Here’s a fun memory on the Dreamcast’s 25th anniversary: I remember renting the Dreamcast the summer before its launch. I think this was a promotion by either Blockbuster or Hollywood video (RIP to both).
I got to take home the console and Sonic Adventure, but no memory cards were available. So, that first night I kept the console running with the TV off all night long so I could keep my progress after school the next day.
The rental period, whatever it was (probably not more than a few days or week) went by in a flash. I was left feeling super hyped for 9/9/99.
Can you imagine a console releasing like this today?