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CULT PReview: Sega Dreamcast
Posted by #4 b0b at 03-11-1999 3:32 PM
One of the magazine reviewers brought in a Dreamcast console to work today, with Virtua Fighter 3tb and the Sonic game. The CD's are kinda weird. Actually, they arent even CD's, technically, they are GD's (Gigabyte Discs). Proprietary stuff that you won't be able to copy anytime this decade. The system comes with a built in 33.6k modem and a web browser. So if you feel like calling Japan to register, it'll work over your local ISP after that. I havent seen that but it sounded kinda neat. Its smaller than a saturn, PSX, or N64, and has 4 controller ports like a Nintendo 64 does. When I first saw the controllers, they looked kinda awkward. Well, they are. Thats my only gripe so far.
Virtua Fighter 3tb was pretty much as expected. Almost identical to the arcade though the animations arent as complex. Their clothes don't wave around much, its mostly just their hair that moves around (unlike the arcade). This goes to prove that even though Dreamcast can do 3 times more polygons than the Model 3, its the RAM that matters. They always skimp on the console systems. It plays like the arcade, except the controllers which are not at all suited for fighting games as much as I could tell. The one REAL thing missing from this game is Vs. mode. Thats right folks, when you win, you can't change your character. A minor annoyance, but I'm fairly sure the US version will have a Vs. mode.
Now I have to say, the Sonic game is REALLY sweet. If high speed and smooth framerates excites you, this is YOUR game. The music was pretty intense when you kicked up the speed. Two words describe this game - SENSORY OVERLOAD. Its so fast you dont know what the hell is going on, but it really gets your adrenaline pumpin. If you're going to get a Dreamcast. YOU MUST HAVE THIS GAME.
The resolution on both of these games pushes the limit of normal TV's, I hear it looks a lot better if you have SVHS input to your TV, or even a SVGA signal for a HDTV or monitor (theres a converter available that'll let you plug the sucker into your monitor for MAD resolution). Anyhow, the system pretty much rules compared to Saturn, PSX, or N64. Only time will tell if it kicks the next Nintendo or PSX system, but after actually playing the thing I'll consider buying it when it comes to the states. My Japanese is well, nonexistent.
If you're anxious, importing the thing only costs about $300, which is pretty low considering the US release of saturn was upwards of $400 to get it here. No replies.
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