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Despite its short lifespan, the Dreamcast was widely hailed as ahead of its time. It saw the release of many new game series which have been considered creative and innovative, such as ''[[Crazy Taxi]]'', ''[[Jet Set Radio]]'', and ''[[Shenmue]]'', the most expensive game ever produced upon release.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-sega?page=10|title=IGN Presents the History of SEGA|first=Travis|last=Fahs|date=April 21, 2009|work= IGN|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref>
Ports of games from other platforms were also praised for the system and the console introduced many aesthetic and software design features to be later emulated. It was the first{{Citation needed|date=February 2013}} game console to render full frames (as opposed to interlaced only) in [[VGA]] mode at [[640×480]], and features [[online console gaming]]; it was the firstthird console to include a built-in [[modem]] and [[Internet]] support for [[Online game|online play]] after the [[Commodore CDTV]] and [[Apple Pippin]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Dreamcast Connects Console Gamers|date=July 2003|publisher=GameSpy|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/july03/25smartest/index17.shtml|accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref><ref name="G4 GM"/> The Dreamcast came to be held in high regard, and its influence can be greatly seen in Microsoft's Xbox, as Sega worked with the company before the Xbox's release and during its development.<ref name="Kotaku Dreamcast 2">[http://kotaku.com/5859934/the-xbox-was-as-close-as-we-got-to-a-dreamcast-2 The Xbox Was As Close As We Got To A Dreamcast 2]. Kotaku.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-23.</ref> As of 2014, the Dreamcast is still supported via small independent publishers such as [[GOAT Store Publishing]] and [[RedSpotGames]]. The Dreamcast was chosen as the best console ever by ''[[PC Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0,3253,l=251237&a=251237&po=10,00.asp?p=n|title=The 10 Greatest Video Game Consoles of All Time|work=PCmag.com|accessdate= November 10, 2013}}</ref>
==History==
===Successor===
Throughout the years sinceafter its discontinuation, there havewere beenplenty of rumors suggesting that Sega is working on a ''Dreamcast 2'' successor. The most notable rumor was the Dreamcast 2 to be announced on ''9/9/09'' (September 9, 2009, the 10th anniversary of the successful North American Dreamcast launch).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/93863-Sega-Not-Celebrating-Dreamcasts-10th-Birthday-on-9-9-09|title=Sega Not Celebrating Dreamcast's 10th Birthday on 9/9/09|first=Keane|last=Ng|date=August 13, 2009|work=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.destructoid.com/rumortoid-dreamcast-2-on-the-way--57926.phtml|title=Rumortoid: Dreamcast 2 on the way?|first=Topher|last=Cantler|date=December 6, 2007|work=Rumortoid|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref> which Sega has repeatedly debunked.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2007/12/10/dreamcast_2_rumours_trashed/1|title=Dreamcast 2 rumours trashed|first=Joe|last=Martin|date=December 10, 2007|work=bit-tech.net|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/12/10/no-dreamcast-2-says-sega-after-patent-rumors-aka-9-9-2009-believe.htm|title=No Dreamcast 2 says Sega after patent rumors (aka 9-9-2009 believe!)|first=Ferry|last=Groenendijk|date=December 10, 2007|work=Video Games Blogger|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://kotaku.com/5028180/e308-simon-jeffery-destroys-all-of-your-hopes-for-dreamcast-2-shenmue-3-and-seaman-2|title=E308 Simon Jeffery Destroys All of Your Hopes For Dreamcast 2, Shenmue 3, and Seaman 2|first=Adam|last=Barenblat|date=July 23, 2008|work=kotaku.com|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ripten.com/2008/07/23/dreamcrushed-sega-says-no-to-dreamcast-2/|title="Dreamcrushed" Sega Says No To Dreamcast 2|first=Chad|last=Lakkis|date=July 23, 2008|work=ripten.com|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref>
In December 2007, there were lots of rumors claiming that Sega was on the verge of a new console after filing a [[trademark]] [[patent]] with the ''Dreamcast'' name with devices in the patent that weren't used in the original Dreamcast.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.destructoid.com/rumortoid-dreamcast-2-on-the-way--57926.phtml|title=Rumortoid: Dreamcast 2 on the way?|first=Topher|last=Cantler|date=December 6, 2007|work=Rumortoid|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref> However, Sega denied these reports and said they are not working on a Dreamcast 2.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2007/12/10/dreamcast_2_rumours_trashed/1|title=Dreamcast 2 rumours trashed|first=Joe|last=Martin|date=December 10, 2007|work=bit-tech.net|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/12/10/no-dreamcast-2-says-sega-after-patent-rumors-aka-9-9-2009-believe.htm|title=No Dreamcast 2 says Sega after patent rumors (aka 9-9-2009 believe!)|first=Ferry|last=Groenendijk|date=December 10, 2007|work=Video Games Blogger|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref>
Microsoft's [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] has been described as the Dreamcast's '[[spiritual successor]]',<ref name="Kotaku Dreamcast 2"/> and received sequels to Dreamcast games including ''[[Shenmue 2]]'', ''[[Jet Set Radio Future]]'', ''[[Crazy Taxi 3]]'', ''[[The House of the Dead 3]]'', ''[[Sega GT 2002]]'' and ''[[Project Gotham Racing]]'' (the spiritual sequel to ''[[Metropolis Street Racer]]''<ref>{{cite web|author=Edge Staff|title=The ten best consoles: our countdown of the greatest gameboxes of the last 20 years|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-ten-best-consoles-the-greatest-gameboxes-from-the-past-20-years/|publisher=Edge Online|date=2013-09-20|accessdate=2014-01-30}}</ref>). In addition, popular Xbox titles ''[[Fable (videogame)|Fable]]''<ref>{{cite web|author=Barry the Nomad|title=Xbox's Fable was originally to release on SEGA Dreamcast|url=http://segabits.com/blog/2014/01/30/xboxs-fable-was-originally-to-release-on-sega-dreamcast/|publisher=SEGAbits|date=2014-01-30|accessdate=2014-01-31}}</ref> and ''[[Ninja Gaiden]]''<ref>{{cite journal | author = Edge staff |date=August 2002 | title = Inside... Tecmo | journal = [[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | issue = 113 | pages = 51–55 | publisher = [[Future plc|Future Publishing]] | location = Bath, England | issn = 1350-1593 }}</ref> started development on the Dreamcast. Similarities between the [[Xbox 360]] and Dreamcast have also been noted.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Sam|title=Dreamcast 2.0: Is Xbox 360 the second coming of the Sega Dreamcast?|url=http://www.1up.com/features/dreamcast-20|publisher=1UP.com|date=2005-11-04|accessdate=2014-01-31}}</ref><ref name="Kotaku Dreamcast 2"/>
AtTwo onemembers point,of the[[Kotaku]] two companies could have been so bonded wheninterviewed then-Sega of America President [[IsaoSimon OkawaJeffery]] wantedon Microsoft'sJuly Xbox23, to2008. beThe [[backwardsinterviewers compatible]]asked withJeffery Dreamcastabout software,the andpossibility heldof talksa withDreamcast Microsoft2 chairmanin [[Bill2009, Gates]]but shortlyJeffery beforecrushed Okawa'sthe deathrumors onby Marchconfirming 16,that 2001;there negotiationswill eventuallybe fellno apartDreamcast 2.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tomsguidekotaku.com/us5028180/e308-simon-jeffery-destroys-all-of-your-hopes-for-dreamcast-xbox2-segashenmue-microsoft3-games,newsand-5579.htmlseaman-2|title=SegaE308 WantedSimon XboxJeffery toDestroys PlayAll of Your Hopes For Dreamcast Games2, Shenmue 3, and Seaman 2|first=MarcusAdam|last=YamBarenblat|date=JanuaryJuly 1623, 20102008|work=tomsguidekotaku.com|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref> Microsoft also worked together with Sega to develop the custom Dreamcast port of the [[DirectX]]-based [[Windows CE]] as an alternative to Sega's proprietary operating system and development libraries, which were used by the majority of releases for the console.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.microsoftripten.com/en-us2008/news07/press23/1998dreamcrushed-sega-says-no-to-dreamcast-2/may98/segagmpr.aspx|title=Microsoft,"Dreamcrushed" Sega CollaborateSays onNo To Dreamcast: The Ultimate Home Video Game System2|first=Chad|last=Lakkis|date=MayJuly 2123, 19982008|work=[[Microsoft]]ripten.com|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref>
Microsoft's [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] has been widely considered as the Dreamcast's '[[spiritual successor]]', as many Dreamcast titles lived on in the Xbox.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} Examples include [[Metropolis Street Racer]], very similar to the Xbox's [[Project Gotham Racing]], made by the same studio<ref>{{cite web|author=Edge Staff|title=The ten best consoles: our countdown of the greatest gameboxes of the last 20 years|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-ten-best-consoles-the-greatest-gameboxes-from-the-past-20-years/|publisher=Edge Online|date=2013-09-20|accessdate=2014-01-30}}</ref> and [[Jet Set Radio Future]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.radiosega.net/news/features/2012/03/how-sega-influenced-the-original-xbox/|title=How SEGA Influenced the Original Xbox|first=|last=|date=March 27, 2012|work=radiosega.net|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref>
Another factor is the similarity of the Xbox Controller S and the [[Xbox 360 Controller]] to the Dreamcast's.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://kotaku.com/5859934/the-xbox-was-as-close-as-we-got-to-a-dreamcast-2|title=The Xbox Was As Close As We Got To A Dreamcast 2|first=Luke|last=Plunkett|date=November 16, 2011|work=kotaku.com|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref> At one point, the two companies could have been so bonded when then-Sega President [[Isao Okawa]] wanted Microsoft's Xbox to be [[backwards compatible]] with Dreamcast software, and held talks with Microsoft chairman [[Bill Gates]] shortly before Okawa's death on March 16, 2001; negotiations eventually fell apart.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tomsguide.com/us/dreamcast-xbox-sega-microsoft-games,news-5579.html|title=Sega Wanted Xbox to Play Dreamcast Games|first=Marcus|last=Yam|date=January 16, 2010|work=tomsguide.com|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref> Microsoft also worked together with Sega to develop the custom Dreamcast port of the [[DirectX]]-based [[Windows CE]] as an alternative to Sega's proprietary operating system and development libraries, which were used by the majority of releases for the console.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/1998/may98/segagmpr.aspx|title=Microsoft, Sega Collaborate on Dreamcast: The Ultimate Home Video Game System|first=|last=|date=May 21, 1998|work=[[Microsoft]]|accessdate=November 10, 2013}}</ref>
==Legacy==
The Dreamcast introducedfeatures numerous features that would be standard to future consoles. All models were shipped with modems allowing users to browse the net and play games online via dedicated server through [[SegaNet]] ([[Dreamarena]] in Europe), a precursor to services such as [[PlayStation 2 Online|PS2 Network]] and [[Xbox Live]]. ''[[ChuChu Rocket!]]'' was Sonic Team's first online multiplayer game. Alien Front Online was the first online console game to feature live in-game voice chat. It also featured [[downloadable content]], such as items and missions for games such as ''Phantasy Star Online'' and ''Skies of Arcadia''. ''[[Jet Set Radio]]'', a Dreamcast original, popularized [[Cel-shaded animation|cel-shaded]] graphics. ''Shenmue'' had introduced a game with vast scope and ''Seaman'' was one of the first virtual pet games for a console.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.segabits.com/?p=4038|title=How Dreamcast changed the video game world|date={{Date|2010-09-09|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2010-09-16|mdy}}|publisher=segabits.com}}</ref> In 2009, [[IGN]] named the Dreamcast the 8th greatest video game console of all time, out of a field of 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/top-25-consoles/8.html|title=Dreamcast is number 8|publisher=IGN|date=|accessdate=2011-09-07}}</ref> while ''[[PC Magazine]]'' named it the greatest ever.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0,3253,l=251237&a=251237&po=10,00.asp?p=n|title=The 10 Greatest Video Game Consoles of All Time|work=PCmag.com|accessdate= November 10, 2013}}</ref> In retrospect, gaming historian [[Steven L. Kent]] stated that "SEGA supported Dreamcast better than any single company has ever supported any console ever."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kent|first=Steven L.|title=SOMETIMES THE BEST|url=http://sadsamspalace.blogspot.com/2006/10/sometimes-best.html|publisher=Sad Sam's Place|date=2006-10-09|accessdate=2014-01-31}}</ref>
Independent commercial games such as ''[[Feet of Fury]]'', ''[[Last Hope (video game)|Last Hope]]'' and ''[[DUX (video game)|DUX]]'' have also been released.<ref name=rb>{{cite web|url= http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sega/dreamcast/2008/05/dux-new-dreamcast-shmup-game.html|title= Behind The Scenes With DUX: The Upcoming Dreamcast Shooter | RetroGaming with Racketboy| publisher=Racketboy.com|date=|accessdate=2011-09-07}}</ref> On June 10, 2010, at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010|E3]] Sega announced that Dreamcast titles would soon be available on [[Xbox Live Arcade]] and [[PlayStation Network]]. The first two titles to be released are ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' and ''[[Crazy Taxi]]'', followed by ''[[Sega Bass Fishing]]'' and ''[[Space Channel 5 Part 2]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/06/sega-bringing-dreamcast-library-to-ps3-xbox-360/1|title=Sega bringing Dreamcast library to PS3, Xbox 360 |date=2010-06-10|work=USA Today}}</ref>
''[[Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed]]'' features a playable character called AGES; his boat mode resembles a Dreamcast controller.
Various emulators also exist for the Dreamcast.
==Hardware==
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