Google Ends Dreamcast Browser Support After 25 Years

Google has officially ended support for its search engine on the Dreamcast browser, concluding 25 years of service for the iconic console’s online capabilities. The Dreamcast, released in 1998, was a pioneer in online console gaming, inspiring titles like Phantasy Star Online, the first MMORPG on a console.

At the time, the Dreamcast required a separate GD-ROM for its browser, which ran on PlanetWeb 2.0 and supported only HTML3.2/HTML4. While the console’s hardware was advanced for its era—with a 32-bit 200MHz processor, 16MB RAM, and PowerVR2 graphics—it was never designed to handle modern web standards such as HTML5 or JavaScript. Some users continued to maintain functionality through private networks, but with Google’s withdrawal, the search engine is no longer usable for retrieving images or web content on the system.

Despite being discontinued commercially, the Dreamcast’s online community, Dreamcast Live, has preserved the console’s networked capabilities for enthusiasts. However, with official support now ended, the Dreamcast browser era has come to a definitive close.

The Dreamcast remains a beloved retro console, celebrated for its forward-thinking approach to online gaming and high-quality specs for its time. Its legacy continues to influence modern console development and online gaming experiences.