9.9.99 has come and gone. Now you are probably wondering why a next generation Nintendo site would have an editorial dealing with a Sega product. Well, as I stated earlier this week on the site, I live in Minneapolis and the radio station I work at was the station picked to be on hand at the Dreamcast’s launch. It was really interesting as well as fun to be behind the scenes and getting a chance to be a part of an event like this. I decided to document what happened, and what kind of impact it will have on the Dolphin. Did I mention I got to hang with Sable and Sonic?

I would like to state for legal reasons, this editorial in no way represents the feelings, ideas, or beliefs of Zone 105. I was there and this is what I saw. Okay...so now where was I....

First of all, Sega spent a lot of money financially (as will Nintendo and Sony) on the launch of their new system. Obviously commercials were a big thing, as well as the sponsor ship of certain big events like KROQ's Weenie Roast, the Family Values Tour, and of course the big enchilada...the MTV Video Music Awards. It's obvious that Sega is really ready to play ball this time.

At the launch, it was basically our (Zone 105's) job to play some music, give away some free stuff, and to conduct the final giveaways with a raffle. Second prize was a Sega Dreamcast, and first prize was Dreamcast games for life. Not a half bad deal. And no, I couldn't rig the contest. Not that you wouldn't have thought about it. I will say it was really cool to be at an official launch event like this no matter what system you want. Granted, I liked waiting outside of a Software Etc, and getting my N64 four days earlier than the official launch, but this was an actual launch event. It was pretty sweet seeing the 600 or so people their lined up ready to shell out the bucks for a Dreamcast and games. It was also cool to shoot the breeze with the head cheeses of Funcoland as well as the Sega reps. To say the least, it was a good time had by all.

Hopefully Nintendo will take notice of how well Sega launched this console. I'm not saying that I still don't love my N64, but it's launch game selection was rather weak compared to the Dreamcast. Nintendo had Mario 64, a definite triple A title, as well as..er...well...Pilotwings 64. Sure it was a decent hold over until Wave Race 64, but I think you get my drift. Mario needs a lot of powerful friends at launch time. Hopefully Nintendo will realize this and have at least 12-16 games at launch. Obviously I don't want rushed games, but Sega actually has some really good titles (including an outstanding football game).

Sega really seems to have their stuff together this time. According to Magic Box, Sega of America announced that the total revenue of the Dreamcast launch for the first four days has reached $132,712,000 US, over 372,000 units of DC were sold, breaking all the previous console launch records in North America. So as a huge Nintendo fan am I very concerned? Not really. Considering Donkey Kong 64 will sell more copies than all Dreamcast systems, accessories, and games combined, as well as more incredible 3rd and 4th quarter releases, Nintendo will be just fine. Unfortunately, there will be no Perfect Dark, which I might add would have lend to a perfect (more complete) holiday lineup. Hopefully Nintendo will at least bump Pokemon Stadium up for a Christmas release to add make a better line up.

So did I buy a Dreamcast? Actually, I almost did, but I held out. I will have to admit, the launch was impressive enough to purchase a system. I have played Sonic Adventure for a couple of hours (I would have beaten it but I didn't have a freakin' VMU and I had to return my rental) and while it's no Mario 64, it's a great game. I admit, I dig the sonic games, and have previously completed a Sonic 1, and 2 for the Genesis (I mean completed).

NFL2K is another game that has made a lot of heads turn. I haven't played a whole lot of this game, but this game looks incredible. Nintendo definitely needs a football game of this caliber. High quality football games sell systems in the US.

Since I have been playing a lot of arcade games lately, HOTD 2 and Hydro Thunder (Wave Race 64 knockoff) have made me also look to the Dreamcast for a quick fix before the Dolphin is released. Did I mention that the Dreamcast has actual quality fighting games? Soul Calibur and Power stone make absolutely every fighting game (not including Smash Bros. :) ) for the N64 look like absolute crap. Nintendo needs to learn something here as well.

Overall I wish Sega a lot of luck, and a big congrats' for an impressive launch. I may not have bought a Dreamcast, but hundreds of thousands of people have. Personally I can't afford to purchase another console right now. As well as the fact that I have already sunk a lot of money into my N64 (as well as loving my investment). I am hoping the next console I purchase will be a Nintendo product. So which Planet Staff members will buy a Dreamcast? Read on...

Kosta Andreadis - Contributing Writer

1. Will you be purchasing a Dreamcast?

Well...........no.

2. Why or Why not?

It's not that I don't think that the Dreamcast will be a powerful machine, it's just that the N64 will be realizing 'A' grade software throughout the first year of Sega's new machine's life. Titles like Perfect Dark, DK64, Jet Force Gemini, Zelda Gaiden (oh yes!) and certain others appeal to me more so than a Virtua Fighter or a Sonic game would. I strongly believe that the N64 has the 2 greatest developers in the world backing it (Nintendo EAD and Rareware) and dammit!.......... that's enough reason for me to stick with the N64 for at least another year.

Pat Blair - Contributing Writer

1. Yes, I will purchase Dreamcast

2. Because it will the most powerful machine for a year or maybe more and online gaming.

Manny Florendo - Contributing Writer

This question is simple. I will not be purchasing a Dreamcast anytime soon. There are several reasons for my decision. First off, the history of Sega. Sega launched Saturn earlier than both the Playstation and the N64 and both did way better than the Saturn. Don't get me wrong, I bought a Sega Genesis way back when, but they've been a failure ever since. My second reason for not buying a Dreamcast is my loyalty for Nintendo (unlike Square). I know Nintendo will be successful in the future - which leads me to my third reason: the history of Nintendo. If every game company had the history of Nintendo, all the gamers would be happy. The dolphin will help Nintendo

strive past Sony and Sega. You watch and see.

If your is planning to purchase a Sega Dreamcast, I'm warning you now, your going to regret it. It's the next Saturn. A year from now, it'll be under your bed or in a box collecting dust because your going to either get a Playstation II or a N2000. Just because the Dreamcast came out a year earlier, doesn't mean it's going to be the next Playstation or N64. The Sega Saturn can back up my theory.

That's all!

Matt Holly - Contributing Writer

No, I will not be purchasing a Dreamcast. True, it looks like a great system, but I'm not one to spend all my money on video games. I know I'll be getting a Dolphin when it comes out, and I don't wanna be shelling out money for two separate systems. Hopefully Perfect Dark, Donkey Kong 64, and other games can help ease the wait for Dolphin.

Jeremiah Lankford - Contributing Writer

1.I wont be buying a DC. At least not at launch.

2.There's too much great software coming out for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color right now for DC to fit in. That's my main reason.

Mike Revier - Contributing Writer

Alrighty, I will not buy a Dreamcast because I always liked Nintendo and hated Sega. But that is not my only reason though. Another is because I learned of a "dolphin" project from Nintendo and I got my hopes back up. Nintendo ,in my oponion, did not fail with the N64. It just that in a dark cave somewhere a dark force took on the nation called Sony which created the dreaded Playstation. The Playstation just had cheap games and more developers, and Nintendo with all it's glory had to get Titus Software.

I can wait a year after the Sega Dreamcast comes out for better gaming. The N2000 will be much better. The Playstation 2 with it's way cool original name will be worst than the N2000, but it might take on the Nation as it did last time because it will come out before the N2000. I will not buy a Dreamcast or a Playstation 2, but I sure as hell will buy an N2000.

Kevin Ries - Contributing Writer

I would love to get a Dreamcast, but my parents limit me to one console a generation. so I'll just have to wait for the Dolphin.

Michael Sell - Contributing Writer

I won't be buying the Dreamcast. Reason being that I am simply going to be tapped out for funds. Any one wanna make a contribution to the Michael Sell Dreamcast fund can feel free to..... But unless I get a heck of a turn out for that then I am going to have trouble even getting the games that I am going to want for the N64. Perfect Dark, Donkey Kong 64, Jet Force Gemini, Vigilante 8: Second Offense,Zelda : Gaiden, Mother 3, and Ogre Battle 64 to just name a few.

There is also the small problem that the software itself, while considerably strong, is lacking a killer app that I say to myself the I must have. When the N64 was released I would have bought it (only I won a contest that got me it not only early, but also with a second controller, and both Mario and Pilotwings, all free....) because it had a game that I felt that I just could not go without. I look at the Dreamcast and I just see a lot of OK games, but nothing that catches my eye very well.

Ty Shughart - Contributing Writer

1. Will you be purchasing a Dreamcast?

Not at launch, if at all.

2. Why or why not?

Well, there's the outside chance that I might because I need a cheap internet machine quick... on the other hand, as for games (what really matters), I'd be buying it for Marvel vs Capcom and HOTD2. What? Arcade sticks are $60? HOTD2 doesn't come with a gun? Ugh, never mind, I'll buy some other system.

Shawn Sullivan - Contributing Writer

1. Will you be purchasing a Dreamcast?

Yes, I have already reserved it along with Ready 2 Rumble.

2. Why or why not?

I am a video gamer. Don't get me wrong, I am a Nintendo fan to the end. Yet, I cannot deny that Sega has big plans for the Dreamcast. There are many promising games coming, and I feel as though Sega will put everything it has behind the Dreamcast. Basically, I am a video gamer, and Sega is a video gamers company. I would sooner buy the Dreamcast than the Sony Playstation 2. I see Sony as a big company with no compassion whatsoever towards the people buying their products. Big money. I own a Sega Genesis and a Super Nintendo. I will own a Sega Dreamcast and a Nintendo Dolphin.