Prototype Sega Dreamcast Zip Drive on eBay

September 13th, 2007, 18:56 Posted By: Mark30001




It may be something most of us would've never expected to see on eBay, some could even compare it to the SNES CD-ROM attachment unit, the unreleased Sega Dreamcast prototype Zip Drive!



Here's some information about this unit via DCEmulation Devcast:

Made by Imega Corp, the makers of the Zip Disc format, this Zip drive was made to increase the Dreamcast's storage capacity but mainly for emails, web pages, and other internet based files.

The 100 Mega-Byte storage disk drive is essentially the same as the ones made for PCs with slight modifications made to make it compatible with the DC. "We chose the Zip drive for its durability and low cost. For gaming purposes, durability is essential," said a Sega spokesperson.

The drive was conceived after there was a strong demand for more storage space than Sega's servers were offering to save email and web pages onto. The drive could also save game-updata data so all those extra quake maps could be played at home.

The drive was made to fit under the DC and would connect to the expansion port with the modem, then being plugged into the Zip drive. This was to help promote the DC from a console to a home entertainment/information system with the release of other accessories (which were also never released).

This Zip drive was not going to be compatible with the PC Zip drives, but it was suggested that software for the PC would eventually be released to make it compatible with the DC Zip drive.

The Zip dive was to have a retail price of $199 USD and to be released sometime in the third quarter of 2000.