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Game Warehouse : Categories : Games : More Systems : Sega Dreamcast : All Games

• Sonic Adventure

  "Sega of America, Inc."

  
  After several years in video game retirement, Sonic the Hedgehog returns as the star of a graphically stunning 3-D adventure game that blows away every other game in the genre. Sonic is joined by five of his friends in a massive quest that spans over 50 game levels filled with remarkable visuals and a pulsating soundtrack. Taking full advantage of the unprecedented processing power of the Dreamcast, Sega's development crew, Sonic Team, has designed several gravity-defying game levels that will keep gamers hooked.

  Our favorite level is Windy Valley, which requires you to survive the stormy perils of a tremendous tornado. This tyrant of nature chases you relentlessly before ultimately sucking you into the air and up through its eye. During the chase, the tornado manages to tear up just about everything on the screen. This dizzying visual spectacle moves so fast that you will literally hold on to the game controller for dear life.

  Assuming you survive the tornado, there are several more challenging areas to conquer, including a level that requires you to snowboard directly in the path of a fast-approaching avalanche. During the Emerald Coast level, you will race across a precarious dock as a killer whale attacks from below, destroying the wood planks underneath your feet while you attempt to outrun the crazed creature.

  We also liked the numerous mini-games scattered throughout this title. When you least expect it, Sonic Adventure tosses in some old-fashioned arcade action, such as pinball or bumper car racing. In between, you can raise virtual pets, known in the game as "Chao." These characters, which are saved using the optional Visual Memory Unit (VMU), can be combined with other Chao characters exchanged between friends or downloaded via the Internet.

  Gamers looking to show off the strong processing power of the 128-bit Dreamcast will definitely want to pick up this title. Simply put, Sonic Adventure's graphics surpass those of any other game currently available on any home video game system. Let the Sonic assault begin. --Brett Atwood

  Pros:

  • Strong replay value
  • Stunning graphics
  • Bonus virtual pet game
  • Six different game characters

  Cons:

  • May be too fast-moving for some players
  • Awkward camera angles can inhibit gameplay in some areas
  
   

• Shenmue

  "Sega of America, Inc."

  
  
   

• Soul Calibur

  SPIG

  
  Featuring graphics that surpass even the amazing NFL 2K, Soul Calibur is the martial arts fighting game to end all fighting games and the game to get if you're a Dreamcast owner. Based on the arcade classic of the same name, Soul Calibur lets you choose to represent one of 10 fighters in a series of battles against your peers. If you can successfully defeat all of your opponents, you will then face the fiendish Inferno in a final showdown that will determine the fate of the world. Each of the game's warriors is armed with a different deadly weapon--sword, ax, stave, nunchaku, you name it--and an assortment of special moves all tailored to that specific weapon. The warriors include men, women, and creatures from all over the globe and from various mythologies. Each is brought to life with amazing motion-capture animation, which results in incredibly lifelike and realistic duels. If you own a Dreamcast or are thinking of buying one, do yourself a favor and add Soul Calibur to your collection. --Mike Ryan

  Pros:

  • Exceptionally lifelike graphics and animation
  • Multiple game modes--1-player, 2-player, team, computer vs. computer, martial arts demo, and more
  • Secrets and extra features will keep players coming back

  Cons:

  • May be too violent for some parents
  
   

• Jet Grind Radio

  "Sega of America, Inc."

  
  
   

• Crazy Taxi

  "Sega of America, Inc."

  
  If you think it's hard to flag down a cab in a big city, try driving one in Sega's zany straight-from-the-arcade port of Crazy Taxi. If you're one of the teeming fans who eagerly played Crazy Taxi in the arcade at a buck a pop, then this game is a must-buy, if only from a purely economic standpoint. Even those who don't know the difference between Crazy Taxi and the long-running TV series Taxi will immediately recognize the appeal of this game. In fact, this game is so impressive and addictive that it should easily convince a whole new wave of buyers to purchase a Sega Dreamcast.

  What's so hot about Crazy Taxi? For starters, the graphics sport the most impressive re-creation of a living city ever seen in a video game. The level of detail is astounding and never ceases to surprise the player as block after unique block speeds by. The city is a distilled version of San Francisco with some landmarks and neighborhoods left intact. Making it seem all the more real are apparent product placements of real-world retail locations such as KFC, Tower Records, and Pizza Hut. And just about everything you see on the screen is interactive: boxes, phone booths, and mailboxes topple when bumped or smashed, pedestrians leap and tumble out of your path, and the myriad of traffic attempts to avoid your erratic high-speed antics. While some driving games brag about a lack of boundaries, this one delivers--players drive on the ocean floor, off the second floor of a parking garage, through parks, and down stairs. A helpful hovering arrow points drivers in the correct direction, but you can truly drive wherever you want at any time, making for tons of replay value.

  While the game is a direct port from the arcade game of the same name, there's plenty more depth in the home version. In addition to the city that appears in the coin-op version, the Dreamcast version also includes an entirely new city. Crazy Taxi includes a trunk-load of mini-games that help to teach drivers how to perform the special speed boosts and maneuvers in the game.

  Though this game would be plenty exciting without any sounds at all, it has an adrenaline-pumping soundtrack supplied by punk crossover bands the Offspring and Bad Religion, as well as some good, if sometimes monotonous, dialogue between the driver and the passengers. --Jeff Young

  Pros:

  • Wonderful, realistic graphics
  • Easy to get into, and full of many long hours of addictive play
  • Even more to offer than the fantastic arcade game upon which this is based

  Cons:

  • On very few occasions players will encounter some graphic slowdown
  
   

• Resident Evil Code Veronica

  Capcom

  
  The first Dreamcast installment in the Resident Evil series, Code: Veronica is "survival horror" at its finest. Unmatched in its ability to convey a persistent feeling of dread--and scare the pants off of you ever so often--this is one of those hard-to-put-down games that will keep you up for several nights on end.

  The fourth chapter in the dark Resident Evil epic, Code: Veronica delves further into the machinations of the sinister Umbrella Corporation, once again pitting players against zombies and other horrifying mutations created by Umbrella's biotechnological viruses. Players begin the game as Claire Redfield, Resident Evil 2's college-girl-turned-zombie-killer, and later control Chris Redfield, the beefcake cop from the original game. There's more strategy required here than in the previous games, as Claire's actions have a direct impact on Chris. For example, playing a trigger-happy Claire that uses every health-restoring item in sight will call for some fancy footwork on the part of brother Chris.

  While the basic game design here is largely unchanged from that of its PlayStation predecessors, Code: Veronica features many visual refinements--including exquisitely detailed 3-D character graphics, roaming camera viewpoints, and spectacular atmospheric and lighting effects--that greatly enhance the cinematic feel of the game. Equally high production values are evident in the game's excellent use of ambient and dynamic sound effects.

  Upon completing Code: Veronica, players are rewarded with "Battle Game," a timed slaughterfest that can be played in third- or first-person point-of-view and has rewards all its own. --Joe Hon

  Pros:
  

  • Engrossing storyline and well-developed characters
  • Cinematic Dreamcast-enhanced graphics and excellent sound effects
  • Challenging, first-rate gameplay
  • "Battle Game" greatly increases replay value

  Cons:
  

  • Despite nonfixed camera angles, viewpoint can still be awkward at times
  • Less than perfect controls
  
   

• Chu Chu Rocket

  Sega Of America, Inc.

  
  
   

• Grandia II

  
  See if this sounds familiar: You're from an outcast mercenary class that upstanding folk don't want around until there's trouble. You're sent on a mission with an innocent, idealistic woman with whom you don't immediately get along. Forces of darkness, safely contained until recently, have escaped and are threatening a world-ending clash with the forces of light, unless you successfully intercede. This is one of the safest templates for console role-playing games, as well as the story in Grandia II.

  Thankfully, however, everything else in the game is fresh and provides hours upon hours of fun. The backdrops and character designs are colorful without being flashy, the game has a great pace (for an RPG), and players never have to stand around too long for the next thing to do. Even the writing, within its cookie-cutter plot, is smart, well translated, and occasionally funny.

  The game's strongest element, though, is its battle system. Taking the best of turn-based and real-time battle engines, Grandia II forces you to choose your moves carefully with respect to timing and position. The battles are very simple in the beginning, but grow increasingly complex as you fight larger numbers of monsters with a growing party of allies. How you meet your encounters--whether you initiate the fight, are ambushed, or meet head on--affects both the timing of the blows and the positions of the contestants. Battles emphasize counterattacks and combination blows, but you'll soon find that movement and defense keep you alive against the tougher enemies. Elemental magic, items, and skill books are just icing on the cake. Even if the battles do grow old, the random fights are fairly easy to avoid, and a versatile AI option lets you cruise-control through the rest.

  Grandia II may just be the traditional role-playing game that Dreamcast owners have been waiting for. The question of whether or not it is too traditional doesn't matter, since it offers a better experience than most that have come before. --Porter B. Hall

  Pros:

  • Battle system creates interesting, complex fights
  • Solid, traditional role-playing game for a system with few others in the genre

  Cons:

  • Predictable plot and characters
  
   

• Space Channel 5

  Sega Of America, Inc.

  
  
   

• Marvel vs. Capcom 2

  "Sega of America, Inc."

  
  Just when it seems 3-D fighting games have permanently made 2-D fighting games obsolete, something like Marvel vs. Capcom 2 comes along and proves just how deep and fun 2-D fighters can be. It's better than its predecessor in every way, and arguably the best 2-D fighting game to grace the Dreamcast.

  The amount of playable characters is enough to put any fighting fan's salivary glands in overdrive. Beginning with favorites such as Spider Man, Wolverine, Ryu, and Chun Li, players can eventually unlock 56 characters. We had our hands full just mastering a few of these fighters, and getting familiar with all 56 would take months of intense practice. There are almost too many moves, all depicted with superb animation and augmented by several tag-team combos. When the match begins, you can pick three characters. Once things heat up, you can call in your pals to unleash a massive move on your opponent. This adds immensely to the game's depth, and button mashers will be in for a shock when they find that their mistimed tag-team moves backfire.

  Visually, this game is intense. The large characters are slightly jagged around the edges, but that's more than compensated for by the massive amount of animation frames, colorful special effects, and stunning 3-D backgrounds that are loaded with detail. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 also delivers a sonic performance that is nearly arcade-perfect. This is a must-buy for any fighting fan, especially those who have a couple of buddies to bash. Just be prepared to put in a lot of time in practice mode if you want to get good. --T. Byrl Baker

  Pros:

  • Brilliant 3-D backgrounds
  • A massive number of characters to play as
  • Tag-team element adds a fun strategic component to the gameplay

  Cons:

  • Characters were drawn at low resolution
  
   

• Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes

  Capcom

  
  Who would win in a fight: the Incredible Hulk or Wolverine? What if Street Fighter's Ryu teamed up with Hulk, and Chun Li had Wolverine's back? Speculate no more as Marvel pits its comic book heroes against Capcom's video game stars in Marvel vs. Capcom.

  All your favorite Marvel characters are available, each one a joy to play. The Hulk is huge, powerful, and slow, while Spider-Man leaps and web-slings around the arena, attacking with outrageous handsprings, flips, and lunging punches. Capcom's familiar Street Fighter heroes, as well as a few other heroes such as Mega Man, round out the character selection. Some of the lesser-known characters from both franchises make special appearances. It's pretty funny when Arthur from the old game Ghosts N' Goblins jumps onscreen to throw lances at Captain America. Each of the battles is a two-on-two tag-team match. Players can swap characters in the middle of a fight, and clever players quickly discover how to launch devastating double-team attacks on the opponent. Up to four people can play.

  If Marvel vs. Capcom has a fault, it's super speed. The action is fast--really fast--and can quickly overwhelm a player who is used to the feint-and-strike gameplay of more sophisticated 3-D fighting games. In fact, gamer novices may be able to beat video game veterans by resorting to the old "randomly mash every button as fast as you can" trick. Aside from this, the game is a triumph in 2-D fighting. --Mike Fehlauer

  Pros:

  • Great cast of characters
  • Tests superiority of superheroes
  • Devastating tag-team moves
  • Faithful hero animations

  Cons:

  • Cramped fighting space
  • Difficult, hyper-speed gameplay
  
   

• House of the Dead 2

  "Sega of America, Inc."

  
  Direct from the arcades to the Dreamcast, Sega has a sure-fire smash on its hands with this near arcade-quality translation of popular zombie shooter House of the Dead 2. Most fast-action gaming fans will immediately dive into the basic premise of this game: shoot and destroy the zombies that have invaded the creepy haunt known as the Curien Mansion.

  For what it's worth, however, House of the Dead 2 does contain a pretty intriguing plot that moves beyond the simplistic point-and-shoot genre. In addition to the fast-moving action, there are several subplots that shed light on the darker secrets lurking within this eerie, zombie-infested environment. Gameplay can be set to accommodate several skill levels, including easy, medium, and hard game settings.

  Even if you manage to master this game, there are several alternative plot and game paths that will keep you coming back for more. Your shooting patterns and on-screen actions will determine the plot path and gaming areas that you can explore. Skilled shooters and well-trained zombie slayers will be rewarded with secret game areas and unusual plot twists.

  By saving the lives of innocent bystanders, you will usually be able to take a shorter path to the end of the game level. In addition, you'll often gain health bonuses that enable you to play longer. If you complete the game without allowing any hostages to die, you'll even unlock a secret bonus room.

  A few years ago, Sega disappointed some hardcore fans with its less-than-perfect home translation of the original House of the Dead game. With House of the Dead 2, Sega has fully redeemed itself. The Dreamcast is the only home game system with the processing power to do the arcade game justice--and it shows. We just about drooled over the graphics, which have to be seen to be believed.

  The home version even expands beyond the arcade gameplay with exclusive new levels, including a training mode that helps you practice your shooting skills before you enter the game. There are also several never-before-seen secret game areas that were developed exclusively for the Dreamcast.

  The only disappointment here is Sega's decision not to include the light gun accessory with this title. You can play with a basic Dreamcast controller, but the game was designed with the light gun in mind. Without a light blaster, it's just not as fun. It's a good thing that third-party companies, such as InterAct, are already offering light guns that are compatible with the Dreamcast. We highly recommend purchasing this separately sold light gun accessory; it makes the game infinitely more enjoyable and, frankly, some of the harder areas of the game are almost impossible to beat without it. --Brett Atwood

  Pros:

  • Near perfect arcade-to-home translation
  • Multiplayer support with a second Dreamcast controller or light gun (sold separately)
  • Exclusive levels developed only for the Dreamcast
  • Multiple game paths

  Cons:

  • Gameplay suffers without optional light gun accessory
  
   

• Sonic Adventure 2

  "Sega of America, Inc."

  
  When longtime Sega mascot Sonic the Hedgehog made his debut on the Dreamcast console in Sonic Adventure, gamers were stunned. Sega had not only used the game to show off the tremendous possibilities of the then-new hardware, but they had reinvigorated the platform-style arcade adventure genre with massive, intricate levels, gleefully distracting minigames, and even a new kind of virtual pet, called a Chao, that could be combined with other pets, traded with friends, and even exchanged over the Internet. Sonic Adventure 2 ups the ante of its predecessor with all-new puzzles and levels, and even faster action reminiscent of the early Genesis-era games. Knuckles and Tails are back, as are the Chao pets (who can now talk!).
  
   

• Power Stone

  
  Packed with all the energy and over-the-top moves of a Jackie Chan movie, Power Stone revitalizes the fighting game genre with fully functional 3-D combat environments and frenzied strategy. Face your opponent in a London courtyard and you can hurl café chairs and tables at him before taking him out by swinging around a lamppost. Or fight in a dilapidated shopping mall, and beat your foe down with a giant stuffed teddy bear after tossing him through a storefront window. Each multilevel combat area is stocked with crates, barrels, clubs, even ray guns, and everything can be used as a weapon.

  Interactive fighting environments are fun, but what really sets Power Stone apart are the power stones. Collecting all three stones transforms the character into a superbeing, unlocking new and devastating attacks. Since the overall goal of the game is to beat up your opponent, and the superform lets you do the most damage, competition for the stones is fierce.

  If you're tired of the standard fighting game formula and want a little more, Power Stone is the game for you. It's a perfect translation of the arcade hit, and the uncomplicated, frantic combat will bring a grin to many a jaded gamer's face. --Mike Fehlauer

  Pros:

  • Easy to learn, fast-paced gameplay
  • 11 unique, multilevel, interactive fighting environments
  • Great use of VMU
  • Smooth, vivid, arcade-quality graphics

  Cons:

  • Game may be too frantic for some players
  
   

• Seaman with Microphone

  
  Seaman is quite possibly the weirdest video game to ever be released. It's also one of the most incredibly original titles in a very long time. And if you don't believe me, just ask the frisky Seaman, a fish/reptile with a human face--it isn't shy.

  According to legend, this strange creature is the discovery of scientist Jean Paul Gasse. The weird-looking beast was documented to have an almost grotesque look about it, as it had the body of a reptile and the face of a man. Yet it was able to talk and reason with the doctor as well as your average human. And while the good doctor was laughed into obscurity after trying to explain his discovery, you have the opportunity to raise a Seaman from egg to its fishlike state and beyond.

  Not only must you keep Seaman well fed and warm, you'll find that conversation (via the included microphone) with Seaman is a must. The scaly inquisitor will probe into your personal life by asking about your age, marital status, and favorite music, among other things. Also, if treated well this creature will spew its (usually sarcastic) rantings on pop culture, the Internet, and even reality itself. There's even a touch of sexual innuendo that may raise a few eyebrows. I doubt your goldfish ever did that.

  The speech recognition is far from perfect, but there's no doubt that the gimmick almost always causes a smile when you realize how long you've been conversing with a fish and just how many words it does respond to. The simplistic graphics often make Seaman look like he's swimming in space rather than in a huge tank, but this game makes no claim to break new ground in graphics--it's the speech recognition that is most noteworthy. Star Trek veteran Leonard Nimoy acts as narrator, bringing all of the emotion of Spock (read: none) to his performance--yet somehow it works.

  Since the Seaman can starve or freeze if not tended to regularly (raising this thing will take weeks), it might be a good idea to invest in another Visual Memory Unit to store the status of Seaman's habitat and your performance.

  It's hard to say just how much "game" is actually in this title. Rather, Seaman offers an interesting life journey through birth, growth, death, rebirth, and change. Seaman offers a unique Dreamcast experience that is both disturbing and fascinating. --Mark Brooks

  Pros:

  • A very ugly fish that talks--how cool is that?
  • Seaman can recognize quite a surprising number of words with the included microphone, and he talks back
  • Easy to play
  • Sarcastic wit (read: very American) and humor can be good for a few laughs

  Cons:

  • Speech recognition is inconsistent (often words are completely misunderstood)
  • Graphics are suitably simplistic but never really deliver the feeling that Seaman is swimming in water
  • Probably doesn't taste good with chips
  
   

• Test Drive Le Mans

  Infogrames

  
  Test Drive Le Mans is the official game of the internationally famous Le Mans auto race, which dates back to 1923. Players can select from among a series of Le Mans circuit tracks that wind through the Sarthe region of France, and choose from among over 40 cars that reach speeds approaching 200 mph. Also, race fans can compete in GT and prototype classes, and choose from officially licensed racing teams.

  Along with distinct engine sounds, the cars also exhibit realistic engine conditions, so that racers need to factor a pit strategy into their racing. Lighting effects around the tracks mimic the race's 24-hour cycle from day to night to day. Precise road conditions and collision effects allow for realistic crashes, spinouts, and flips. The Le Mans mode allows players to compete in a 24-hour race, or compress it into 10-minute, 30-minute, one-hour, or six-hour modes. Up to four players can compete simultaneously via a split screen.

  
   

• Spawn

  
  
   

• Ready 2 Rumble Boxing

  "Sega of America, Inc."

  
  "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... Let's Get Ready to Rumble!" calls renowned ring announcer Michael Buffer to start one of the most impressive boxing video games on the market. Ready 2 Rumble takes full advantage of the Dreamcast's advanced technology, and it shows. Each boxer, be it a gorgeous female pugilist or a towering wall of muscle, is beautifully animated in 3-D: watch Tank Thrasher's enormous gut jiggle and bounce as he's knocked to the mat, or see fighters wince when hit or smugly grin when they land a hard punch. Or feel the action with the optional Jump Pack as your controller shakes with each punch and knockdown. The Dreamcast smoothly integrates all of these enhancements while maintaining a high frame rate. The result: Ready 2 Rumble is an incredibly fun game that delivers a knockout punch.

  By far, the best feature of the game is the variety of boxers--20 in all--representing a range of personalities and abilities. Afro Thunder, for example, is a trash-talking, Chris Rock-sounding fighter with a repertoire of ring speed, quick jabs, and over-the-top hooks, while Butcher Brown is a heavy-handed thug built like a dump truck. There's something for everyone, with many nationalities, genders, and fighting styles represented. Since each fighter has different speed, reach, and moves, there is a pleasant amount of depth to the game.

  Ready 2 Rumble offers two different game modes: Arcade and Championship. Arcade mode is for one or two players, and is simply a series of boxing matches. The single-player option pits you against a computer-controlled opponent, while the two-player format lets you and a buddy hammer it out. Championship mode puts you in charge of your own boxing gym. You start the game with three rookie fighters, facing off in second-rate gyms, and it's your job to train them in hopes of reaching the championship bout.

  Championship mode also lets you access Ready 2 Rumble's most innovative feature: the ability to pit your prized fighters against boxers from a friend's gym through the Visual Memory Unit. Just save your stable of boxers onto the VMU and then use it in a buddy's Dreamcast, where you can fight an exhibition match against one of his or her boxers, or arrange a trade. The VMU also lets you save your progress. Without it, all your boxers (and all the secret characters you've managed to unlock) are erased when you turn off the console. But then again, if you've got Ready 2 Rumble, it's unlikely that you'll turn off the console anytime soon. --Mike Fehlauer

  Pros:

  • Impressive graphics and boxer animations
  • Variety of personable, quirky, fun boxers
  • Easy-to-learn controls
  • Great use of peripherals (VMU and Jump Pack)

  Cons:

  • Punch combinations can be slow
  
   

• Phantasy Star Online Version 2

  Sega Of America, Inc.

  

  Note to customers: Sega requires users to identify themselves with a credit card number for online play. Complete details are included with the game.

  The realm of Phantasy Star Online has increased. Phantasy Star Online, Version 2 includes all the original content from Phantasy Star Online, but expands the world with more levels, more features, and more evil to combat. You can import your existing character or create a new one as you strive to reach level 200 and master the game's new ultimate difficulty setting. Players from around the globe can now compete in Battle Mode as they face each other in deathmatch-style combat. Play Lobby Ball with up to 12 players while you chat and get a game going. Discover new and more powerful monsters, unearth rare items, and experience the passing of time as day turns into night in this persistent online world. Phantasy Star Online, Version 2 continues the evolution of the original revolutionary gaming experience.

  
   

• Ultimate Fighting Championship

  Cravce