A Sega Dreamcast has moved in with me.
This wonder machine, Sega's hoped-for video game salvation, is an innocent-looking device, smaller than a PlayStation or N64, yet it is packed with more features and muscle than the other two can only dream about. No pun intended.The Dreamcast, which goes on sale to the rabble on 9-9-99 at an expected price of $199.99, includes a 56k upgradable modem designed to handle your attachment to the Sega Dreamcast Network on the Internet.
The Network will let you interact -- and play games -- with people on the other side of the world or just around the corner.
The case hides a 200 meg CPU, the most powerful 3-D processor in the video game industry. It makes the Dreamcast the first 128-bit player and means the CPU in your little game console packs more muscle than most computers. The console features 26 megs of RAM, giving game designers incredible leeway to make their products more and more realistic.
So how does it work?
Sonic Adventure, the first game I looked at, has been out for a while in Japan. Featuring Sega's lovable blue hedgehog, the game showcases the Dreamcast well, although it's not the tour de force many were expecting.
However, more Sonic is a good thing. The speedy critter is in fine form -- and in spectacular 3-D.
Also back is the dreaded Dr. Robotnik, Sonic's archenemy and an all-around bad actor. Tails, Sonic's fox buddy, also makes a return engagement, as does Knuckles, an echidna -- no, I won't tell you, go look it up -- all of whom play key roles in the progress of the game.
Each has his or her own abilities and quest, with the stories crossing at various points in the game. Sonic has by far the longest route and the most adventures, however.
New to the Sonic series is the Chao creatures, a sort of game within a game. They appear as eggs to our heroes and must be placed in a Chao Garden, hatched and raised. You have to be careful because if you don't raise them right, they can be a handful.
The Chao don't actually have much to do with the game, and nothing about them will impact your finishing. I didn't mess around with them much, but it looks like something the tots might go for.
Once again, the quest is for the seven Chaos emeralds. Robotnik wants them to power a lethal creature made of water; Sonic, of course, needs them to foil the dastardly plot.
If you like graphics, Sonic is a great introduction to the Dreamcast. In a word, they are spectacular; crisp, sharp and featuring wonderfully bright colors. Sound effects are excellent; anybody who's played a Sonic game will be familiar with the whir of Sonic revving up and the sound of his little hedgehog voice.
Despite the mighty CPU, there's some slowdown in the game, although I don't think you'll notice it that much. The real problem, as it has been with a number of games I've looked at, is the blasted camera, which in many cases is not where it belongs. Why is getting the camera in the right place so hard to do, Mr. Programmer?
Control is excellent. The Dreamcast controller looks a little like an N64 device, with a joystick in the upper left corner and a d-pad below. I don't know why the cord comes out of the bottom of the controller instead of the top; the placement only shortens the cord relative to the machine, making it a bit harder to use.
Although the latest Sonic is not the impact game the first one was, it's an excellent introduction to the power of Dreamcast. It's a platform with a future, assuming the flow of software can keep up with demand.
Sonic Adventure is rated E, for all ages.