The final ever SEGA console produced for home gaming was unveiled on 27th November 1998, in where else but Japan? I am, of course, referring to the Dreamcast, a hugely anticipated follow-up to the SEGA Mega-Drive, and SEGA Saturn, which dominated gameplay throughout the 90s, spawning a wealth of fan favourites such as Sonic The Hedgehog. Reaching European, American, and Australian shores by Autumn of the following year, the sixth-generation console was immediately pitted into a war with rivals such as Sony‘s PlayStation 2, Nintendo‘s Gamecube, and the Microsoft Xbox.
Despite now being given a somewhat sepia-tint of nostalgia thanks to several ‘ahead of their time’ features such as online gameplay and downloadable content, the Dreamcast was blown out of the water by the PS2, which shifted a whopping 155 million units sold worldwide thanks to backward-compatibility, and the added feature of being able to read CDs and DVDs, trebling up as an all-round home entertainment system, a revolutionary feature for the 21st century. Despite this, the Dreamcast, thrust into the spotlight even further by a global sponsorship deal with Arsenal football club between 1999-2002, still housed many classics. But which was the greatest?
These are, CULTR’s Top 10 Dreamcast Games of All Time…
10. READY 2 RUMBLE
Long before the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua were bringing pay-per-view royalties to Saturday night screens all around the world, Boxing was elevated into a cultural crossover by legendary characters such as Afro Thunder, the title’s cover star, whose skinny arrogance was loosely based on 90s icon, Prince Naseem Hamed. This fun beat-em-‘up was a staple part of those multiplayer Friday night sessions with mates during a decade of simplicity, and trips to Blockbuster. If a complex storyline is your kind of thing, Ready 2 Rumble certainly isn’t the one for you. But for button-bashing energy and raucous entertainment, few rival titles at the time could compete with it.
9. SPIDER-MAN
These days, the notion of spinning Spidey around Manhattan rooftops is common practice thanks to the hugely successful 2018 update, in glorious 4K. But 25 years ago, when most gaming opportunities were 2D SNES-style graphics of a protagonist moving from left to right, the idea that Peter Parker’s world could be opened up in full 360 degree detail was mind blowing. Full of fun missions, and easy to grasp controls, this one provided hours of fun for Marvel nerds and Big Apple enthusiasts, alike.
8. QUAKE 3 ARENA
When SEGA chose to market the Dreamcast, a key component of their strategy was lost on their USP of online play. In an era where few had broadband and dial-up tones were lengthy and frustrating, it was tough to see how this phenomenon could ever truly prosper. Step forward Quake 3, which stripped back the single-player component, thanks to the ‘Arena’ spin-off title, where players would unite in a series of games against bots, concentrating on the frantic multiplayer matches which later paved the path for Call Of Duty, and other modern classics.
7. METROPOLIS STREET RACER
Bringing a taste of ‘GTA‘ to SEGA, game developers ‘Bizarre Creations’ wanted to create the most authentic street racing experience ever, by digitally recreating parts of San Francisco, Tokyo, and above all, London, from thousands of photographs. It achieved that, allowing drifters to channel their inner-Ronnie Kray by spinning around the UK capital, whilst smashing a pint of ale on the local bar and screaming “GET OUTTA MY PUB!” (probably).
6. MARVEL VS CAPCOM 2: NEW AGE OF HEROES
In a world where Ryu can throw his famous ‘Haduken!’ into the shield of Captain America, or Wolverine can slash his claws down the face of the Incredible Hulk… What’s not to love? Whilst other platforms were focusing on the blood-dripping realism of ‘Tekken’, SEGA ploughed their energy into an enormous 56-character roster, which included the Avengers, and the full Street Fighter gang.
5. VIRTUA STRIKER
Long before those iconic Adriano thunderbolts thanks to the infamous 99-rated shot power, Football games were usually birds-eye blobs of 22 men all chasing after the ball like children in a playground. Not only did Virtua Striker absolutely light up arcades worldwide, with this particular title a firm hit in just about every 90s Bowplex imaginable, but it translated across to home-play perfectly, offering a real joystick feel without the need to keep plopping another hard-earned pound coin into the machine.
4. SOULCALIBUR
Namco’s fighting game blew people away back in 1999, and considering it was arguably the most visually impressive game ever at that point in time, it was easy to see why! Build on great battle combinations, slick weapon selections, and raw character emotion, this one has stood the test of time and still feels great to play today. One of the Dreamcast‘s finest, without a doubt.
3. CRAZY TAXI
Representing SEGA at the peak of their Dreamcast powers, this bonafide arcade classic was loud, in-your-face, and an all-round assault on the senses. Built upon a foundation of bold colours, loud sounds, and a frenetic soundtrack, few titles have been able to encapsulate the same endorphin rush of causing carnage in your wake as you rush against the clock. Until the fake variety for adults was founded in 2012 (if you know, you know), who knew taxi driving could be fun?
2. VIRTUA TENNIS
Another arcade hit which made the transition to the small screen look seamless, Virtua Tennis is not just the finest tennis game ever made, it is one of the greatest sports titles of all time, full stop. Offering a full roster of players, including Jim Courier, Tim Henman, and the Williams Sisters of Venus and Serena, (opening up the possibility of mixed doubles), this unique slice of summer sporting fun was all about those power-charged serves, and the feel of crisp volleys bouncing off your racket at the net. Magnifique!
1. SONIC ADVENTURE
Was it ever going to be anyone but our little Blue chum at the top of this pile? The first-ever 3D game in the Sonic The Hedgehog series, Sonic Adventure opened up all those lush sandy beaches and tropical backgrounds we’d previously seen the chilli-dog-muncher spinning around in. Except now, fans could also play as ol’ Bluey’s pals, too; Punching their way to victory as Knuckles, or floating around as Tails. For Dreamcast, this game was more than just a title. It was on a mission to show what exactly the Dreamcast could do, and with a gigantic 2.5 million copies sold worldwide, was the console’s greatest ever success.
Do you agree with our selections? Wanna shout out those hidden gems you think we might have missed? Why not head over to our CULTR Instagram page to start the debate!
