Does The Wii Have the Hardware to play Dreamcast Games?
- Thread starter Gimpymoo
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You'd like to see something like DC games available in virtual console?
Though I imagine it does have the processing power to emulate a DC we'll never see it. DC games run on a version of Windows embedded. That means that the Wii would not just have to emulate the DC's hardware but its OS as well.
Though I imagine it does have the processing power to emulate a DC we'll never see it. DC games run on a version of Windows embedded. That means that the Wii would not just have to emulate the DC's hardware but its OS as well.
Soldato
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I dont think the wii could do it. Nintendo would never license from sega too
I wouldn't bet on Nintendo never licencing from Sega, they already have some first party Sega games on the Wii VC (I beleive), and Sega have no interest in the home hardware market any more so they probably wouldn't say no if the price was right.
However the Dreamcast is a fairly powerfull system for pure software emulation, and the games would be a problem (would have to be distributed via physical media due to the size), so it's very unlikely we'll see it on the Wii.
However, if the Wii's VC is a sucess (and it's looking quite possible), then I wouldn't put it past Nintendo to try and improve it on the next console down the line to add additional console compatibility (either via hardware - I suspect the DC's specific hardware could be added to a modern chip relatively cheaply*), or via clever software.
The bigger problem would be MS, as the DC used some windows variant and I suspect it would need a fresh licence to use it.
However the Dreamcast is a fairly powerfull system for pure software emulation, and the games would be a problem (would have to be distributed via physical media due to the size), so it's very unlikely we'll see it on the Wii.
However, if the Wii's VC is a sucess (and it's looking quite possible), then I wouldn't put it past Nintendo to try and improve it on the next console down the line to add additional console compatibility (either via hardware - I suspect the DC's specific hardware could be added to a modern chip relatively cheaply*), or via clever software.
The bigger problem would be MS, as the DC used some windows variant and I suspect it would need a fresh licence to use it.
Good points raised.
I belive it ran a variant of Windows CE I believe which is something I had not thought of.
Has allready mentioned, Nintendo do seem to have a good working relationship with Sega at present.
I know nothing will happen in the immediate future but I wonder how long before some company cashes in on this as some still regard the DC a superb console to this day with some great games.
I belive it ran a variant of Windows CE I believe which is something I had not thought of.
Has allready mentioned, Nintendo do seem to have a good working relationship with Sega at present.
I know nothing will happen in the immediate future but I wonder how long before some company cashes in on this as some still regard the DC a superb console to this day with some great games.
Not possible. The Wii is not powerful enough to cope with a full software emulation. Remember, that for them to do it, it would need to be possible to make an emulator 100% accurate, with sound etc. It would depend on if any of the hardware was similar, but I don't think it is. It would be a good idea, but I am not sure how popular the VC is and what sort of profits one gets. Considering how hard it would be, I highly doubt it will happen.
Yes the Dreamcast ran Windows CE, but very few games used it as it was just not fast enough, so everyone went straight to the native OS.
Yes the Dreamcast ran Windows CE, but very few games used it as it was just not fast enough, so everyone went straight to the native OS.
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The Dreamcast is Windows CE compatible meaning that most games AFAIK have Windows CE on them (on the game disc) this allows PC > Dreamcast games to be ported easier by devolopers.
The Wii doesn't have the emulation power for DC games. You'd be gruded getting a computer to run a DC game at a 'playable' framerate. Although your idea is good and could support Sega a lot. My guess is if you wanna play DC games, why not just go out 'n' buy one (DC, that is)?
The Wii doesn't have the emulation power for DC games. You'd be gruded getting a computer to run a DC game at a 'playable' framerate. Although your idea is good and could support Sega a lot. My guess is if you wanna play DC games, why not just go out 'n' buy one (DC, that is)?
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Games would be too big to distribute over the net.
Seeing as the N64 can be emulated - the slower Sega Saturn could probably also be emulated, not happening though as it's games were on CD by then.
Seeing as the N64 can be emulated - the slower Sega Saturn could probably also be emulated, not happening though as it's games were on CD by then.
Soldato
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I'd find it very hard to imagine it ever happening, as it is the dreamcast emulators on PC aren't doing brilliantly, they're pretty slow.
For Nintendo to do this they'd have to have an emulator which worked perfectly, cos people wouldn't be happy if games they've paid to download ran slowly or whatever.
It's a lovely idea but I can't see it happening.
Best bet if you want to relive those days of DC happiness, grab a DC from the bay, as they can be had for not veru much money these days.
I got one a couple of months ago and I love it.
Valve
For Nintendo to do this they'd have to have an emulator which worked perfectly, cos people wouldn't be happy if games they've paid to download ran slowly or whatever.
It's a lovely idea but I can't see it happening.
Best bet if you want to relive those days of DC happiness, grab a DC from the bay, as they can be had for not veru much money these days.
I got one a couple of months ago and I love it.
Valve
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richolmes72 said:
the n64 made it easy by they way its hardware works - its relatively easy to adapt to a windows environment. the saturn was completely different hardware and programming, and a lot of it too. emulating it all and keeping it in timing is still proving to be extremely difficult.
It would be nice to see both Saturn and DC games on the Wii, but I really can't see it happening. As has been said, emulation of both consoles is extremely difficult - the Saturn was a PITA to develop for never mind emulate.
Not only that, but the Saturn and DC both had games on optical media, and with the Wii only having 512mb internal storage, downloads would be 'impossible'. Would DC discs read in a DVD drive, as they were GD-ROMs... was it a different or adapted laser in the DC?
Not only that, but the Saturn and DC both had games on optical media, and with the Wii only having 512mb internal storage, downloads would be 'impossible'. Would DC discs read in a DVD drive, as they were GD-ROMs... was it a different or adapted laser in the DC?
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One of the main problems with emulating the Dreamcast is the audio chip... It was EXTREMELY bespoke and thus is extremely hard to emulate and takes massive cpu runtime to do something the hardware can do... 
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I don't think it would be powerful enough to do it. PS3 or 360 maybe.
Perhaps the biggest reason the Wii would struggle to play DC games is that the games take up 1.2GB which is fairly large to download, but where would you store it on a Wii? I know it takes SD cards, but considering you wouldn't want to spend a fortune on the DC game, shelling out for multiple large cards is impractical. Even if they added USB2.0 HDD support, that would add greatly to the cost.
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Just buy a Dreamcast. If one ever did come out you could proberly buy the original disc games cheaper than what they would be charging for downloads.
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I bet you could fit at least half of one Dreamcast game on the 512mb internal memory. lol Even if the Wii could handle the games some kind of external harddrive for the Wii would have to come out first.
XPE said:
Nothing stopping Nintendo supporting more storage devices via the USB 2.0 ports in the future via a system update.
I was reading rumours that as well as new Wii colours, there may be an increase to the internal flash memory too. But we won't know until anything is actually confirmed by Nintendo.