When gamers think of underrated video game consoles, the Sega Dreamcast often comes to mind. Although the Dreamcast had an extremely short lifespan, the revolutionary system did more for gaming in a short few years than most consoles do in a decade. The Dreamcast introduced the world to many innovative gaming features that many modern consoles still utilize today. While it wasn't as popular as the PlayStation 2 or original Xbox, the Dreamcast still carved its spot in video game history.
Sega launched the Dreamcast in North America in September 1999. Sales started strong but began dwindling once the PlayStation 2's launch date appeared on the horizon. By the time the PS2 debuted in 2000, the Dreamcast was on its last leg. Sega did everything it could to keep the Dreamcast afloat, but it was too little too late. Shrinking sales numbers forced Sega to discontinue the Dreamcast in March 2001.
Even though the Dreamcast only lasted around two years, its impact on gaming is still prevalent. The system came with a 56 Kbps modem and a PlanetWeb browser, making it the first home console to support online multiplayer. Online games like Phantasy Star Online and NFL 2K thrived on the Dreamcast and connected console gamers in a way previously thought to be impossible. Although the Dreamcast's online capabilities are dated by today's standards, it was ground-breaking at the time and opened the doors for new opportunities.
The Dreamcast wasn't only the first home console to support online multiplayer. It was also the first video game system to have DLC. Gamers would receive the DLC free of charge, with a few games even having additional content built into the disc itself. Over the 15 North American titles received DLC, which could be downloaded or unlocked using specific VMU files. Most of the DLC consisted of cosmetics, but some gave players new quests, levels and even mini-games to enjoy. Dreamcast DLC was very ahead of its time and, for better or for worse, paved the way for all the downloadable content and microtransaction most modern titles support today.
The Sega Dreamcast is one of those systems that didn't get the respect it deserved until years later. While many people dismissed the Dreamcast for being inferior to the PlayStation 2 during the early 2000s, it is now viewed as one of the best home consoles ever created. There are tons of people who still love going back and revisiting all the classic Dreamcast exclusives that never got their time to shine. With rumors flying around the internet of a Dreamcast mini in the works, now is the perfect time to get reacquainted with the underrated video game system.