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A Decade Of Dreams

A brief reflection on the lineup of the Dreamcast, 10 years to the day after its release.

By Brad Shoemaker  |  Sept. 9, 2009

Ready to feel old? Exactly 10 years ago today, a number of you were crowding around analog televisions in bedrooms, dorms, and basements to ogle and prod Sega's latest--and as it turned out, last--console, the Dreamcast. Too small a number, I guess, since Sega announced it would cease production of the console barely a year and a half later.

But hey, wasn't it was a great console while it lasted? We thought about going all long-winded nostalgia on you, but Peter Moore did a better job with a nice history lesson already. Instead, we decided to simply pick out a few of our favorite Dreamcast games and record some Quick Look videos. (Nine, in fact, for 9/9/99, you know?) These aren't necessarily the best DC games ever, they're just nine that we remember fondly. Soul Calibur was pretty amazing back then too, for the record.

OK, first hit is free! Let's go with that terrifying fever dream of a puzzle-action game from Sonic Team, ChuChu Rocket.

 
  

Aaaaand the remaining eight videos.

 

Oh yeah, you might want to watch this while I've got your attention. May it haunt your dreams always as it has mine.

 
 
 
Hey, while you're watching, why not post your own favorite Dreamcast memories in the comments?
149 Comments
DanielJWon Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:21 p.m.
I did not own a Dreamcast, as I was about 6 when it came out. I wasn't exactly big into games. But I can say I'm incredibly jelous I missed out on Chu-Chu Rocket. That game looks god damn insane. 
 
And I was really surprised by Virtua Tennis, that game looks great.
Sp3Non Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:22 p.m.

NFL2K
IronScimitaron Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:23 p.m.

i bought a Dreamcast like 3 years ago, brand new from Amazon for like $60 bucks.  Best 60 spend ever.
InFamous91on Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:24 p.m.
I miss my dreamcast....not sure where exactly where's my dreamcast, but i truly remember the great moments we shared
stinkyon Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:26 p.m.
LCD games on  the Dreamcast memory cards. Not particularly fun, and seemed to drive up the cost of memory. 
OllyOxenFreeon Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:27 p.m.
My older brother sold off our Dreamcast for some cash.  POOOOR QUUUUEEEEE!!!
 
I may purchase another one soon though to play through the "must-play" titles that I have missed.
Red12bon Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:28 p.m.

Crazy Taxi, Funtimes! Ohhh Yeaahh.
gzl5000on Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:28 p.m.
Zu-wb-wb-wb-BWAHH!!!!!! 
 
 
I miss the Dreamcast. Their sports lineup was incredible, and the original Soul Calibur is still a classic.
Blair is online on Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:31 p.m.
What a machine.
 
I miss the Dreamcast, lots.
 
Imagine if the Dreamcast was on a ten year cycle?  
 
We would just now be getting our hands on the next Sega console...
 
Very surreal.
killdaveon Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:34 p.m.
Power Stone 1 + 2 were my favourite Dreamcast games.
 
First console that I played proper multiplayer on.
Pazy is online on Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:34 p.m.

I loved my dreamcast. Sadly after a few months it developered a wierd video problem where it looked like the right side of the screen was bleeding white light (and bending the video in the process) onto as many TV's as we could try (and nothing else we owned did it). My mum sent it back to Sony many times during the 1 year warrenty and it always came back with the same problem. After the warrenty was up I think she just binned it :( Even though I protested.

I always have a soft spot for that system, I loved (and still play it on PC) Sonic Adventure, PSO (though until  Blue Burst I never played it online), Slave Zero, Gunbird (a shooter which released in some places as Mobile Light Force with no game changes but a crappy charlie angels style picture on the front that had nothing to do with the game) and a few others.

I so no need to buy one again and build up a new collection of awesome stuff.

Godzilla_Sushion Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:36 p.m.
Shenmue was such an amazing game to play. That was definitely a highlight. The modem too. Loved playing the shooters online even with small groups.
BagManForHire is online on Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:36 p.m.
i remember when Jet grind radio came out and how i was blown away by its game-play and soundtrack
it was the 1st game soundtrack i ever bought.
 
oh and i almost failed high school over Phantasy star online...... man great times!!!
makkuwataon Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:39 p.m.
 My favourite Dreamcast game was probably Fur Fighters. Though for a console with such a short life it's a close run thing.
ArbitraryWater is online on Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:43 p.m.
I remember being to young to care about the dreamcast when it first came out. After all, I was like 6 and pokemon was socially acceptable. Do the math. 
 
Still, it's interesting to see a console that people remember fondly despite it failing.
 
EDIT: Brad, you forgot the most important video of all. 
 
buzz_killingtonon Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:44 p.m.

Dude I'm loving the Dreamcast content today. My personal favorite Dreamcast game is Soul Calibur.

Yelixon Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:48 p.m.
I was also about 6 when it came out, but I have played one and I must say, seriously one of the greatest consoles ever. Even if my experiences with half of its classics are with re-releases on other consoles, they're truly magnificent games. Just the Capcom fighting games alone are all worth dying for. One game I wish would get more attention around here is San Francisco Rush 2049. The multiplayer in that game is so fun.
Delta_Asson Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:49 p.m.
The Dreamcast is 10?
 
Last time I checked, it died when it was 2 or 3 years old.
therepublicanguyon Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:52 p.m.
For hardcore gamers, I cannot think of a better system than the dreamcast. I have over twenty games for that system, and all were incredible. Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, Soul Calibur, MVC 1 and 2, Jet Grind RADIO, and Shenmue are only a few. Plus, most of these games completley reinvinted their respective franchises. All of these featurettes on websites are there for a reason; the dreamcast was incredible for its time. For those who missed out? I can only say sorry to you.
Seedofpoweron Sept. 9, 2009 at 6:54 p.m.
I never owned a Dreamcast or really played one for that matter. Every time I saw it in the store, I walked right by it because I knew my hands were to small to fit on the controller comfortably.
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