# SEGA Dreamcast

> The Sega Dreamcast, released in 1998, was Sega's last console. Poor sales cut its life short, but its strong library is now well emulated.

Web page: https://emulationking.com/sega/dreamcast/
Page updated: 2026-09-30

- Developer: Sega
- Released: 1998
- CPU: Hitachi SH-4 (128-bit)
- CPU Speed: 200 MHz
- RAM: 16 MB SDRAM
- GPU: NEC PowerVR2 DC
- GPU Speed: 100 MHz
- Video RAM: 8 MB
- Audio Processor: Yamaha AICA (32-bit)
- Audio Processor Speed: 22.5 MHz
- Audio Co-Processor: ARM7 RISC
- Audio Co-Processor Speed: 45 MHz
- Audio RAM: 2 MiB

The Sega Dreamcast was released on 27 November 1998 in Japan, 9 September 1999 in North America and 14 October 1999 in Europe. It was the last console Sega released.

After problems with the Saturn, such as high production costs and very complex hardware, Sega took a different approach with the Dreamcast, building it largely from off-the-shelf components to keep costs down and make it easier to develop for.

The console sold well at first, helped by a large marketing campaign for its US launch, but interest fell quickly once Sony began building hype for the PlayStation 2.

The Dreamcast's failure to meet sales expectations, along with tough competition from the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo's GameCube, was one of the main reasons Sega left the console market in 2001.

Despite its short life and limited support, the Dreamcast has been praised as ahead of its time.

Its library includes Crazy Taxi, Shenmue and Jet Set Radio, as well as high quality ports of games from Sega's NAOMI arcade board.

## SEGA Dreamcast Emulators

- [DEmul](https://emulationking.com/sega/dreamcast/emulator/demul/index.md): DEmul is a closed source Dreamcast emulator for Windows that also emulates Sega's NAOMI and Sammy's Atomiswave arcade boards, using a DirectX 11 renderer.
- [Flycast](https://emulationking.com/sega/dreamcast/emulator/flycast/index.md): Flycast is an open source Dreamcast, NAOMI and Atomiswave emulator derived from Reicast, with builds for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and more.
- [Redream](https://emulationking.com/sega/dreamcast/emulator/redream/index.md): Redream is a Dreamcast emulator by inolen that needs no BIOS files. It is free to use, with a paid upgrade that adds high-definition rendering.
- [Chankast](https://emulationking.com/sega/dreamcast/emulator/chankast/index.md): Chankast was one of the first Dreamcast emulators to run commercial games. Development stopped after a few months, leaving it buggy and outdated.
- [NullDC](https://emulationking.com/sega/dreamcast/emulator/nulldc/index.md): NullDC is an open source Dreamcast emulator for Windows, known for its compatibility. It is no longer developed; its work continues in Reicast and Flycast.
- [Reicast](https://emulationking.com/sega/dreamcast/emulator/reicast/index.md): Reicast is a discontinued Dreamcast emulator from former NullDC developers, aimed mainly at Android. Its successor, Flycast, is actively developed.

## Dreamcast Games

- [Sonic Adventure](https://emulationking.com/sega/dreamcast/games/sonicadventure/index.md): Sonic Adventure is Sonic Team's 1998 Dreamcast platformer, the first main-series Sonic game in full 3D, with six playable characters and their own stories.