The evolution of online multiplayer gaming on consoles began in the early 1990s, although initial attempts were not widely embraced. Sega was a pioneer in this space, launching services like Sega Meganet for the Mega Drive and Sega NetLink for the Saturn, both of which failed to capture significant market attention. Concurrently, the Atari Jaguar introduced a modem attachment, and unofficial solutions like XBAND enabled online play for the Super Nintendo and Genesis. However, these advancements did not resonate with the mainstream gaming community at the time.

The landscape changed with the Sega Dreamcast, which is often acknowledged as the first console to integrate a built-in modem for internet connectivity. This innovation facilitated a new era of online multiplayer gaming, with titles such as Phantasy Star Online and ChuChu Rocket paving the way for more robust online experiences. The Dreamcast’s success in this area set the stage for future consoles to prioritize online multiplayer capabilities, marking a significant shift in how games were played and experienced.