Happy birthday Sega Dreamcast! One of the best video game consoles to ever be released turns 11 years old today! Woo!

The Dreamcast has had a very interesting life for a console, with a very short official lifespan but maintaining a very dedicated fanbase that has endured for over a decade. With Dreamcast titles scheduled to hit Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network in the near future, now is as good a time as any to relive the classics that we fell in love with on Sega’s hardware swan song.

In celebration of the Dreamcast’s 11th birthday, here is (in no particular order) my 11 favorite Dreamcast games. I’m not going to bother with the cool picture number things this time, because I was busy doing wedding stuff and I’m kind of tired. Next year!

Phantasy Star Online – I would pay SO MUCH for this to be on Xbox Live Arcade, mostly because there would be no cheaters to ruin the fun this time.

Crazy Taxi – One of the most bitchin’ soundtracks ever in a game and probably my favorite game to feature cars. My favorite character in the game, BD Joe, is playable in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. Too bad he’s not that good. =/

Sonic Adventure – I know a lot of people will point to this game as the beginning of the end for Sonic, but I really enjoyed it. Once I changed the voices to Japanese, that is. Honestly, I still think it’s a pretty good looking game.

Chu Chu Rocket – This needs to be on Live Arcade like, yesterday. One of my favorite puzzle games ever, and it also has the best commercial in history.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 – Do I really need to say anything other than the title?

Jet Grind Radio – I heard a rumor that this will be hitting Live Arcade and I hope with all of my might that it’s true. It’s one of the most stylish games ever made and seeing it in high definition would be sooooooooooooo good.

Power Stone 2 – Capcom’s take on a Smash Bros-style 4 player fighting maelstrom. My favorite character is Wang-Tang, who, for a super move, turns into a blatant Son Gokuu rip-off complete with golden hair and the Genki-Dama attack.

Resident Evil Code: Veronica – The best Resident Evil that isn’t 4. Claire is one of the most endearing characters in the series, and giving her the starring role made the game that much better. The opening movie is badass.

Skies of Arcadia – It’s been so long since I’ve played Skies of Arcadia that I don’t remember much about it, but I remember it being fantastic. So it probably was.

Project Justice – This is my unicorn game (a game so rare and sought after that you have little hope of ever obtaining it). I rented it a few times and loved it, so of course it regularly goes for $60 or more on eBay. A three-on-three fighter from Capcom’s Rival School series with crazy team-up attacks. I want it so bad.

Shenmue – If I need to tell you why Shenmue is great then I have to wonder why you’re even reading a video game blog in the first place.

What are some of your favorites?