If there's a video game console that was underrated that would be the SEGA Dreamcast. A console with so many great titles and original IPs. The first console I used to play online games in, that went beyond just being a video game console but also added a web browser, chat and other things. (similar to how current gen is but using a dial-up connection)

I remember it very clearly, 10 years ago, three of my friends asked me if I was going to buy a Dreamcast, I said I was going to as soon as I got out of class. Then they asked me if I had reserved it. I don't pre-order or reserve anything, it's probably a bad habit of mine but I don't unless the benefits are worth it. In this case it meant having the console or not (silly me) After going through 4 or 5 Gamestops/Babbages/EBGames/EBX and I think one of them was still called Electronic Boutique... I finally found one.

After unpacking it and playing don't remember which game, I noticed right away that I hated the controller. Always did and always will but I still love the console. The VMU was a great idea but poorly implemented. Nintendo and Sony did a much better job with the GBA and PSP respectively. I didn't make use of its online features until I got one of the most creative games I've seen, Jet Set Radio (aka Jet Grind Radio)



The game was a lot of fun and the first time I was introduced to cel-shading in 3D. Very challenging but as I said, this was the first time I got to use the online component. The game allowed you to create your own tags (3 of them in 3 sizes) which I obviously used. Seeing my own tags in the game was pretty cool.

Then there was Dead or Alive 2.



Not a SEGA game and I would be lying if I said I hadn't played DOA1 on the Playstation (or was it Saturn?) but the point is I got sucked into this game for the longest time. I didn't like its PS2 counterpart and I also got the import version which included new outfits for the characters as well as some new in-game animations and stages.

House of the Dead 2, Crazy Taxi 1 & 2, Outtrigger, Sega Bass Fishing (yes a fishing game) Virtua Tennis, Virtual On and Zombie Revenge were all great SEGA owned titles but hardly the best on the console. SEGA did an amazing job with Phantasy Star Online.



I got into this game and met some really wonderful people. Funny story is I wasn't interested at all in it. A couple of friends that were playing it wanted me to join them, I didn't have the money for what I actually needed to get and play the game. First I didn't have enough space in the VMU, then I didn't have the game, and by then I had moved my computer so I didn't have internet access near the Dreamcast but I did have an extra monitor. So OK they convinced me to get the game by buying me a multi page Mem Card, and a VGA adapter. Later I had to buy the keyboard 'cause it was a pain in the butt to write with the controller. After that the bastards didn't have time to play so I was left alone (I was pissed but the game was fun offline too) I logged a couple of times by myself and met some really cool people. Before I knew it we spent more time talking shit in the lobby than playing the game. I did manage to reach lvl 100 with my character before a server cleanup corrupted my data. I used the gameshark to get what I had lost with so much hard work and dedication. then a friend gave me a hacked item that gave my character so much power that it was stupid. The last boss was nothing on the hardest level.

As good an RPG that PSO was it didn't compare to Skies of Arcadia.



Usually I related RPGs to some sort of dungeon crawling. I hate dungeons, and I'm a bit sick of medieval fantasy themes. Skies of Arcadia changed my idea of what RPGs are and should be. Great cast of characters but an even more amazing world to explore. Not the most original story but definitely one that still kept you interested. The mere fact that its two main characters Vyse and Aika appear in Valkyria Chronicles for the PS3 is enough to make me want to get it once I get a PS3.

Before heading to my favorite Dreamcast game I will like to visit one that I cannot believed I liked as much as I did.



Yes, Space Channel 5. I got it out of curiosity, a gift, a recommendation I don't even remember how, the point is I played it and failed like 20 times before I got the hang of it. Once I did I enjoyed the game and hated the controller even more than I already did. Why did I keep coming back for more after constant fail attempts? I got sucked into the character Ulala. For some reason this pink haired chick with really long legs got my attention. Then we got the music, not the kind of music you'll catch me listen to but not terrible. I got drawn to this whole up, up, down , down, shoot, shoot, shoot gameplay. The second game was also good but not as fresh obviously.

And at last, my favorite Dreamcast and even of all of SEGA owned games



Shenmue!!!

Ah this game, I had seen the videos that were added in the monthly disc that came with the Sega magazine and I couldn't be any more hyped about it. I got my hands on it and it was a bliss. FREE, a concept that I compare to sandbox. True that you didn't have the freedom to go anywhere as you can in current open world games but it was close enough. You could spend a lot of time being silly or you can get to know the people around your area when you weren't chasing sailors...

It's once again the classic story of revenge and growing up. The characters that aid you in this quest are unforgettable and unique. Based on Virtua Fighter but hardly as lame (sorry I don't care much about the Virtua Fighter cast) Ryo is 100 times better character than Akira is. Nozomi, the classic school girl that we see so many times in anime but she's the one with the crush. I don't know what the real deal with Lan Di was but if I were to compare Lan Di to a popular character it would be Lord Voldermort and Ryo would be Harry. Simply because Ryo has many people that care about him while Lan Di has goons. They are pretty much the same, two people that set out to avenged the death of someone dear to them but what sets them apart is their feelings thanks to the people that surrounds them. I'm sad that the story might never get finished, I would put up with the "outdated" graphics and gameplay just to know how it all ends, but more importantly, to experience the road to the end.

I'm glad I bought a Dreamcast, it's by far my favorite console and the one I own the most games for. If you had one and want to share your experience feel free to post.