Sega’s Last Console, Dreamcast, Turns Ten

Today is significant. No, it’s not because we launched a totally kick-ass contest (although that IS cool), and no, it’s not because Apple updated iTunes to version 9. Rather, today is special because it marks the 10th anniversary of when Sega launched their Dreamcast console in  North America. Sega chose to release the future-thinking console on a date no one could forget… 09/09/99.

What made the Dreamcast so special is that it was advanced… so advanced, that in some regards it could put the PlayStation 2 (which was released a year later) to shame. I dare anyone who disagrees with that to put a high-end Dreamcast game up against even recent PlayStation 2 titles. Then we have features like a modified version of Windows CE running as the OS, and a modem connection built right into the console. It even came with a web browser!

Though the Dreamcast lived a short life, being discontinued only a year-and-a-half after its launch, it remains to me as being one of the best consoles of all time. What made it were the games… they were fun, and that’s what matters. Personal favorites include Crazy Taxi, Dead or Alive 2, Giga Wing 2, Grandia II, Ikaruga, Jet Grind Radio, Shenmue, Sonic Adventure, San Francisco Rush 2049, Skies of Arcadia and SoulCalibur.

Surprisingly enough, after the console was discontinued, the releases didn’t stop trickling out. Rather, there have been dozens of games to see a launch, but mostly in Japan (including an awesome top-down shooter called Border Down). According to Shacknews, the releases aren’t done quite yet either… a company by the name of Senile Team is going to be releasing a top-down racer game called Rush Rush Rally Racing. Purchasing a copy is very, very tempting…

Among the official games are Dreamcast online games that could be played over the Internet. The online servers were run by SegaNet, Dreamarena, and GameSpy networks. Online game support was particularly popular in Japan, with releases of network compatible games such as Tech Romancer and Project Justice. Web browsers were developed by independent companies such as Planetweb to allow access to web sites and included features like Java, uploads, movies, and mouse support. Dreamarena came with games such as Sonic Adventure, and Chu Chu Rocket.