The Sega Dreamcast is one of the most underrated gaming consoles of all time. Launched back in 1999 (in the West, at least; it was released a year earlier in Japan), the Dreamcast had to compete with the PlayStation 2, the GameCube, and the Xbox, and it struggled to do so. That\u2019s a shame, though, because the Dreamcast has some truly excellent games. If you\u2019ve picked up a retro system and want to know what to buy for it, you\u2019re in luck. Here, in no particular order, are the top 25 Sega Dreamcast games of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Sonic Adventure 2<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Sonic Adventure 2 <\/em>is, luckily, available on plenty of modern platforms, but it got its start on the ill-fated Dreamcast. The 3D Sonic <\/em>games are unfairly maligned; while there are some awkward controls here, there\u2019s also a huge amount of genuine gameplay innovation, dizzying speed, and heart to keep you going. Sonic\u2019s second Dreamcast journey may be a little cringeworthy, but it\u2019s well worth experiencing nonetheless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Sonic Adventure<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Speaking of 3D Dreamcast Sonic <\/em>games, here\u2019s the originator. Sonic Adventure <\/em>was a hard sell for many, with its new interpretations of the characters\u2019 classic looks and its emphasis on Americanised \u201cbutt-rock\u201d for its soundtrack. However, its levels are endlessly creative, its environments are fun to explore, and its branching story structure is surprisingly innovative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Jet Set Radio<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Jet Set Radio <\/em>is pretty much the archetypical example of what a video game should be. It\u2019s an anarchic, irreverent journey through a neon-drenched post-punk future in which you play as a young graffiti artist, skating across rails and dodging the fun police. The story is characteristic nonsense, but the gameplay is cathartic and freeing. The Xbox sequel, Jet Set Radio Future<\/em>, is also well worth a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Resident Evil: Code Veronica<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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This Resident Evil <\/em>spinoff arguably represents the last time the series\u2019 classic formula was truly great. It stars Claire Redfield as she attempts to escape an Umbrella facility, hounded at every turn by devious siblings Alfred and Alexia Ashford. The gameplay is the same combination of puzzle-solving, resource management, and combat that you\u2019ve come to love from classic Resident Evil <\/em>games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Skies of Arcadia<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Sega consoles have a track record for JRPGs that desperately need a re-release (well, okay, just two of them). Alongside the Saturn\u2019s Panzer Dragoon Saga<\/em>, there\u2019s the Dreamcast\u2019s excellent Skies of Arcadia<\/em>, a space pirate RPG that is crushingly absent from modern consoles. There was a GameCube re-release, though, so if you have the cash to meet the often staggeringly high prices that game is sold for on auction sites, we recommend it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Shenmue<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Ryo Hazuki\u2019s first outing in the living, breathing world of the Shenmue <\/em>games has a mixed legacy. On the one hand, the game is undeniably slow-paced, and some would call it tedious. On the other, it arguably paved the way for idiosyncratic franchises like Yakuza<\/em>, as well as work simulator-style games. Shenmue <\/em>is incredibly influential, and remains an oddity worth your time today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Shenmue II<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Did you like Shenmue<\/em>? If so, then you\u2019ll like Shenmue II<\/em>. Not much has changed in this sequel; it\u2019s still the same living, breathing sandbox as the original, full of endless diversions, wonky combat, and hilarious voice acting. However, if you loved that game\u2019s blend of slice-of-life exploration and slow-paced action, then Shenmue II <\/em>needs to be on your Dreamcast list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Soulcalibur<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The sequel to Soul Edge <\/em>expanded the intense, technical combat that the series would eventually become known for, introducing a number of iconic new characters (Yoshimitsu, anyone?) to the roster into the bargain. The fighting system also gains new depth thanks to the expansion of the Guard Impact system, as well as more forgiving input buffering. If you\u2019re a fighting game fan, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Crazy Taxi<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Who knew that ferrying passengers around in a taxi could be so engaging? Well, in fairness, Crazy Taxi <\/em>does add a few modifiers of its own, earning the \u201ccrazy\u201d in its name along the way. This is a fast-paced, recklessly dangerous version of taxi driving where the only thing that matters is speed. That means you need to get each passenger to their destination quickly and efficiently, and it never stops being a riot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Samba de Amigo<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019ve ever played the Sega All-Stars <\/em>series, then you\u2019re probably familiar with Amigo, the simian protagonist of this series. It\u2019s a rhythm-action franchise at heart, full of riotously colourful songs with infectious rhythms. Originally, the game was packaged with some gimmicky maraca peripherals, and if you want to get the best experience out of Samba de Amigo<\/em>, it\u2019s worth seeking them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Seaman<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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We like to think we\u2019re fairly well-rounded people of the world. We\u2019ve been around and seen some things, but even we have to admit that Seaman <\/em>is profoundly weird. It\u2019s a sort of life sim-come-pet-raising game where you raise a fish who has a human face (the titular Seaman). Along the way, you\u2019ll have plenty of very odd discussions with your fish about life, the universe, and everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Ikaruga<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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t\u2019s difficult to imagine a world without renowned developer Treasure in it. Ikaruga <\/em>is just one of this studio\u2019s many, many hits; they\u2019re also responsible for Gunstar Heroes<\/em>, Radiant Silvergun<\/em>, and Sin and Punishment<\/em>, among others. Ikaruga<\/em>\u2019s ingenious colour-flip mechanic was the inspiration for many subsequent games, including platformer Outland<\/em> and shoot-\u2019em-up Pawarumi<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Virtua Tennis<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s a crying shame that the Virtua <\/em>series has been abandoned. Virtua Tennis <\/em>combines sim-like realism with arcade gameplay to great effect, just like other Virtua <\/em>games did. It\u2019s got a great real-life roster, as well as easy-to-learn, hard-to-master controls and even a character creator. If you want to enjoy tennis on your Dreamcast, then you need to buy Virtua Tennis <\/em>yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Rez<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Many people remember Rez <\/em>as a defining moment for the PS2, but did you know it also arrived on the Dreamcast? Since it was created by Sega, Rez <\/em>was originally supposed to represent an innovative new direction for Dreamcast games, so it\u2019s a real shame that the console had already run into serious trouble by the time it launched. It\u2019s a colourful, weird space shooter whose wireframe-style graphics have aged extremely well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI wanna take you for a ride\u2026\u201d If you\u2019ve played Marvel vs Capcom 2<\/em>, you\u2019ll know not only what an earworm that song is, but also how enjoyable this deeply complex and technical 2D fighter is. It pits some of Capcom\u2019s most iconic characters – Mega Man, Street Fighter<\/em>\u2019s Ryu, et cetera – against iconic Marvel heroes in an engine that emphasises big combos and huge specials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16. Power Stone<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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While Nintendo\u2019s Super Smash Bros <\/em>series is often cited as the greatest multiplayer party fighter of all time, Power Stone <\/em>deserves to be considered for that title too. It\u2019s a wonderfully silly, over-the-top brawler in which you can throw comically oversized bins at your enemies, and when that\u2019s a feature in your game, it legally can\u2019t be bad. Or something. Either way, just play Power Stone.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

17. The House of the Dead 2<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The rail shooter is a sadly-forgotten genre in gaming these days. The House of the Dead 2 <\/em>demonstrates why it should be revived; campy action, ludicrous voice acting, and some of the best and tightest shooting you\u2019re ever going to find in a game like this. Naturally, it also supports co-op, so grab a friend and enjoy an afternoon or two blasting the undead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18. Street Fighter 3: Third Strike<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Street Fighter 3 <\/em>is the final numbered instalment of the series that has traditional 2D pixel art, and for our money, it\u2019s the most beautiful game in the franchise bar none. Capcom are absolute masters of the fighting game genre, and Street Fighter 3<\/em>\u2019s endlessly complex series of moves, blocks, and animations demonstrate that far better than words ever could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19. Phantasy Star Online<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Before there was World of Warcraft<\/em>, there was Phantasy Star Online<\/em>. Alright, well, technically that\u2019s not true; this was a far less accessible affair, and you needed to build your own party of adventurers to take on Phantasy Star Online<\/em>\u2019s perilous world rather than persistently playing alongside others. Still, this was an immensely rewarding RPG, and although you may struggle to play it today, it\u2019s worth revisiting for posterity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20. Chu Chu Rocket!<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Today, Chu Chu Rocket <\/em>would be a mobile puzzle game, or perhaps a smaller bite-sized affair released on digital download. Back in the day, though, it was a major release. Created by Sonic Team, Chu Chu Rocket<\/em> has a very simple premise: all you need to do is guide mice towards a rocket and away from cats. In practice, however, this translated into a fiendishly difficult and clever puzzler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

21. Space Channel 5<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The late 90s and early 2000s represented a creative explosion for Sega, and Space Channel 5 <\/em>was a big part of that moment. It was a neon-coloured danceathon complete with a totally bonkers alien invasion plot, but all that really mattered was its ridiculously compelling rhythm-based gameplay. You can still hunt down and enjoy Space Channel 5 <\/em>today thanks to a number of Dreamcast compilations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22. Headhunter<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Headhunter <\/em>was embodying Hollywood action movies before the Uncharted <\/em>series was even a glint in Naughty Dog\u2019s eye. This game cast players as Jack Wade, a typical American action star, as he navigated an action-packed world of intrigue and conspiracy. Between the third-person shooting stages, there were also motorbike-based racing levels, making this a real genre soup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23. Sega Bass Fishing<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Remember when we said Samba de Amigo <\/em>needed a gimmicky controller to fully enjoy it? Well, the same can be said for Sega Bass Fishing<\/em>, which came packaged with a fishing rod. Yes, an actual fishing rod (well, not an actual rod, but a plastic peripheral that strongly resembled one). The idea of releasing such a game now is bizarre, which makes this surprisingly rich fishing sim all the sweeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

24. Rayman 2: The Great Escape<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Rayman 2 <\/em>is a truly classic 3D platformer. Full of charm, character, and life, this piratical adventure takes Rayman and his buddy Globox through a dark and seedy underworld with plenty of platforms to leap across. Rayman 2 <\/em>was somewhat unfairly compared to Super Mario 64 <\/em>when it was first released, but that\u2019s not doing this game justice; it aims for a different vibe, and achieves it entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

25. Blue Stinger<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Now here\u2019s an oddity. Blue Stinger <\/em>was a sort of hybrid of action game and survival horror. Aiming to compete with the likes of Resident Evil<\/em>, Blue Stinger <\/em>featured a story revolving around mutated monsters, who were born on an island on which the meteorite that killed the dinosaurs landed. Yep. It\u2019s that kind of game. Throw in a few neat mechanics, like health only returning if you stand still, and Blue Stinger <\/em>is an entertaining little curio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Sega Dreamcast is one of the most underrated gaming consoles of all time. Launched back in 1999 (in the West, at least; it was released a year earlier in Japan), the Dreamcast had to compete with the PlayStation 2, the GameCube, and the Xbox, and it struggled to do so. That\u2019s a shame, though, … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":7635,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"close","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,174],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-videogames","category-nostalgia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7489"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7489"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7651,"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7489\/revisions\/7651"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7635"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nerdleaks.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}