the Dreamcast (and its relevance in 2019)

[gbpxl]

How many people are still playing it? I just bought an S video cable after I was very impressed with the one I bought for my N64/SNES/GameCube. Was blown away by the quality and didnt see any difference from RGB.

I dont bother with VGA because there is too much switching between resolutions for some games and I think S looks good enough.

I cant say it is my favorite system of all time because it just doesnt have the amount of games but some of my favorites are on the system.

Crazy Taxi
Sonic Adventure
Sega Marine Fishing
Shenmue
Tony Hawk 1 and 2
Seaman
Hydro Thunder

A lot of games that came out for PS1, N64 and DC look the best on the Dreamcast.

Id say though that Crazy Taxi is my favorite DC game even if its just an arcade port. So simple and short yet I can put a ton of hours into it.

[gbpxl]

Also a couple others I forgot to mention

Metropolis Street Racer
V Rally
Suzuki Alstare
Speed Devils

DC had some great driving/racing games

[mailman187666]

I really need to set aside some time for my DC at some point. I haven't played it in ages, yet I have a decent stack of games and my system out of my storage bins. I liked Sonic Adventure, Test Drive 6, Soul Reaver, MDK2, Quake 3, Jet Grind Radio, Sega Bass Fishing...I have to pop them back in at some point soon.

[Greg2600]

S-Video is fine on a CRT. The controller remains one of the poorest designed I've ever used. It's really terrible for racing games and FPS.

[gbpxl]

S-Video is fine on a CRT. The controller remains one of the poorest designed I've ever used. It's really terrible for racing games and FPS.

I find FPS to be hard to play in general without a second analog stick

I shove an S up into my Framemeister and it looks greats

[fluid_matrix]

Haven't played my DC in years, but it used to be the go-to for multi-player gaming. Played the crap outta VirtuaTennis VirtuaAthlete, South Park Chef's Luv Shack.

[Aussie2B]

I can't remember the last time I played my Dreamcast. I know between 2006 and the present, I haven't beaten any Dreamcast games, so it's been very long since I've put in any serious time into any Dreamcast game. Not really since around when I first got it in the early '00s. My Dreamcast was mostly used as a means to play Genesis games prior to owning a Genesis. (Yes, the Smack Pack emulation was lousy, but it was better than nothing.) The Dreamcast's offerings otherwise never excited me much. I've always regarded it as overrated by the retro gaming community and have never understood its cult status. But I'm sure some would say the same about the Vita and other systems I like, so it's all relative.

I probably should bust out my Dreamcast sometime, though. I have a fair number of games I've never even tried. I'd go hunting while visiting family and would leave what I bought with my mom, but I only have one Dreamcast and it's always been with me. Now that my collection is reunited, I should give those games a spin. I even had found a dirt cheap copy of Mars Matrix.

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

I haven't played my DC in a while, but I tend to agree with many retrogamers that the DC got dealt a bad lot in life... Sega did everything right but there was no competing with the PS2. I remember playing a lot of Crazy Taxi on mine, that game's just as fun almost 20 years after release as it was in 2000. Shenmue, there's an ahead of its time concept.

I feel like many of the Dreamcast games look better than the first-gen PS2 games, it wasn't till '02 or so that the PS2 games started looking better. Of course, had the Dreamcast not been discontinued and competed head on with the PS2, the PS2 graphics would have caught up anyway. PS2 was a slightly more powerful system but it took a few years for developers to milk its maximum potential out.

[gbpxl]

I think Sony built a rabid fanbase with the PS1. Lets face it, at that time, if you werent a Nintendo fanboy or a PC gamer, you were hooked on Sony. Sega was niche at that point. And it didnt help that the Dreamcast couldnt play DVDs which were becoming popular

[gbpxl]

The Dreamcast basically stopped getting releases once the Xbox and GameCube came out and Sega was releasing games on the GameBoy Advance 6 months leading up to it. Very short lived console. Sega's last hurrah

[Greg2600]

Haven't played my DC in years, but it used to be the go-to for multi-player gaming. Played the crap outta VirtuaTennis VirtuaAthlete, South Park Chef's Luv Shack.

Ironically the multi-player has gotten some life back lately, check out www.dreamcastlive.net

SEGA made some big missteps too with the console. They had poor 3rd party support, and frankly the release suffered from a lack of promotion as SEGA's budget was dwarfed by Nintendo, Sony, or eventually Microsoft could spend. Many of the non-SEGA arcade hits would be ported, albeit inferior, on N64 and PS1. It gave those systems extended life, for most gamers, who couldn't afford another new system. With PS2 and Dolphin on the way, most people simple skipped the DC. However, it still sold like gangbusters initially. They ran out of consoles at launch in Japan, and for the US launch, infamously shipped blank game discs. The system had no protection against burning CD's, which for sure ate into what they were selling.

[jb143]

I set mine up from time to time if I'm in the mood for Crazy Taxi. I only have a handful of games for it and that's probably the best one. Though I did set it up just the other day because my 3 year old wanted to play the Looney Tunes racing game...it wasn't played for long though. I almost set it up a couple weeks ago when the Blues were in the Playoffs because my oldest wanted to play a Hockey Game and the only one I have is for Dreamcast, but we never did for some reason.

[Gameguy]

I think the title of this thread is a bit funny. You could argue that the Dreamcast didn't have any relevance back in 1999 either. The only reason it sold as well as it did here was because the Gamecube and PS2 weren't out yet.

[gbpxl]

I just found out someone made a Kickstarter for redesigned controllers

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1247448559/next-gen-dreamcast-controller/posts/2550691

I can definitely see why people wouldnt like the original controller however I am always very skeptical of the quality of 3rd party hardware.

[Greg2600]

Retro Fighters have a fairly good reputation with their hardware. It's not crap like you would get back in the day from Mad Catz or Interact. I've been interested in their project, but the only way I'd buy one is if the Analog stick finally works decently on racing games. I'm not sure if it will.

Also, DC was pretty relevant in 1999. It actually sold well for awhile at least.

[jb143]

I used to see a lot of Dreamcast stuff at thrift stores around 2005 or so but never bought any of it because it wasn't retro enough at the time so it didn't really interest me. I eventually bought a lot a few years ago but still regret not buying the stuff when it was reasonably cheap and more abundant.

[Greg2600]

I used to see a lot of Dreamcast stuff at thrift stores around 2005 or so but never bought any of it because it wasn't retro enough at the time so it didn't really interest me. I eventually bought a lot a few years ago but still regret not buying the stuff when it was reasonably cheap and more abundant.

Well it hasn't gotten out of hand, though obviously not as common as Xbox or PS2. Gamecube stuff has really shot up in price as that age group gets older.

[jb143]

Well it hasn't gotten out of hand, though obviously not as common as Xbox or PS2. Gamecube stuff has really shot up in price as that age group gets older.

Yeah, it's definitely more a lack of finding anything now more than cost...I can't remember the last time I've seen any Dreamcast anything at a thrift store. Game stores usually have a single shelf of games but cost is usually a premium there... like you said, usually not outrageous but still more than I care to spend.

[Edmond Dantes]

Dreamcast is home to some of the best fighting games ever, thus it will always be relevant.

Also, proud owner of the DC version of Resident Evil 2... which I need to replay.

[danny_galaga]

Crazy Taxi is def my favourite game of any console. Metropolis Street racer is excellent too. I haven't played my DC for about a year but will get myself sorted out soon :)

[gbpxl]

I was kinda mad when they ported Crazy Taxi and Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 to the GameCube, leaving even fewer exclusives on the console.

Has anyone played Crazy Taxi or Sonic Adventure 1/2 on the GameCube? Or PS2 Crazy Taxi? How do the versions compare to the DC?

[Greg2600]

I was kinda mad when they ported Crazy Taxi and Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 to the GameCube, leaving even fewer exclusives on the console.

Has anyone played Crazy Taxi or Sonic Adventure 1/2 on the GameCube? Or PS2 Crazy Taxi? How do the versions compare to the DC?

There are slight pro's and cons, though overall not much of a difference.

[Gameguy]

I was kinda mad when they ported Crazy Taxi and Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 to the GameCube, leaving even fewer exclusives on the console.

Has anyone played Crazy Taxi or Sonic Adventure 1/2 on the GameCube? Or PS2 Crazy Taxi? How do the versions compare to the DC?
You're forgetting about the Dreamcast Collection for the Xbox 360, both Crazy Taxi and Sonic Adventure are on it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamcast_Collection

Weirdly the later Steam version of the Dreamcast Collection adds Nights into Dreams into the collection as well, even though it's a Saturn game. Did they run out of decent Dreamcast games or something? Just very odd to add this game.

[gbpxl]

You're forgetting about the Dreamcast Collection for the Xbox 360, both Crazy Taxi and Sonic Adventure are on it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamcast_Collection

Weirdly the later Steam version of the Dreamcast Collection adds Nights into Dreams into the collection as well, even though it's a Saturn game. Did they run out of decent Dreamcast games or something? Just very odd to add this game.
I didnt even know that existed

[Edmond Dantes]

Weirdly the later Steam version of the Dreamcast Collection adds Nights into Dreams into the collection as well, even though it's a Saturn game. Did they run out of decent Dreamcast games or something? Just very odd to add this game.

They probably just thought they'd never have another chance to release Nights and shoved it in, because nobody ever thinks of the poor Saturn..

[gbpxl]

After watching MJRs review of Retro Fighters' N64 controller, Im not holding out a lot of hope for the DC controller.

It seems like most Kickstarter backed products fail to live up to expectations

[Koa Zo]

It's been maybe 5 years since I last had my Dreamcast hooked up. It was always a good time and I look forward to playing it again soon.
The collection of import shoot'em'ups which trickled out toward the end of the systems life are all very unique and fun games. Sure most have been re-released on other platforms since then, but for me nothing beats playing them on the original console with the optical ASCii Stick with rumble - that's my favorite joystick ever and was never replicated on any other system since, so that will always provide a lot of appeal for the Dreamcast.
Rez, Trigger Heart Exelica, Gunbird 2, Psyvariar 2, Zero Gunner 2, Ikaruga, Border Down, Shikigami No Shiro 2, Radirgy, Karous, Under Defeat, Trizeal, Mars Matrix, Giga Wing 2 ...along with Bangai-O, Cannon Spike, Space Channel 5 Part 2, Cosmic Smash, Lack of Love, Yu Suzuki Game Works - those games will always make the Dreamcast relevant in my opinion - throw in other guilty pleasures like The Lost Golem, Confidential Mission, Outtigger, Red Dog, Bomberman Online, Dynamite Cop 2, Rush Rush Rally Racing, Sturmwind, Pro Pinball Trilogy, Gunlord, etc = that's one heck of a tight collection of really fun games to play.

Coincidentally, the Milestone developed shmup Karous just got an English translation (https://segasky.itch.io/karous-eng-translation).
I'd always hoped the Eldorado Gate series would see a translation... I wonder if that will hapen one day.

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

I had PS2 Crazy Taxi as a kid. I remember Dreamcast Crazy Taxi being slightly better, felt more natural with the controller.

[Gameguy]

They probably just thought they'd never have another chance to release Nights and shoved it in, because nobody ever thinks of the poor Saturn..
The Saturn should get more compilations released, sadly it gets less love than the Dreamcast for whatever reason.

[danny_galaga]

I was kinda mad when they ported Crazy Taxi and Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 to the GameCube, leaving even fewer exclusives on the console.

Has anyone played Crazy Taxi or Sonic Adventure 1/2 on the GameCube? Or PS2 Crazy Taxi? How do the versions compare to the DC?

GAmecube version is great, and since you can play it on the Wii, you are saving your DC from a bit of wear :)

[Edmond Dantes]

GAmecube version is great, and since you can play it on the Wii, you are saving your DC from a bit of wear :)

I mean granted, playing it on the Gamecube _also_ saves your DC from a bit of wear....

Though I kinda wonder why you'd even have a DC if you're not gonna use it.

[danny_galaga]

I mean granted, playing it on the Gamecube _also_ saves your DC from a bit of wear....

Though I kinda wonder why you'd even have a DC if you're not gonna use it.

Metropolis Street Racer :)

[Greg2600]

Metropolis Street Racer :)

I have to legit ask how you can play that game? Using a wheel? Because the standard DC analog is simply garbage when it comes to racing games, that one in particular.

[Spartacus]

The Dreamcast homebrew/indie games have kept the console relevant to me. I've added a heck of alot of games to my Dreamcast library thanks to folks like Hucast Games, RedSpotGames, NG.DEV.TEAM, GOAT Store and JoshProd. The Beats of Rage game engine was used to make dozens of homebrew beat-em ups on the Dreamcast and many are now in my Dreamcast collection. I found English translations for Fire Pro Wrestling D and Frame Grid. I have Dreamcast ports of DOS and Windows games like Quake, DOOM, DOOM II, Jazz Jackrabbit, Heretic, Whispered Secrets, Cave Story (Doukutsu Monogatari), Day of the Tentacle and Divi-Dead. Plus Arcade games such as Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Golden Axe The Curse of Death Adder, Rush'n Attack and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But perhaps the ones I'm most grateful to have are the NEO GEO games ported to the Dreamcast. I bought many titles individually so I could have the case and disk art for each title and have practically the entire NEO GEO library. NEO GEO games look and play great on the Dreamcast and the single stick Dreamcast controller seems perfect for the single stick Neo Geo games. Plus the "arcady" nature of NEO GEO games seems like a great fit in the Dreamcast library. I finished off my Dreamcast hombrew collection with the collection of the unreleased Dreamcast games - Agartha, Geist Force, Half-Life, Hellgate, Propeller Arena and ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth.

I recently purchased a Black Dog Technology Dreamcast HDMI Kit. With it, I'm going to have the Caps replaced, Fan replaced, Controller Port Fuse Replaced, a removable Battery Mod and Region Free Bios installed - making it the most "revelent" Dreamcast console I own. For my unmodded Dreamcast consoles, I use a Beharbros Toro VGA adapter with the XRGB Mini or OSSC to play Dreamcast games using HDMI.

But the truth of the matter is that I've always thought Dreamcast games looked great just using S-Video.
I've been collecting older HD TV's that have S-Video inputs for just that reason.
And I also agree that lot of games that came out for PS1, N64 and DC look the best on the Dreamcast.

[gbpxl]

I just got my S video cable in the mail. It looks really good upscaled to 720p. I went from RF to that and RF is unplayable

[danny_galaga]

I have to legit ask how you can play that game? Using a wheel? Because the standard DC analog is simply garbage when it comes to racing games, that one in particular.

Mad skillz :rocker:

Also, this might show you how much I like Crazy Taxi LOL

http://dannygalaga.com/images/crazytaxi.jpg

[Wraith Storm]

I find FPS to be hard to play in general without a mouse and keyboard

I took the liberty of correcting that for you.

In all seriousness though, I love how almost all of the Dreamcast FPS utilize the mouse and keyboard. I never had a big issue using the controller, but once I sourced a keyboard and mouse it was a revelation. Its how I played all the DC FPS from that point to now.