I just bought a Dreamcast and a copy of Shenmue and I cannot get it to play. The game is not very scratched and is very clean but when I turn the Dreamcast on it will go to the main menu but when I start the game it will just load, and load, and load but not do anything. Is this a problem with the system or the disk and what can I do about it? The system did have crayon on it so kids have probably used it.

UPDATE: I've tried to play it again and now it doesn't even reconize that there is a disk in it so I'm guessing that someone touched the laser lens. Does anyone know how to clean it with household products or something inexpensive?

It's probably the game... I remember getting a perfectly clean copy of Sonic Adventure that wouldn't play. I solved it by buying another copy.

I don't think it's the disk. I only have on game though so I can't test it and I don't have anymore money to buy another.

My Dreamcast did this once - I had to replace it. Try some other games if you have any because with mine it didn't do it with all of them but most of them. If you've just bought it I'd take it back since they shouldn't have sold you either a dodgy system or game anyway.

I think I'll probably have to take the system back, but I want to keep the game.

I just tried it again without the memory card in it and it did so much better, it got stuck after I put the memory card back inn to save it though. Is it possible that the memory card is messing it up? I'm using the kind that looks like a mini game system.

The Dreamcast laser is prone to fail over time. I've got a feeling that yours might be on the way out, but there is a chance it might be the VMU. Do you have another VMU or memory card you can try?

Nope, I have one memory card, one dreamcast, and one game.

EDIT Also when it gets stuck loading it doesn't make the crunching sound. you can hear the disk spinning but it doesn't sound like the system is trying.

It's probably because the system doesn't recognize it as an appropriate disc as a result of A: the disc being faulty or B:the system being unable to properly read anything due to a faulty laser. It's kinda hard to pinpoint with just the one game for reference, I'm afraid.

Thank you for helping The Fox I guess I'll have to take it back anyway.

Glad to help. Hopefully you'll be able to snag a working one!

I returned it and got one that works perfectly.
The Dreamcast's laser was dying.