Best Sega Dreamcast Games From Every Year Of The Console's Life

Best Sega Dreamcast Games From Every Year Of The Console’s Life

The Sega Dreamcast had a short life but left a lasting legacy with groundbreaking games and innovative features.
Sonic Adventure was a hit, offering an expansive 3D Sonic experience with DLCs and a hard-rock soundtrack.
Shenmue set a new standard with its immersive detail and lifelike experience, making players feel like they were living another life.

The Sega Dreamcast was the console that kicked off the sixth generation of videogame 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 highest critically praised games ever were released on the console, and many are still acclaimed, played, and enjoyed today.

The dates for each game are the initial Japanese release dates.

Sonic Adventure (December 23, 1998)

A Title With The Very Essence Of Adventure

Sonic Adventure

Platform(s)Dreamcast, PS3, Xbox 360, PCDeveloper(s)Sonic TeamPublisher(s)SegaGenre(s)Platformer

GameFAQs: 3.98/5

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.

Soulcalibur (August 5, 1999)

One of the Dreamcast’s Most Critically Acclaimed Titles

Soulcalibur

Platform(s)Arcade, Dreamcast, Xbox 360, Mobile, Xbox OneDeveloper(s)NamcoPublisher(s)NamcoGenre(s)Fighting

GameFAQs: 4.42/5

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.

Shenmue (December 29, 1999)

A Genre-Defining Video Game

Shenmue

Platform(s)Dreamcast, PS4, PC, Xbox OneDeveloper(s)SegaPublisher(s)SegaGenre(s)Action-Adventure

GameFAQs: 4.33/5

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.

Jet Set Radio (June 29, 2000)

A Unique And Colorful Title

Jet Set Radio

Platform(s)PS Vita, Dreamcast, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, iOS, AndroidDeveloper(s)Smilebit, BlitWorksPublisher(s)SegaGenre(s)Platformer, Sports See at Official Site

GameFAQs: 4.16/5

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.

Skies Of Arcadia (October 5, 2000)

A Vastly Underrated RPG With Astounding Graphics

Skies of Arcadia

Platform(s)Dreamcast, GameCubeDeveloperOverworksPublisher(s)SegaGenre(s)JRPG

GameFAQs: 4.44/5

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.

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.

Metropolis Street Racer (November 3, 2000)

A Racing Game With Much To Offer

Metropolis Street Racer

Developer(s)Bizarre CreationsPublisher(s)Sega

GameFAQs: 4.03/5

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.

Sonic Adventure 2 (June 23, 2001)

Brilliant Characters Get Entangled In A Thrilling Plot

Sonic Adventure 2

Platform(s)Dreamcast, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Xbox OneDeveloper(s)Sonic Team USAPublisher(s)SegaGenre(s)Platformer

GameFAQs: 4.04/5

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 seek 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 truly one of the Dreamcast’s greatest games.

Shenmue 2 (September 6, 2001)

Immerses Players In Ryo’s Ever Unfolding Adventure

Shenmue 2

Platform(s)Dreamcast, PS4, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360, PC, Xbox OneDeveloper(s)SegaPublisher(s)Sega, Microsoft Game StudiosGenre(s)Action-Adventure See at Steam

GameFAQs: 4.41/5

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 really immerses players in an incredibly lifelike setting and story.

Rez (November 22, 2001)

Offers A Unique Abstract Gaming Experience

Rez

DeveloperUnited Game ArtistsPublisher(s)Sega

GameFAQs: 4.24/5

A critical success, Rez is a game featuring so much originality that it truly offers a totally 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 really makes this game, being in complete sync with the graphics and controls. It serves to really immerses 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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