How to get Model 2 Dreamcasts to play indie games?

[Van Halbgott]

I have a Model 2 Dreamcast that plays GD-ROM games yet doesn’t play anything else…or does it?

Is there anyway I can get my Dreamcast to play independent games without altering the system?

I hear you have to have a specific model to play them but I was wondering if Model 2 Dreamcasts can too.

[motscoud]

Unfortunately, you might be out of luck.
The majority of Model 2 Dreamcasts can't play MIL-CD (required for Indie releases).
With the exception of very - very few early model 2 Units.

I would advise testing it with a CD-R burnt game, there's a few free indie releases out there such as a great port of Cave Story.
If that doesn't work, you either need to find a VA0/1 model, or find someone who is good at soldering to install a modded BIOS chip.

[Xiden]

Fixel is working on a new ode that will work with VA2 model Dreamcast. No idea when it's coming out though, hopefully sometime this year.

[OatBob]

Fixel is working on a new ode that will work with VA2 model Dreamcast. No idea when it's coming out though, hopefully sometime this year.

Don't hold your breath for Phøde . Fixel has had some serious personal setbacks this year. It will be a surprise if he is able to ship. I have confidence he will make a best attempt to appease backers. On the other hand, I don't have confidence that backers will whine like babies, complain, and spread rumors to lose face on behalf of the gaming community. Besides, preorders are closed.

[Xiden]

Fixel is working on a new ode that will work with VA2 model Dreamcast. No idea when it's coming out though, hopefully sometime this year.

Don't hold your breath for Phøde . Fixel has had some serious personal setbacks this year. It will be a surprise if he is able to ship. I have confidence he will make a best attempt to appease backers. On the other hand, I don't have confidence that backers will whine like babies, complain, and spread rumors to lose face on behalf of the gaming community. Besides, preorders are closed.

Oh I know all about the drama

[pcwzrd13]

Unfortunately, you might be out of luck.
The majority of Model 2 Dreamcasts can't play MIL-CD (required for Indie releases).
With the exception of very - very few early model 2 Units.

It's actually just the opposite. VA2 units that can't play MIL-CD's are exceptionally rare. Only the very last ones off the assembly line couldn't. The vast majority of VA2s can play MIL-CDs perfectly fine. If yours doesn't, it's most likely because the laser is dying. CD-Rs are more difficult to read than GD-ROMs so it will stop reading them first.

[motscoud]

Unfortunately, you might be out of luck.
The majority of Model 2 Dreamcasts can't play MIL-CD (required for Indie releases).
With the exception of very - very few early model 2 Units.

It's actually just the opposite. VA2 units that can't play MIL-CD's are exceptionally rare. Only the very last ones off the assembly line couldn't. The vast majority of VA2s can play MIL-CDs perfectly fine. If yours doesn't, it's most likely because the laser is dying. CD-Rs are more difficult to read than GD-ROMs so it will stop reading them first.

Huh, you learn something new every day!