What dreamcast games shout I get?

[jgenotte]

I am going to get a dreamcast soon and was wondering what games one could not live without. I know there is the top 20 list, but I am looking for something more specific. I like racing, shooting, flying, puzzle, strategy, and mario type games, but not RPGs. What 5 or so games should I get?

thanks in advance,
-james

[Ze_ro]

Only 5? Sheesh, if you only get 5, you'll be missing out on some really amazing games!

You like racing games? Well, you're in luck, since the Dreamcast has (in my opinion) the best selection of racing games out of any console ever. Some great ones are Vanishing Point (Real cars, beautiful tracks, "realistic" racing without becoming a Gran Turismo clone. My only complaint is that too much stuff is locked off the bat), San Francisco Rush 2049 (Futuristic racing, the cars have retractable wings so you can do tricks in the air if you want, the tracks have tons of great shortcuts. Probably my favorite racing games on the Dreamcast), Looney Tunes Space Race (It's sort of a kart-style racing game like Mario Kart, except with Looney Tunes characters. It's almost worth it just for the voices... unfortunately, the computer assistance is pretty annoying), Hydro Thunder (Boat racing... actually, I absolutely hate this game, and I think Midway did a terribly job on it... but everyone else seems to like it, so whatever), Daytona USA (Can't beat the classics), and I've also heard that Metropolis Street Racer is quite good, although I haven't tried it myself. As long as you stay away from Spirit of Speed, you'll find that all the racing games are good in their own ways.

For shooting games, the Dreamcast also has a ton of arcade style shooters like Mars Matrix, Ikaruga, Border Down, and so on (although some you'll have to get from Japan). There's also Rez of course, which I still think is one of the best modern games I've ever played. I also really like Wild Metal (It's a tank game actually, but it's one of my favorite DC games, so I have to throw it in somewhere). If you like first person shooters, Unreal Tournament, Quake III, and MDK 2 are all quite good.

Chu Chu Rocket is a great puzzle game. I also really liked Bust-A-Move 4 (although it's really not any better than any of the other Bust-A-Move games, so if you already have one, they don't bother), and I guess Bomberman Online can be stuck in here too. Floigan Bros. is a really bizarre platform game where you have to solve puzzles, which you might like.

As for Mario type games, you might want to try Rayman 2, Super Magnetic Neo (The game looks very childish, but it's bloody hard!), and Sonic Adventure.

--Zero

[Kroogah]

Virtua Tennis. It's worth whatever meager amount you'll end up paying for it.

If you like fighters, you need SoulCalibur and Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 at least.

[josekortez]

Driving/Racing: Daytona USA, Test Drive LeMans, Crazy Taxi, Demolition Racer: No Exit

First-Person Shooters: Unreal Tournament, Quake 3

Vertical or Horizontal Shooters: Expendable, Mars Matrix, Bangai-O, Gigawing 1 and 2

Puzzle: Wetrix+, Mr. Driller

[buttasuperb]

Third Strike.

[Balloon Fight]

Virtua Tennis. It's worth whatever meager amount you'll end up paying for it.

If you like fighters, you need SoulCalibur and Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 at least.

I second the Captain on this one. These are the 3 games you need when you have a DC. Chu Chu rocket is also a must.

[Cmosfm]

The Typing Of The Dead

Keyboard - 1.99
Game - 6.99
Killing a zombie by typing in "marxist grandma" - Priceless

[Iron Draggon]

Well if you really like racing, there's at least half a dozen exceptional titles:

Daytona USA
Demolition Racer
4 Wheel Thunder
Test Drive LeMans
Test Drive V-Rally
Test Drive 6

For shooting, there's only 3 US titles, all the other good ones are imports:

Giga Wing
Giga Wing 2
Mars Matrix

For flying, there's only one, because 9/11 paranoia killed Propeller Arena :( :

Iron Aces

For strategy, there's a couple of good PC conversions that you might want:

Conflict Zone
Railroad Tycoon 2

And for something different that's alot of fun, there's one you might enjoy:

Jet Grind Radio

I dunno about any puzzle games though, I never bought any of those for DC.

[Kid Fenris]

I heartily recommend Bangai-O. If you can deal with the designers' choice of near-microscopic character sprites, you'll find a superbly crafted and highly addictive shooter. Buy it before it becomes the next Radiant Silvergun.

And if you don't mind fighters, Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves is an excellent title. It's not as flashy as some of the other DC offerings, but it has rich and accessible gameplay, lots of personality, and a rather fun power-up system. Great stuff.

[bensenvill]

I second the Flogian brothers, I really enjoyed that game (and I think ouga booga had a similar theme, havent played it yet though).

~Tj

[Ze_ro]

For flying, there's only one, because 9/11 paranoia killed Propeller Arena :( :

Iron Aces

Well, there's also Air Force Delta, and two Aero Wings games... although I don't know if they're any good (I played Air Force Delta once, but I couldn't get into it at all... formation flying doesn't "do it" for me).

--Zero

[Iron Draggon]

Oh yeah, I forgot about those. I guess they didn't "do it" for anybody else either, because none of those seemed to be available for very long. But Iron Aces is a nice one though, especially if you're into WWII planes. Great stuff.

[BHvrd]

Shenmue, nuff' said.

[bargora]

I heartily recommend Bangai-O. If you can deal with the designers' choice of near-microscopic character sprites, you'll find a superbly crafted and highly addictive shooter. Buy it before it becomes the next Radiant Silvergun.
I really like Bangai-O and second the suggestion. But do you really think it has potential to balloon in price like RS has? Was it a low print run title?

[bargora]

I heartily recommend Bangai-O. If you can deal with the designers' choice of near-microscopic character sprites, you'll find a superbly crafted and highly addictive shooter. Buy it before it becomes the next Radiant Silvergun.
I really like Bangai-O and second the suggestion. But do you really think it has potential to balloon in price like RS has? Was it a low print run title?

[Querjek]

I second the Flogian brothers, I really enjoyed that game (and I think ouga booga had a similar theme, havent played it yet though).

~Tj

I've never played Floigan Bros. (Wanted to, but can't bring myself to spend $15 at TRU), but I do have Ooga Booga. It's a fun multiplayer game, but the single-player is only there so you can learn how to play. Trust me, 1-player is NOT fun.

[Querjek]

I second the Flogian brothers, I really enjoyed that game (and I think ouga booga had a similar theme, havent played it yet though).

~Tj

I've never played Floigan Bros. (Wanted to, but can't bring myself to spend $15 at TRU), but I do have Ooga Booga. It's a fun multiplayer game, but the single-player is only there so you can learn how to play. Trust me, 1-player is NOT fun.

[Sotenga]

Giga Wing 2, Mars Matrix, Soul Calibur, Crazy Taxi, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Street Fighter 3: Third Strike, Zombie Revenge, Shenmue, Jet Grind Radio, and Toy Commander are all quality DC titles in my opinion. Yes, you can just go right for Third Strike and skip Double Impact. I got that little tip from the fighting game freaks on this board. Thanks, BTW. It's the most commonly played game on my DC nowadays. :D

[Sotenga]

Giga Wing 2, Mars Matrix, Soul Calibur, Crazy Taxi, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Street Fighter 3: Third Strike, Zombie Revenge, Shenmue, Jet Grind Radio, and Toy Commander are all quality DC titles in my opinion. Yes, you can just go right for Third Strike and skip Double Impact. I got that little tip from the fighting game freaks on this board. Thanks, BTW. It's the most commonly played game on my DC nowadays. :D

[Schenley]

I second Virtua Tennis. It's extremely easy to pick up, but doesn't get old.

As an extremely funny variation, try playing it with 4 drunk people - now that's priceless!!

[GamecubeFreek]

Definitely get Shenmue, Jet Grind Radio, and Samba de Amigo... These may not be in your favorite genres, but I still think they are so good that anybody would enjoy them! :D

[Brisco]

I'd say Red Dog should be one. I've always had a strange fascination with this game. And it's damn fun on top of that.

Maybe I'm insane. Does nobody else like this game?

[Schenley]

Thanks, guys, for suggesting Shenmue. I saw one yesterday for $8 at the GameStop and decided to pick it up. It's in great condition...

Anyway, I played until 4am... Just like the good ole days! I like just looking around, finding stuff in drawers and whatnot...

This is one I would have definitely overlooked because of the title...

[Happy_Dude]

Mister Driller is a must have

And all the lightgun games ;)

[8-Bit Master]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Resident Evil: Code Veronica yet. Pick that one up if you're into survival horror games.

[Speedy]

Virtua Tennis is so cool, i hate sporting games (and above that i hate tennis), but this game rox! It's great to play and with 3 friends it's real kick ass.
Further more i like Metropolis Street Racer, a good (but hard) racing game ... i think the best on the DC.
Soul Calibur for the fighting part, nuff said.
House of the Dead with a light gun, played it yesterday and i must agree, this is a great port from the arcade. With 2 guns and a big TV you'll have almost an arcademachine :)