Opinion: Dreamcast Was The First Modern Console

Trailblazer

Ten years ago, when this editor was still in college, Sega's Dreamcast hit store shelves and instantly generated a loyal following of hardcore gamers. Little did we know at the time that it would be Sega's last console, but the Dreamcast left an indelible mark on the game industry. 

On the platform's tenth anniversary, now EA Sports boss Peter Moore eulogized the ill-fated Sega system he helped launch in 1999. Although the Dreamcast only managed to sell 10.6 million units in barely two years before Sega exited the hardware business, the system did a lot of things right. Moore says Dreamcast had a “profound” impact on the industry – and we agree. In many ways, the Dreamcast could be considered the first “modern” console. 

One could easily imagine a scenario where it could still exist on today's market (like the PS2), offering gamers a great value for a low, low price. Indeed, over the years certain developers have sporadically released games for the defunct console, and even ten years later a new game was just announced by Red Spot Games called Rush Rush Rally Racing.

Let's take a look at some of the ways Dreamcast was really a modern console ahead of its time...