Video Game Consoles Released in 1997: What Happened That Year?

No major home console launched globally in 1997. However, two notable events occurred:

• Nintendo 64DD (Japan only): Disk drive add-on for N64. Commercial failure, limited library, Japan-exclusive.
• Dreamcast announced: Sega revealed their next-gen console in 1997; it launched in 1998 (Japan) / 1999 (worldwide).

1997 was a transitional year between the N64/PS1/Saturn generation and the Dreamcast/PS2/GameCube/Xbox era.