Dreamcast Zip Drive

[Kamalot]

The good kids over at Engadget have recently posted an article (http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/13/ebay-auction-reveals-prototype-dreamcast-zip-drive/) about an eBay auction for a prototype Zip Drive (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250163670619) that was in development for the Sega Dreamcast. The Zip Drive attached to the bottom of the Dreamcast, and acted as a HUGE memory card for the system.

Interesting to note that using the Sega Dreamcast browser, users could download files form the Internet to the standard memory cards (VMUs). Perhaps the plan for the ZIP drive was to allow more capacity for utilizing the Dreamcast as a home computer.

http://i9.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/b5/73/3810_2.JPG (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250163670619)
Some DC-fanboys just discovered an eBay auction for a prototype Iomega Dreamcast Zip Drive, an add-on that was clearly just on the brink of making it to market. The unit would have sat beneath the system and interfaced via the DC's expansion port, providing 100MB of storage (per disc) of your precious Shenmue and Code Veronica save-states.
Wasn't there also a webcam and a printer available for the Dreamcast?

[Gorvi]

That's kinda cool, though it seems a little much just for game saves (or even downloads). Maybe it was meant for an early form of DLC?

It really just reminds me of this:

http://www.consolewars.eu/gen/fetchpics.php?aidx=26929

[Franjo]

The Dreamcast = choicesome (a combination of choice and awesome)

[flinxz]

The GameBoy sewing machine is still cooler. Ha! (http://cgi.ebay.com/SINGER-IZEK-SEWING-MACHINE-GAMEBOY-slightly-used_W0QQitemZ150160385478QQihZ005QQcategoryZ28166 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) There is even one on ebay.

[Grimmjow]

I remember hearing about this ALONG time ago.

[LilBunnyFuFu]

but for 10k? I understand its a one of a kind thing, but its almost pointless to drop 10k on a dead system that you really cant even develop for.

/me misses the dreamcast.

[Kamalot]

but for 10k? I understand its a one of a kind thing, but its almost pointless to drop 10k on a dead system that you really cant even develop for.

/me misses the dreamcast.

People still develop (http://www.dcemu.co.uk/) for the Dreamcast. You can too!

[Grifter]

I find it funny that they are charging $10,000 for a zip drive and still want you to pay $8.23 for shipping. Cheap Bastards.

[Crispy951]

Kinda cool I guess, but seriously 10k? I want one of whatever that guy is having.

He answers a question on the bottom of the page saying that it doesn't even work for any games, so even if you had it, it wouldn't even do anything.

[Heretic Machine]

Loved being able to download files from my VMU... You could also e-mail files. Made it really easy to back-up saves.

[karak]

I thought the Dreamcast was the best system when it was out and I still think it is a great system now. Still my personal fav, despite my growing love for the X360.

[cp#]

Zip drive, 100MB or 250MB, only $99!!

Holy shit who would buy a zip disk in this day and age (or ever for that matter)?

[dirtbag]

Kinda cool I guess, but seriously 10k? I want one of whatever that guy is having.

He answers a question on the bottom of the page saying that it doesn't even work for any games, so even if you had it, it wouldn't even do anything.

Yeah, it works "electrically" but apparently needs drivers that were never developed. With the DC fanbase out there, I wonder how long it would take for someone to cobble together a working solution?

[Kamalot]

Zip drive, 100MB or 250MB, only $99!!

Holy shit who would buy a zip disk in this day and age (or ever for that matter)?

When Zip Discs were first released, they offered an unprecedented level of storage, conviencence and portability.

Yes, today they seem silly, but so do punch cards.

[Adam Blue]

booyaka.com was the website for DCers back in the day. Ahh, the memories.

[beefyjr]

I remember downloading a MvC2 save off of GameFAQs to my VMU just so I wouldn't have to spend a fucking year unlocking everything.

God, what a sweet system. They should bring back Chu Chu Rocket again for the DS.

[H.Bogard]

My heart breaks every time I hear the system's name.
I sold off mine in '02... for a less-than-salvage price.

[Kamalot]

God, what a sweet system. They should bring back Chu Chu Rocket again for the DS.
Chu Chu Rocket is available for the GBA (http://www.gamespot.com/gba/puzzle/chuchurocket/), but sadly it lacks the online play of the original. I agree. Sega could bring it to the DS, or even as a downloadable game for the 360/PS3/Wii.

[KamaItachi]

Man, the Dc was awesome. I remember downloading all sorts of cool wee VMU games to play on the bus to work and even pornography for my tags in Jet Set radio. I know people do it all the time but for me it was something of a revelation.

[Shodan2020]

Heh, I remember actually going online with my dreamcast's awesome 56k modem and downloading some content for Dynamite Cop! :D

I <3 you Dreamcast! :D

[Chees3mz]

The Dreamcast was my first love...God, I miss it...

[TrackZero]

When Zip Discs were first released, they offered an unprecedented level of storage, conviencence and portability.

Yes, today they seem silly, but so do punch cards.

Yeah, I remember having an external zip disc for my laptop back around, 96' I'd say, it was great (even though I had an external CD burner, but I couldn't rewrite stuff on it and the discs still were costly). Except the zip discs used to break far too easily. I heard they eventually fixed that issue, but that was long after I had moved on.

[TrackZero]

I loved playing the DC at friends places, but I sadly didn't own one while it was out. I managed to get one off lik-sang a few months before they went under and it's still great today.

[LilAbner]

My DC sits right next to my 360 and still gets some playtime, especially Soul Calibur and MvC2.

[captainstrombosis]

Lol, hey guys! Look at how many saves I got on this zip... *click click click* Oh shit, I just lost all my saves...

[KingGorilla]

The Dreamcast was my first love...God, I miss it...

You were a strange pubescent lad.

[Disgustipated]

Dreamcast was awesome. I recently got a copy of Marvel vs Capcom 2 but don't have my Dreamcast anymore.

[Scramble]

$10,000 is way, WAY to much for this thing. Something tells me he'll re-list with a smaller reserve and then it'll sell. I love my Dreamcasts. I have 2 if one breaks. They have all the best arcade games and Sonic Adventure, which I still think is a great game even if it does have a few minor issues.
Long Live the DC!

[Heretic Machine]

$10,000 is way, WAY to much for this thing.

It is a one-of-a-kind prototype. Have you seen what those golden Nintendo tournament carts go for?

[Digital Outlaw]

I loved my DC.... 9/9/99

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I loved my DC.... 9/9/99

A day that will live in infamy!

I really need to unpack my DC and hook it up again. I loved that system, but I have so many games that I never gave enough time to.

[Whimbrel]

I still play my Dreamcast. I think that right now the Dreamcast and N64 are really in the sweetspot, thanks to Ebay. You can get working consoles for under 20 bucks, any accessory you could want for just about free, and games for 1-10 bucks. Since there are really only 10-15 must have games for each system, you can just about stock your library with the classics and console for $50 bucks.

[Kamalot]

You can get working consoles for under 20 bucks, any accessory you could want for just about free, and games for 1-10 bucks.

Well, this is one accessory that isn't free. ;)

[Tabasco]

Dreamcast is probably my favorite console of all time. Too bad we most likely won't see Shenmue III ever. :(

[Blog]

Oh Dreamcast, is there nothing you can't do?