[DEV] Dreamcast BBA Converter!

[Nico0020]

waiting to see someone 3D print a stylish little project box to hold this thing. The not-bba.

[Anthony817]

Oh I am sure somebody will make some housings for them. I am sure something could be made that attaches to the side of the console to make it more tidy. Deluxux and I were browsing the list of every compatible BBA game and there were a few more than we both realized.

It really would be something if all games could be patched for BBA, but that is simply not possible. Then we could really see the potential of the DC.

[SEGA RPG FAN]

It would have been great if Sega could have baked modem backwards compatibility into the BBA somehow. Alas...

[Nico0020]

The more likely scenario would have been Sega reissuing games that were 56K online with BBA support if the DC had made it a few more years, Similar to Sony re releasing some games with dualshock support that didn't initially have it.

However it was 1999-2001 and dialup was mainstream, it just wasn't much of an issue at that time. Many people that had DSL could still use the backup dialup offered with it.

Honestly, I am just happy SEGA was always so forward thinking (even when it did bite them in the ass) to support broadband in their games in the year 2000.

[NightBreeze]

I made a quick draft of what a 3D printed case for this could look like. All I had to go on was measurements of my DC and pictures of the Sammy PCB though so not quite accurate. The Sammy PCB would be mounted at an angle and the RJ45 port sticking out at the top. Feasibility TBD.

An alternative approach is to use the original casing for the modem and route the ribbon cable through the gaps. Best option might be to route it to the back (needs a slightly longer cable) and build a separate case for the Sammy. Alternatively the Sammy could be placed under the Dreamcast by raising it (some kind of casing, risers, etc).

Anybody got any other ideas?

[Anthony817]

Wow that is just what I was thinking! Nice preliminary design! The under the system idea is a good one too! Similar to the Karaoke machine addon, or the Zip Drive prototype, something similar could be nice to have?

But I do like your first design most of all, I like how it looks, really quite tastefully designed and it somehow fits the Dreamcast design language.

[Nico0020]

I like it! And it makes sense and matches the Dreamcast design. This is the best way to go about it I think. It's always best to go simple with a plug n play solution.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[NightBreeze]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll do some iterations of it when I receive my Sammy LAN PCB.

[Anthony817]

Cool! Would love to see images of it in action when done!

[Mechanic]

Nice idea, People playing q3 last night were talking about it. Perfect for quake 3 arena