Difference between revisions of "Dream Library"

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{{sub-stub}}'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (ドリームライブラリ) was a service offered by [[Sega]] in Japan between mid-2000 and January 2003 allowing users to download and play [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[PC Engine]] games through a [[Sega Dreamcast]]. It was included as part of ''[[Dream Passport 3]]'' (distributed for free in April 2000), going live at the end of May{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010805114329/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/corp/news/nr000330_1.html}}.
+
{{sub-stub}}[[File:DreamLibrary logo.png|thumb|right]]'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (ドリームライブラリ) was a service offered by [[Sega]] in Japan between mid-2000 and January 2003 allowing users to download and play [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[PC Engine]] games through a [[Sega Dreamcast]]. It was included as part of ''[[Dream Passport 3]]'' (distributed for free in April 2000), going live at the end of May{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010805114329/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/corp/news/nr000330_1.html}}.
  
 
Games were to be purchased through the Dreamcast, and then downloaded into the system's RAM for play, similar in many ways to the older [[Sega Channel]] service (although over the internet, as opposed to television). There was no means to save a a downloaded game to a [[VMU]], meaning once the system was powered off, the download would be lost, however games could be downloaded multiple times at no extra cost. Game ''saves'' could be stored on a VMU, however, allowing users to continue from where they were.
 
Games were to be purchased through the Dreamcast, and then downloaded into the system's RAM for play, similar in many ways to the older [[Sega Channel]] service (although over the internet, as opposed to television). There was no means to save a a downloaded game to a [[VMU]], meaning once the system was powered off, the download would be lost, however games could be downloaded multiple times at no extra cost. Game ''saves'' could be stored on a VMU, however, allowing users to continue from where they were.
  
−
The Dream Library service worked due to the existence of Mega Drive and PC Engine emulators on the ''Dream Passport 3'' disc. Also included by default are 15-minute time-limited "demo" versions of ''[[Columns]]'', ''[[Daimakaimura]]'', ''[[Flicky]]'', ''[[Pepenga Pengo]]'' and ''[[Puyo Puyo]]''. The Mega Drive emulator in particular is very inaccurate, however, particularly when it comes to sound, and is thought to have difficulty running some titles.
+
The Dream Library service worked due to the existence of Mega Drive and PC Engine emulators on the ''Dream Passport 3'' disc. Also included by default are 15-minute time-limited "demo" versions of ''[[Columns]]'', ''[[Daimakaimura]]'', ''[[Flicky]]'', ''[[Pepenga Pengo]]'' and ''[[Puyo Puyo]]''. The Mega Drive emulator in particular is very inaccurate, however, particularly when it comes to sound. The situation is so bad with ''[[Sorcerian]]'' that it can prevent progress in the game (with Sega openly acknowledging this and providing hints{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20011005205502/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/caution.html}}).
  
−
Sega updated the lineup every month, although the full list of games and when they were made available is not currently known. No similar service was ever made available outside of Japan (although an equally poor Mega Drive emulator exists as part of ''[[Sega Smash Pack Volume 1]]''). Following Dream Library, Sega would offer Mega Drive games through the [[Sega Game Honpo]] service on PC, though a closer analogue would be the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service, which began offering both Mega Drive and PC Engine games for download in late 2006.
+
Dream Library ran into troubles with the release of the [[Broadband Adapter]], as its online disc, ''[[Broadband Passport]]'' was not compatible with the service. While Sega were keen to support broadband users, compatible discs were delayed, and the service was temporarily shut down on 27th January 2001 to account for the new infrastructure{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010617160605/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/staff.html}}. The release of ''[[Dream Passport Premier]]'' in July solved most issues.
 +
 
 +
Sega updated the lineup every month, hosting around 50 titles at any one point, although the full list of games and when they were made available is not currently known. No similar service was ever made available outside of Japan (although an equally poor Mega Drive emulator exists as part of ''[[Sega Smash Pack Volume 1]]''). Following Dream Library, Sega would offer Mega Drive games through the [[Sega Game Honpo]] service on PC, though a closer analogue would be the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service, which began offering both Mega Drive and PC Engine games for download in late 2006.
  
 
==List of games==
 
==List of games==
 
===Mega Drive===
 
===Mega Drive===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[16t]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20011221082952/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list-t.html}}
 +
*''[[Alien Storm (Mega Drive)|Alien Storm]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Assault Suit Leynos]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Aworg: Hero in the Sky]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20011221082952/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list-t.html}}
 +
*''[[Bare Knuckle]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Bare Knuckle II]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[Battle Golfer Yui]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Columns III: Taiketsu! Columns World]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Columns]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Crack Down]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-20|138}}
 +
*''[[Daimakaimura]]''
 +
*''[[Dragon Slayer: Eiyuu Densetsu]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[Dyna Brothers]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Ecco the Dolphin]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[E-SWAT: Cyber Police]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[Flicky]]''
 +
*''[[Gain Ground]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Galaxy Force II]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Golden Axe]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-22|38}}
 +
*''[[Gynoug]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Hyper Marbles]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2000-21|135}}
 +
*''[[Ikasuze! Koi no Doki Doki Penguin Land MD]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2000-21|135}}
 +
*''[[Kid Chameleon]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[Langrisser]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Langrisser II]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[Lord Monarch: Tokoton Sentou Densetsu]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Monster World IV]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Party Quiz Mega Q]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Pepenga Pengo]]''
 +
*''[[Phantasy Star II]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Phantasy Star II: Amia's Adventure]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2000-21|135}}
 +
*''[[Phantasy Star II: Anne's Adventure]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2000-21|135}}
 +
*''[[Phantasy Star: Sennenki no Owari ni]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Putter Golf]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2000-21|135}}
 +
*''[[Puyo Puyo]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Puzzle & Action: Ichidant-R]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[Puzzle & Action: Tant-R]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Pyramid Magic]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2000-21|135}}
 +
*''[[Rent A Hero]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Sangokushi Retsuden]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Shijou Saidai no Soukoban]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Shining Force: Kamigami no Isan]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Shi no Meikyu: Labyrinth of Death]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2000-21|135}}
 +
*''[[Sorcer Kingdom]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Sorcerian]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Star Cruiser]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Super League]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20021202141717/http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[Super Volleyball]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[The Super Shinobi II]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[ToeJam & Earl]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[Toki no Keishousha: Phantasy Star III]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
|cols=3}}
  
 
===PC Engine===
 
===PC Engine===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[nec:Alien Crush|Alien Crush]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Bomberman '94|Bomberman '94]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Burning Angel|Burning Angel]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Cross Wiber|Cross Wiber]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Cyber Cross|Cyber Cross]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Digital Champ|Digital Champ]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Double Ring|Double Ring]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Eternal City|Eternal City]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Fantasy Zone|Fantasy Zone]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Fire Pro Wrestling: Combination Tag|Fire Pro Wrestling: Combination Tag]]{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[nec:Fushigi no Yume no Alice|Fushigi no Yume no Alice]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Ganbare! Golf Boys|Ganbare! Golf Boys]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[nec:Gekisha Boy|Gekisha Boy]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Jaseiken Necromancer|Jaseiken Necromancer]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Shockman|Kaizou Chōjin Shubibinman 2: Aratanaru Teki]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[nec:Magical Chase|Magical Chase]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-20|138}}
 +
*''[[nec:Metal Stoker|Metal Stoker]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-22|38}}
 +
*''[[nec:Momotarou Densetsu Gaiden Dai 1 shuu|Momotarou Densetsu Gaiden Dai 1-shuu]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Moto Roader|Moto Roader]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-20|138}}
 +
*''[[nec:Mr. Heli no Daibouken|Mr. Heli no Daibouken]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Naxat Open|Naxat Open]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Neutopia II|Neutopia II]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Neutopia|Neutopia]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:P-47: The Freedom Fighter|P-47: The Freedom Fighter]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-20|138}}
 +
*''[[nec:Psychosis|Paranoia]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-22|38}}
 +
*''[[nec:Psycho Chaser|Psycho Chaser]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-22|38}}
 +
*''[[nec:Power League|Power League]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Rabio Lepus Special|Rabio Lepus Special]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-20|138}}
 +
*''[[nec:R-Type II|R-Type II]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:R-Type I|R-Type I]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Saigo no Nindou|Saigo no Nindou]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Saint Dragon|Saint Dragon]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-20|138}}
 +
*''[[nec:Sengoku Mahjong|Sengoku Mahjong]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Soldier Blade|Soldier Blade]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Takeda Shingen|Takeda Shingen]]''{{magref|famitsudc|2001-02|152}}
 +
*''[[nec:The Kung Fu|The Kung Fu]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Time Cruise II|Time Cruise II]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:USA Pro Basketball|USA Pro Basketball]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Vigilante|Vigilante]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Wai Wai Mahjong: Yukai na Janyuu-tachi|Wai Wai Mahjong: Yukai na Janyuu-tachi]]''{{magref|dmjp|2000-20|138}}
 +
*''[[nec:Wani in the Sky|Wani in the Sky]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
*''[[nec:Wani on the Road|Wani on the Road]]''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000916160102/http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html}}
 +
|cols=3}}
 +
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 02:16, 15 January 2024

This teeny-tiny article needs some work. You can help us by expanding it.

DreamLibrary logo.png

Dream Library (ドリームライブラリ) was a service offered by Sega in Japan between mid-2000 and January 2003 allowing users to download and play Sega Mega Drive and PC Engine games through a Sega Dreamcast. It was included as part of Dream Passport 3 (distributed for free in April 2000), going live at the end of May[1].

Games were to be purchased through the Dreamcast, and then downloaded into the system's RAM for play, similar in many ways to the older Sega Channel service (although over the internet, as opposed to television). There was no means to save a a downloaded game to a VMU, meaning once the system was powered off, the download would be lost, however games could be downloaded multiple times at no extra cost. Game saves could be stored on a VMU, however, allowing users to continue from where they were.

The Dream Library service worked due to the existence of Mega Drive and PC Engine emulators on the Dream Passport 3 disc. Also included by default are 15-minute time-limited "demo" versions of Columns, Daimakaimura, Flicky, Pepenga Pengo and Puyo Puyo. The Mega Drive emulator in particular is very inaccurate, however, particularly when it comes to sound. The situation is so bad with Sorcerian that it can prevent progress in the game (with Sega openly acknowledging this and providing hints[2]).

Dream Library ran into troubles with the release of the Broadband Adapter, as its online disc, Broadband Passport was not compatible with the service. While Sega were keen to support broadband users, compatible discs were delayed, and the service was temporarily shut down on 27th January 2001 to account for the new infrastructure[3]. The release of Dream Passport Premier in July solved most issues.

Sega updated the lineup every month, hosting around 50 titles at any one point, although the full list of games and when they were made available is not currently known. No similar service was ever made available outside of Japan (although an equally poor Mega Drive emulator exists as part of Sega Smash Pack Volume 1). Following Dream Library, Sega would offer Mega Drive games through the Sega Game Honpo service on PC, though a closer analogue would be the Wii's Virtual Console service, which began offering both Mega Drive and PC Engine games for download in late 2006.

List of games

Mega Drive

PC Engine

Magazine articles

Main article: Dream Library/Magazine articles.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/corp/news/nr000330_1.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-08-05 11:43)
  2. ↑ http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/caution.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-10-05 20:55)
  3. ↑ http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/staff.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-06-17 16:06)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list-t.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-12-21 08:29)
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 5.26 5.27 5.28 5.29 5.30 5.31 5.32 5.33 5.34 5.35 5.36 5.37 5.38 5.39 5.40 5.41 5.42 5.43 5.44 5.45 5.46 5.47 5.48 http://www.isao.net/isaogames/dl/web/list.html (Wayback Machine: 2000-09-16 16:01)
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Famitsu DC, "2001-02-09" (JP; 2001-01-19), page 152
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Dreamcast Magazine, "2000-20 (2000-06-09,16)" (JP; 2000-05-26), page 138
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 http://www.isao.net:80/isaogames/dl/web/list.html (Wayback Machine: 2002-12-02 14:17)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Dreamcast Magazine, "2000-22 (2000-06-30,07-07)" (JP; 2000-06-16), page 38
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Famitsu DC, "2000-12-22" (JP; 2001-12-08), page 135
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