The Sega Dreamcast was the console that kicked off the sixth generation of video game platforms. Though it was the last of Sega’s home consoles, it had a brilliant library of games, and the console had many features that were largely ahead of its time.
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The Dreamcast’s lifespan was from 1998 to 2001, when Sega’s Vice President, Hideki Sato, announced that production of the console would cease, and Sega would be moving into third-party publishing. However, during the Dreamcast’s life, many groundbreaking games were released. Some of the best Dreamcast games ever made are still acclaimed, played, and enjoyed today.
The dates for each game are the initial Japanese release dates.
Updated on August 6, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: There was a time when Sega and Nintendo were two of the biggest players in the console market, trying to make their presence known worldwide with their hardware and software offerings. The two industry giants were neck-and-neck, with Nintendo having the smallest advantage over its competition time and time again. Sega knew that it needed to pull out the big guns to surpass its rival and invested a lot of money into the Dreamcast, one of its finest consoles. While it faltered against the competition, there’s no denying that some of the best Dreamcast games players can get their hands on boast the highest levels of quality.
12
Sonic Adventure (1998)
A Title With The Very Essence Of Adventure
Sonic Adventure
- Released
-
September 9, 1999
Before Sonic Adventure, the only fully 3D experience Sonic had had was in Sonic Jam for the Sega Saturn, and it was only in the options menu. Therefore, Sonic Adventure had high expectations and delivered on them in every way. Players were treated to six playable characters, exciting hub worlds to explore, and puzzles to solve. The Dreamcast’s 56K modem allowed players to enjoy various DLCs, where prizes, both in-game and real-life, could be won. The game’s hard-rock soundtrack further carried Sonic’s appeal among older players into the 3D realm.
This game gave players the most expansive and immersive Sonic experience yet seen, following the story of Chaos, an ancient being sealed inside the Master Emerald. After Eggman manipulates Chaos to do his bidding, Sonic and his friends must put a stop to his plans. Yet there’s another dimension to this story, involving the events of thousands of years prior when a young echidna named Tikal stopped Chaos’ rampage. It’s no wonder that Sonic Adventure was the console’s bestselling game and among the console’s North American launch titles.
11
Sega Bass Fishing (1999)
An Excellent Arcade Fishing Video Game
Sometimes, games don’t need to feature complicated gameplay loops with state-of-the-art visuals to keep players interested. Arcade games may not enjoy the same level of repute as they used to have back in the golden age of gaming, but there’s something to be said about a simple game that focuses on a solitary concept and executes it with great finesse. This is precisely why Sega Bass Fishing is one of the best Dreamcast games around even if the idea of virtual fishing may not be all that appealing.
The Dreamcast port has been developed with great finesse and lets players enjoy a home console variant of this amazing title. Sitting with a group of friends and trying to catch the biggest fish in the time limit is oddly compelling and makes a great case for this title being one of the best Dreamcast party games players could get their hands on at the time.
10
Soulcalibur (1999)
One of the Dreamcast’s Most Critically Acclaimed Titles
Soulcalibur
- Developer(s)
-
Namco
- Released
-
July 30, 1998
Soulcalibur for the Dreamcast was a port of Namco’s original arcade title and was truly one of the console’s greatest games. With new characters added to the roster, the port also boasted far superior graphics than the original arcade version, as well as new gameplay modes, costumes, and even an artwork gallery. The Dreamcast version offered a far more in-depth experience to fans of the franchise.
This fighting game also offered a more strategic experience with the introduction of the Eight-Way Movement mechanic. Players could fully utilize the joystick to move characters, compared to previous fighting games which had much more limited movement. Soulcalibur was, and still is, met with very high critical acclaim, and won numerous awards. It also featured in the lineup for the Dreamcast’s North American release titles.
9
Shenmue (1999)
A Genre-Defining Video Game
Shenmue
- Released
-
November 7, 2000
Shenmue was originally planned as a Virtua Fighter RPG for Sega’s Saturn system. However, director and auteur Yu Suzuki had such a complex and revolutionary idea for the game that it was instead scheduled for the more technologically advanced Dreamcast console. Virtua Fighter’s Akira was replaced as the protagonist by a new character, Ryo. After his father’s murder, the story follows Ryo on his quest for the truth.
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What is so innovative about Shenmue is the meticulous amount of detail Suzuki was so keen to include, that it created an extremely lifelike gaming experience. Ryo can interact with many NPCs, who each have developed backstories of their own, creating a deep sense of community. It was almost like players were living another life as Ryo in 1986 Japan. Suzuki’s unique style attempts to make the game experience feel as lifelike as possible. There’s a vast amount of detail in this game, all crafted to provide players with a deeply immersive experience.
8
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver (2000)
A Beautiful Dark Fantasy Action-Adventure Title
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver
Action-Adventure
Platformer
Fighting
Puzzle
Adventure
Despite the many years that have passed since this title’s release, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver‘s amazing art style continues to wow players to this day. The Dreamcast was the first sixth-generation console to come out, and it’s easy to see why players were wowed by the upgrade in hardware when they got their hands on titles like this one.
Raziel’s quest to get revenge on Kain after being turned into a wraith is highly compelling, with the hack-and-slash combat being quite satisfying to execute. The gameplay is kept interesting with puzzles and unique vampiric enemies that need to be impaled, burned, or tossed into a hazard to give them the permanent death they deserve. Given how ambitious this title was for its time, it’s easy to see why many people consider the first Soul Reaver title to be one of the best Dreamcast games players could get their hands on.
7
Jet Set Radio (2000)
A Unique And Colorful Title
Jet Set Radio
- Developer(s)
-
Smilebit
, BlitWorks - Released
-
October 31, 2000
The Jet Set Radio franchise is one of Sega’s most beloved titles, with the first game receiving much critical acclaim upon release. Set in the vibrant alternate city of Tokyo-to, gameplay follows a group of skaters who must challenge and outwit rival gangs for dominance in the city. Lead by protagonist Beat, the gangs use graffiti to claim an area as their own while avoiding the authorities at all costs.
As well as the comic-book art style, this game sports a unique gameplay and musical style. It has a very funky and iconic soundtrack, composed chiefly by Hideki Naganuma, who also worked on Sonic Rush. Skating through the city streets is an exhilarating player experience, making this game still fun to play today.
6
Skies Of Arcadia (2000)
A Vastly Underrated RPG With Astounding Graphics
Those who have played Skies of Arcadia will know what a well-written, immersive game this is, even if it remains underrated to this day. One of the Dreamcast’s best RPGs, this game is set in a world of sky pirates, and follows the story of Vyse and his crew, the ‘Blue Rogues.’ Alongside his close friends Aika and Fina, the crew must fight the Valuan Empire, who seek to destroy the world.
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The game invites players on an immersive journey, brimming with imagination and originality. The expansive world, soundtrack, and addictive battle system made this a must-play for any Dreamcast owner. It has so many aspects that render it fun to play, even to this day.
5
Metropolis Street Racer (2000)
A Racing Game With Much To Offer
Metropolis Street Racer
- Developer(s)
-
Bizarre Creations
- Released
-
November 3, 2000
This game was not released in Japan. Therefore, this is the date of its very first release elsewhere.
This unique racing title may not have had the best graphics, but it made up for this in many other ways. Metropolis Street Racer was one of the first racing games set in an open world. It offered a vast amount of choice for players, with more than 50 vehicles to choose from, and 262 tracks to race on. It showcased tons of attention to detail, with car designs accurate to their real-life counterparts, and the maps really felt like Tokyo, London, and San Fransisco.
Even the soundtrack complements each location, with different musical styles tailored to the music typically preferred in a certain city. Richard Jacques and TJ Davis, the duo behind the iconic soundtrack for the Sega Saturn’s Sonic R, wrote and performed Metropolis Street Racer’s music. As such, the same flavor and even similar music made its way over to this game. This title has many original elements, and though the controls are good, they can be difficult to learn. Even though it sported a multiplayer mode, it wasn’t commercially successful and, therefore, remains vastly underrated and a largely forgotten gaming gem.
4
Phantasy Star Online (2001)
A Revolutionary Online JRPG
Phantasy Star Online
- Released
-
December 21, 2000
- Publisher
-
Sega
Phantasy Star Online came out during a time when MMOs weren’t in fashion on home consoles. This meant that the developers were taking a huge risk with this JRPG that focused on social gameplay instead of a riveting single-player mode. Thankfully, not only was Phantasy Star Online a huge success, but it also introduced many players to the wonders of online gaming on such a massive scale.
The gameplay loop of Phantasy Star Online coupled with its amazing worldbuilding and stellar graphics is a huge reason why many people consider this title to be one of the best Dreamcast games of all time. The team-based gameplay rewarded players for taking useful classes that could either stay on the offensive or provide support to the party, letting players enjoy a form of JRPG combat that they’d never experienced before.
3
Sonic Adventure 2 (2001)
Brilliant Characters Get Entangled In A Thrilling Plot
Sonic Adventure 2
- Developer(s)
-
Sonic Team USA
- Released
-
June 19, 2001
This fan-favorite Sonic game was and is still beloved for many reasons. It saw the debut of Shadow the Hedgehog, one of the series’ favorite characters. While retaining the hard-rock musical flavor, Chao Gardens, and six playable characters, the storyline is much darker this time around, and there are no hub worlds. Players must complete both the ‘Hero’ and ‘Dark’ stories before unlocking the ‘Final’ story. A large part of the game is set in space, and the mystery of the space station, Eclipse Cannon, and “Project Shadow” are gradually revealed.
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Sonic Adventure 2 starts with Dr. Eggman investigating ‘Project Shadow,’ which turns out to be the fan favorite Shadow, who has great power. Together with double agent Rouge, the trio seeks to awaken the Eclipse Cannon and control the world. Sonic is even wrongly imprisoned, taking the blame for Shadow’s crimes. As the rich and complex story unfolds, the truth behind Shadow, and the tragedies of his past, are brought to light. Praised for its well-developed story and characters, this game was one of the best Dreamcast games.
2
Shenmue 2 (2001)
Immerses Players In Ryo’s Ever Unfolding Adventure
Shenmue 2
- Released
-
November 23, 2001
The sequel to Yu Suzuki’s genre-defining video game is typically preferred over the original, due to the greater feeling of adventure it offers. The open world is larger, and the addition of the wait function and many new characters create a strong feeling of adventure. This time around, Ryo is in Hong Kong, continuing his quest for answers about his father’s tragic murder.
This game was a must-play for fans of the original game, as many questions received answers in this ever-deepening quest. Shenmue 2 is also better-paced than its predecessor, with a more complex story, and, as such, has aged better than the original. Once again, the vast attention to detail immerses players in an incredibly lifelike setting and story.
1
Rez (2001)
Offers A Unique Abstract Gaming Experience
Rez
- Developer
-
United Game Artists
- Released
-
November 22, 2001
A critical success, Rez is a game featuring so much originality that it truly offers a unique gaming experience. Incorporating rail shooter elements from other Sega franchises like Panzer Dragoon, Rez was designed by the same creator as Space Channel 5, Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Players take on the role of a hacker who, due to an AI system gone wrong, must find a way to destroy the invading computer viruses.
However, there’s more to this rail shooter than the sci-fi plot alone. The music makes this game, being completely in sync with the graphics and controls. It serves to immerse players in their cyber-quest. Being so revolutionary, it’s impossible to identify a way to clearly describe this game. Playing it is a highly subjective gaming experience, and it offers a more personal experience than many other video games.
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