The Sega Dreamcast, despite its commercial shortcomings and eventual retirement from the console market, holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers who fondly remember titles like Crazy Taxi and Power Stone 2. This nostalgic attachment is being revived through the EmuDeck Machines project, a new Indiegogo initiative that promises a modern twist on the Dreamcast legacy with a Steam-powered mini PC.
Developed by the creators of EmuDeck, a popular emulator for the Steam Deck, the EmuDeck Machines project aims to deliver a compact, retro-styled gaming PC. The device utilizes Bazzite, a Linux distribution optimized for gaming, and incorporates the SteamOS interface and Big Picture mode to offer a familiar user experience for Steam enthusiasts. Its design—complete with a square shape, circular top, and four USB ports—pays homage to the Dreamcast’s iconic appearance, appealing to those with a soft spot for Sega’s classic console.
However, the EmuDeck Machine’s performance is tailored more towards retro game emulation than high-end gaming. The base model, equipped with an Intel CPU and UHD graphics, is priced at $331 and is not recommended for modern 3D games. The more advanced EM2 variant, featuring an AMD Ryzen 5 8600G APU and Radeon 760M graphics, is priced at $675 and is capable of running emulators for GameCube, Wii, and PS3 at up to 60 FPS.
For those desiring enhanced performance, an external Radeon 7600 GPU dock will be available separately. This add-on aims to boost gaming capabilities to levels comparable with the PS5, but it will not be ready until after the campaign ends.
With the campaign nearing its $70,000 funding goal, there are still concerns about whether the team can meet their ambitious development timeline. The project currently relies on 3D renderings rather than physical prototypes, and without a money-back guarantee from Indiegogo, there’s a risk involved. Gamers eager for a Dreamcast-inspired setup might find it more reliable to repurpose an actual Dreamcast shell for their custom-built mini PC.