The Sega Dreamcast mini
The Sega Dreamcast Mini was almost a thing. Sega considered releasing its beloved 16-bit console in miniature form, but concerns about a $300 price tag led the company to abandon the idea. The revelation comes from Sega YouTuber Adam Koralik, who cites technology as the main obstacle.
“There was a lot of back and forth about it,” Koralik says in a video highlighting the best Sega Dreamcast games. “There was a lot of consideration about whether or not they could make a Dreamcast emulator, and there was also consideration about using low-end PC ports.”
While Sega was able to create a Dreamcast emulator for the Mega Drive mini, the company apparently wasn’t satisfied with either of the options for a full Dreamcast release. Koralik says that the $300 price tag would be too high and would anger fans who were expecting a $100 price point.
The Dreamcast mini would also risk repeating the negative reception to past PC conversions, such as the PlayStation One mini and Saturn mini. The Dreamcast’s chances are further diminished by the lukewarm reception to the PlayStation Mini, which leaves questions about whether console-to-PC ports are a viable way to lower prices.
It’s good to hear that Sega still remembers the Dreamcast, even as it leaves the console market behind. The console’s legacy lives on through its software, with ongoing releases in the Shenmue series and the comeback of the Samba de Amigo game.
I’d love to see a Dreamcast mini with limited games, but ones that perfectly capture the essence of the console. I’d include Jet Set Radio, Space Channel 5, Samba de Amigo, Shenmue, and Skies of Arcadia, among others. Hopefully Sega will find a way to lower the price tag while maintaining quality in the future.
If you’re looking for some great Dreamcast games to play, check out the best Sega Dreamcast games.
