Sony Releases Specs for the New PlayStation
Information on the PlayStation 2 is slowly released throughout the year. In March, it's revealed that a new Toshiba/Sony 250MHz microprocessor, dubbed the Emotion Engine, will be the brains behind the unit. Early reports say that the new unit will retail at approximately $800.

Sony officially announces the PlayStation 2 in September. In addition to playing PlayStation 2 games, the new unit will be compatible with all the games for the original PlayStation and will play audio CDs and DVDs. Sony plans to release the PlayStation 2 in Japan in March 2000 and in the United States and Europe in the fall of 2000.

Iomega Plans Zip Drive for the Dreamcast
Iomega announces that it will produce a Zip drive that will be designed to attach to the Sega Dreamcast video game system for external storage.

Sega Announces Games for Handheld Systems
Sega of Japan announces plans to develop and sell games for handheld units, such as Nintendo's Game Boy Color and Bandai's WonderSwan. Sega does not consider these systems to be competition since it has no current plans to market a handheld system.

Sega of Japan Lowers Dreamcast Price
Sega of Japan lowers the retail price of the Japanese Dreamcast from approximately $250 to $164. The US launch price of $199 has not changed.

Dreamcast for Rent
Hollywood Video stores begin renting Dreamcast consoles in July. Renters must leave a $350 deposit, and the only game that is available is Sonic Adventure.

No Gun for the Dreamcast
Due to the shootings at Columbine High in Littleton, Colorado, Sega decides not to release a Dreamcast light gun in the United States. Fans of House of the Dead 2 are dismayed when they learn the game will be played via the Dreamcast's standard controller using crosshairs. To make matters worse, Sega prevents imported guns from working with the domestic software. Third-party companies promise to release working light guns in Sega's place.

The Sega Dreamcast.

The bleem!