God, I love this system. As many of you know, I trade for Dreamcast games often on this site. I love picking up the controller and playing these great games. But this is a review, not my diary (not that I have one....or do I?). Anyway, most of you already know the history of this system. It came out on 9/9/99 and sold like wild fire. But SEGA ended its support for the system at the beginning of 2002, which just destroyed Dreamcast owners. However, during its short life, it had a great run. The graphics were stellar, still able to compete with the PS2, even today. The sound was crisp, and the system was white. Never had there been, nor is there one now, a system of white. A shiny pearl if you will.
The system brought many innovations over the years it was around. One being the VMU, visual memory unit. You stuck it into the controller in one of two slots, and it saved your games. It also acted as a tiny handheld game system, because you could download mini-versions of DC games to play on the go. It had Windows integrated technology that boosted its frames per second, and was even able to link to the NGPC. Although all of about two games actually utilized this, it is still cool for SNK fans.
But probably the biggest contribution was it's online play. With games like NFL 2K1 and Quake III: Arena leading the way, it was a console gamer's heaven. Following, were games like Unreal Tournament and Phantasy Star Online. It was the first time a console got online gaming right.
Other innovations were also planned, but never released, such as the DreamEye, which was a digital camera for the system, and the DVD add-on, whose release was made moot by the PS2. But some innovations, besides the ones mentioned, did make it out. One example was the mic that was packaged with Seamen. It allowed you to talk with the in-game seamen characters, and eventually with other people online through games like Alien Front Online.
One of the most anticipated peripherals released wasn't even from SEGA, but "bleem!". "bleem!" allowed the Dreamcast to play PlayStation games. Sadly, Sony put a stop to that. But not before "bleem!" released discs for Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo 2, and Tekken 3. Yippy!
But enough about the system and its accessories, time for the games. I've listed the games by category and described some of the best from each genre. There are so many, I'll probably leave some out by accident.
Action/Adventure Dino Crisis Gauntlet Legends Grand Theft Auto 2 Jet Grind Radio Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver MDK2 Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear Resident Evil 2/3/Code: Veronica Rayman 2: The Great Escape Shenmue Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 Spider-Man Star Wars: Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram
Fighting Capcom vs. SNK Dead or Alive 2 Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves JoJo's Bizzare Adventure King of Fighters Dream Match '99/Evolution Last Blade 2 Marval vs. Capcom 2 Power Stone 1 & 2 Project Justice Soul Calibur Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike/Double Impact/Alpha 3 Tech Romancer Ultumate Fighting Championship Virtua Fighter 3tb
Miscellaneous Atari Anniversary Edition Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits Vol. 1 & 2 Namco Museum Ooga Booga Samba de Amigo Space Channel 5
Puzzle Bomberman Online Bust-A-Move 4 Chu Chu Rocket Mr. Driller Ms. Pac Man Maze Madness Worms Armageddon/World Party
Racing Crazy Taxi 1 & 2 Daytona USA F355 Challenge Passione Rossa Loony Toons Space Race Metropolis Street Racer Sega GT Sega Rally 2 Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer Test Drive Le Mans Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2
_RPG/Strategy Grandia II Phantasy Star Online ver. 2 Railroad Tycoon II Record of Lodoss War Skies of Arcadia
Shooters Bangai-O House of Dead 2 Mars Matrix Outtrigger Quake III: Arena Silent Scope Unreal Tounament
Sports Dave Mirra's Freestyle BMX NBA 2K2 NFL 2K2 NHL 2K2 Tennis 2K2 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 & 2 WSB 2K2