Portable Dreamcast being mass-produced in Hong Kong

A Hong-Kong based manufacturer is producing a portable version of Sega's discontinued Dreamcast console, featuring a built in LCD monitor and speakers - but many importers are refusing to stock the machine as it infringes Sega's copyrights.

The system, sold under the name Treamcast (we're not entirely sure why), is packaged in a heavily redesigned casing, and features modified onboard software which plays MP3s and VideoCDs as well as original Dreamcast games.

Included in the console bundle, which retails for between HK$1200 and HK$1500 (around â'¬130 to â'¬160), is a charger, two specially designed pads (which look quite similar to the Saturn pads), and even a car charger adapter.

The system, which is in no way endorsed by Sega, is apparently quite widely available in Hong Kong, but importers seem to be steering clear of it for fear of a legal response from the one-time platform holder.

"There is unfortunately no way for Lik Sang to carry this product as it is infringing several Sega copyrights or patents," reads an official statement on the device on the website of popular Hong Kong based importer Lik Sang.

There's no doubt that the Treamcast is really quite illegal - but to be perfectly honest, it's also pretty cool, and we fully expect these curiosities to become collectors items in years to come.