7 Games To Play On Dreamcast Day
Happy Dreamcast Day everybody! On this day 12 years ago, Sega’s final video game console hit North America. The ill fated system, which unfortunately went the way of the dodo before its time, introduced us to some of the greatest games ever released on a Sega system (or any other system for that matter). So, why not celebrate Dreamcast Day by playing one of these fine classics that no Dreamcast owner should be without.
Seventh Cross Evolution
Seventh Cross is one bizzare game. You start off as a small, wimpy creature in a pond who must search for food while avoiding much larger predators. However, you quickly evolve into a much better creature and will eventually hunt down former tormentors while moving your way into different enviroments. The game’s unique approach to levelling up involves drawing random designs onto a grid which will give you better body parts in turn. The grid is supposed to adapt to your designs, eventually requiring more precise patterns to gain the best parts. While a little rough, Seventh Cross is a quirky, fun filled game that deserves much more attention.
Phantasy Star Online
I admit that I never got the chance to play PSO online, which is a damn shame. Being a pioneer in the world of console based MMORPGs, PSO threw away the classic Phantasy Star games’ turn based battles in favor of real time action. Constantly searching for better loot is as addicting as it is in any other dungeon crawler and the sci-fi setting helps it to set itself apart from just about every other RPG on the market. Hopefully, Sega’s current attempt to create a new Phantasy Star MMO will work out and introduce new fans to this great series.
Skies Of Arcadia
Skies Of Arcadia is one of the Dreamcast’s most beloved RPGs. I, unfortunately, only have the Gamecube version. Fortunately, I see what all the fuss is about. Following the young sky pirate Vyse, players travel in their flying ship as they battle enemies and explore various dungeons. Skies doesn’t stray too far from the traditional JRPG tropes, and in doing so gives us a solid, familiar experience with a few twists thrown in for good measure such as battles using your airship and changing the elemental attributes of your weapon on the fly.
Power Stone 2
For an older game, Power Stone 2 still commands a fairly high price, and for good reason. The game is one of the best pick-up and play fighters since Super Smash Bros. and even surpasses the SSB series at times. Choosing from a wide roster of characters, up to four players battle in dynamically changing stages filled with plenty of hazards. The huge arsenal of weapons makes for plenty of battles that can be totally u, sonfair but extremely fun. The game’s Power Stone items act as the ultimate item that transforms the collector into a powerful version of themselves. This makes for very frenetic moments where players make a mad dash for the items all at once. Truly, Power Stone is a series that needs a comeback.
Sonic Adventure
Say anything bad that you want about the blue blur. Go ahead, I’ll wait. OK. Now, the Sonic franchise has gotten alot of flak since making the transition to 3D gameplay. Sure, some of the games ended up horribly, but Sonic Adventure stands head and shoulders above the rest. Featuring a story that allows players to see how each of the 6 playable characters impact the others is pretty unique. Also, the fact that no two characters have the same type of gameplay keeps things fresh and fun. The game’s Chao Garden mini-game also helped to extend playtime beyond the standard action stages and allowed players to raise their own cute little monsters (a chore in which I lost many hours of my life).
Shenmue
Shenmue is a game that alot of people just don’t “get”. On the surface, it seems that all you do is walk around town looking for sailors. However, Shenmue proves that it can be so much more. The main character, Ryo Hazuki, must find out about the mysterious man that killed his father and why he did it. This is done through asking the (hilariously dubbed) townsfolk as well as kicking ass with your martial arts skills. Of course, you could just spend all of your allowance on arcade games, capsule toys, and food you can’t eat. Shenmue is also memorable in introducing the world to the beloved/hated Quick Time Events that pop up during cutscenes.
Jet Grind Radio
Jet Grind Radio should need no introduction. One of the more unique games in the Dreamcast’s library, JGR is a colorful, challenging game with one of the greatest soundtracks for any game ever. Using specially designed rollerskates, several street gangs in Tokyo battle for territory using graffiti. While it sounds weird on paper, it makes for surprisingly addictive gameplay when you also factor in finding hidden collectibles, chasing rivals, and escaping from the police. The game also allowed you to create your own custom graffiti and share it with others online.
Hopefully, talking about the above games gave you a warm, fuzzy feeling that makes you want to blow the dust out of your old VMU and fire up your copy of Seaman or Ready 2 Rumble (because you DO physically and legally own those games, right?). And of course, there’s so many more great games than what I listed that you could have an entire college course on the subject. What games will you be playing to celebrate this Dreamcast Day?
