Dreamcast's 11th Anniversary

[Tsukento]

It's that time of year again where that little white box that represented all of Sega's hopes and dreams (as well of its fans') is nearing the anniversary of its North American release. And once again, I celebrate it in style by bringing as much as I can to the table in honor of the little sucker's memory.

Last year, I made a tribute video and recorded footage of the Dreamcast games that contained DLC, years before it became a standard. Most of that DLC ended up being lost and not even used in their current day ports (Sonic Adventure and Samba de Amigo being the notable ones). This year, I'll be doing the same thing by touching up on the games I left out in the last tribute and the DLC videos, but I'll also be adding a bit more than just that.

So I figured, why not start a conversation about it here?

It seems like whether you owned one or not, most people remember the Dreamcast with a sort of fondness, as well as sadness and are generally puzzled by why exactly it even went away. Unlike most other failed consoles, the Dreamcast seems to be the only one that didn't have anything genuinely wrong with it.

What are everyone's thoughts about the Dreamcast? Any fond memories or anything like that? Favorite games? Regrets about it?

Also, here's a look at the tribute vid I mentioned before.

Here's also a list of all of the DLC I've recorded footage of:

ChuChu Rocket!

• Cows and UFOs
• Cartoon Look

Jet Grind Radio

• Custom Tags

Phantasy Star Online

• Dawn of e-Access
• Famitsu Cup

Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2

• Central Dome Fire Swirl (First half)
• Central Dome Fire Swirl (Second half, available if you agree to continue)
• Sunset at the Secret Base

Rayman 2: The Great Escape

• Mini-Game #1
• Mini-Game #2 (Menezis)
• Mini-Game #3

Samba de Amigo

• Open Your Heart
• Sonic - You Can Do Anything
• Super Sonic Racing
• Burning Hearts
• Dreams Dreams
• Magical Sound Shower
• Afterburner
• Opa-Opa
• Rent-a-Hero No. 1

Samba de Amigo Ver. 2000

• Open Your Heart
• Sonic - You Can Do Anything
• Super Sonic Racing
• Burning Hearts
• Dreams Dreams
• Magical Sound Shower
• Afterburner
• Opa-Opa
• Rent-a-Hero No. 1
• We Are Burning Rangers
• It Doesn't Matter
• My Sweet Passion
• Lazy Days
• Let Mom Sleep
• Let's Go Away

Skies of Arcadia

• Hamachou Island
• Giant Looper
• Tuna Cutlass and Swirlmerang

Sonic Adventure

• Sonic's Game of Hide and Seek (Japan Exclusive)
• Dreamcast Launch Celebration (US)
• Dreamcast Launch Celebration (EU)
• Halloween in Twinkle Park
• Christmas in Station Square
• Y2K Celebration
• AT&T/Official Dreamcast Magazine Event #1
• AT&T/Official Dreamcast Magazine Event #2
• AT&T/Official Dreamcast Magazine Event #3
• Samba GP (Samba de Amigo Release Celebration)

Sonic Adventure 2

• High Speed Trial
• Fantasy Zone
• Egg Robo!
• Halloween 2-Player Theme
• Christmas 2-Player Theme

I'm still uploading more videos of DLC, so expect the list to keep growing.

[east of eastside]

I'm currently finishing Jet ranking every level in Jet Grind Radio. Something I never did in the past but certainly has been well worth the effort and very satisfying all these years later.

I never finished Skies of Arcadia and I have just repurchased a copy to do just that. I actually don't like RPG's and have never finished one but I'm drawn to the style and charm of Skies so I'm going to try to finish it starting from a complete play through even though it will be a challenge for me.

I play Dreamcast everyday the only current game I play is Yakuza on PS3.

[white dream machine]

I still cant see DC as thing of the past. I'm getting another one (still dont know where I'll find it) by the end of the year.

[pirovash88]

My DC chills out on my desk every single day, i just plug it in with VGA whenever i want to play. I'll probably be playing it a lot more with the anniversary coming up.

Tsukento the vid was cool dude.

[The King]

I play my Dreamcast more than any other console. Love the tribute video.

[skies_of_gallia]

I collect games for my system but never really sit down and play them, I'd like to one day wrap ecco the dolphin, what a trippy game.

Dang you sega for abandoning dreamcast!

[Tsukento]

They kinda had to, or else they wouldn't even be around today.

They put all of their best efforts into keeping the Dreamcast afloat, but it wasn't enough. They only managed selling 10 million units worldwide, whereas the three consoles following it (PS2, Xbox and GameCube) all managed to sell more units (GameCube selling 8 million more). Not to mention, Sega was pouring money out of every hole even from day one. Whether it was from losses or from spending it on marketing, R&D and what not, they were losing money quickly.

[GG-Gurl]

im playing Skies of Arcadia and getting RE:Code veronica

[Stormwatch]

Nice video, but I'd pick a rockier song and faster scenes for the sports games.

And when I think of the Dreamcast, I can't help but feel this tinge of sadness. There's always this little voice saying: this is not fair. It deserved to be more successful. Why did people choose the PS2 instead? The Dreamcast was the better machine! It was actually a well-designed hardware, praised by developers for its friendliness. It was well-built. It had many fantastic, original titles. Its controllers were very comfortable. And it LOOKED COOL! Ever noticed that it was the last console that looked like a console?

[Tsukento]

I had a reason for choosing that song (and not just cause of my love for PSO ). Looking at the song's title, some of its lyrics and what not, it's basically giving the message about "A Whole New World." Which is what it was like when jumping into the Dreamcast.

The beginning of the song gives off the feeling of something grand looming over and rising from the horizon. Just everything about the Dreamcast gave you a sense that something wonderful, mysterious and exciting was happening and about to happen. That's what the song accomplishes. It also gives off a sense of nostalgia, which is also what going back to the Dreamcast's library does.

I originally thought about using "It Doesn't Matter" or "Live and Learn", but I felt they didn't quite fit the bill and it wasn't what I was going for. I also wanted to go with something that really wasn't overblown by the fanbase. Everyone pretty much knows the Sonic songs. Making another video with Sonic music would be like making another Dragon Ball Z AMV with Linkin Park music; it's been done to death and just doesn't fit.