Gamepads/Keyboards DC models compatibility

[Montaigut]

Hello DC friends,

I tried to find around here if there is a compatibility or region lock on Gamepads, but can't find an answer.

So the question is : can I use European or US gamepads on my Japanese DC ?

The same question keyboards. Can I plug and use an Azerty/european keyboard on my Japanese DC ?

Thank you in advance for any information about these points

Montaigut.

[Nz17]

The Dreamcast's hardware doesn't region-lock hardware peripherals. Therefore one can use European, US, JP, etc. gamepads on a Dreamcast from any region. Furthermore, one can use an AZERTY, QWERTZ, or any other keyboard on any Dreamcast. A native Dreamcast keyboard will work with no problems. A PS/2 PC keyboard can work with Dreamcast by utilizing a PS/2 to Dreamcast adapter. Be warned that even if one uses an AZERTY keyboard, it might function like a QWERTY or Japanese keyboard depending on the software or the adapter.

One can also use VMU's, memory cards, rumble packs, maracas, light guns, fishing controllers, mice, microphones, DreamEye, etc. from any region with any Dreamcast.

[Montaigut]

Thank you very much for this detailed and very informative answer !

[Roareye]

Bear in mind sometimes a peripheral will not function in a region due to software changes.

The Dreamcast Lightguns were widely available in Japan and Europe (I own about 4 myself, I'm in the UK) and even came packaged with House of the Dead 2. In America they chose not to release the light guns for ethical reasons (due to shootings in the United States). I believe they also modified the US release of House of the Dead 2 to also not recognise light guns from other regions (Though I could be wrong on this). If the US House of the Dead 2 doesn't recognise the light guns it isn't a hardware lockout, it'll be a software issue.