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[IrishNinja]

^everyone gets that from Bangai-O, and as you said, there's no getting around it for VGA. i have a few other games (Hoyle's Casino, i wanna say Dino Crisis and another) that are equally picky.

you can buy them here directly from the creator, bit pricey for the pair but the quality is supposed to be solid. as i said, i already had a good VGA box so i just found someone to mod that for RGB signal & SCART cable use, it's also an option and was far cheaper since that was my setup.

 

[televator]

What's a "good" VGA box? How do people determine this? I have one that's served me well but its considered to be one of the crappy ones but no one can tell me anything specific.

 

[Sixfortyfive]

I doubt there's a significant difference between models other than 15khz game support.

 

[IrishNinja]

yeah, i havent seen side-by-sides but i havent personally seen a bad one. i have the clear/green one racketboy used to sell years ago, works great by me even long before was modded!

 

[koopas]

Here's one for you guys: JoJos specifically says vga cable supported on the back of the case yet vga is not supported. The official explanation (via forums) I've received is that vga cable and vga box are two different things. To that I reply whaaaa?

 

[Teknoman]

Had no idea D2 was 4 discs!


Of course I didnt know that it was also sorta pricey now.

 

[Persona7]

Here's one for you guys: JoJos specifically says vga cable supported on the back of the case yet vga is not supported. The official explanation (via forums) I've received is that vga cable and vga box are two different things. To that I reply whaaaa?

That was a printing mistake. The updated japanese version does support it though. "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure for Matching Service"

 

[koopas]

Had no idea D2 was 4 discs!


Of course I didnt know that it was also sorta pricey now.

I've watched pretty much all DC titles slowly climb in value the passed two years I've been following it. There is a lot of factory sealed stuff still floating out there I've noticed that isn't too far off in price from say picking up a cib copy of the same title. D4 and Skies of Arcadia specifically have jumped up quite a bit.

Thanks for the tip on JoJos btw I kept thinking I was doing something wrong.

 

[Sanic]

Hoping someone here can help me.

I have 5-6 Dreamcast games, and all of them have worked fine. I picked up a copy of Sonic Adventure today, and outside of some very light scratches it looks fine. Problem is, the DC won't boot the game. I thoroughly cleaned the disc (first with alcohol, then toothpaste) and also adjusted the laser assembly (see here: http://retro-hack.blogspot.com/2010/06/sega-dreamcast-laser-calibration-guide.html ) but no dice. Problem is, I really don't think it's the disc as it looks fine and was told that it works fine. When I say light scratches we're barely talking normal wear-and-tear, if that.

Do I have any other options? Should I mess around with calibrating the laser more?

 

[Sixfortyfive]

US Sonic Adventure 1 had a bad initial print run. I remember having to exchange my copy at launch for a working disc.

If you're not having issues with other games, try to find a confirmed working copy of that one.

 

[kunonabi]

Hoping someone here can help me.

I have 5-6 Dreamcast games, and all of them have worked fine. I picked up a copy of Sonic Adventure today, and outside of some very light scratches it looks fine. Problem is, the DC won't boot the game. I thoroughly cleaned the disc (first with alcohol, then toothpaste) and also adjusted the laser assembly (see here: http://retro-hack.blogspot.com/2010/06/sega-dreamcast-laser-calibration-guide.html ) but no dice. Problem is, I really don't think it's the disc as it looks fine and was told that it works fine. When I say light scratches we're barely talking normal wear-and-tear, if that.

Do I have any other options? Should I mess around with calibrating the laser more?

dc can be finnicky. I have a copy of ko98 that works fine on my console but freezes if you pick Billy Kane on my friend's console. I also have a copy of MvC2 that works on his but won't work on mine.

 

[emb]

Can anyone explain to me how to play Virtual On? Are the controls just really as bad as they feel, or am I not getting it?

On a more positive note, I'm gonna start Shenmue soon for the first time. Is it as good as people say? Anything I should keep in mind going in?

 

[Sixfortyfive]

Can anyone explain to me how to play Virtual On? Are the controls just really as bad as they feel, or am I not getting it?

Jump cancel to lock onto opponents. This is the #1 essential thing that noobs don't do. Other than that, it's mostly a zoning game, trying to box in opponents and punishing them at the end of their dashes and such.

That game is easily in my top 20 of all-time. Probably my favorite fighting game. I still remember the first night a friend and I had with it, fumbling around in the Japanese version without really knowing how to do anything but still finding it moderately enjoyable. Then like an hour into it we discovered that turbo attacks were a thing and it blew our minds.

Coincidentally, I just started shopping around for a link cable today.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Coincidentally, I just started shopping around for a link cable today.

Good luck

I wonder if you could hack one together from 2 NGPC -> DC link cables...

 

[IrishNinja]

...wait, how much do link cables go for? please don't say they're in BBA territory

 

[emb]

Jump cancel to lock onto opponents. This is the #1 essential thing that noobs don't do. Other than that, it's mostly a zoning game, trying to box in opponents and punishing them at the end of their dashes and such.

That game is easily in my top 20 of all-time. Probably my favorite fighting game. I still remember the first night a friend and I had with it, fumbling around in the Japanese version without really knowing how to do anything but still finding it moderately enjoyable. Then like an hour into it we discovered that turbo attacks were a thing and it blew our minds.

Ok, I'll try it out some more later. What do I use to cancel my jump and how do turbo attacks work?

Coincidentally, I just started shopping around for a link cable today.

I had no idea there was a DC link cable. Neat.

 

[KDash31987]

Ok, I'll try it out some more later. What do I use to cancel my jump and how do turbo attacks work?

If I remember correctly, after you jump with Y, press A immediately to cancel it. Turbo attacks use either X or B in conjunction with the L and/or R triggers.

 

[Mzo]

Ok, I'll try it out some more later. What do I use to cancel my jump and how do turbo attacks work?

Well, you pull the sticks apart to jump and then...

If I remember correctly, after you jump with Y, press A immediately to cancel it. Turbo attacks use either X or B in conjunction with the L and/or R triggers.

Oh.

Oh, I can see why nobody is having fun with this now.

 

[televator]

Guy on craigslist says he's selling a DC with an official VGA box, but he can't take pictures for me to verify. He only wants 30 bucks... yet he stresses "official VGA box" like he knows that's a big deal... I'm kinda suspicious about it.

 

[IrishNinja]

^i would be too but it's a great price if legit, maybe meet up at a BK or somewhere public & protect your kidneys?

 

[baphomet]

Guy on craigslist says he's selling a DC with an official VGA box, but he can't take pictures for me to verify. He only wants 30 bucks... yet he stresses "official VGA box" like he knows that's a big deal... I'm kinda suspicious about it.

I bought a DC off a dude on craigslist with a LAN adapter for $10. He knew it was there he just didn't care. You never know.

 

[IrishNinja]

holy shit seriously?! i gotta check CL more often, goddamn

 

[Mzo]

Stopped by a local store with Irish and a mutual friend and spotted CIB official Sega maracas way in the back. Asked how much, dude says $20.

Twenty dollars.

Had to hit Irish to keep from blowing me up.

Tested them out later that day and they work perfectly. Biggest negative is that a huge silverfish attacked me when I opened up the box. I survived.

 

[Cafeman]

I've been playing my DC for the past 3 months again. I played and beat Shenmue, which I hadn't done since it was new. I had forgotten lots of it; also it didn't seem as long as it originally did. It was a joy to race forklifts, beat up Mad Angels, experience 70 man battle again, and to finally beat up Chai again.

Afterwards I played a little bit of my imported Shenmue 2. Wow, what a different feel from the Xbox version I've played a lot of. Still, I'm Shenned out for now. I did remember to buy zippo lighters before my cash got stolen, then pawn them later.

I also replayed all the Chu Chu Rocket puzzles, played some Sonic Adventure, World Series Baseball 2k2 and NHL Hockey 2k2 (pretty fun actually, both of them), and several of the lesser / F1 racing games, and tried Tomb Raider TLR until I realized my memory was correct & there is little to redeem it.

Now I'm on Crazy Taxi again. I can get an S license consistently but I've still NEVER beaten 10k, but I'm trying.

 

[petran79]

Since few games I have are scratched, I plan a backup.
I have the EU version of Jet Set Radio, but I'd also like to try the De La Jet Set Radio Japanese version

I am waiting for a box of 100 minute CDs I've ordered.
didnt think they'd be so hard to find on retail

where I live even music stores dont have them.

 

[Teknoman]

I've watched pretty much all DC titles slowly climb in value the passed two years I've been following it. There is a lot of factory sealed stuff still floating out there I've noticed that isn't too far off in price from say picking up a cib copy of the same title. D4 and Skies of Arcadia specifically have jumped up quite a bit.

Thanks for the tip on JoJos btw I kept thinking I was doing something wrong.

Yeah I got Timestalkers sealed a little while ago. People seem down on the game, but it doesnt look that bad to me. Plus the battle theme is kinda catchy.

 

[televator]

Well that's really pushing the standard. Is the DC even compatible with CDs over 74 minutes?

 

[petran79]

Well that's really pushing the standard. Is the DC even compatible with CDs over 74 minutes?

it should be. there are 99 minute CD rips of GDI images and they work fine.
80 minute discs usually have downsampled audio and compressed video for larger games.

though the PS2 had it worse!

there were CD rips of DVD images. the quality cuts were immense.

 

[Sixfortyfive]

it should be. there are 99 minute CD rips of GDI images and they work fine.

Well it makes sense that large rips exist for archival purposes alone.

But would they play on a real console and not just an emulator? It's something I've never given much thought to.

I have the EU version of Jet Set Radio, but I'd also like to try the De La Jet Set Radio Japanese version

I think those two versions might be identical in terms of content and gameplay. The latter is multilingual. Not sure if the EU version is.

 

[Genesis Knight]

Well it makes sense that large rips exist for archival purposes alone.

But would they play on a real console and not just an emulator? It's something I've never given much thought to.


I think those two versions might be identical in terms of content and gameplay. The latter is multilingual. Not sure if the EU version is.

Yes, the 99 min rips play on real hardware. They are often unstable, though.

 

[sixteen-bit]

De La has all the new North American game content (Combo, Cube, and the New York flashback levels) but lacks the licensed music (i.e. Dragula)

 

[televator]

Gotta have Dragula. Though more human than a human is best zombie. It ain't a proper game about late 90s - early 00s delinquency without zombie.

 

[Sixfortyfive]

...wait, how much do link cables go for? please don't say they're in BBA territory

After an exhaustive search, I'd be shocked if you could find one for less than $50. Maybe 3rd party versions are cheaper.

Not BBA, but not cheap.

De La has all the new North American game content (Combo, Cube, and the New York flashback levels) but lacks the licensed music (i.e. Dragula)

The tracklist is identical to the PAL version.

 

[sixteen-bit]

If that's the case then I guess De La is a port of the PAL version. It had those stages too right?

 

[Sixfortyfive]

If that's the case then I guess De La is a port of the PAL version. It had those stages too right?

Content-wise, they're identical. I just don't know if the PAL version has the same multi-language support or if there are any other minor tweaks.

 

[Persona7]

Does anyone know the cables they use to get the connector for the Dreamcast SD adapter?

I remember reading a article about it but I can't seem to find it. I only remember that it was a specific cable for transferring data from a device to a computer. I want to say it was either a cell phone or some sort of PDA.

 

[coughlanio]

About 15 years ago I played Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi at a friends house, and ever since that day I've wanted a Dreamcast. Finally took the plunge yesterday and ordered the following:

Dreamcast w/ VGA Mod, Region Free BIOS + 2 Controllers & 1 VMU
4 Controllers + 4 VMUs + 4 Rumble Packs, all sealed.
Shenmue & Shenmue II, in mint condition.

Hopefully over the next while I can pick up the following:

Sonic Adventure & Sonic Adventure 2
Crazy Taxi & Crazy Taxi 2
Power Stone & Power Stone 2
Skies of Arcadia
Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 & Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Jet Set Radio

Any thing else considered must play?

 

[sixteen-bit]

After an exhaustive search, I'd be shocked if you could find one for less than $50. Maybe 3rd party versions are cheaper.

Not BBA, but not cheap.

Where did you find one? I remember looking a couple years ago and didn't find jack shit, lol.

Would be nice since I actually own multiple copies of VOOT, two Twinsticks and multiple Dreamcasts. I also have F355 Challenge whish I think is also compatible with the cable?

 

[Sixfortyfive]

Where did you find one? I remember looking a couple years ago and didn't find jack shit, lol.

Surugaya has some for about 5000 yen on their Japanese website. I've seen a couple go by on Yahoo Japan for a little more than that over the past week.

What do you think is a good price for a twin stick controller if I feel like throwing down on one in the near future?

 

[sixteen-bit]

surugaya's jp site has it for ¥ 2,358

 

[canocha]

Is there anyway to play PAL Skies of Arcadia with a VGA BOX (i have a Hanzo btw)?
Its annoying because i have to swap cables every time i want to play it.

 

[coughlanio]

Any thoughts on getting a #dcgaf IRC channel up and running?

 

[Persona7]

About 15 years ago I played Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi at a friends house, and ever since that day I've wanted a Dreamcast. Finally took the plunge yesterday and ordered the following:

Dreamcast w/ VGA Mod, Region Free BIOS + 2 Controllers & 1 VMU
4 Controllers + 4 VMUs + 4 Rumble Packs, all sealed.
Shenmue & Shenmue II, in mint condition.

Hopefully over the next while I can pick up the following:

Sonic Adventure & Sonic Adventure 2
Crazy Taxi & Crazy Taxi 2
Power Stone & Power Stone 2
Skies of Arcadia
Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 & Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Jet Set Radio

Any thing else considered must play?

Dynamite Cop is a good choice.

 

[sixteen-bit]

It's weird how every single game on RavenholmDX's list is available on another platform.

Is Dreamcast losing its identity?

 

[emb]

Any thing else considered must play?

Grab Chu Chu Rocket. It's simple, it's cheap, it's zany and fast paced. Soul Calibur is also a must have.

Congrats on ordering the DC!

 

[coughlanio]

Grab Chu Chu Rocket. It's simple, it's cheap, it's zany and fast paced. Soul Calibur is also a must have.

Congrats on ordering the DC!

Thanks!

I actually have 27 games incoming now...

 

[Persona7]

Chu Chu Rocket is a awesome choice. You can even find a sealed copy for under 20 dollars.

 

[sixteen-bit]

I found a sealed CCR in a toy's r us for $4
I took great pleasure in opening it

 

[SKINNER!]

There were a few sealed copies of Jet Set Radio at my local indie game store last year going for around £10. Surprised to see it still in its wrapper after so long and was tempted to pick one up but decided against it since I couldn't bring myself to break the seal and I really want to play it

Got to get the game for my DC collection at some point.

 

[coughlanio]

Where's the best/cheapest place to get a broadband adapter?

Anywhere to get direct from Japan? I'll actually be in Japan in September, how easy/hard are they to find in stores over there?