The online retro gaming community has been celebrating the 25th anniversary of SEGA’s last console, the Dreamcast, which officially launched in North America on September 9th, 1999. While it ultimately struggled against the dominance of the Sony PlayStation, the Dreamcast has since cultivated a dedicated fanbase who see it as a console that was ‘ahead of its time.’
Peter Moore, the former president of SEGA of America, shared his reflections on the Dreamcast’s launch on Twitter/X, including a snippet from his upcoming autobiography. He reflected on the launch, stating, “It was clear that this was the chance for Sega to transcend all the bad publicity around the demise of the Saturn. In addition to the Dreamcast’s launch, we also featured an unprecedented lineup of games.”
A quarter of a century ago tomorrow, on 9/9/99, we launched the @SEGA Dreamcast here in North America. While the journey did not end the way we wished it had, we remain proud of the path we paved in online gaming, and it remains a console that is beloved by so many. Here is an… pic.twitter.com/GTdc9gcJvc
— Peter Moore (@PeterMooreLFC) September 8, 2024
Fans responded to the post by reminiscing about their experiences with the console. Many shared vintage photographs of their Dreamcasts and showcased their collections, including rare editions like the Hello Kitty variant. One user, Twinwar, recalled: “Still, one of my favorite consoles of all time. I still remember the first time I launched Phantasy Star Online. It was a mind-blowing moment to play an RPG online with other players. Then, of course, my all-time favorite on the Dreamcast: Shenmue. What a groundbreaking game that was.”
Other fans, like Watfen64, discovered the Dreamcast later on but quickly appreciated its revolutionary features. He stated on Twitter: “I got a DC as late as last year, but my experience with it instantly revealed to me just how groundbreaking the console was back then.”
I got a DC as late as last year, but my experience with it instantly revealed to me just how groundbreaking the console proved to be back then. Despite its short life, Sega’s swan song in the hardware business remains an impressive achievement and treasure trove of arcade games.
— Mitch Sabbagh is Looking for Game Narrative Work (@Watfen64) September 8, 2024
Despite its early discontinuation, the SEGA Dreamcast occupies a special place in the hearts of gamers. Fans continue to hope for the release of a Dreamcast Mini in the future.
In the meantime, retro enthusiasts can enjoy unique gaming experiences like a Nintendo Wii keychain or an NES cartridge converted into a functioning console.
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