Dreamcast Modem

Dreamcast Modem
Made for: Sega Dreamcast
Manufacturer: Sega
Type: Network tool
Release Date RRP Code JP 1998-11-27 PACK-INpack US 1999-09-09 PACK-INpack EU 1999-10-14 PL 2001 PACK-INpack BR xxxx

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Dreamcast Modem (ドリームキャストモデム) is an accessory for the Sega Dreamcast, allowing it to connect to the internet.

Hardware

All Dreamcast Modems shipped with Dreamcast consoles, being already plugged into the side of the system when unpacked, and were not made available separately. Its existence guaranteed that all Dreamcast users had potential access to the internet from the get go - a first for the video game industry and something not matched by competitors until several years later.

In Japan, all modems had a download speed of 33.6kB/s, which was upped to 56kB/s for North America and Europe. Neither modem significantly changed during the console's run, though there were a number of minor revisions (including Sega swapping chips designed by Rockwell to those by Conexant) dictating whether the power should be drawn from the console or through the phone line.

While slow by today's standards, in 1998/1999 this style of dial-up internet connection was commonplace, and would remain (despite the likes of Sony and Microsoft claiming otherwise with the PlayStation 2 and Xbox respectively) the dominant form of internet connection for years to come. It was also ideal for what most developers wanted to achieve with the device - most online-enabled Dreamcast games are limited to downloading extra content or accessing news, or sending small packets of information such as high scores or emails.

Online multiplayer was more of a concern for the Western world, and while the likes of Quake III Arena were optimised with 56kB/s modems in mind, Sega would anticipate the adoption of broadband with the Broadband Adapter in late 2000, which could replace this built-in modem (though games need to be specifically designed for it, so older online titles are incompatible). Both share an outward appearance, though the Dreamcast Modems has "LINE" printed on the back rather than "LAN".

The first piece of Dreamcast software to make use of the modem was the web browser Dream Passport, which shipped with Japanese consoles at launch. Sonic Adventure is believed to be the first game to make use of the device to download extra content, and by the end of the system's life, roughly 200 games were able to utilise the device in some way.

In a lot of cases, modem support is limited to the Japanese release, with content being included on the disc (or locked off completely) in Western versions (if the game was even brought to the West), presumably to cut costs. There are cases of European or North American-exclusive content, though not on the same scale as Japan.

Most of the Dreamcast's official online infrastructure no longer exists, however the Dreamcast Modem is still functional as a modem. The device continues to work with the Dreamcast's online software and can still be used with a traditional dial-up connection (assuming you can find an internet service provider that will sell you one). Alternatively, projects such as the DreamPi "emulate" a dial-up service, allowing those with modern broadband connections to interface with the Dreamcast.

Compatibility

• 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker (1999)
• 4x4 Evolution (2000)
• Advanced Daisenryaku 2001 (2001)
• Advanced Daisenryaku: Sturm über Europa - Der deutsche Blitzkrieg (2000)
• Aero Dancing F: Todoroki Tsubasa no Hatsu Hikou (2000)
• Aero Dancing i (2001)
• Aero Dancing i Jikai Saku Made Matemasen (2001)
• Aero Dancing Todoroki Taichou no Himitsu Disc (2000)
• AeroWings (1999)
• AeroWings 2: Airstrike (2000)
• Alien Front Online (2001)
• Animastar (2000)
• Ao no 6-go Saigetsufutai Hito: Time and Tide (2000)
• Atsumare! Guru Guru Onsen (1999)
• Bangai-O (1999)
• Bass Rush Dream: EcoGear PowerWorm Championship (2000)
• Boku Doraemon (2001)
• Bomberman Online (2001)
• Bust-A-Move 4 (2000)
• Cannon Spike (2000)
• Capcom vs. SNK 2 Millionaire Fighting 2001 (2001)
• Capcom vs. SNK Millennium Fight 2000 Pro (2000)
• Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 (2000)
• Cardcaptor Sakura: Tomoyo no Video Daisakusen (2000)
• Christmas Seaman: Omoi o Tsutaeru Mou Hitotsu no Houhou (1999)
• ChuChu Rocket! (1999)
• Close to: Inori no Oka (2001)
• Coaster Works (1999)
• Comic Party (2001)
• Cool Cool Toon (2000)
• CR Hissatsu Shigotonin Pachitte Chonmage @VPACHI (2001)
• Crazy Taxi 2 (2001)
• Culdcept Second (2001)
• Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram M.S.B.S. Ver. 5.4 (1999)
• Daytona USA 2001 (2000)
• De La Jet Set Radio (2001)
• Death Crimson 2: Meranito no Saidan (1999)
• Dejiko no Maibura (2000)
• Denpa Shonen Teki Kenshou Seikatsu Soft Nasubi no Heya (1999)
• Derby Tsuku: Derby Ba o Tsukurou! (2000)
• Digital Keiba Shinbun: My Trackman (1999)
• Dream Passport (1998)
• Dream Passport 2 (1999)
• Dream Passport 3 (2000)
• Dream Passport Premier (2001)
• DreamPi (2015)
• Dreamstudio (2000)
• Eldorado Gate Vol. 1 (2000)
• Eldorado Gate Vol. 2 (2000)
• Eldorado Gate Vol. 3 (2001)
• Eldorado Gate Vol. 4 (2001)
• Eldorado Gate Vol. 5 (2001)
• Eve Zero Kanzenban: Ark of the Matter (2001)
• Exodus Guilty Neos (2001)
• F1 World Grand Prix (1998)
• F355 Challenge (1999)
• Fighting Vipers 2 (1998)
• Fire Pro Wrestling D (2001)
• Floigan Bros. Episode 1 (2001)
• Frame Gride (1999)
• Giga Wing (1999)
• Giga Wing 2 (2000)
• Golem no Maigo (2000)
• Golf Shiyouyo 2: Aratanaru Chousen (2001)
• Golf Shiyouyo Course Data Adventure-hen (2000)
• Golf Shiyouyo Kouryaku Pack (2000)
• Grauen no Torikago Kapitel 1: Keiyaku (1999)
• Grauen no Torikago Kapitel 2: Torikago (1999)
• Grauen no Torikago Kapitel 3: Kansei (2000)
• Grauen no Torikago Kapitel 4: Kaikou (2000)
• Grauen no Torikago Kapitel 5: Shokuzai (2000)
• Guilty Gear X (2000)
• Gunbird 2 (2000)
• Gundam Battle Online (2001)
• Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise from the Ashes (1999)
• Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise from the Ashes Premium Disc (1999)
• Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2 (2000)
• Happy Lesson (2001)
• Happy Lesson: First Lesson (2000)
• Harusame Youbi (2001)
• Heavy Metal Geomatrix (2001)
• Heisei Mahjong Sou (2000)
• Hello Kitty Dream Passport 2 (1999)
• Hello Kitty no 'Otonaru' Mail (2000)
• Hundred Swords (2001)
• Illbleed (2001)
• Iron Aces (2000)
• J-Code Passport (2000)
• J.League Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou! (1999)
• Jahmong (2000)
• Jet Coaster Dream 2 (2000)
• Jet Set Radio (2000)
• Jissen Pachi-Slot Hisshouhou! @VPACHI: Kongdom (2000)
• Kidou Senshi Gundam: Giren no Yabou - Zeon no Keifu (2000)
• Kidou Senshi Gundam: Renpou vs. Zeon & DX (2002)
• The King of Fighters: Evolution (2000)
• Kitahei Gold (1999)
• Lake Masters Pro Dreamcast plus! (2000)
• Langrisser Millennium (1999)
• Love Hina: Totsuzen no Engage Happening (2000)
• Macross M3 (2001)
• Marionette Company (1999)
• Marionette Company 2 (2000)
• Marionette Handler 2 (2000)
• Mars Matrix (2000)
• Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000)
• Maximum Pool (2000)
• Memories Off Complete (2000)
• Metropolis Street Racer (2000)
• Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit (1999)
• Motto Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! (2000)
• Mr. Driller (2000)
• Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream (2000)
• NBA 2K1 (2000)
• NBA 2K2 (2001)
• NCAA College Football 2K2 (2001)
• Neppachi II @VPACHI: CR Harenchi Gauken (2000)
• Neppachi III @VPACHI: CR Dokonjou Gaeru 2 - CR Dokonjou Gaeru H (2000)
• Neppachi IV @VPACHI: CR Ah! Hanano Ouendan 3 (2000)
• Neppachi V @VPACHI: CR Monster House (2000)
• Neppachi VI @VPACHI: CR Otakara Tankentai (2001)
• Neppachi: 10-ren Chan de Las Vegas Ryokou (1999)
• Net de Para: Nekosogi Paradise (2000)
• Net Versus Chess (2001)
• Net Versus Gomoku Narabe to Renju (2001)
• Net Versus Hanafuda (2001)
• Net Versus Igo (2001)
• Net Versus Mahjong (2001)
• Net Versus Reversi (2001)
• Net Versus Shougi (2001)
• Netto de Tennis (2000)
• Nettou Golf (2000)
• Never 7: The End of Infinity (2000)
• The Next Tetris: On-Line Edition (2000)
• NFL 2K1 (2000)
• NFL 2K2 (2001)
• Nishikaze no Rhapsody (2001)
• Ooga Booga (2001)
• Outtrigger (1999)
• Pachi-Slot Teiou Dream Slot: Heiwa SP (2001)
• Phantasy Star Online (2000)
• Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (2001)
• Planet Ring (2000)
• POD 2 (2000)
• Power Jet Racing 2001 (2001)
• Power Stone 2 (2000)
• Pro Yakyuu Team de Asobou Net! (2000)
• Pro Yakyuu Team de Asobou! (1999)
• Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! (1999)
• Project Justice (2000)
• Quake III Arena (2000)
• Quiz Aa! Megami-sama: Tatakau Tsubasa to Tomoni (2000)
• Racing Simulation 2: Monaco Grand Prix Online (2001)
• Rayman 2: The Great Escape (2000)
• Real Sound: Kaze no Regret (1997)
• Reel Fishing: Wild (2001)
• Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (2000)
• Rippin' Riders (1999)
• Roommania 203 (2000)
• Rune Jade (2000)
• Saka Tsuku Tokudaigou: J.League Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou! (2000)
• Sakura Taisen (1996)
• Sakura Taisen 2: Kimi, Shinitamou Koto Nakare (1998)
• Sakura Taisen 3: Paris wa Moeteiru ka (2001)
• Sakura Taisen Kinematron Hanagumi Mail (2000)
• Samba de Amigo (1999)
• Samba de Amigo Ver.2000 (2000)
• San Francisco Rush 2049 (2000)
• Sega GT (2000)
• Sega Kara for Dreamcast (2001)
• Sega Marine Fishing (2000)
• Sega Rally 2 (1998)
• Sega Tetris (1999)
• Sengoku Turb: Fanfan I love me Dunce-doublentendre (1999)
• Shenmue (1999)
• Shin Nihon Pro Wrestling Toukon Retsuden 4 (1999)
• The Shinri Game (2001)
• Shinseiki Evangelion: Typing E-Keikaku (2001)
• Shinseiki Evangelion: Typing Hokan Keikaku (2001)
• Skies of Arcadia (2000)
• Sonic Adventure (1998)
• Sonic Adventure 2 (2001)
• Sorcerian: Shichisei Mahou no Shito (2000)
• SoulCalibur (1999)
• Spawn: In the Demon's Hand (1999)
• Speed Devils Online Racing (2000)
• Sports Jam (2000)
• Star Wars: Episode I Racer (2000)
• StarLancer (2000)
• Street Fighter Alpha 3 (1999)
• Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike (2000)
• Street Fighter III: Double Impact (1999)
• Super Magnetic Neo (2000)
• Super Producers: Mezase Show Biz Kai (1999)
• Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (1996)
• Super Street Fighter II X for Matching Service (2000)
• Taisen Net Gimmick: Capcom & Psikyo All Stars (2001)
• Tanaka Torahiko no Uru Toraryuu Shougi: Ibisha Anaguma-hen (1999)
• Tantei Shinshi Dash! (2000)
• Tee Off (1999)
• Tokyo Xtreme Racer (1999)
• Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 (2000)
• Toy Racer (2000)
• Treasure Strike (2000)
• Tricolore Crise (2000)
• Tsuushin Taisen Logic Battle Daisessen (2000)
• UEFA Dream Soccer (2000)
• Unreal Tournament (2001)
• US Shenmue (2001)
• Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service (2000)
• Vanishing Point (2000)
• Vermilion Desert (1999)
• Virtua Athlete 2K (2000)
• Virtua Tennis (1999)
• Visual Park (2000)
• World Neverland 2 Plus: Pluto Kyouwakoku Monogatari (2000)
• World Neverland Plus: Olerud Oukoku Monogatari (1999)
• World Series Baseball 2K2 (2001)
• Worms World Party (2001)
• Yukawa Motosenmu no Otakara Sagashi (1999)
• Yume Baken '99 Internet (1999)
• Yume no Tsubasa: Fate of Heart (2001)
• Zombie Revenge (1999)

Magazine articles

Main article: Dreamcast Modem/Magazine articles.

Gallery

Official photographs

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Physical scans

Dreamcast, BR
Cover