
1998
AU Release
30 November 1999
AU Launch Price
$599 AUD
~$1110 today
Units Sold
9M
Processor
Hitachi SH-4 (200 MHz)
Memory
16 MB
Storage
VMU Memory Card (128 KB)
Media
GD-ROM
Global lifetime sales
The Sega Dreamcast was ahead of its time in almost every way — and it killed Sega as a hardware manufacturer. Launched two years before the PlayStation 2, it was the first console with a built-in modem for online play. Shenmue was the most expensive game ever made at the time. SoulCalibur redefined fighting games. Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and Space Channel 5 were genuinely innovative. But piracy was rampant (GD-ROMs were easily copied), Sega's financial position was weak after the Saturn's failure, and the PlayStation 2's launch overshadowed everything. Sega discontinued it in 2001 and exited hardware forever. The Dreamcast remains the most beloved 'what if' in gaming history.
The Dreamcast was the first console with a built-in modem for internet connectivity — years before Xbox Live
Shenmue cost US$47 million to develop — the most expensive game ever made at the time — and never recouped its costs
Sega's GD-ROM format was quickly cracked, and pirated games were freely available — devastating the Dreamcast's revenue
Browse Sega Dreamcast titles available for trade on Greatest GOAT Australia — stop paying EB Games prices.
Browse Sega Dreamcast GamesSonic Adventure
3M copies sold
Xbox
2001 · 24M sold