Sega’s final entry into the home video game console market, and the first entry into the sixth generation of home consoles, the Dreamcast, is an interesting beast. Being in direct competition with the PSX on release while holding a power capability closer to that of the Playstation 2, the Sega Dreamcast is a sort of odd middle ground between the two generations, and as such, it was largely overshadowed by the behemoth that was the iconic PS2.
Fans of the console know that there was truly a lot to love with this sadly overlooked piece of hardware, with many innovative features, which still are incomparable in the market, such as a graphical interface being built directly into the controller by use of the unique VMU system. The console also played host to some of the best video games of its era, featuring some incredible titles that stand the test of time, being excellent to play even decades later. This run-down features the greatest of all, from legendary console exclusives to certain ports that stand out as having a particularly fantastic experience.
10 Maken X
First-person hack-and-slash games are still a bit of a rarity in today’s market, but in the early 2000s, they were practically nonexistent. For the time, Maken X was incredibly inventive, and it’s this uniqueness that allows it to stand out among so many other excellent titles.
The game is set “5 minutes” into the future, which is apparently very far forward as the game portrays an incredibly advanced society. Interestingly enough, the playable character of this title isn’t a character at all but an AI-enhanced sword that has the ability to control whatever body is handling it. This leads to some very interesting gameplay aspects, where you switch characters every mission and are afforded completely new move sets. This is one title that was somewhat overlooked in its time but deserves a reappraisal as being one of the greatest games for the console.
9 Power Stone 2
As is the case for many iconic Dreamcast titles, Power Stone 2 originated from the arcade scene of the time, which was where many popular titles found their market footing before being ported over to home consoles after success was assured. Success was an assurance with the Power Stone series, which was one of the most popular arcade fighters of its time, and for a good reason — the games are sheer fun.
Acquire wacky power-ups to demolish your friends, and stare in astonishment as the stages morph mid-gameplay into something entirely different, all making for one of the most reactive, dynamic, and intriguing fighting experiences ever made. This is one title that should be on any gamer’s party playlist and could stand toe to toe with modern party fighters like Super Smash Bros.
8 Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Code Veronica is a very interesting entry into the Resident Evil series at large, as it is the first foray into fully 3D environments, and the game benefits greatly from this addition. The camera angles aren’t so stilted as in earlier entries, and monstrosities can more effectively lurk behind corners, leading to some genuinely effective scares, which hold up where earlier titles honestly don’t. As such, Code Veronica easily earns a spot as one of the best games in the series.
The story of Code Veronica takes place 3 months after the events of Resident Evil 2 and stars Claire Redfield, leading many fans to jokingly dub this title the “real Resident Evil 3”. Whether you’re a fan of the series at large or just looking for an excellent horror game, Code Veronica is sure to delight and holds up as one of the best games in the series.
7 Jet Grind Radio
Jet Grind Radio is as fresh as it was 20 years ago, thanks to its cel-shaded visual styling and incredible, head-bobbing soundtrack. Crack wise at the police and spray paint the town as you grind the rails of the futuristic city of Tokyo-To, rebelling against the authoritarian establishment.
Though the game’s sequel would improve upon many singular gameplay elements, this title as a whole stands apart as being truly special and will hold its place through generations as one of the most creative games ever made. There is a true thrill to riding through Tokyo-To, and Sega must have thought so, too, seeing as how they released the title as part of their Heritage Collection on Steam.
6 Sonic Adventure
Sonic The Hedgehog has had a less than stellar career following his transition into the third dimension, with some 3D Sonic titles being widely derided in their time. Given all of his recent hiccups in the industry, it can be quite easy to forget that the blue blur already had a successful 3D outing – they got it right the first time!
Featuring some of the most creative level designs in Sonic’s entire history, Sonic Adventure is one title that shouldn’t be forgotten and easily holds up as one of the greatest video games in his storied franchise. It also launched alongside the US release of the Dreamcast, and it is often remembered as one of the greatest launch titles of all time.
5 Soulcalibur
Soulcalibur was released in 1995 for arcades as one of the greatest fighting games of its generation, and somehow its home console port to the Sega Dreamcast outperformed that version in nearly every aspect. The game looks quite nice even today, with crisp texture work and wonderfully detailed 3D models that smoothly glide across the arena.
The Dreamcast port saw numerous enhancements over the original, which mark it as the best version to play, such as how the game runs at a silky smooth 60 frames per second – a commodity that we don’t even see in some modern titles. There is a good reason that Soulcalibur is often stated to be one of the best fighting games ever made, and it is one title that fans of the genre surely won’t want to miss.
Fighting games are arguably the most iconic genre of late 1990. Numerous legendary titles released in that time period hold up as some of the greatest fighting games of all time. Capcom was well known during this era for releasing the best of the best, creating not only exemplary original IPs but wonderful mash-ups between those IPs and other quintessential characters.
The most well-known of these mash-ups would have to be Marvel Vs. Capcom, which is a series that debuted as an iconoclast in the fighting genre and only continued to rise in quality from there. The best game in this long-running series is Marvel Vs. Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes. Undoubtedly the best way to play this excellent fighter was on the Sega Dreamcast, as it added numerous characters over the arcade edition and didn’t cost money to play each round!
3 Skies Of Arcadia
Skies of Arcadia is easily one of the best games in the JRPG genre, even after so many years have passed since its release. It is a true tragedy that this all-time gem is locked away on this console, as it never saw a release or port anywhere else. This is one JRPG that definitely deserves a remake, so new fans of the genre can enjoy what is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and charming titles to ever release.
There are numerous unique elements that hold this legendary JRPG up as being not only one of the best video games to release for the Sega Dreamcast but one of the greatest RPGs to ever be made. From its lovable swashbuckling protagonists to the wondrously memorable adventure you follow along with them on, there is a ton to enjoy here, and this is one franchise that is dearly missed.
2 Shenmue
Shenmue is a game that prides itself on presenting you all the little details of its world – open cabinets just to see what’s inside, or walk down the street and marvel at all the people living their daily routines. The developers even went so far as to recreate the actual weather patterns of Dobuita in the 1980s, where the game takes place. If it was raining on November 29th, 1986, in Dobuita, it is raining on that date in Shenmue.
The result of this mind-boggling attention to detail is a living, breathing microcosm of Japanese culture that stands the test of time for its realism and comforting nature. Dobuita becomes a second home to you as you explore its intricacies, and the core narrative is still incredibly interesting, seeing you hunt down Ryo’s father’s killers. Though the latest entry in the series, Shenmue 3, may have been a bit of a disappointment on release, the original classic holds up as true excellence and handily earns its spot as one of the greatest games for the console.
1 Phantasy Star Online
Sonic Team’s online magnum opus completely revitalized the series it takes place in and popularized the MMO genre in a way that more complex PC titles weren’t capable of at the time. By releasing for a home console, with simplified but still ultimately satisfying RPG mechanics, and a wonderfully unique communication system that allowed users from across the globe to chat easily, Phantasy Star Online easily proved that gaming over the internet on a home console not only had potential but was the future of the format.
Ragol is a planet of a wondrous journey and deep mystery, allowing for actual hundreds of hours worth of fun with your friends. Fans of this classic title are so dedicated, in fact, that private servers exist which allow you to play this massive MMO even today, and these servers regularly play host to hundreds of players. This is one title that has spanned generations, and it all started humbly on that whirring white box we all remember so fondly. There really was never a better way to rack up hundreds of dollars on your mom’s dial-up bill.
