Sega was once a video game company that developed video games and released consoles. Many gamers can remember when Nintendo and Sega competed for their attention. Several games were console exclusives, giving young players the difficult choice of which console to buy. Nintendo offered the Super Mario Bros. series, while Sega introduced us to the fast-paced world of Sonic the Hedgehog.
As the years went by, Nintendo continued to develop consoles that were highly popular with fans. In the late 90s, other companies were also jumping into console development. Sega was struggling to release new consoles to keep up, but the Sega Saturn didn't survive. Sony and Microsoft quickly rose to become intense competitors. While Nintendo thrived, Sega struggled to survive. They released one more console in hopes of resolving the bad mark the Saturn left on their name. Sega released the Dreamcast in September of 1999. Unfortunately, the Dreamcast wasn't enough to help Sega win the console wars.
The Sega Dreamcast was the last console the company released. Sega eventually stopped publishing updates and games for the system in 2001. They no longer had an interest in releasing consoles when they could focus on developing video games for former competitors. Sega may have given up on releasing consoles, but fans continued where the company left off. Creative gamers have continued to mod and hack the system. There continues to be untapped potential within the console and its accessories. Fans have gone through great lengths to breathe new life into the Dreamcast with updated technology.
If you still own a working or broken Sega Dreamcast, you're in luck. Our list compiles several ways to bring new life into your Dreamcast. With a little programming knowledge of soldering expertise, you can continue to use your Dreamcast for decades to come.
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The SEGA Dreamcast, first released on 1998 in Japan, is to this day the latest SEGA console and a beloved system by many gamers. Here you can download our collection of Dreamcast Games/ISOs/ROMs. The 25 best Dreamcast games of all time 1. It's hard to imagine a fighting game today making the kind of impact of Soulcalibur. This very nearly topped our list, so consider this a very close runner-up to. Jet Grind Radio/Jet Set Radio. Another wildly innovative.
Get the best deal for Sega Dreamcast Capcom Fighting Video Games from the largest online selection at eBay.com. Browse your favorite brands affordable prices free shipping on many items. The top 25 Sega Dreamcast games 1. Shenmue (1 & 2). Skies Of Arcadia. Sonic Adventure 2. Soul Calibur. Phantasy Star Online. Marvel Vs Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes. Resident Evil: Code Veronica. Crazy Taxi (1 & 2). Jet Set Radio/Jet Grind Radio. Dreamcast fighting games From Sega Retro. Dreamcast games by Genre: Action 104 pages. Adventure 125 pages. Compilation 10 pages. Demo Disc 111 pages. Fighting 28 pages. Dreamcast games; Sega Retro is part of the Backwards Compatible family of sites, which are dedicated to research and preservation of gaming history. Amazon.com: dreamcast fighting games. Deal4GO Brook PS3 PS4 to Sega Dreamcast Super Converter Wireless Controller Adapter Arcade Stick Vibration/Turbo Support.
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25 Don’t Feel Chained Down
The Sega Dreamcast was released with the console unit, a modem, power cable, A/V cable, and one controller. There were four controller ports available if you wanted to play with family or friends. With so many controllers plugged in at once, it could be easy for the wires to become tangled.
Luckily, there's a solution to the controller wire clutter.
The Dreamconn+ is a wireless Dreamcast controller that runs by Bluetooth. Users plug in a connector into their Dreamcast, press the Bluetooth button on the controller, and play.
24 Bring Some Light Into The World
On the top of the Dreamcast is a triangular light. The light changes color depending on the status of the console. Modders decided to give the Dreamcast an aesthetic boost. They've changed the colors of the triangular light to a rainbow of hues. The colors also have different blinking patterns. Program a unique pattern to make your Dreamcast shine amongst the others. Though these colors don't have an effect on the gameplay itself, it's a fun addition to the console.
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23 Cool Things Down
If you've ever owned or played a Dreamcast, then you know they get hot. That's why game developers warn gamers to allow plenty of ventilation for their consoles because they can quickly overheat. Allow your console to get too hot, and it could melt the sensitive hardware inside.
Chris Moon set up an IndieGoGo campaign to solve the Dreamcast's heating problem. He developed a small mod called the Dream PSU that would make the system run cooler. The tiny device could save the Dreamcast from overheating.
22 Improve The Sound Quality
There are a variety of mods to improve resolution and even change the music of some games. What's the use of completing those mods if your Dreamcast produced poor sound quality? Luckily there's a digital audio mod. If you don't want to complete the mod yourself, some companies will complete it for you for a hefty fee.
There are tutorials available online to bypass the Dreamcast DAC for a richer sound with noise reduction.
With improved sound, you can once again enjoy your favorite music games like Space Channel 5.
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21 Enjoy The Full Library
Most consoles are restricted to a certain region. This means that not all consoles can play any game from any country. This leaves North American fans unable to play Japanese-exclusives. Only recently have many consoles released their region restrictions.
The Japanese version of the Dreamcast cast aside region-locks. Their Dreamcast can play games from any regions. but other countries weren't so lucky. If you're fortunate enough to find a Japanese Dreamcast, it's worth the effort. You'll have a wide variety of games you can access.
20 Build New Parts
Though the Dreamcast wasn't as successful as other consoles, fans still have fun. They enjoy the library of games and play fan-made creations. There may come a time when the Dreamcast faces some cosmetic damage. Players don't want to give up their favorite consoles to fix an issue. They may not have the funds to buy a new console.
Gamers can use a 3D printer to create replacement parts for the Dreamcast. All it takes is the right tools and creating 3D designs of the part you need.
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19 Play Games On Modern Hardware
Many modern games now play at high resolutions of 1080p on HDMI screens. Higher resolutions ensure you can enjoy those beautiful graphics developers spent so much time crafting. The Dreamcast doesn't have any games that could reach the quality graphics of current games, but many don't want to set up a separate tv to play.
There are DC HDMI adapters available for the Dreamcast.
All you have to do is set it up with your current television and console set up and enjoy.
18 More Playback Options
The Sega Dreamcast was one of the few consoles around its release that did not play DVDs. The other console that couldn't play DVDs was the Nintendo GameCube, which played smaller CDs instead.
Sega planned to allow DVD playback but eventually had to work on it separately. Even after the hardware was complete, it wasn't released. With the DreamShell software, it's possible to load CDs and DVDs. It requires the use of the IDE-Mod first, along with a DVD-IDE drive.
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17 Match Your Style
The Dreamcast case is a small, square box. It doesn't have any unique details on the outside, and some might even call it boring. The Dreamcast case is removable, meaning that you could easily add your personal touch.
If customizing your Dreamcast case is too much work, there were a few custom Dreamcast cases released during the console's prime. Within the Sports Pack was a black console with matching controller. The Sakura Wars package was bundled with pink accessories, including a demo of the game.
16 Change The Graphic Qualities
The Dreamcast comes packaged with A/V cables. Most gamers know that A/V cables don't produce the best output. If you're using modern technology, you'll want to play your games at the highest quality possible.
Now there are stores that ship worldwide selling VGA cables to replace those old A/V connectors.
Use a computer monitor or HDTV to play your Dreamcast. The Dreamcast has native VGA support, meaning all you have to do is buy the cable and plug it in.
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15 Don’t Settle For The Default Music
Most video games come with a soundtrack to immerse fans in the game. Sometimes, the soundtrack is so popular that it's released separately from the game. Other games don't focus on the soundtrack or include music from popular bands.
Crazy Taxi contains some of the most popular songs from the late 90s and early 2000s. If you find yourself disliking the default tunes, it's possible to change the music. Several games will allow you to mod the system and change the music.
14 Relax With Your Favorite Game
The Dreamcast controller that comes packaged with the console has a wire. The wire is placed at the bottom of the controller, unfortunately. Handling a single controller, or four controllers can quickly become a tangled mess. If you want to relax and play a game, you may find yourself restricted to the floor because of the length of the cable.
There are online stores that sell controller extension cables. The length of the wire will no longer hinder you from playing your favorite games.
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13 Turn It Into A Single Unit
Unless you own a handheld console, you'll always need to plug in your game system into a tv. Consoles come with a variety of cables and plugs, which can quickly become confusing for those who aren't technologically advanced. You might find yourself consulting with the manual to see how to turn the console on.
If you have an old iMac, you can combine your Dreamcast and a monitor into one unit.
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You'll need a working Dreamcast and a 15-inch LCD screen. Logicdustbin of the forum CGCC explains how he created the iCast.
12 Enjoy Fan-Made Content
When the Dreamcast was first released, it was quickly hacked. Though this was a huge issue after its initial release, it became a blessing after development stopped.
Fans began to use the software to create new Dreamcast games. Independent homebrew developers began to release a wide variety of games for the consoles. The games were all region-free and available to gamers worldwide. Even though Sega stopped creating new content for the Dreamcast, fans haven't given up on the console.
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11 Test The Limits
The Sega Dreamcast output most games in 480i. There was support in 240p and 480p. If you're playing games on the console years later, you may be used to higher outputs.
Sega Saturn Fighting Games
Luckily for gamers, it's possible to overclock the console if you have experience working with CPU hardware. This hack will only work on Revision 0 and 1 Dreamcast systems. Revision 2 models are out of luck. To make the mod work, you'll have to make some modifications to the internal workings of the Dreamcast. Ramping up the clock speed is delicate work but worth the effort.
10 Another Browsing Machine
The Sega Dreamcast came bundled with a modem. Unfortunately, that modem was for dial-up internet only. Most users are no longer using dial-up services, and it can be challenging to find a service provider.
If you're away on vacation and not located near any fast internet provider, you're in luck.
One can use the Dreamcast as a last-resort internet browser.
It's a great option if you have no other choice. Hopefully, you can find a dial-up provider to get online.
9 Bring It On-The-Go
If you want to play video games on-the-go, you'll have to make some sacrifices. You'll have to deal with a smaller screen, choppier graphics, and you don't have access to your Friend List. There's a way to mod your Dreamcast to take it on your next adventure. All you'll need is a custom case, a working Dreamcast, LCD screen, and two 7.2V 3Ah R/C car batteries.
Unfortunately, this mod comes with the CD exposed, so you'll have to make a custom cover or try not to touch the moving parts. The controls and sound speakers are all on the front of the case.
8 Enjoy Fighting Games Again
The Dreamcast released several fighting games, including Street Fighter, Power Stone, and SoulCalibur. There were plenty of games in the fighting genre for fans to enjoy. The Dreamcast controller may not be the ideal way to enjoy these games.
Luckily there are several arcade fighting stick controllers for the Dreamcast available online. These range from simple sticks for casual players to high-end controllers with professional artwork decorating the case. If you love fighting games, invest in an arcade stick.
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7 Enjoy The Best Of Both Worlds
For decades, gamers were forced to choose between a Nintendo or Sega console. Few fans could convince their parents to purchase both. Luckily, there's now a way to have the best of both worlds.
The Nester DC project is a mod project that will play all of your favorite games on your Dreamcast console.
Nester DC also contains images of the game's packaging, cheat codes, and music. While Nester is available for a variety of platforms, it doesn't exclude the Dreamcast.
6 Play Music Instead Of Games
What can you do when a console breaks? If it's unrepairable, you have useless plastic and metal box. The Dreamcast is no longer supported by Sega, which makes the original console even more challenging to find. Thanks to resourceful modders, you can now turn that broken Dreamcast into something useful.
All you have to do is combine a broken Dreamcast console and controller with a few guitar parts to transform it into a new musical accessory. A crafty gamer named Flooky spent 40 hours and $20 on parts to bring new life to her Dreamcast.
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5 Add More Space
If you have a friend who loves the Dreamcast as much as you do, you'll naturally want to share your favorite games. Trading games have been a popular pastime between console gamers for decades. Now it's possible to share games through hard drives.
All Dreamcast Games
Hard drives have more available space on them than the Dreamcast CD Card reader. To make the hard drive work with your system, you'll need a GDEmu to bypass the disc drive with an SD Card Reader. With a few more adjustments, your Dreamcast will read games from the hard drive instead of a cd.
4 Use It As A Music Player
The Dreamcast VMU was a memory card with an LCD screen. It could also download and play mini-games since there was a basic controller on the VMU. These tiny, portable cards don't last forever. If the hardware breaks, it can be a difficult fix.
A Japanese gamer managed to mod the VMU into a case for their iPad Nano.
They used the interior parts of the music player and inserted it into an empty VMU. Using an iPad Nano also ensures you can enable touchscreen access if you don't want to use the hardware controls.
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3 Unlock Its Full Potential
If you want to save your Dreamcast game, you need a VMU. The VMU is inserted into the top of the Dreamcast controller. The VMU has a limit of 200 blocks, but this limitation was set by Sega and not the hardware.
Modders found a way to bypass the restriction and unlock the unused space. So far modders have unlocked an additional 44 blocks of extra space. It may not seem like much, but this extra room is vital for massive save games such as Shenmue or Sonic Adventure: Chao Adventure.
2 Another Way To Make It Portable
While most mods are for the Dreamcast console itself, there are plenty of ways to re-use the VMU and controller. The Dreamcast controller has a built-in mini-LCD screen.
Gamers have found a way to hack in simple games into the controller, such as Flappy Birdor Pokémon, with no tv screen or monitor necessary. Though it has to have a power source, you can now use your controller to play several games without relying on the main Dreamcast console.
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1 Make It A Mobile Device
The Sega Dreamcast was released in the early 2000s. Gamers now have a variety of gaming options available to them. While there are pc gaming and consoles to consider, many still reach for their phones to check social media. Matthew Sessions has combined a Dreamcast with a tablet screen.
With a lot of work, Matthew took the inner components of a Dreamcast and turned it into a portable device.
There's even a port to connect a controller and the machine runs off a battery. There’s no reason why he has to keep his Dreamcast at home.
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Leave A CommentDreamcast forever
The Sega Dreamcast was the last console ever made by Sega. After 15 years in the console game, the launch of the Dreamcast in 1998 (in Japan) was to be the last major act from the home of Sonic. Shame, because the Dreamcast was actually one of Sega's best ever consoles, and a pioneer of modern features - like online play - that are now an integral part of any gaming machine. Its line-up of games was great too, mixing in stunning updates of classic franchises such as Sonic Adventure and Soul Calibur with fresh games like Shenmue and Powerstone. With the announcement of Sega Forever - an initiative to bring Sega's classic games to mobile, for free - there's never been a better time to check out the console's line-up. So, join us and celebrate one of the finest gaming consoles ever made, and one that never quite got the appreciation it deserved..
Read more: The Best Sega MegaDrive / Genesis games ever
25. Sega Bass Fishing
The Dreamcast’s lifespan proved to be unfeasibly fruitful for fans of weird games about fish, which might sound like the sort of thing people just say to be funny, if not for the fact that this was a major international gaming console for which a complicated “fishing rod” peripheral was widely available, so yes, really. And you can’t (or shouldn’t) talk about the Dreamcast without talking about this lovingly realized simulation of high-tech Old Uncle sports. A succession of tournaments offer plenty of variety in the places you’ll go in your search for the ultimate catch. Video game fishing usually boils down to dropping a lure and reeling in patiently enough to not break the line, but Sega Bass Fishing required a surprising amount of skill and savvy to conquer. Fish on!
24. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was immediately revolutionary upon its 1999 release, simulating skateboarding in full 3D with a trick-based score system that rewarded dexterity and daring in equal measures. But it’s this sequel, released just a year later by Activision/Neversoft, that is commonly regarded as the series’ high point. Indeed, THPS2 can be found near the top end of many best-game-ever lists. What makes this one so special? The original’s varied, trick-centric gameplay sees an overhaul here with a greater breadth of moves, areas, and characters, as well as a comprehensive skater-creator mode. The levels are naturalistic and the tricks based on reality--much more so than the subsequent ever-more-crazy sequels--meaning this game actually inspired people to take up real skateboarding. True fact.
23. The Typing of the Dead
Of all the totally out-there ideas that amazingly became Dreamcast games, The Typing of the Dead is easily the most laughable - and as such, one of the most spectacular of them all. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to convert The House of the Dead 2 - an excellent light gun game, it must be said - into a game where you kill zombies by speedily typing in words or phrases, but the reality is pure genius. Mixing educational gameplay with tongue-in-cheek sights and sounds (like special agents with keyboards strapped in front of them), you'll pound out letters to stay alive in an undead-infested city and have a blast doing it. Who said edutainment is no fun?
22. Space Channel 5
Fire in babylon free download. The Dreamcast is home to some of Sega's most daring and beloved franchise attempts, and Space Channel 5 is an absolutely prime example. Starring a galactic TV reporter named Ulala, you'll dance through colorful space stations in an effort to defeat aliens and rescue hostages. It really is as bizarre as it sounds, but that's a large part of its appeal--the game even features a cameo from Michael Jackson, who holds a larger part in sequel Space Channel 5: Part 2. Like many of the games created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi (of Rez fame), it's a one-of-a-kind affair (well, OK, two) with stellar mechanics, colorful aesthetics, and a soul all its own. Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
21. Grandia 2
Grandia 2 was hailed as a champ upon its initial Dreamcast release in 2000, serving up one of the top single-player RPG experiences on the platform. Building off of the success of the Saturn and PSOne original, the sequel featured a turn-based system that let you move around a bit during battle, while the fantastic visuals and presentation made good use of the system's hardware. By the time inferior ports were released for PlayStation 2 and PC, it had been greatly overshadowed by Final Fantasy 10 and other cinematic genre heavyweights. But for Dreamcast diehards, it was one of the best games of its kind and a great experience on its own merits.
20. Power Stone 2
One of the saddest omissions from Capcom's post-Dreamcast repertoire is the Power Stone franchise, which took the fighting genre in a fresh direction with true 3D environments. Like the original, Power Stone 2 is an absolute gem of a multiplayer experience, but it ups the player count from two to four. Cue carnage. With a colorful, cartoonish aesthetic and highly distinct fighters (including a small boy named Pete.. for no obvious reason), each match proves a whirlwind of fists, feet, and found items. It also adds environmental hazards to the mix, like a frantic dash away from a giant rolling stone ball and a rising fire, not to mention massive bosses. Both titles were ported to PSP, but a true revival is long, long overdue.
Read more: The best Sega Game Gear games ever
19. Chu Chu Rocket
Much like the name on the front of the box, ChuChu Rocket! is absolutely beguiling at first glance. Hailing from Sonic Team, the comical puzzler features simplistic art design, but it's put to good use in an approach best described as 'controlled chaos'. The goal in each stage is to guide a mess of blue and white space mice to your rocket, but with holes and hazards (like dawdling orange cats), you'll need to drop navigational arrows on the board to guide your minions to safety. It's an absolutely bonkers four-player experience, with scads of arrows and mice scattered about the screen, and it was also the first online Dreamcast game, giving it an extra-special place in history.
18. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
While essentially an enhanced port of a six-month-old PlayStation game, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver made a strong impact on Dreamcast gamers, thanks to hugely improved visuals found on top of the same fantastic original release. Swapping between spectral and material versions of the game world, you'll guide Raziel - a badass wraith - through a hack-and-slash quest to take down the titular Kain. Soul Reaver is considered one of the best original adventures of its time, despite its abrupt ending, and the Dreamcast release stands tall thanks to the added horsepower helping the gothic world of Nosgoth come to life in an impressive manner.
17. NFL 2K
Visual Concepts' NFL 2K series helped push video game football toward a more modern, broadcast-style approach while also holding its own against Madden - and NFL 2K2 was its Dreamcast swan song before expanding to other platforms. Annual sports iterations tend not to age well, true, but when it launched, 2K2 felt like a tremendous recreation of the sport. Excellent player models and animations help anchor the action in reality, while the improved running game is noticeable, and the franchise and online play options offered plenty of lingering depth. It's testament to the game's quality that it still looks and feels so solid. At the time, it was nothing short of revolutionary.
16. NBA 2K
With Electronic Arts’ NBA Live series enjoying unchallenged supremacy in the field of virtual hoops for some time, Sega’s challenger - developed by 2K mainstay Visual Concepts - had a lot to prove. How’d it go? Well, put it this way, there’s been a new NBA title from the studio every year since. Full 1999-2000 rosters are present in this unparalleled effort at realistic, fast-action full-court play, which offers a range of play modes as well as an inventive player editor to put the “Face in the Game” feature debuted by EA in the same year to shame. Player AI is sharp enough to reward single-player marathons, and while later entries in the series would add crucial features such as online play, the original NBA 2K still looks and feels just like basketball. And the commentary is astonishing. No other Dreamcast game is as technically impressive as this. No wonder the series is so good now.
15. Dead or Alive 2Sega Dreamcast Fighting Games
Crafted by Team Ninja, Dead or Alive's first sequel used separate graphics engines for its fighting and cut-scenes, allowing for unprecedented graphical fidelity. The Dreamcast's technical chops allow for a wildly ambitious sequel, which adds tag-team fighting and multi-tiered stages, complete with cinematic transition animations as fighters smash through stained glass windows and fall into courtyards below, where they stand up and continue the fight. Amazing.
Read more: The best Sega Saturn games of all time
14. Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Code: Veronica was a daring move for the Resident Evil franchise, finally debuting a core series entry on a platform other than the PlayStation, but it panned out spectacularly as the advanced hardware emboldened the survival horror affair. Splitting the quest between Claire and Chris Redfield, the adventure maintained many of the core elements of the beloved franchise while ditching the pre-rendered backdrops of past games for a more cohesive, real-time 3D aesthetic. The game did eventually make it to a PlayStation platform as Code: Veronica X for PS2, but Dreamcast series fans got a huge head start on this excellent entry back in 2000. It's aged very well too, so if you miss 'old Resi' and haven't played this, you're in for a treat - it's one of the best Resident Evil games of all time.
13. Ikaruga
As with its spiritual predecessor Radiant Silvergun on Saturn, Ikaruga became the default much-loved, totally-impossible-to-obtain shoot-'em-up for Dreamcast - and it was only released on the console in Japan (a GameCube version came out worldwide). What makes Ikaruga such a defining genre entry is its unique focus on bullet polarity, in which you need to swap weapons to take out certain enemies, while risking your own tail in the process. It's a beautiful shooter, and thankfully, due to an HD remake on Xbox Live Arcade, more and more people can experience it at a reasonable price. But it's still worth seeking out on Dreamcast to see what the console can do in Treasure's incredibly capable hands.
12. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
Throw a stone and you’ll hit a home conversion of Street Fighter II, but the epochal fighter’s sequel mainly stuck to the arcades - except for two Dreamcast conversions, of which this is by far the better pick. As well as the full roster of SF3’s 10 characters (eight of them new to the series) and the new entrants added for the 2nd Impact instalment, 3rd Strike adds five new characters including fan-favorite Chun-Li, bringing the initial playable total to 19 (villain Gill is also unlockable). The title also features new gameplay modes and remixed versions of each character’s theme on top of the original tracks, making it a holy grail for Street Fighter completists. It's true that it isn't as well known as its predecessor or its successor (some people actually asked 'there was a SFIII?' when SFIV was announced), but in terms of hardcore, technical fighting, this is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the series and demands your full attention.
Read more: The best Sega Master System games of all time
11. Phantasy Star Online
What began as a traditional JRPG on the Master System and Genesis was radically transformed into Phantasy Star Online, which itself proved a pioneer in bringing online adventuring to consoles. While playable solo, Phantasy Star Online really comes alive when you pair up with three online pals, empowering teams to conquer common foes and massive bosses in search of loot and improved levels and gear. Though limited compared to traditional PC MMOs, PSO opened up online gaming on consoles to a much wider audience thanks to its automatic language translation of set phrases to anyone in your party regardless of language spoken, and its accessible hack-and-slash combat and still-gorgeous visuals make it hugely appealing.
10. Rez
While Space Channel 5 explores a sillier side of Tetsuya Mizuguchi's rhythm-gaming genius, Rez delves into much trippier territory, with a music game that blends Panzer Dragoon-esque shooting with thumping electronic beats and wireframe visuals. By creating sounds via actions that build the music tracks in the game, Rez attempts to simulate the sensation of synesthesia. Sadly, the Dreamcast version of Rez never reached the States (though it did hit Europe), but we've been lucky enough to experience it on PlayStation 2 and Xbox Live Arcade since, with Rez: Infinite on PS4 and PSVR providing the zenith of this truly amazing experience.
9. Daytona USA 2001
It’s testament to Sega AM2’s standard-setting work on Daytona USA that the game stubbornly refused to leave arcades in the years following its release - and despite the unveiling of innumerable competitors and Sega’s own sequel, somehow the 1993 original never managed to look dated. This Dreamcast version slaps a fresh sheen on the timeless favorite, offering a host of customization options and some new courses that make the most of the Dreamcast's technical grunt with some impressively large draw-distances. There are also loads of new vehicles to unlock, including one called the Pywacket Barchetta. The less said about that one, the better. Still, occasional madness aside, this is the best Daytona USA game that isn't the HD remake of the arcade original.
8. Quake 3 Arena
In 2000, first-person gaming had progressed from the claustrophobic hellscapes of Doom and Quake into multiplayer tournament play to test the limits of LAN play and the burgeoning Internet. Quake 3 Arena spearheaded the drive toward FPS gaming as a hyper-violent cybersport, and the Dreamcast version quickly gained a reputation as one of the most solid computer ports ever to hit consoles. Boasting fast, smooth play - crucially even during pitched match-ups - and an easily accessible online mode, the Dreamcast version of Quake 3 is the one that many superfans remember most fondly. Such is the game’s continuing popularity that fan-servers continue to cater to ongoing public demand.
7. Skies of Arcadia
Skies of Arcadia is a single-player RPG in which skyfaring pirates do battle in floating ships, and your 17-year-old hero, Vyse - armed with dual cutlasses - is a uniquely positive protagonist in a genre full of mopey leads. The battles prove impressive both on the ground and in the air against other ships and monstrous beasts, making for a long and satisfying quest that pops on every level. A lightly revised port came to GameCube a bit later on, while the leads made cameos in Valkyria Chronicles for PS3, but otherwise this series sits sadly dormant, aside from getting its own themed track in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.
6. Shenmue
Originally in development for the Sega Saturn, Shenmue was thankfully held over for the Dreamcast, giving the platform one hugely epic exclusive. Set in Yokosuka, Japan in the 1980s, Shenmue tells the story of Ryo Hazuki, a young man who sees his father killed by a mysterious warrior. That event kicks off a lengthy and deliberate tale of revenge across the open-world setting, with the adventure filled with hand-to-hand fights, quick-time events, and plenty of time spent gathering clues as you explore the environments. The immersive world design makes it a difficult game to put down, but while a sequel was released on Dreamcast and Xbox (only the latter reached the States), a true ending to the series remains, for now, unresolved. Thankfully, Sony is now part-funding a third instalment in the series, due out, um, maybe some time this decade.
Read more: Shenmue 3 - everything we know
5. Virtua Tennis
We have Virtua Tennis to thank for finally making the ball-lobbing sport viable as a fun and accessible video game. What this pioneering entry did that previous tennis titles couldn't was make it not only easy to hop in and take a swing, but also make it an absolute blast, whether playing solo or with/against a friend. Intuitive controls offer simply ground shots or lobbed shots, providing advanced control for those who seek it through court positioning and charged angles instead of offering separate buttons that would needlessly complicate the formula. The mini-games are just as enjoyable as the main game itself, offering silly challenges with bowling pins and targets to hit as you level up your character in order to progress through a World Tour. It's that pure arcade essence that makes the original Virtua Tennis such a wonderful game and although its first sequel is also on Dreamcast and just as appealing, nothing can match the purity of this first iteration.
4. Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
Despite its short shelf life, the Dreamcast, like the Saturn before it, became known as the best home for certain arcade fighting games, including the original Marvel vs. Capcom (which was butchered on PlayStation) and its sequel, which was less-expertly ported to other systems further down the line. On Dreamcast, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 maintains every inch of chaos from the arcade release, with 56 fighters available for you to create three-person squads for hectic tag-team showdowns. The fantastic 2D animations and rock-solid frame-rate look superb on Sega's console, and have aged wonderfully. Power it up now and it still feels new, fresh and just as spectacular as ever. HULK SMASH!
Read more: Marvel vs Capcom Infinite is anarchic, spectacular and.. surprisingly accessible
3. Jet Grind Radio/Jet Set Radio
Another wildly innovative Dreamcast original, Jet Grind Radio (that's Jet Set Radio outside of the States) stars a young gang of rollerblading graffiti artists who fight to express themselves in the police state of Tokyo-to. Blading around the three areas of the city, you'll spray paint tags all over buses and walls while evading the cops, all as a fantastically diverse soundtrack blares in the backdrop. Jet Grind Radio is perhaps best known for popularizing cel-shaded visuals, but the game earned (and still deserves) love for more than just looking good. It's probably the coolest game ever made. Pleasantly, there is now an excellent HD conversion on most consoles, which adds in second-stick camera control, but the Dreamcast original is a riot on its home platform and needs to be sampled as it was originally intended to be played.
2. Crazy Taxi
This very nearly topped our list, so consider this a very close runner-up to the winner. Crazy Taxi gives you a simple goal: use the limited time available to transport as many passengers as possible across the city, picking up time bonuses for speedy trips. And so begins a chaotic spin through crowded streets and impromptu shortcuts, wherein you'll rock out to The Offspring and Bad Religion while chauffeuring screaming passengers to Pizza Hut. Thanks to its deceptively deep control scheme and high-score replayability, it's still a vibrant and exciting play experience today, many years after its iconic Tower Records storefronts faded to the wind.
1. Soulcalibur
It's hard to imagine a fighting game today making the kind of impact of Soulcalibur, but Namco's Dreamcast launch title was boldly revolutionary, completely raising the bar for how a 3D console fighter could look and play. On the surface, the game remains remarkably polished, with hugely enhanced visuals over the arcade release that remain among the best in Dreamcast's library. But as the visual impact begins to fade with time (though not much, it has to be said) the weapons-based combat remains exemplary, striking a remarkable balance between accessibility and depth. The lengthy mission mode remains a perfect example of how to augment a quick-play arcade game for weeks of home console play sessions. But even without that, the standard one-on-one versus game would still top our list. The 8-way run, ultra-precise parrying system and sheer wealth of useful and beautiful fight moves make Soulcalibur one of the best fighting games of all time. And it's the absolute best Dreamcast game, period. The legend will never die.
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