The Dreamcast probably has the most power-packed library of games in the history of consoles. No I don’t mean it has more good titles than any other console, but per title, DC has more hits. Maybe it was due to the short lifespan. Maybe it was because Sega was willing to risk it all and go out on a limb to deliver fun. Who knows? All I know is the DC had some amazing titles. And below are the top 5 you must get if you have your DC and want to dust it off. If not several became available on other consoles after the Dreamcast passed away.
1. Soul Calibur
Soul Calibur for the Sega Dreamcast wasn’t an amazing arcade port. It put the arcade version to shame. Soul Calibur introduces weapons-based combat to many home console gamers and single handedly created many a fanboy. The balanced mechanics and quick gameplay instantly hooked anyone who picked up the horrid Dreamcast pad. The glossy and detailed graphics blasted eye-candy all over the screen and pulled in the superficial gamer as well. To this day, many will argue that no fighter has had as large an impact on home gaming as Soul Calibur for the DC. To top it all off, it was a launch title.
2. Resident Evil Code: Veronica
The fourth chapter in the dark Resident Evil epic, Code: Veronica delves further into the machinations of the sinister Umbrella Corporation, once again pitting players against zombies and other horrifying mutations created by Umbrella's biotechnological viruses. Players begin the game as Claire Redfield, Resident Evil 2's college-girl-turned-zombie-killer, and later control Chris Redfield, the beefcake cop from the original game. There's more strategy required here than in the previous games, as Claire's actions have a direct impact on Chris. It was this mix of strategy and horror that made Code: Veronica a hit on the DC.
3. Crazy Taxi 2
The first Crazy Taxi helped move a lot of systems. The second title picked up where the first so abruptly ended (it was very short due to being a direct arcade port) and delivered more fun in the form of mini games and let you pick up multiple passengers. The jumping and wide open areas kept gamers coming back for more and more.
4. NFL 2K1
Honestly, the occasional visual clipping error is probably the only noticeable flaw in NFL2K1. Taken as a whole, the plethora of features included in the game led to NFL 2K1 quickly and, when matched up, easily beating Madden out for football title of the year. Did we mention it allowed gamers to play football online across the country? What many gamers take for granted today when they boot up their Xbox 360s and PS3s was something completely new to us back in 2000.
5. Grandia 2
Despite the simple plot, Grandia II was a wonderful RPG. Grandia II delivered DC junkies the first truly solid old-school RPG for the system. If you were at all a fan of the genre, you had to pick up Grandia II. The fun graphics and action-battle elements (you ran around while in battle) combined for some great gameplay on a console that was severely hurting for some RPG love. Many will argue that Skies of Arcadia should be in this spot since it’s an RPG, but then I say write your own list below.
Honorable Mention:
Power Stone, Shenmue, Space Channel 5, Sonic Adventure 2, Metropolis Street Racer
Comments
From a Gaming perspective, no one can ever accuse Sega of being boring. Crazy controllers & other interfaces used in Seaman, Samba De Amigo (move over Wii), Sega Fishing and even Typing of the Dead placed it ahead of its time! Plus online party games like Ooga Booga where way ahead of the curve too.
Games came with original art – think Jet Grind Radio just as one example plus quality gameplay & quality story lines... Exhibit A: Shenmue.
DC had the best range of SHMUPS plus awesome Fighters. Nah... Dreamcast was something more than just special. It was a Dream machine for all gamers.
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