For game fans, just hearing the name “Dreamcast” might cause a slight stirring deep in their chest...... and there are probably many people like that. This machine, which appeared in 1998 as the successor to the Sega Saturn and was the first to kick off the next generation in the console war of the time, had a truly ambitious design, making it a piece of hardware that truly felt like it “saw the future.” While general awareness spread rapidly through the memorable commercials featuring Senior Managing Director Yukawa, what's more noteworthy is that it was equipped with innovative features that shattered the common sense of the time.

Internet connectivity is common now, but the Dreamcast already had a built-in modem more than 20 years ago and supported internet connection as standard. With a single cable, you could connect to the internet, browse homepages with a browser, and interact on bulletin boards. There were even users who published their own homepages. Waiting until 11 PM to log in, aligned with the mainstream dial-up connection of the time, was truly a common “night ritual” for users. I personally remember logging into “Phantasy Star Online” every night and embarking on adventures with friends until late at night. The origin of online gaming, which is now commonplace, was certainly here.

Indispensable when talking about the Dreamcast is the existence of the “Visual Memory.” This memory card with a screen is unique because it doesn't end as just a save data storage device. You could download and play minigames, or carry it around by itself like a small handheld console—it was truly a “playable memcard.” The main unit was equipped with a D-pad, buttons, and even a speaker, making the operational feeling exactly like a small gaming device. However, the resounding “Peeee” sound when starting the console with a dead battery was a “loving warning” that every user experienced at least once. This, too, is a memory unique to the Dreamcast and is now one of the heartwarming anecdotes.

While the hardware performance was appealing, the software lineup is truly the Dreamcast's forte. From the launch, titles like “Virtua Fighter 3tb” drew attention, and after that, unique works such as “Shenmue,” “Crazy Taxi,” and “Space Channel 5” appeared one after another. Network-compatible titles like “Guruguru Onsen” and “Cyber Troopers Virtual-On” also provided very groundbreaking experiences for the time. And what must not be forgotten is the strong collaboration with the arcade. The numerous ported works based on the NAOMI board were all enjoyable at home with the same sense of presence as in the arcade.