Sega Dreamcast emulators
Developer | Sega |
---|---|
Type | Home video game console |
Generation | Sixth generation |
Release date | 1998 |
Discontinued | 2001 |
Predecessor | Sega Saturn |
Emulated | ✓ |
The Dreamcast is a sixth-generation console released by Sega in November 1998 in Japan and later in 1999 in other territories. Naomi, an arcade system board similar to the Dreamcast, is supported by some Dreamcast emulators. Atomiswave is an arcade system board that is based on Naomi.
Contents
Emulators
Name | Operating System(s) | Latest Version | Naomi | Atomiswave | Windows CE | Active | Recommended |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PC | |||||||
DEmul | Windows | 0.7 Build 180426 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
reicast | Windows, Linux | Dev builds | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
nullDC | Windows | 1.0.4 r150 | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
redream | Windows, Linux, macOS | 1.5.0 (Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi) 1.2.07 (Android) |
✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Makaron | Windows | T12/5 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Chankast | Windows | 0.25 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Lxdream | Linux, macOS | 0.9.1 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
WashingtonDC | Linux | Git | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
MAME | Multi-platform | 0.266 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Mobile | |||||||
reicast | Android | Dev builds | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Comparisons
- DEmul
- Has the highest compatibility and is the most accurate Dreamcast emulator. Supports Windows CE games, but in general, they run worse than standard Dreamcast titles.
- Makaron
- One of the only two Dreamcast emulator that can properly play Windows CE games.
- NullDC
- No longer developed and is replaced by Reicast, which is made by the same team.
Emulation issues
Dreamcast emulation is not very good. For the emulators that are either mature or maturing, a very large percentage of games work well, but many games still have problems and glitches.
VMU Emulation
While current Dreamcast emulators can display the VMU display when the game is running, none of them can be used to play the minigames which were made to run on the VMU. To play those minigames you'll need to use another emulator. There is no complete list of VMU emulators and the ones which can be found are poorly documented and/or closed source.
Downloads
VMU emulation
Emulating the Dreamcast VMU is possible via use of this emulator: Dropbox link
Consoles: SG-1000 • Master System • Genesis / Mega Drive • CD • 32X • Pico • Saturn • Dreamcast Handhelds: Game Gear • VMU / VMS Arcade: System series • Model 1 • Model 2 • Model 3 • NAOMI |