Several weeks ago we had a brief look at the DreamConn wireless controller that popped up on eBay, and after much deliberation came to the conclusion that it looked like a great bit of kit. Featuring an impressive level of homebrew technology and reverse engineering, the DreamConn took an original stock Dreamcast controller and added Bluetooth technology and virtual VMUs amongst other things. Fast forward to the present and the creator of the DreamConn, Chris Diaoglou has produced an updated version with many more features and a lower price point: DreamConn Version 2.0 .
Version 2.0 has a whole host of improvements over previous iterations of the DreamConn, the most impressive being the vastly improved battery life - from around 3hrs in V1.0 to 10-14hrs in V2.0. Furthermore, the charging port has been changed from a micro USB to a 3.5mm jack (with a cable included as part of the package). Elsewhere, the LED has been upgraded so that it will now glow red when the battery is low.


The base unit that attaches to the Dreamcast has been refreshed too, and the whole device has improved internal circuitry and firmware. For ease, here are the details on V.20's improvements from the eBay listing :

• Re-positioned power state LED.
• Power state LED is now bi-coloured : Green for normal battery / Red for low battery
• Addition of charging state LED : When battery is fully charged, the LED will light-up.
• Re-position and upgrade of the ON/OFF switch.
• Compact design of the Base Unit.
• Internal hardware and firmware upgrades.

Cool features from the original (such as being able to view the battery life and signal strength on the VMU screen) are retained, but the new DreamConn V2.0 has a lower asking price of around £96 plus postage. If you can spare the cash it looks to be a sound investment.
We will be taking delivery of a DreamConn V2.0 here at the Junkyard in the very near future so be sure to check back for an exclusive video review in the coming weeks (we'll also have it at Play Expo Manchester in October so you'll be able to have a demo if you're going). That said, we'll be spamming your Facebook and Twitter feeds to death anyway so you won't have chance to miss it. That's just how we roll at the 'Yard.