Due to the abysmal peformance of Sega's disastrous Saturn console, and not long before its premature cancellation, Sega set about development of their next generation of video game hardware. In an effort to cut costs, and to make sure that the Saturn's successor would be easy to create games for, Sega opted to use preexisting, off-the-shelf PC components and a custom Windows operating system, in favor of more complicated proprietary options. The new console would also share architecture with Sega's own NAOMI arcade hardware, which was developed around the same time, thus all but ensuring it would be the recipient of a steady stream of home-playable arcade hits, pretty much from day one. Finally, Sega decided to give the system a built-in modem for online play and internet access, the first console to include such a feature.

After finalizing the hardware specifications, a public contest was held by Sega to name their new system and "Dreamcast" was selected out of more than 5,000 entries. In order to avoid the same anemic launch that the Saturn had suffered, Sega took steps to have plenty of Dreamcast games available to choose from when the console made its North American debut on 09/09/1999. Sega also acquired American sports game developer Visual Concepts to ensure that the system's library would be adequately stocked with a variety of great sports titles, both at launch, and over the months and potentially years to follow. In addition (and as they did for all of the company's previous consoles), Sega's other internal studios all worked diligently to provide the Dreamcast with a multitude of high-quality first-party fare over the console's life.

Despite making a number of savvy decisions with the design and launch of the Dreamcast, Sega was ultimately unable to sell enough systems to cover their past losses on the Saturn. Nor were they able to gain enough market share to turn the tables on Sony and Nintendo. Eventually, the Dreamcast also began to burden Sega with losses and so, just over a year and a half into its life, they reluctantly exited the console industry altogether. It is said that the candle that burns half as long burns twice as bright. That may have been true in the Dreamcast's case. It's difficult to name another console that was able to amass such an amazingly diverse library of incredible titles over such a short run. Please read on for a list of the very best of these games to ever have graced Sega's final console.

Sorry to be tardy to the party but I just realized we never did a roundup for the non-E3 non-Sony console mid-year showcases. Thankfully, the only important game shown that we would have included, but has since seen a release, seems to have been Pikmin 4. But now that we've at least mentioned that one, we can get on with the rest. Continue on after the break for a look at some of the highlights from both Microsoft and Nintendo.

Well, the year is more than half over and we're starting to notice some pretty interesting titles being released. This past week saw the return of the Lee brothers in a brand new entry in the legendary Double Dragon series. Double Dragon Gaiden looks to be largely inspired by last year's outstanding arcade-esque TMNT beat 'em up, Shredder's Revenge. Assuming the developer nailed more than just the art style, this too may be one that's well worth checking out.

Also out in the last 5 weeks, the 4th numeric installment to Nintendo's charming Pikmin series; a pretty fun-looking family-friendly 4-player platformer starring Mickey Mouse & friends;  and GOG ports of Sega's Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Double Fine's The Cave. Double Dragon Returns with tag team action. Jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 35 days.

It's a good thing that Square Enix doesn't seem to understand what the word "final" means. Otherwise their legendary Final Fantasy series might have ended before the '80s did. Thankfully here we are, over 30 years and countless fantastic installments and spin-offs later, with the newest entry, Final Fantasy XVI; and by all indications, this one is yet another worthy addition to this long-running franchise.

Also out in the last 8 weeks, the next fantastic installment in Nintendo's legendary Zelda series; a port of one of the greatest arcade horror titles of all time; and a brand new strategy game set in the Alien(s) universe. Fate is written in fire. Jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 56 days.

Well, we may have already received a fantastic Kirby game just 11 short months ago, but Nintendo has graciously decided to bestow another title upon his adoring fans. This time around, it's an enhanced remake of the excellent 2011 installment, Kirby's Return to Dream Land. With spruced up visuals and extra content, this Deluxe version of the game must now surely be the required way to experience the superb multiplayer-friendly fun. Anyway, who could say no to another helping of quality Kirby platforming action?

Also out in the last 4 weeks, a sequel to the hit 2018 Square Enix RPG, Octopath Traveler; a Switch remaster of the best-selling 2002 GameCube title, Metroid Prime; and a brand-new beautiful-looking apocalyptic adventure title called Season: At Letter to the Future. Help the mysterious Magolor fix his broken ship, then jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 28 days.

Happy 2023 everyone! It's only January and the hotly-anticipated 2023 releases have already begun to arrive (although I do need to round up a few of the late 2022 highlights as well). The big release this month is none other than the slick new remake of Dead Space. Featuring updated visuals, redesigned (nearly) everything, and a few slight tweaks to the story and soundtrack, this remake of Dead Space seems to be scratching a particular itch in ways that it's spiritual sequel, last year's The Callisto Protocol, couldn't quite manage to.

Also out in the last 8 weeks, another installment to Nintendo's beloved Fire Emblem series; a more comprehensive Wonder Boy collection (than the one that came out just last year); and Hi-Fi Rush, a pretty cool-looking brand new rhythm/action game from Tango Gameworks. Humanity Ends Here. Jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 40 days.

Right around the same time that Nintendo released their 8-bit Famicom game console in Japan, the original version of what would eventually be released in the rest of the world as the Nintendo Entertainment System, arcade developer Sega released a competing console that they called the "SG-1000". Then, a year later, they released a redesigned version called the "SG-1000 II". Neither system was particularly successful. So after another year, Sega decided to make a few upgrades, most notably to the graphics chip, which would be based off of their System 2 arcade board. They then released this newly overhauled version which they dubbed, the "Mark III".

Unfortunately for Sega, they still couldn't stand toe to toe with Nintendo, even after multiple hardware revisions. At least, not in Japan. So Sega then decided to try their luck in the Western markets. The Mark III was rebranded as the "Sega Master System" and given futuristic-looking facelift. Once again, Sega managed to sync their release to Nintendo's, launching the Master System right around the same time that the Nintendo Entertainment System came out. Never let it be said that Sega was one to shy away from a fight. 

Although the Master System was technically more powerful than Nintendo's console, with the exception of Brazil and a few European markets, it never really managed to come close to the impressive sales numbers of the NES. One major reason for this was a lack of software, primarily thanks to Nintendo's shrewd licensing requirements, that forbade third-party developers from releasing their NES titles on competing platforms. To Sega's credit, they did still manage to snag a few high-profile third-party titles, here and there, even despite this rather gargantuan obstacle. Additionally, being a (then) up-and-coming development house themselves meant that their console would at least have a stellar selection of first-party titles to choose from. So, even though Sega's hardware couldn't compete on quantity, that doesn't mean it didn't still have plenty of quality. Read on for a list of 12 of the best games that the Sega Master System had to offer.

Is it just me, or does it seem like this has been a pretty decent year for Nintendo so far? Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Triangle Strategy, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Mario Strikers: Battle League, and now Live A Live AND  Xenoblade Chronicles 3?? Switch owners may not know what they did to deserve all this love but I'm sure they don't hate it. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a continuation of the popular RPG series, both previous entries of which have also appeared on the Switch, and Live a Live is a modern remake of a Square Enix Super Nintendo/Famicom title that was never before released in the West.

Also out in the last 7 weeks, a fantastic collection of mid-90s Capcom arcade fighting game hits; a totally radical brand new, yet retro in all the right ways, TMNT game; and one of legendary shoot-em-up company Psikyo's single best games ever made. Live to fight. Fight to live. Then jump past the break to see more new releases from the last 35 days.

As you might have noticed by now, I have kind of a thing for gaming retrospectives. I also love anything having to do with the number 12. For those reasons, I've decided to debut a new retrospective series where I take a look back at the best games from 12 years ago. In the case of this particular article, the year 2008. Now you may be thinking, "it's the end of 2021, shouldn't this article be about 2009 or even 2010?" And the answer is, I'm going back a full 12 years (and several months). I also meant to post this months ago but got a bit sidetracked. Just go with it. 2008 was a special year for gaming that saw a number of truly exceptional titles grace the various consoles of the day. Please join me as I look back at what I feel were 12 of the absolute best.