DreamCast demo/display unit?

[yoshi64]

My friend recently found a second DreamCast for himself at a thrift store. However, it is different then the normal retail model. Instead of the modem, it just has a piece of plastic that is the same shape as the modem, but with no electronic parts. The system was manufactured May 1999 (4 months before the US release). It also doesn't have standard phillips head screws, but more of a security screw. We are guessing that it might be a demo or display unit, but we figured to ask here to see what others have to say. Attached are images of the back of the unit with the plastic piece on, the side and top of the plastic piece, and the label with the manufactured date (Sorry for the darkness of the images) Any ideas? Thanks

[ProgrammingAce]

The kiosk units had a *very* small window in the disc tray door. They also have a metal cooling system inside.

[zektor]

My friend recently found a second DreamCast for himself at a thrift store. However, it is different then the normal retail model. Instead of the modem, it just has a piece of plastic that is the same shape as the modem, but with no electronic parts. The system was manufactured May 1999 (4 months before the US release). It also doesn't have standard phillips head screws, but more of a security screw. We are guessing that it might be a demo or display unit, but we figured to ask here to see what others have to say. Attached are images of the back of the unit with the plastic piece on, the side and top of the plastic piece, the label with the manufactured date, and an image of the screws with the same head. (Sorry for the darkness of the images) Any ideas? Thanks

Your friend purchased the Asian model. I imported this before it came out in the USA (hence the explanation of the early manufacturing date) and they only had a cover in place of a modem. In other words, the Asian people got screwed out of the modem....as it was an "extra accessory" purchase for them!

I ended up selling it and getting a USA model when it was released. You will also notice that there are no black felt pads when you open the drive door, as the USA version does have these.

EDIT:

I do see it says NTSC [U] on the back. It *may* be something different. Does it play USA titles?

[yoshi64]

Yes, it does play US games just fine. It also does have the black felt pads in it.

[kedawa]

I have a demo kiosk at home, and while the console in it does have the plastic dummy modem, the label on the bottom clearly identifies it as a demo unit. What your friend has might be one of the pre-release rental units that were exclusive to blockbuster video.

[zektor]

I have a demo kiosk at home, and while the console in it does have the plastic dummy modem, the label on the bottom clearly identifies it as a demo unit. What your friend has might be one of the pre-release rental units that were exclusive to blockbuster video.

That's right. I didn't think of those. Didn't Hollywood Video do the same thing? I remember renting an exclusive Sonic there as well.

[yoshi64]

I have a demo kiosk at home, and while the console in it does have the plastic dummy modem, the label on the bottom clearly identifies it as a demo unit. What your friend has might be one of the pre-release rental units that were exclusive to blockbuster video.

Ah, that must be what it is. Thank you very much.
On another note, would this system be worth more then a normal production DreamCast?
P.S. He also got Sonic Adventure LE with it.

[zektor]

Ah, that must be what it is. Thank you very much.
On another note, would this system be worth more then a normal production DreamCast?
P.S. He also got Sonic Adventure LE with it.

Aha! That further substantiates the idea that this was a rental unit. LE was the game that I rented at Hollywood Video back then.

Worth? Can't really say. The Dreamcast right now as whole is not too valuable. I realize this is a "special" model, but in all honesty I really don't think it would generate much more than a normal DC console. There may be some demand for the game however, as it was a rental exclusive as well.

[PapaStu]

Sonic LE is worth something, how much its worth is dependant on how complete it is, and if it has the Hollywood video sticker on it. I'm sure the unit is worth a little bit more than a standard DC, but only to a collector.

[yoshi64]

Sonic Adventure LE is loose, but it doesn't have any rental stickers on it.

[otoko]

Hmm that's sad that it's not worth too much more.. Hmm unless it had the the entire cabinet.. Eh, meh.

I do know I'd be interested in such a unit.

*coughcough* >_>,

[fahlim003]

As described by others it is indeed a kiosk unit. The giveaway for me was the 0 beside NTSC-U/C on the bottom. Like otoko, I'm interested in these units too.

[raylydiard]

thats a mad a dreamcast without a modem i hate modems anyway dreamcast broadband
is easyer and cheaper i know its goning up in value
i think water cooled consoles will last forever if m$ done this for xbox 360s it would last longer but in todays world they make things so they dont last long
so much for saveing the planet on eletronic waste all new tvs dont last long only for a year or two old tvs last a bit longer