Nothing makes a retro console more interesting than one that could have gone onto greatness, which is why this list of the best Dreamcast games of all time has an exciting yet bitter-sweet feel to it (that’s a good thing – please don’t stop reading).
The Sega Dreamcast is a bit of an enigma. It’s perhaps the greatest ‘what if’ story in gaming history, Sega’s swan song and a last-ditch attempt to keep the Sonic ship afloat in a world of bandicoots, Italian plumbers, and green hatted forest children (if you need help on deciphering those three games, then there’s no hope).
It sits in second-hand gaming stores like a mysterious object in a fantasy quest and prompts strange looks from children, a constant reminder of what Sega could have gone on to achieve had they got the formula right.
Many consider the Dreamcast to have been way ahead of its time, especially with the removable VMUs that are now used by many aspiring modifiers and the fact that it was the first console that could connect up to the internet.
620 games were released for the console, a lot of which are incredibly innovative and fun to play, but sadly without the longevity needed to make the Dreamcast a house-hold name today.
Still, if you are thinking of completing your retro console collection and looking for the best Dreamcast games ever made, then you’ve come to the right place.
That’s the history lesson over – let’s crack on with Number 70!
70. F355 Challenge (1999)
The F355 Challenge is the only chance I think I’ll ever get of actually driving an F355 Ferrari. I don’t mind that I even have to split the screen when playing with a friend, at least I’m in the drivers seat and don’t actually have any responsibility for whether I crash it or not.
Kicking back and playing solo in the championship mode is always super fun too – 6 races to become the champion, easy, right?
Plus, the Dreamcast allowed for players to get onto the internet and play against the ghost cars of other players too. It’s not quite Mario Kart’s battle mode, but it was still fun!
Let’s talk about courses. The tracks look incredibly detailed for a game that came out in 1999, proving once again how ahead of its time the Dreamcast was.
Race on Monza, the Nurbugring, Fiorano, and many more epic courses.
Race using real-style techniques, tips, and tricks too such as utilising traction control and ABS intelligent braking.
Basically, you can race like you would if you had millions of euros and multiple Ferrari’s in the garage.
69. Seaman (1999)
Seaman really is one of the weirdest games that I’ve ever seen or played.
How would you feel if I told you that this game requires players to raise a cantankerous talking fish with a human face, a creature that gives you abuse on a regular basis.
Then what would you say if I told you that Leonard Nimoy, Mr Spok himself, was the narrator.
A weird combo, right?
I’ll say one thing for Sega; they don’t care about making seriously weird titles!
I guess in a way, this is like a strange Tamagotchi experience, one that requires you to look after, feed, and even talk to your weird Seaman.
Yep; you’ll need to talk into the Dreamcast microphone and listen as this annoying aquatic marvel speaks back.
It’s odd, it’s slightly uncomfortable at time, but you need to give it a go.
68. Sega Bass Fishing (1999)
Sega Bass Fishing is only going to appeal to the fishing fans out there.
If you’ve had a look at our best PS4 fishing games article, for example, then this will be right up your street.
The graphics are, once again, superb. Just look at the reflections in the water and the ripples in the still below.
If you’ve always liked fishing but haven’t tried Bass Fishing, then now’s your chance.
Go round eight fishing spots, trying to bag the biggest catch of the day. Pick your lure of choice, join competitions, and work your way up the Bass Fishing ladder… through the Bass Fishing community… the fish in the sea?
You get the idea.
67. Ecco The Dolphin: Defender Of The Future (2000)
Speaking of fish in the sea, Ecco The Dolphin: Defender Of The Future takes the 67th spot in this list of the best Dreamcast games of all time.
It’s the return of everyone’s favourite time travelling dolphin (as if we had more than one, right?), giving players chance to explore the beauty of the world beneath the waves once more.
The premise – dolphins and humans have finally figured out a way to live together in harmony. Things start to get a little weird from here on out though.
Dolphins aren’t just sea-dwelling creatures anymore; they’re time travellers, explorers, and protectors of the earth.
And Ecco is now charged with travelling through time to stop bad guys from destroying the peace they have created with us dim-witted humans.
Explore levels of the deep while doing everything you can to save the earth. It’s a tough job that only a dolphin can do (apparently), but Ecco is more than up for the challenge.
66. Sega GT (2000)
Sega GT is up next, a racing game where the whole emphasis is on increasing your standings through a racing career and competing to be the best.
In all honesty, Sega GT feels a lot like the Gran Turismo series. Players compete to get money that they can spend on cars and even to win cars themselves. It’s a tidy little game that, while feeling very much like a Gran Turismo knock off is fun to play.
Racing to win licenses makes the whole thing feel more real too. It definitely makes you feel like you’re a professional racer heading out onto the track.
And if you could say the way I drive in real life, you’d know that there was no way I’d make the cut to be on anyones racing team.
Like F355 Challenge, the car physics and controls are all super realistic and help to make the game more challenging. Don’t be thinking that you’re going to have an slap-dash ride like in Crazy Taxi; this is the real deal!
65. Ultimate Fighting Championship (2000)
Ultimate Fighting Championship takes the 65th spot in our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time.
This is UFC action at its finest. You never know what kind of style you’re going to find yourself up against in the ring. Though to be fair, this really is a case of anything goes.
Expect every kind of smackdown possible (wrong franchise I know, but I couldn’t resist).
If you’re used to fighting games like Mortal Kombat with more combos than your brain can physically remember, then you’ll be right at home here. There are so many moves to remember that you’ll end up printing off a list.
The career mode is the one that feels most like the modes I’d play on wrestling games back in the day.
Make a fighter, work through the ranks, and become the champion. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of (horrific, violent dreams, but dreams nonetheless).
64. NFL 2K2 (2001)
NFL 2K2 isn’t the only NFL game that you’re going to see in this list. If you’ve played one of these games, then you won’t be too surprised when you turn this one one.
Like the Fifa games, they’re all very much of a muchness, with a few changes to keep things interesting for the hardcore fans.
The game follows the season from 2001 to 2002 and boasts all of the teams that played back then. You could either take your favourite team through to the final or pick the team that won and try to recreate the action exactly as it happened.
Or, there’s an option to make your own team and to take yourself to the top spot!
Immerse yourself in action replays and all of the features that make the sport so exciting to watch on the TV!
63. Test Drive Le Mans (2000)
Test Drive Le Mans recreates all of the thills, spills, and action of the 24 hour races in the Le Mans 24 Hours race.
The mechanics of pulling this race off are insane – drivers changing multiple times through the day and night, the wear and tear of the car for racing continuously for 24 hours, and reaching incredible speeds that have an effect on your mind and body over time.
And it’s recreated in-game for you to deal with too.
Pick one of the 25 teams on offer and race through multiple different courses from the Le Mans group of circuits.
Again, this is one that will probably only suit fans of Le Mans 24 Hours; I wouldn’t say it’s a game that just anyone would buy on a whim.
Still, if you are mad on racing, then grab a copy of this and take part in one of the greatest racing competitions on earth right from the comfort of your living room!
62. Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro (2000)
Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro takes the 62nd spot in this list of the best Dreamcast games of all time.
If you’ve played the very first Capcom Vs SNK game, then this is essentially the same with a few choice upgrades for players to make the most of.
The main differences are new characters added to the original roster, new moves for the fighters, and a couple of different modes.
I guess the saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ applies here. It’s the same but different, with a little spice to keep fans happy.
61. Headhunter (2001)
Headhunter isn’t a game about finding a person to work that accounting job you need to fill. It’s a stealthy game where players track down nasty criminals and get them off the streets.
It’s got a very strong Splinter Cell meets Perfect Dark vibe to it, and to be honest it’s one of the only stealth games on the Dreamcast, so if you’re into your covert operative games, this one should be really high on your list.
Graphically, this game is a tour de force. I’m going to be saying this so many times through this article, so you should probably get used to it now.
And another thing you need to make the most of while playing this game is the epic soundtrack. For those of you who know the name Richard Jacques, it won’t surprise you to know that his score with this game won an award.
60. Elemental Gimmick Gear
We’ll forgive you if you’ve never heard of or played Elementa Gimmick Gear before.
A title named EGG that looks as though it’s popped straight out of the ‘Fantasy Illustrators Handbook’ might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly is a cracking game that deserves a mention in this list.
3D boss battles mixed with a 2.5D top-down world in an adventure RPG title with a storyline as complicated as a flat-pack-furniture instruction booklet.
Sounds like a great game to me!
I’m not going to even try to summarise the story of this game into a couple of paragraphs; it might melt my mind to even try to attempt it.
The player must solve puzzles through various ruins and collect items along the way. Expect robots, fire stones, towers, pirates, and many other amazing elements to this game.
Oh, and there are bits where you have to roll around a course ‘egg shaped’ to beat other contestants.
MAD!
59. Test Drive V-Rally
If you have ever been to any arcade room in a bowling alley or gaming hall, then you’re bound to have had a go on the next title on our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time.
Test Drive V-Rally puts you in the driver seat of a rally car…for a test drive, I suppose!
Compared to other racing games, the scenery on the 80 levels is fantastic, and the incredible metal-music soundtrack will keep you pumped as you drift around those corners and skid your way to victory.
Players can choose to compete in a championship trophy contest against three other drivers, test their time skills on a time trial, or play the original arcade mode.
One thing I love about this game is the fact that different elements affect your car’s performance. Snow or rain may make things more challenging, and you may have to play some courses at night!
There are better racing games further down this list (in my humble opinion), but Test Drive V-Rally is worth a shot, especially if you missed it first time around.
58. MDK2
Next up on our list of the best Dreamcast games is MDK2, the sequel to the popular MDK.
MDK2 starts moments after the first game finishes, so if you’re looking for a great follow-on-title, then grab both and play them one after the other for that maximum enjoyment factor.
I loved playing the original MDK, but whereas that was more about shooting your way through an alien invasion, MDK2 has more puzzle elements to it. It’s a shooter and a platformer combined, and it plays brilliantly.
So who are the guys on the cover? Well, there’s Kurt Hectic in the middle, Doctor Hawkins on the left, and Max, the gun-wielding dog on the right.
In true ‘Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy’ style, you have to use all three characters throughout this game. They each have their own special skills and abilities for certain tasks which adds a nice extra element to the story.
An alien called ‘Shwang Shwing’ (give me a break) tells the team that the Alien Invasion is far from over, and our band of heroes must once again leap into action.
Give this game a try: you won’t be disappointed.
57. Outtrigger
Outrigger was kind of the Overwatch of its day. It has that Time Crisis feel to the gameplay and brought the joy of the arcade into your living room.
Not only that, but up to six people could battle it out online too…
… as long as you weren’t a European gamer, that is!
You play as a member of an anti-terrorist group, shooting bad guys and asking questions once they’re dead.
There are four characters to choose from in this game, all of whom have different weapons and specialties that will lend themselves to certain scenarios more than others.
You can wield up to three weapons (two different gun types + throwing weapons) and collect power-ups and health along the way.
If you’re looking for a classic arcade-style title, then Outtrigger should definitely be on your list.
56. Tech Romancer
I always thought a Tech Romancer was like the guy at my old job who used to lovingly rub his keyboard down at the end of each day, but apparently I’m wrong!
This next title in the list of the best Dreamcast games is like a bad-ass version of Rock-’em-sock-’em-Robots, only set in the future.
Technology has had some serious advancements, and the world would be enjoying a peaceful time were it not for an Alien trying to wreak havoc on the Earth.
This isn’t the first time that I’ll say this in this article, but this game has a very strong ‘Pacific Rim’ vibe to it, which is great in my opinion.
In a similar vein to SoulCalibur, each Mecha Warrior has its own storyline to play through in the story mode. Pit your skills against other robots, and beat ‘ol Alien-face back into submission.
Tech Romancer also had a section where you could win points by playing minigames on the VMU!
55. Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command
‘Buuuuuuz Lightyear to the rescue!’ will forever be one of the greatest lines of my childhood.
Some of you might be thinking that this game should have been a bit further back up towards the top of the list, but I loved this cartoon as a kid, and getting to control Buzz in his very own adventure was so cool!
The gameplay is simple yet doesn’t fail to keep you entertained. Race a villain to the end of a level, collecting coins that can be traded for other weapons or devices to propel you further into future levels as you go.
There are enemies to zap along the way, and you’ll need to get to the finish line before or soon after your villain if you want to stop them from escaping.
A boss fight occurs at the end of each level, and Buzz can call on allies to help him if he needs a bit of a hand.
Of course, the final boss is the Evil Emperor Zurg, who many of you will know is apparently Buzz’s dad in the Toy Story 2 film.
Man, I need to get out more…
54. Super Magnetic Neo
Next up on our list of the best Dreamcast games is a 3D action-adventure platformer with a character that you may or may not be ‘positively attracted’ too.
Neo is a robot that has a special ability that allows him to positively or negatively charge himself. This allows him to attract or repel certain enemies and attach onto or propel away from certain surfaces.
The levels in this game look amazing, another example of how great the Dreamcast’s graphics were.
It’s a fun and addictive platformer, with all of the usual ways to jump on enemies that we’ve seen in Mario games since time began.
The magnetism element is both fun and educational too, especially if you’re into your science!
Oh, and if you liked the mine cart level from Donkey Kong Country, then there’s a very similar-styled level in this game too. You can also race along on a robotic camel, which might just be something that you’ve always wanted to do!
53. Alien Front Online
Next up on our list of the best Dreamcast games is Alien Front Online, a title that helped to pave the way for online home-console play on not just the Dreamcast, but on every console after it too.
Did you know that there was a Dreamcast Microphone peripheral that you could use with this game? It came with Alien Front Online as a bundle and plugged into your controller like some audio-equivalent of the Power Ranger’s MegaZord.
It boasted real-time voice chat, allowing you to be able to talk to your friends while partaking in some ‘War of the Worlds’-style Alien-battle madness.
In Alien Front Online, you can play against your mates on an epic battleground as either a team of humans or a team of aliens.
You can play this game in single-player mode, but it’s really designed as an online multiplayer title.
It has the same feel as Fortnite, Overwatch, or PUBG; fight and destroy the opposition. Most kills wins.
It’s a tried and tested method of gaming for next-gen consoles, so why not give this title a go and try one of the games that helped to get online multiplayer gaming off the ground.
52. D2
With the release of Resident Evil: Village, one of the most highly anticipated and best PS5 games just around the corner, D2 may well be the game to keep your thumbs busy in the meantime.
The bleak, wintry landscapes in this game certainly lend themselves to the survival/horror genre, and open snowy terrains where death could take you at any moment create a feeling of nervous tension enough to put any gamer on the edge of their seat.
The game is set in the Canadian wilderness (not that Canada is a scary place!). You control Laura, a girl who is the sole survivor of a plane crash and now has to stay alive while a bunch of freaks try to eat her.
The fine people of Canada are morphing into monsters due to a parasitic plant growing inside them.
It’s like that Mark Wahlberg film ‘The Happening’!
The game has an RPG feel to the battles, and the abandoned buildings and quiet snow-strewn fields will make any horror fan feel right at home.
51. Fur Fighters
From a horror title to a fur-fuelled shoot-em-up, Fur Fighters is next up on our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time!
With elements of games such as Jet Force Gemini and Time Splitters mixed with Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Fur Fighters is a ‘cute’ but intense shooting title where cats shouldn’t be underestimated.
General Viggo, a sinister male cat with a pet human (oh yeah, it’s weird alright) has captured the Fur Fighters babies across a series of open levels. As the player, it’s your job to pick a fighter and blast some bad guys into the dirt, saving ‘all creatures great and small’ in the process.
The levels in this game are massive, and players have been known to spend hours in one section trying to uncover all of the games secrets while recovering all of the trapped babies.
You might have enjoyed ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ movie, but Fur Fighters shows what happens when your pets get really angry and want revenge!
50. Ooga Booga
Next up on our list of the best Dreamcast games is Ooga Booga, a magical multiplayer title that was also one of the last online games to be made for the console.
Ooga Booga had a stunning single player mode too. The gameplay is akin to Banjo Kazooie with a little bit of Crash Bandicoot thrown in for good measure.
And boy is this game addictive!
The player has to chose from a selection of fighters named Kahunas, tribe leaders that battle for a goddess.
Use spells and other combat moves to beat back baddies, unlock new areas and characters, and ride animals in search of exciting secrets.
You could even unlock Abe Lincoln and Death as playable characters in this game. I wonder if Abe wore his top hat to the beach?
49. Rippin’ Riders
Fans of 1080 Snowboarding, one of the best N64 games of all time, will be all over Rippin’ Riders.
It’s made by the same team that produced Cool Riders, and it’s jam-packed full of high-speed routes, epic jumps, and snow-shreddin’ goodness.
One of the main differences from the Cool Boarders series is the graphics. Rippin’ Riders looks spectacular on the Dreamcast, with the backgrounds and courses giving the player a rich and authentic snowboard experience.
All you need is someone to throw snow in your face as you’re playing and you could be actually on a slope with your board!
If you’re a fan of snowboarding, or just snow in general, then this really is a no-brainer.
48. Bangai-O
From a no-brainer to a game that’s a real ‘brain-acher’, Bangai-O takes the Number 48 slot on our list.
Some of you might have originally seen this game on the N64, but it was ported to the Dreamcast not-too-long after with updated graphics and sound.
Bangai-O sees you taking controller of a Mech Robot powered by two main characters. Think MegaZord (Power Rangers are getting a lot of air time in this article) crossed with the fighting machines from Pacific Rim….
… with a bit of Transformers.
So what does the amazing Mech Warrior have to do in this incredibly detailed side-scrolling shooter game? Kill alien insurgents? Stop an intergalactic war from wiping out mankind?
Actually, you have to stop bad dudes from smuggling fruit so they can’t finance their ‘evil deeds’.
Ok, so it’s not knocking out Kaijus or battling with Megatron, but chasing bad dudes with fruit in a kick-ass robot is still cool…kind of.
Gamers and critics alike loved this game, praising the visual updates on the Dreamcast port and the additive gameplay.
47. The Typing Of The Dead
I love this next game on our list of the best Dreamcast games because it’s just so weird and, let’s be honest’, a pretty lame idea that no one in their right mind would think could be successful.
But it’s one of the most memorable games on the console because of it!
You’ve all played House of the Dead. Well, this arcade game that saw a Dreamcast Port in 2001 has all of the same zombie killing action, but the players use keyboards instead of guns to fight them off.
… Huh?
Instead of running around with guns, you play as a secret agent with a Dreamcast on their back and a keyboard hanging around their neck.
Instead of shooting at enemies, you have to type a specific word or phrase to destroy an enemy.
It’s like a spelling bee where ‘failure equals death’.
The phrases and words get harder ad you progress through the game, a factor that the developers of the game hoped would help to educate gamers on spelling and typing while blasting zombies into pieces.
And you know what? It’s insanely fun.
You’ll panic, you’ll shout with joy at being able to spell the most simple words under pressure, and you’ll laugh when the word ‘daffodil’ appears under a bloodthirsty zombie.
46. Virtua Tennis
Tennis games are pretty straight forward to explain; play tennis in your living room without getting sweaty.
I’m not very good at Tennis in real life. But sit me in front of a tennis game and I could give players like Andy Murray a run for his money!
If you’re into games such as Fifa or Football Manager, then Virtua Tennis 2 could well be one of the best Dreamcast games for you.
It features calendarized and yearly based seasons, with players having to take part in training matches and regimes that are tricky but fun to play through.
There are bosses to beat in exhibition mode, and the player must train up a male and female player simultaneously in World Tour mode.
This is a true ‘work your way to the top’ game. Are you up for the challenge?
45. 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker
I love looking out for these trucks whenever I go to the states, but I certainly wouldn’t want to be on the freeway when one shot past me like they do in this game!
18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker is essentially a truck version of the Crazy Taxi series. You have to make your way to a specified end zone with your cargo intact, all while a timer is ticking down your remaining seconds.
There are different characters to play as, all with different trucks and abilities.
Extra time can be gained by ramming into certain vehicles, but money will be deducted from you when someone hits your truck.
Watch out for your rival, ‘Lizard Tail’ too. He’s out to get you all the way through the game, but beating him over the line will win you even more money.
With games and upgrades to acquire for your truck, this is one arcade-racing-port that you should definitely add into your collection.
44. NBA 2K1
I’m a huge fan of basketball games, and NBA 2K1 was one of the best sports games of the 2000’s.
It was the first basketball game with an online mode, and the gameplay just felt a lot smoother and more enjoyable than its predecessor, NBA 2K.
As I’ve always fancied myself as a much better sportsman than I am, I liked the fact that you could get out of the court and into the streets with NBA 2K1 too.
Famous street courts such as Rucker Park and Goat Park featured in a computer game for the very first time, which was a huge deal for basketball fans who had grown up playing in homegrown clubs and honing their skills in the neighbourhood after school.
The ‘2K’ series has gone on to great success since the early days, and thanks to the successful online mode in 2K1, the rest of the games have allowed us to pit our skills against friends and opponents all over the world.
I wish I could slam dunk in real life, but I’ll stick to shooting virtual hoops for now.
43. Toy Commander
Next up on our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time is Toy Commander, a ‘Toy Story’ inspired game with serious firepower.
A kid named Andy (even more Toy Story-esque) receives new ‘Army’ toys for Christmas and forgets all about the other toys that he has played with while growing up.
The forgotten toys, led by Andy’s childhood bear ‘Huggy Bear’ decide to rebel and try to destroy the new toys.
Are you with me so far?
I liked this game because it had so many memorable challenges on it. Once you’ve controlled a toy car while rolling eggs into boiling water, you really start to develop a serious taste for adventure!
Players control a number of different vehicles from pick ups to helicopters as they ferry toys around the different rooms in Andy’s house while fighting off Huggy Bear’s henchmen.
I don’t know why they can’t all just get along; maybe they need a sit down chat with Buzz and Woody.
42. Hydro Thunder
Hydro Thunder provides all of the thrills of F-Zero X on the water, with the Dreamcast creating some stunning scenes for you to race through.
In a change from traditional racing games, Hyrdo Thunder sees players racing gnarly speed boats along a series of water-based courses.
Players can choose from easy to handle boats or ones that fly through the course faster than an erratic fruit fly on speed, using boost ramps to get from A to B without crashing and hopefully beating your opponents.
The individual courses in Hyrdo Thunder are what made it such an exciting title. You could race around the Arctic Circle, through green valleys, and even through a post-apocalyptic and flooded New York City.
Plus with bonus boats and courses to uncover, there was plenty for gamers to enjoy.
Hydro Thunder was a perfect launch title for the Dreamcast back in the day, and I strongly recommend that you give it a try (if your nerves can take the speed, that is).
41. Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream
Sega love a good platform game, and the next title in our list of the best Dreamcast games was a huge success over in Japan.
Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream was released back in the year 2000. Anyone who has read ‘Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play’, one of the best gaming books and a truly inspiring read, will be excited to know that the developer team for this game was primarily made up of women, which is a rarity in the gaming industry.
Poach Arsia is transported into ‘The Napple World’, a land of daydreams, by a clumsy spirt guide.
Time runs much differently here, and the four seasons we experience here in the real world are all set up as seperate locations.
It’s Click Clock Wood in Banjo Kazooie all over again!
The game is primarily 2.5D, though there’s a 3D hub that the player can explore just like in Sonic Adventure.
It’s a solid game with a really immersive storyline that will enchant even the toughest of gamers out there.
40. Bomberman Online
Bomberman is a classic on any console, and the fact that it came with online play only made the tried and tested formula even better.
Unfortunately, the Bomberman Online servers have now closed down, but there’s plenty of offline action that you can enjoy to get your blast-battle fill!
This game sees you entering the Bomblympics in a bid to retain your title as the hero of Planet Bomber.
There are various levels and modes to work through including Survival, Hyper Bomber, Paint Match, Ring Match, and Paint Rule.
The formula isn’t a new one; it’s essentially the same as every other Bomberman title to have appered on a Sega console…
… which means it’s just as good and definitely worth buying!
39. Cannon Spike
Next up on our list of the best Dreamcast games is Cannon Spike, a game based on Capcom-designed characters with a range of attacks that make Smash Bros look like a day in the park with a couple of Chihuahua’s.
This was the last game to ever be released for the Dreamcast in Europe too, and I can remember seeing this on sale in Game back in 2000.
That makes me feel really old!
But what is Cannon Spike all about? Well, players have to lock onto monsters and blow them to pieces with a range of different attacks.
Cool, glad we sorted that one out!
Players can choose from an all-star cast of characters including Arthur from Ghosts ‘n Goblins, Cammy from Street Fighter II, Mega Man, and a few others that you’ll have to find out about when you play the game yourself.
Mindless fun is the aim of the game in Cannon Spike. So it’s never going to beat titles like Number 2 in our list when it comes to the plot, but it’s a great game where you can enjoy yourself without having to think too much.
38. Chu Chu Rocket
Next up on our list of the best Dreamcast games is ChuChu Rocket! It’s an action/puzzle game developed by the genius minds over at Sonic Team, and it’s addictive as hell.
It was also the first game for the console to support online play.
The aim of the game is to direct mice into escape rockets so that they can get away from hungry cats.
Sounds totally legit, right?
Critics and the gaming public alike went mad for this game. It topped the charts in Japan when it first came out, and it was also the fist Sega release on a Nintendo console in the form of a GBA launch title.
‘ChuChu Rocket!’ was a groundbreaking title for the console. If only the Dreamcast could have got into one of those rockets and escaped its own terrible fate too!
37. The House Of The Dead 2
I’m gonna be honest with you; this game scared the living daylights out of me as a kid.
I considered long and hard whether to include this title in our list. But I can’t deny that despite the childhood trauma it caused, it’s actually a cracking title.
Good games need to evoke a strong reaction with players, even if it is being scared out of your pants. The original arcade game with the light rail gun was a huge success, and the Dreamcast port allowed hardy gamers to experience some undead slaying action from the comfort of their own homes.
The House Of The Dead 2 has a cool multiple path feature. It allows gamers to experience different scenarios determined by which direction they take, but they all lead to the same point at the end.
It’s gory, it’s full of zombies, and it’s probably not something that you’d want to have a go on before eating your dinner.
Fans of Resident Evil and The Walking Dead will love this title. Just don’t play it when I’m around.
36. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
I couldn’t wait any longer before sticking a Resident Evil title into this list, so here’s one to whet your appetite for what’s to come.
‘The Nemesis’ is one of the most frightening villains to have chasing after you in any game, and all of the usual zombie-slaying action features in this brilliant horror-survival game.
While the game is great, the Dreamcast port could have been so much better if the pre-rendered graphics had been updated. The Dreamcast was a powerful machine, but it failed to make the game look any better than the PlayStation offering.
It was also pretty short too, which made it less desirable than Number 18 in our list.
Still, this game is one that any horror fans should have in their arsenal and, although short lived, it still has one of the most terrifying baddies of all time in it.
Always look over your shoulder; the Nemesis could be right behind you!
35. Unreal Tournament
Before PUBG and Fortnite, Unreal Tournament reigned supreme. It’s a first-person shooter with some of the gnarliest weapons of any game, and the general aim is to make sure that you outlive all of the other competitors.
Head-to-head death matches never looked so good thanks to the Unreal Engine that powers this title. The graphics are superb, far outshining what you might expect from a Dreamcast game. Critics went crazy for it, and rightly so.
My mates and I still kick back on this game on a weekend, and they still cry when I beat them.
Unreal Tournament has multiple modes such as capture the flag, last man standing, and domination.
In true Goldeneye-style, body armour and a whole host of mad weapons can be picked up as you search the levels for other players to wipe out.
You can fight against bots in single player mode while working your way up a tournament ladder, or you can destroy your mates while kicking back with a few beers.
You’re bound to have a good time no matter how you play Unreal Tournament, which is why it’s a fitting entry for our list of the best Dreamcast games.
34. Metropolis Street Racer
This next fast-paced racer was made exclusively for the Dreamcast and was officially intended to be a launch title.
In true Sega style, however, this never happened.
It was one of the first games to introduce the idea of a Kudos points system, where players are rewarded for slick driving moves.
The main levels are based around London, Tokyo, and San Francisco, and they look a lot like the real thing too.
The graphics are swish, and there were plenty of nice cars to choose from. Player garages could hold up to 6 cars, so you had to pick your ultimate favourites.
Metropolis Street Racer had a lot of attention to detail that other racing games simply hadn’t thought of before.
If the player logged on to their Dreamcast at 9am in London, then all of the races in San Fransisco would be at night. Likewise, if you logged on at 12am, the American races would be in glorious sunshine.
Details like that really make a lasting connection with a player. Given that there were a whopping 262 tracks to play from, all in different time zones, this game had a huge re-playability factor.
Most of these were unlocked through the one-player mode and could be enjoyed again and again with a friend.
33. Space Channel 5
The next title in our list of the best Dreamcast games is a space-age music video game. It was Sega’s attempt to draw in female gamers and took two years to develop.
The character design, style, and music throughout Space Channel 5 are very ’60s influenced. And for some reason, MJ makes a cameo appearance!
But what is Space Channel 5, and who is the disco-groovy lead protagonist, Ulala?
Well, the game is set in a futuristic world where rival news channels are constantly competing against each other. Ulala, a reporter for Space Channel 5, is reporting on the invasion of an alien race, but she soon finds herself in hot water.
Ulala must dance and shoot her way through the various stages in Space Channel 5. Dancing stages revolve around her copying the moves of her opponents and generally getting her groove on.
Shooting stages, on the other hand, see her defeating enemies, rescuing hostages, and generally being a bad-ass.
The game was a little bit of a slow burner when it first came out. Critics went on to give it good reviews, and Ulala has since gone on to become a bit of a heroine in the gaming cosplay world.
The original music, on the other hand, was awesome, and while the game was short, it’s still a decent one to play.
32. Crazy Taxi 2
No doubt you’ll be seeing the first Crazy Taxi game somewhere further down our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time, but Crazy Taxi 2 takes a comfortable spot here at Number 32.
There’ nothing wrong with Crazy Taxi 2; it’s a great game with lots of action and added elements that tried to push it that one-step beyond the original game.
But for me, the original game will always be the best, and while the format is the same, there isn’t enough change to place this game higher in the list.
But what has changed?
Well, you can now pick up more than one passenger, and there are a couple of new levels based on New York for you to play through.
Minigames can be completed to unlock some nice extras, and extra time can be earned by performing a ‘crazy hop’ over certain items or surfaces.
Apart from that, it’s the same ol’ Crazy Taxi action, which means you’ll love it if you’re still mad for the original game.
31. Illbleed
Sega sure knew how to make some weird games as well as groundbreaking ones. And the weird ones have all developed cult followings that have made them, despite all of the odds, extremely popular.
Illbleed is a survival/horror title that feels a little like a cheesy ‘B-Movie’ title. Expect weird fathers, a bunch of teens who get trapped in a horror theme park, and lots of blood and gore along the way.
The player starts off controlling Eriko Christy a girl who heads into the themepark to try to rescue her friends.
More characters can be unlocked as Eriko completes the various tasks and challenges that are lurking around every corner.
The levels take the form of ‘movie theatres’, and enemies lock on in an RPG fight-style. Players can use their four senses, including a ‘sixth sense’, and adrenaline points to sniff out clues, diffuse traps, and defeat enemies.
It’s comedic bloodcurdling action at its best, and while the game was a bit of a flop on release, its loyal fanbase have helped it to rise to the top and earn itself a place in our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time.
30. NFL 2K1
NFL 2K1 is far more than just another football game for me to get my ass whooped at. Without it, the Dreamcast would have been a bit low on the ground with sporting titles.
EA decided early on that they weren’t going to make any games for Sega’s exciting new console. That meant that fans wouldn’t be seeing a new Madden release for the console.
Unfazed, Sega bought Visual Concepts and not only made a game that rivalled Madden in every way, shape and form, but also made a gaming franchise that is still battling EA to this day.
NFL 2K1 was one of the first sports games of the time with online multiplayer action. That’s something we take for granted now with now when we turn on our PS4 or Xbox One, but it was a major deal back then!
The graphics, as you can see in the image above, were far superior than other titles of the time too. According to Metacritic, this is the 14th best game ever made!
That’s some high praise!
So, if you’re a Dreamcast owner and are looking to get your American Football fix, look no further! NFL most definitely deserves this spot in our list of the best Dreamcast games!
29. Resident Evil 2
The branching paths and intertwining stories in Resident Evil 2 made it such an exciting game to play, especially when twinned with hordes of zombies that find human flesh so irresistible.
I hope something like this never comes true!
Both critics and players alike were convinced that nothing could top the original game, but Resident Evil 2 brought better graphics, puzzles, audio, and gameplay, making it the perfect survival horror title and the best game in the genre at the time.
I also liked the fact that the Dreamcast version of the game had a role for the VMU to play too.
Players could use the device to check on their character’s condition and see how much health they had etc.
Mine would have probably said ‘scared stupid’ every time the player looked at it!
Resident Evil 2 is a classic game with all of the mindless-zombie-killing action that we have come to know and love over the years.
28. Sword of the Berserk: Gut’s Rage
Sword of the Beserk has one of the biggest weapons I’ve seen in any computer game!
If hack and slash titles with lots of enemies to slay and mighty bosses to take down are your bag, then Gut’s Revenge will be right up your guts-strewn street.
Fans of the manga series ‘Beserk’ will no doubt know Gut and the associated characters. For newbies to the series, this game provides a great way to blow off steam and a narrative that has, quite literally, jumped out of a comic book series.
Like Shenmue, Sword of the Beserk was one of the first games on the scene to make use of quick-time events. That’s the bit where you have to make a quick decision that can change the way the game plays from that moment onwards.
Critics gave Gut’s Rage a reasonable review, praising the original music, graphics, controls, and value of play.
Everyone loves playing a good button-mash-slash game every now and again. It’s why Hyrule Warriors is so popular, and why my thumbs are always sore.
27. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
Ryu and the gang always appear in our ‘top games’ compendiums, so it’s not really a surprise that we’re seeing them here in our list of the best Dreamcast games. Street Fighter is a household name; even your granny knows what it is!
Quite confusingly, this is the third Street Fighter III game in existence, following Alpha, and Street Fighter III: Second Impact. It has five new characters compared to the second title in the sequence, including the return of the classic fighter Chun-Li.
That woman has one hell of a kick!
You know what you’re getting with a Street Fighter game. The controls and gameplay are all very similar to other versions that have come both before and after it.
The backgrounds on 3rd Strike look a lot better, however, and characters now have different end moves.
Other refinements were made such as changing move combos and adding in a guard option. There’s also a judgement grading system that determines how well you have fought in a two-player match.
But above all, it has that same Street Fighter playability and button-mashing excitement that we all love.
26. Grandia II
Grandia II is an RPG title filled with more fantasy elements than a game of D&D. It’s set in a world that has been ravaged by a battle between the god of light and the god of darkness.
The storyline is, as you would expect from an RPG, very intricate with lots of hidden twists and turns along the way.
The battle system in Grandia II is what separates it from other titles in the same genre. It’s turn-based, like Skies of Arcadia and Final Fantasy, but the characters also have limited movement, giving you the ability to run up and whoop an opponent with your sword before retreating back to ranks.
There are all of the usual magic and hit points in the battle system, and the controls are pretty intuitive. The storyline is compelling, and the developers have done a really good job of drawing you into the character’s world.
Speaking of the characters, Grandia II has a cast of memorable heroes and villains that you’ll enjoy interacting and fighting with.
The main character, Ryudo, is voiced by Cam Clarke, a voice you might recognise as Leonardo of TMNT cartoon fame. He also did Liquid Snake in the Metal Gear series.
That’s practically retro gaming royalty right there!
25. Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2
I think just about every person in the world had Tony Hawks 2 on one console or another.
In the same way that everyone plays Rocket League and Fortnite now, THPS2 was the game to be good at back in the day. It was an absolute classic title and had one of the best soundtracks of any video game too.
While gnarly skateboarding moves were out of reach for most people with my limited level of sporting courage, controlling Tony Hawks allowed you to pull off epic moves like ‘Christ Air’ and backflips without the fear of breaking every bone in your body.
I used to spend hours just roaming around pulling off tricks in Freeskate, but the multiplayer modes were what made this game so damn exciting.
HORSE, Skate, Graffiti, Trick Attack, Tag; these were the games of my childhood and how my mates and I would spend our weekends, back in a time where couch-coop was still considered a cool way to play.
Can you remember how hard the career mode was too? Two minutes to complete some of those tasks was so harsh, but pulling them off made you feel like the king of the world.
What a game!
24. San Fransisco Rush 2049
Long before Mario Kart 8 characters were driving upside down and flying through the air, the cars in San Fransisco Rush were soaring along tracks and pulling off unbelievable moves.
In this futuristic version of San Francisco city, sometimes you’ve got to fly to reach the finish line.
The cars in San Fransisco Rush 2049 have the ability to sprout extendable wings from their sides, giving you control over your car in mid-air.
Rocket League eat your heart out; the Dreamcast was doing this kind of crazy stuff long before you!
This game started out life as an arcade title and proved to be a big hit. It was originally supposed to be for 8 players at once, but how many arcades have got space for 8 of the same machine!
This multiplayer madness was recreated perfectly on the Dreamcast, however, with impressive deathmatch, stunt, and racing modes. You can also play through battle arenas and a brutal obstacle course named ‘The Gauntlet’.
Like all the best racing games, 2049 had an epic soundtrack. You gotta’ get pumped up if you’re going against The Gauntlet, and the techno tunes never disappointed.
Upgrade cars, risk your neck finding shortcuts, and prove that good drivers don’t need to keep all four wheels on the ground.
23. Dead Or Alive 2
The next game in our list of the best Dreamcast games is a great fighting title. It’s also a series that blatantly uses sexualisation as its main marketing tool. That much can be seen from the front cover!
Still, the graphics and gameplay are stunning in this game, even if the developers did have a bit too much fun creating ‘certain parts’ of the characters.
If you were to put them side by side, DOA2 and Virtua Fighter would have many similarities. In my opinion, DOA2 has the upper hand thanks to the more intricate fighting style and level locations.
Fighters can be stunned when knocked down on water/ice, and blocking is just as important as button-mashing.
This sequel to the original DOA game sees 10 of the previous characters returning for the fight, as well as 4 new fighters. There are characters that need to be unlocked, and each of the fighters has their own fighting style.
Fans of Ninja Gaiden will recognise Ryu Hayabasu as one of the main characters. He must defeat the evil Tenga, bring the world back to balance, and stop the maniacal promoter of the Dead or Alive tournament from corrupting humankind.
Are you up to the job?
22. Samba de Amigo
If you’re a fan of games like Donkey Konga and PaRappa the Rapper, then you’ll love Samba de Amigo. It’s all a bit bonkers, but that’s what makes it so much fun!
This rhythm game developed by Team Sonic features a monkey named Amigo as the main character. He looks as though he should be rolling around with Ai-Ai and Gon-Gon in Super Monkey Ball. Instead, he’s wielding a pair of maracas, and so are you!
Instead of using the Dreamcast controller or the VMU, the player uses two maracas that are plugged into a bar at their feet.
You have to shake your funky controllers in line with the symbols on the screen, keeping in time with the Latin American carnival music.
Shake your maracas and strike poses in a bid to attract more people to the weird spectacle you’re taking part in. Do well, and you’ll get a bigger crowd. Do bad, and amigo will be performing to an empty street.
Keep your curtains closed for this one – the neighbours might think that you’ve gone mad!
21. Project Justice
Project Justice is a team-based fighting game that follows on from ‘Rival Schools – United by Fate’.
You play as fighters from different schools, each with different fighting styles and abilities. It loosely follows the same game-mechanic as Street Fighter and other similar titles, though the storyline in Project Justice is pretty special in it’s own right!
A Ninja Assassin is trying to take over as ruler of Japan. He attempts to take out the Principal of Justice High, infiltrates the teams of fighters using his own sister and brother to spread discord amongst the students, and convinces a gang leader to start attacking schools.
What a well-balanced and sane individual!
One of the best parts of this game is the ‘party attack’, where you can pull off a 3vs1 move against your opponent.
Button-mashers will love this title, just as they will love the next game coming up too!
20. Capcom Vs SNK 2
Capcom vs SNK takes the Number 20 spot on our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time!
Fans of the King of Fighters series, one of the best NEO GEO games of all time, will love having the chance to pit their favourite characters up against Ryu, Chun-Li, and the Street Fighter gang.
There are also fighting styles that have taken inspiration from other iconic games too, most notably Number 4 in our list!
Pick up to 3 fighters for a 3-on-3 match or play 1-on-1 classic action. Either way, you’re bound to have a blast with this epic fighting title.
Players will recognise many of the same moves from Street Fighter Alpha, but various ‘grooves’ (that’s the fighting styles from other games) can also be selected to mix things up a bit.
What could be better than pitting M. Bison against Rock Howard, or Dhalsim against the legendary Terry Bogard?
19. Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Fans have been getting super excited over the Rayman Redemption fan ‘re-imagination’ title that’s set to drop soon, but they, and you, can always play on this classic Dreamcast title in the meantime.
Rayman games are epic no matter what console they are on. For a man with no arms and legs (but floating limbs?) he sure can whoop bad-guys into touch and overcome some of the toughest obstacles known to gaming kind.
Rayman 2: The Great Escape came out for pretty much every console of the time, but the Dreamcast had some of the most stunning visuals.
It replaced the 2D sprites used in the N64 version with 3D sprites, paving the way for more detailed levels and richer textures in the level backgrounds.
There are also minigames that the player can play through too, and who doesn’t love a good minigame from time to time.
Hand on heart, this is the best and most immersive version of Rayman 2: The Great Escape out there. And that’s coming from me, the biggest N64 nerd alive!
18. Resident Evil – Code: Veronica
The next title in our list of the best Dreamcast games is one of the most well-known survival horror games around. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that it’s the ruler of the genre.
Code: Veronica is set three months after Resident Evil 2 and follows on from the destruction of Racoon City that occurs in Resident Evil 3.
This game was the first in the series not to debut on the PS2, and it’s also one of my favourite.
In Code: Veronica, we experience stunning real-time 3D environments and dynamic camera angles for the first time in the Resident Evil series. It makes the whole game so much better, and consequently a lot scarier!
Code: Veronica sees Claire and Chris Redfield kicking Zombie ass once more.
The game is split between a remote prison and a research facility, two of the most creepy settings on earth. You split between the two storylines as the game progresses, keeping things fresh and the player hooked.
The gameplay, controls, and puzzle-solving elements are all similar to the previous titles in the series. As is the sheer volume of braindead, undead cretins trying to take a chunk out of your face.
This is one of my favourite storylines out of all of the R.E games. I’m not telling you any more; this is one that you need to experience for yourself!
17. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Next up in our list of the best Dreamcast games ever made is Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.
Like the Neo Geo, the Dreamcast had a lot of the best arcade fighting ports in one place, and having the chance to play Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure in your living room instead of down at the arcade had to have felt revolutionary.
I came to this game a little later in life, but it soon became one of my favourites. Based on the popular Japanese series, you fight as characters that have been perfectly created in Capcom’s timeless Manga style.
If you’re a fan of the series, then this game needs to be in your life. The original author of the story was brought in as a consultant and actually created new designs for some characters and original artwork for the box.
Not only is it one of the best Dreamcast games, but it’s also a collectors item!
The fighting style is nothing new; it’s the characters that make this game so special.
I mean, where else could you play as Muhammad Avdol and his stand, Magician’s Red?
Nowhere, that’s where!
16. Crazy Taxi
Everyone around the world has probably had a go at the next title on our list of the best Dreamcast games.
You might have played Simpsons Road Rage or other similar titles, but Crazy Taxi was the first and best game of its kind. It went on to spawn various sequels on different platforms and was super fun to play.
As well as the original map that you could play on the arcade version, the Dreamcast port featured a MASSIVE San Fransisco map where the player could really explore and get completely lost (something that you don’t want to do when you’re trying to get a lot of points and keep that clock from running down!)
IMAGE © JUICY GAME REVIEWS
The premise of Crazy Taxi is simple – take passengers to their destination while pulling off cool tricks and destroying stuff. Get them there quickly, and you get more points and cash.
It’s so simple it hurts, making it one of those games that anyone can pick up and play no matter how much gaming experience they have.
Sega used this title to show off the fact that their new console could hold 60 frames a second, and it received positive feedback from game reviewers the world over.
Just imagine how Crazy Taxi might look if we were opening up the ‘Dreamcast Series X’ or something today – maybe we’ll see an improvement when the Dreamcast Mini drops.
15. Soul Calibur
I first got into Soul Calibur on the Game Cube when Link became a playable character. Since then, I’ve gone back to collect all of the variations on my previous consoles and still can’t decide which one I like the best.
Nightmare is undoubtedly my favourite character, but you can’t beat Voldo or Yoshimitsu either.
The Dreamcast port of this game is one of the first titles that really outshined its arcade counterpart. It gave home console owners a better experience than the kids queuing up with a pocket full of quarters ready to beat each other to a virtual pulp.
Players could work their way through a main ‘mission’ mode with their favourite fighters and collect points that could be used to unlock different costumes and add-ons.
Characters each had special moves and lots of quick attacks that could be pounded out in close-combat, and the level of thought that went into creating the characters themselves is what really sets this game apart from other fighting titles (excluding Number 10 on our list of the best Dreamcast games of course).
If you haven’t visited the Soul Calibur series, then this is certainly a good place to start. Game on!
14. Phantasy Star Online
If you’ve read my articles before, then you’ll know that I love a good RPG game. Phantasy Star Online was the worlds first online RPG game for home consoles, allowing up to four people to join forces from anywhere in the world for role-playing nerdiness.
Games like this really make me wonder how Sega got it so wrong with the Dreamcast – this was pioneering stuff, and the game was an absolute belter too!
Playing in real-time with people who weren’t sat right next to you was huge back in the day and is pretty much the only way that people play multiplayer games today!
PSO is undoubtedly the main muse behind many of our favourite RPG games, and critics called it a ‘landmark game’ for the console.
If you’ve ever played games like PSO before, then you’ll pretty much be already acquainted with how this title works.
There is an offline mode that frankly was a little bit dull, but the online mode allowed you to meet your friends in a virtual lobby and fly a spaceship to an uncharted planet where you had to defeat monsters and aliens.
Players could choose their own race of fighter and special skill, spend coins on items, make battle plans, and throw out pre-set phrases to get everyone hyped up. It’s like a virtual Dungeons and Dragons with nice graphics and gameplay that is 100% addictive.
Hobbyists still keep private servers open for playing Phantasy Star Online even today, which proves what a dedicated cult following this game has!
13. Blue Stinger
Next up on our list of the best Dreamcast Games is Blue Stinger, another survival horror title with some of the most epic monsters I’ve ever come up against.
Sega sure loved scaring us out of our wits and making us fear for our lives, didn’t they!
One thing that I remember being insanely hard about this game was that you could only refill your health gauge in real-time when it was safe to do so. There was no whipping out a steak like in Windbound; you had to find a vending machine when the coast was clear and pay for your food like an honest, non-frightened citizen.
And the monsters; man, were they big!
They’re actually mutated beetles, and you’re fighting them inside a laboratory on Dinosaur Island, the place where the original meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs fell.
What’s that, now? Talk about an epic storyline!
If you’ve enjoyed every Resident Evil game thus far and fancy a change, then you won’t be disappointed with Blue Stinger.
12. Power Stone 2
Like many of the best Dreamcast games on the console, the Power Stone series started life as an arcade game. It’s essentially Sega’s version of Super Smash Bros. and is a great title to kick back with while socialising with your mates (in the flesh this time, and not online).
The worlds are insane and the items are very Smash Bros-esque, especially the big K.O hammer! Some levels have sub-areas and interactive scenery that might change or disappear entirely at a moments notice, forcing you and your mates to battle while skydiving or literally jumping ship!
Power Stone 2 utilised the VMU for trading items bought in the store or picked up in the Adventure Mode with other gamers. You could also keep certain items to hand and pull them out in a fight to give you an advantage over your opponent.
Capcom certainly has the special formula for making a great fighting game – all you need to worry about is finding a set of mates and persuading them to take a beating!
11. Shenmue
I really should have included both Shenmue titles in this list of the best Dreamcast games, but I guess it’s a good idea to start off where the saga first began.
The Shenmue series has only just concluded, having an 18-year gap between games two and three. While the third part (released for PS4) had to be made via crowdfunding donations on Kickstarter, the first Shenmue title cost around $47-million to make!
That’s one pricey game, and while it pulled a cult following that helped to keep the series alive in later days, it wasn’t enough to save the poor old Dreamcast (cue disappointed sigh).
The storyline revolves around protagonist Ryo Hazuki setting out on a quest to avenge the death of his father.
The game features quick-time events that determine certain outcomes, and players must collect information from background characters in order to solve clues and progress through the vast open-world levels.
One of the best bits about this title is that you can fight multiple opponents at once, making you feel like a virtual Chuck Norris.
If in-depth plot lines and games that you can really sink your teeth into are what you’re after, then this could well be one of the best Dreamcast games for you!
10. Marvel VS Capcom 2
What could be better than seeing Captain America face off against Ryu, Wolverine fighting Blanka, or Spider-Man taking on Chun-Li? It’s the stuff that dreams are made of, which is why Marvel VS Capcom 2 takes the Number 10 spot in our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time!
This could possibly be one of the most influential fighting games ever made and one of my favourite titles when I fancy a bit of ‘beat em up’ action.
It’s the ultimate nerd frenzy, with every kick-ass character from film and video gaming history taking part in the biggest clash of muscles, superpowers, and egos.
The game works very much like any Street Fighter title and indeed the previous titles in the Marvel VS Capcom series. All characters have special abilities as well as button-mashing attacks, and the player can choose to call in a sidekick for tag-team style action throughout the fight.
‘Oi, Hulk; give us a hand will you?’
The Dreamcast port of this game looked superb and played incredibly well, and it’s one that you should definitely include in your collection.
9. Rez
I don’t ever think that I’ve come across a game quite like Rez in all my years of gaming. Sure, it has similarities to Tron, Guitar Hero, and VR Troopers, but it’s the only game that would dare put all three of those things together.
And the weirdest thing is that it actually works, and it’s addictive.
To be honest, I still don’t really have a clue what the storyline is, but that doesn’t matter. All that matters is getting into the groove and pulling that pistol trigger… pushing that shoot button… you get the idea.
So what is Rez all about? It’s a musical rail shooter, kind of like Sewer Shark (one of the best SEGA CD games), but without the weird FMV characters and zombie rats, and more music.
Still with me?
Players must shoot down enemies to ‘killer tunes’ (see what I did there).
The game fx and music both combine together to create a sort of experimental soundscape that was incredibly clever and very intricate for a computer game of its time. This is another one of those titles that you really have to play for yourself to truly understand.
I couldn’t resist sticking it in our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time because, while it’s a bit of a wild card, it certainly leaves a lasting impression.
8. Jet Set Radio
The next title on our list of the best Dreamcast games was all about being a massive rebel, inline skating your way around Tokyo, and graffitiing up any surface that you could find. It was one of the first games to use cell-shaded graphics, a style that would later go on to be used for the ever-popular Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker.
This game follows in the footsteps of titles like Parappa the Rapper and is a mixture of Crazy Taxi and the spray-tag minigame on Tony Hawks Pro Skater.
Long story short; it’s awesome!
As you might expect, the game plot is a bit insane.
Rival gangs of street-taggers compete to win pieces of a mysterious vinyl that can supposedly summon the devil. The main antagonist is eventually defeated by destroying his turntables and tagging his head as he plummets to his death.
It’s all a bit bizarre, which makes it even more fun! This is one game that you should definitely give a try if you’re looking for something to do during the Covid19 lockdown.
(If you’re reading this from the future, then I would like to think that lots of people bought Dreamcasts during the pandemic because they finally had time to experience this groundbreaking console. And because ‘why the hell not!’).
7. Sonic Adventure 2
Playing as Shadow the Hedgehog was absolutely awesome! He was just as fast as Sonic but cooler because he was a new character to play with.
Yeah, I’m that fickle.
This game was great fun from start to finish, with multiple storylines all swirling around one another and the chance to play as the bad guys as well as the good ones for a change.
So why isn’t Sonic Adventure 2 further down this list?
Well, I just feel that it worked a lot better on the GameCube than it did on the Dreamcast. The controls were easier to manage, and the ‘Battle’ variation on the GC added more exciting features that sadly trumped the Dreamcast version.
Don’t worry though, I still love playing this game right after I’ve finished the original Sonic Adventure.
It’s an essential title if you enjoyed playing the first game in the series, and now that Sega has teased a new Sonic game, we may be about to see Sonic Adventure 3 finally hitting virtual shelves!
6. Quake III Arena
Quake III Arena takes the next spot on our list of the best Dreamcast games. It’s a multiplayer classic and one of the best first-person shooters for the console.
This game has no story mode to play through; it’s literally a battle arena that focuses on the one element that made games like Goldeneye so much fun; destroying your mates.
The graphics are super crisp, and the simplified gameplay provides a no-nonsense gaming experience like many of today’s most-loved online multiplayer titles.
You can play this game in single-player mode, honing your skills against bots instead of real players. But the real action came in the form of online play.
Four players could fight online with some of the best weapons in the Quake franchise at their disposal. You could also play agains PC gamers from your Dreamcast too, so there were plenty of butts to kick no matter what time you wanted to play.
There is a European server that still has dedicated fans playing online too, so if you fancy some retro Dreamcast online gaming, then get hold of a copy and get online!
5. Ikaruga
Ikaruga is a shoot ’em up game with a difference. Instead of following the side-scrolling norm, this game uses a forward-scrolling motion.
It’s like Space Invaders on steroids, and the careful design that has gone into the various levels is out of this world… literally!
This game grew a cult following in Japan before hitting the Western gaming world by storm. It really is one of a kind and changes your perception of blaster games completely.
Rather than just gunning down opponents, you have to use your brain and solve puzzles as you fly through space.
Ikaruga follows a rebel space pilot by the name of Shinra. His ship is the Ikaruga, a specially designed craft with two polarities – white and black.
Enemy bullets that are the same colour as the ship will be absorbed, while the opposite colour can destroy the Ikaruga. You’ve got to keep your wits about you if you want to survive!
Critics loved the concept of the game, though some said that it was too hard.
I reckon they were amateurs; you don’t want a game to be over too quickly!
Like a lot of the best Dreamcast games, the soundstage is fantastic. Maybe they’ll bring out a ‘Sega Best Of’ album one day!
4. Garou: Mark Of The Wolves
You might remember this next entry on our list of the best Dreamcast games from our article on the best Neo Geo games! Garou: Mark of the Wolves is the final instalment in the Fatal Fury series. And for me, it’s the best fighting game there is.
This isn’t your average fighting game, and compared to the others, it just feels more carefully thought out.
For starters, there are returning characters from the King of Fighters series, which is a nice little touch for fans of the genre.
Then there’s the Tactical Offence Position gauge which grants you special moves, health rejuvenation, and increased attack power.
There are hidden characters to unlock, just like in Super Smash Bros., and you are rewarded for pulling off the perfect block via the ‘Just Defend’ rating system.
All of these extras serve to keep you on your toes. You’re thinking while you’re fighting, which is unusual in a game like this.
The levels are nice and busy too with plenty going on to look at in the background. The storyline is engaging, and the whole thing simply works.
All in all, a great buy!
3. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
The Number 3 spot in our list of the best Dreamcast Games goes to Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, which is one of our best PS1 games of all time too!
Soul Reaver is set 150 years after the first game in the series, Blood Omen. If you like the pain of being defeated time and time again on Dark Souls, then you’ll love this game.
It follows the journey of a vampire/wraith called Raziel (awesome name). He used to be ‘bezzy mates’ with Kain until the great Vampire Lord decided to kill him off.
Now, the Elder God has revived Raziel and made him his personal Soul Reaver.
If you’re confused, then don’t worry. This game has more angry feuds and battles than Game of Thrones!
Fans of Castlevania will love jumping into this dark and tense 3D adventure. Raziel’s weapons and abilities are completely out of this world (it’s mostly set in the underworld, after all), and the story is so immersive that you’ll find yourself sliding forward onto the edge of your seat in no time.
So it’s a little repetitive, but no more so than Dark Souls and certainly far less than games like Hyrule Warriors.
And the creepy enemies in Soul reaver will leave you wanting to get back in the game and destroy them as soon as possible once you turn off the console, which means that it’s a title that you’ll hardly ever put down!
2. Skies Of Arcadia
Multiple RPG games in one list – I feel like I’m binge-watching The Big Bang Theory all over again!
This game was fantastic and the vast landscapes that you could explore were breathtaking. Turn-based battles, flying spaceships, epic soundtracks, and a host of weird and wonderful enemies to defeat.
Yep, Skies of Arcadia had it all and was described by critics as being one of the best games for the console.
I loved the epic fantasy storyline and the kick-ass weapons available throughout the game, and the fact that you could spend such a long time exploring the vibrant worlds (something that we take for granted in titles like Skyrim and BOTW) allowed you to fully immerse yourself in a completely different reality.
If you haven’t played Skies Of Arcadia before, then it’s very much like Final Fantasy and indeed Phantasy Star Online. Players can explore cities or delve into maze-inspired dungeons, collecting items that will help them in their quest and battling monsters and demons at every turn.
Like many RPG games, different mana points are used in the battle system with health being picked up along the way.
If you like any of the other fantasy titles that I’ve referred to throughout this article, then I urge you to give Skies Of Arcadia a try – you’ll be lost in another universe before you know it!
1. Sonic Adventure
Selling 2.5million copies, Sonic Adventure wholeheartedly deserves the top spot in our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time!
The first fully 3D Sonic adventure – it’s what we all dreamt of during the side-scrolling days of the Sega Mega Drive, and Sonic Adventure certainly didn’t disappoint.
All of the usual suspects including Tails, Knuckles, and Amy are back, as is Robotnik who just doesn’t know when to give up! I spent hours playing this game back in the day, raising my Chao’s and making them win races to bring me eternal glory.
Make me proud, my little odd-shaped minions!
The premise is tried and tested – collect rings, stop ol’ ‘moustache face’ from using the Chaos emeralds for his own evil gain, and run as fast as hedgehogly possible everywhere you can.
Seeing Sonic in a 3D adventure was absolutely amazing and finally put the blue wonder at the same level as Mario and Spyro.
Sonic was always a gaming hero, but being able to move him in any direction and having the ability to revisit certain areas felt so good.
It wasn’t just about speed anymore (ok, it’s always about speed with Sonic), and many people saw this game as the one that would bring Sega back to the forefront of the console market (how many times have I written something like that so far in this article!).
This will always be one of the best Sonic games in my opinion, and I hope that you agree with my choice!
Final Thoughts. . .
I don’t normally write a final thoughts section on these ‘best games’ articles, but I think that this one calls for a brief conclusion.
Look how many of the games above had positive reviews from critics or were hailed as being ‘the Dreamcast’s saviour, and the console still didn’t manage to take off.
I honestly believe that the world just wasn’t ready for this style of next-gen console back in 1999.
People were still playing with the NES and SNES for crying out loud, unboxing N64s and getting to grips with sticking CDs in consoles instead of cartridges.
I think my mum had just found out about Tetris back then too! Most other online consoles didn’t start taking off until around 2005, making the Dreamcast around 6 years before its time.
I honestly believe that, had the Dreamcast come out a little later, it would have been a much bigger commercial success. Now, sadly, it’s too late for Sega to make a resurgence in the console world. They’ve had a lot of success with the Sega Mega Drive Mini, but times are changing, and the Dreamcast will forever be an albatross around Sega’s neck.
Luckily, Dreamcast consoles do still exist in the world, and those of you that are dedicated to achieving retro gaming enlightenment can sit back and pretend that this console actually made it, that it went on to be one of the greats.
If you’re reading this in Brazil where the Sega Master System is still in production, then ignore everything I have said; you’ve got one hell of a console coming your way soon!
More Content From The Retro Dodo Team!
- Check out our list of the best SEGA Game Gear games…
- …then take a look at our list of the best Master System games…
- …and FINALLY, take a peek at our list of the best SEGA Genesis games!
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
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