PS1/2 Remember When PS2 And Dreamcast Had Cross-Play In 2001?

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Cross-play remains a hot topic even in 2024. While many of the most popular titles are available across multiple formats, it's not always a given that players from one platform will be able to compete with those on another – but what's truly amazing is that such barriers were being overcome as long ago as 2001.

Capcom vs. SNK 2 launched on the Dreamcast and PS2 on the exact same day in Japan, and actually allowed players to compete with one another online, irrespective of which version they owned.

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It's easy to see the logic in this; Sega had already stated it was pulling out of the console market, so allowing its Japanese user base to play against their PS2-owning friends certainly wasn't going to have a negative impact on the console's fortunes.

Sega's OpenDice framework made it all possible, and other titles included Guru Guru Onsen 2+3, which could connect to the PS2 version, Dai Guru Guru Onsen.

Sadly, this functionality didn't extend to the West. Boo.

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