable battery
• “Unlimited” storage
• "The best on-device file management you've seen on a memory card" 

For pre-orders and a full list of features, head to the 8BitMods website on the 15th of May at 6pm UK time (10am PT/ 1pm ET). The VMU Pro will cost a respectable £74.99 and will ship in November. It will be available in a variety of different coloured shells, including some transparent ones that look straight out of Y2K.

Are you excited about the VMU Pro? Does it look like the perfect storage solution for all your Dreamcast save file needs? Let us know in the comments below or via social media.