Did you know the Nintendo GameCube  had a special center hub that you had to press before removing the disc? Unlike most DVD cases or other consoles, you weren’t supposed to just pull the disc out. You had to press the small button in the middle of the tray to release the locking mechanism. If you didn’t press the center? You were basically bending the disc and stressing the plastic 😬 Nintendo designed it that way to: • Keep the mini-discs secure • Prevent scratches from sli

Did you know there was a Japanese Nintendo 64 that played discs instead of cartridges? It was called the Nintendo 64DD  — and it only released in Japan in 1999! Instead of cartridges like the regular Nintendo 64 , the 64DD used special magnetic disks. It plugged into the bottom of the N64 and allowed: • Rewritable storage • Expanded game content • Online features (yes — online in 1999!) • Game creation tools It even had an online service called Randnet  where players could co

Did you know Sega made a portable console that played full-size Genesis cartridges? It was called the Sega Nomad , released in 1995. The Nomad was basically a handheld version of the Sega Genesis  (known as the Mega Drive outside North America). It could play almost the entire Genesis library — using the actual cartridges! That means you could play games like: • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 • Mortal Kombat • Streets of Rage 2 …on the go in 1995. Here’s the wild part: • It had a full

Did you know the Sega Dreamcast  was the first major home console with built-in internet support? When it launched in 1999 in North America, the Dreamcast came with a 56k dial-up modem built right into the console — no extra add-on needed. It even launched with its own online service called SegaNet  in North America. You could: • Browse the internet • Send emails • Play online multiplayer And get this… In 1999 you could play online games like: • Phantasy Star Online  — one of