The Sega Dreamcast is a home video game console released by Sega in 1998 in Japan and 1999 in North America. It was the first console of the sixth generation and featured advanced graphics and online capabilities, allowing players to connect to the internet for multiplayer gaming and downloads. The Dreamcast had a library of popular games, including titles like Sonic Adventure and Shenmue. Despite its innovative features, it struggled in the market against competitors like the Sony PlayStation 2 and was discontinued in 2001, marking the end of Sega's hardware production.