Sega console outperforms expectations

Sega sold over 185,000 Dreamcasts across Europe last weekend, 63,000 of which were shifted in the UK. This is unprecedented - Sony took nine days to sell 20,000 PlayStations and Nintendo eight days to sell 28,000 N64s. Sega reckon they sold 350,000 games and 280,000 peripherals (mainly joypads, one imagines) last weekend too.

"The phenomenal interest shown throughout Europe for Dreamcast has beaten all of our highest expectations," said Sega Europe chief JF Cecillion.

However, there have been problems regarding the online Dream Arena site. The sheer volume of people registering has been akin to getting through to Wembley for an England vs Scotland ticket.

"I know that some people had difficulty in getting through to register" said JF Cecillon, "but Internet on the TV is a first and our consumers have shown great confidence in Dreamcast by breaking all previously held sales figures. Together with BT we have put the right measures in hand for everyone to be accommodated."

Sega say that network and port capacities have been ramped up. With more top titles due before Christmas, and another 350,000 consoles shipping by the end of November, it looks like the Dreamcast is thumbing its nose at the doubters.