NBrid

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Written by: BoneStormer

Hindsight is 20/20. We all should have seen Sega's defection to Xbox
coming a mile away. As you may recall, as far back as last fall there
were rumors going around that Xbox was in a sense going to be a DC 2.
Let's take a look at the numerous parallels between the two consoles.
What follows is just a select sampling.

Dreamcast: Built-in 56k modem

XBox: Built-in ethernet (broadband)

DC never really reached the full potential a 56k modem affords you (at
least not before it was way too late for anyone to care). Can Sega with
Xbox fulfill this dream?

Dreamcast: Had plans for an add-on Zip drive

XBox: Built-in Harddrive

Even before Sega moved to Xbox with its fancy-schmancy harddrive, Sega
had ambitions of mass storage for a console.

Dreamcast: A DC controller

XBox: Looks to be a revised DC controller

The DC's controller was meet with mixed reactions. Same for the VERY
similar looking, yet somehow far worse, Xbox controller. (After playing
with Xbox's controller, DC's design looks great. What's with the small,
round, slippery, hard-plastc buttons for starters? Then there is the bulky
feel, small analog stick, ect.)

Dreamcast: Two expansion/memory card slots on controller

XBox: Two expansion/memory card slots on controller

How much did Sega's DC influence MS on this design decision?

Dreamcast: 4 controller ports.

XBox: 4 controller ports.

Both are following Nintendo's lead from Nintendo 64 (unlike Sony). DC
didn't specialize in many 4-player games though. Will MS? Or are these
extra 2 ports just for show?

Dreamcast: Strong Sega support

XBox: Strong Sega support

I mean obviously Sega's very own DC had strong Sega support (well, we
are talking Sega here so nothing can be taken for granted), but even Xbox
will have first party support from Sega (Shenmue).

Dreamcast: Microsoft Win CE

XBox: Microsoft Direct X

The difference here is that Direct X is quite a nice set of development
tools where as WinCE is crap.

Dreamcast: DoA2, JGR, Shenmue 1, Soul Calibur, Unreal Tourney

XBox: DoA3, JGR Future, Shenmue 2, Soul Calibur 2, Unreal Champ

This is just a very small sampling of a very odd parallel in the games
available on each.

Dreamcast: Launched with a 1st party football game (NFL2K)

XBox: Launches with a 1st party football game (NFL Fever)

Both know the popularity of football games and their system selling potential.
NFL2K impressed many as the first next-gen football title, and VC fixed
all its shortcomings in 2K1 and so now NFL2K revivals even Madden. Can
MS follow suit even though its past sports games have been sub-par?

Dreamcast : Most hyped launch game - Soul Calibur

Xbox: Most hyped launch game - Halo

DC never really improved upon Soul Calibur. Many still see it as DC's
best game. Can Xbox provide more then Halo? Or will it be a one game wonder
too?

Dreamcast: Target audience is a small niche, hardcore crowd

XBox: Target audience is a small niche, hardcore crowd

This hurt sales of DC. Will it also hurt Xbox's sales with Xbox just
being broadband for starters?

Dreamcast : Originally said would be online at launch

Xbox: Originally said would be online at launch

Sega then said DC would be online in early 2000, then spring, then fall.
MS said XBox would have online games at launch, now spring/summer, next
fall?

Dreamcast: Downplayed the 'Sega' name

XBox: Is downplaying the 'Microsoft' name

When the Dreamcast was first being talked about you rarely heard that
Sega was behind it. Even promotions downplayed that it was a Sega console
(quite obviously to not scare away people who still had nightmares of
Sega CD, 32X, Saturn...). If you look at Xbox you need a magnifying glass
to find the name 'Microsoft' is behind it. Partly because people associate
MS with computers, and partly cause people associate MS with the Devil.

Dreamcast : Sold their soul to Microsoft

Xbox: Sold their soul to the Devil

If A is to B and B is to C, then A is to C...

Dreamcast : Lasted two years

Xbox: Will be lucky to last 2 years

'Nuff said.