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Sega Dreamcast (Dreamcast)

Reviewed by: DCGX GameTZ Subscriber 450 Trade Quintuple Gold Good Trader Gold Global Trader (11) Has Written 56 Reviews
Reviewed on: 14-Jul-2004

Description

God, I love this system. As many of you know, I trade for Dreamcast games often on this site. I love picking up the controller and playing these great games. But this is a review, not my diary (not that I have one....or do I?). Anyway, most of you already know the history of this system. It came out on 9/9/99 and sold like wild fire. But SEGA ended its support for the system at the beginning of 2002, which just destroyed Dreamcast owners. However, during its short life, it had a great run. The graphics were stellar, still able to compete with the PS2, even today. The sound was crisp, and the system was white. Never had there been, nor is there one now, a system of white. A shiny pearl if you will.

The system brought many innovations over the years it was around. One being the VMU, visual memory unit. You stuck it into the controller in one of two slots, and it saved your games. It also acted as a tiny handheld game system, because you could download mini-versions of DC games to play on the go. It had Windows integrated technology that boosted its frames per second, and was even able to link to the NGPC. Although all of about two games actually utilized this, it is still cool for SNK fans.

But probably the biggest contribution was it's online play. With games like NFL 2K1 and Quake III: Arena leading the way, it was a console gamer's heaven. Following, were games like Unreal Tournament and Phantasy Star Online. It was the first time a console got online gaming right.

Other innovations were also planned, but never released, such as the DreamEye, which was a digital camera for the system, and the DVD add-on, whose release was made moot by the PS2. But some innovations, besides the ones mentioned, did make it out. One example was the mic that was packaged with Seamen. It allowed you to talk with the in-game seamen characters, and eventually with other people online through games like Alien Front Online.

One of the most anticipated peripherals released wasn't even from SEGA, but "bleem!". "bleem!" allowed the Dreamcast to play PlayStation games. Sadly, Sony put a stop to that. But not before "bleem!" released discs for Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo 2, and Tekken 3. Yippy!

But enough about the system and its accessories, time for the games. I've listed the games by category and described some of the best from each genre. There are so many, I'll probably leave some out by accident.


Action/Adventure
Dino Crisis
Gauntlet Legends
Grand Theft Auto 2
Jet Grind Radio
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
MDK2
Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear
Resident Evil 2/3/Code: Veronica
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Shenmue
Sonic Adventure 1 & 2
Spider-Man
Star Wars: Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles
Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram

Fighting
Capcom vs. SNK
Dead or Alive 2
Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves
JoJo's Bizzare Adventure
King of Fighters Dream Match '99/Evolution
Last Blade 2
Marval vs. Capcom 2
Power Stone 1 & 2
Project Justice
Soul Calibur
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike/Double Impact/Alpha 3
Tech Romancer
Ultumate Fighting Championship
Virtua Fighter 3tb

Miscellaneous
Atari Anniversary Edition
Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits Vol. 1 & 2
Namco Museum
Ooga Booga
Samba de Amigo
Space Channel 5

Puzzle
Bomberman Online
Bust-A-Move 4
Chu Chu Rocket
Mr. Driller
Ms. Pac Man Maze Madness
Worms Armageddon/World Party

Racing
Crazy Taxi 1 & 2
Daytona USA
F355 Challenge Passione Rossa
Loony Toons Space Race
Metropolis Street Racer
Sega GT
Sega Rally 2
Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer
Test Drive Le Mans
Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2

_RPG/Strategy
Grandia II
Phantasy Star Online ver. 2
Railroad Tycoon II
Record of Lodoss War
Skies of Arcadia

Shooters
Bangai-O
House of Dead 2
Mars Matrix
Outtrigger
Quake III: Arena
Silent Scope
Unreal Tounament

Sports
Dave Mirra's Freestyle BMX
NBA 2K2
NFL 2K2
NHL 2K2
Tennis 2K2
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 & 2
WSB 2K2