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"DAMN RIGHT THE DC DIDN'T DIE"

After the categorical failure of the Saturn, Sega were firmly set on branding their console as Dreamcast, thinking that if they removed the Sega name, they might be able to emulate the PlayStation’s success. Aside from the Bleem Gran Turismo 2 emulator available, it didn’t quite work out for Sega’s, what I would call, revolutionary, little console. Well, unfortunately, yet again, the market in majority have ignored Sega’s latest and last attempt at surviving in, yet alone conquering the hardware games industry, not enough were sold and so Sega have ceased production, but don’t start whining – you’ve bought the best console to leave the fault line of the Eurasian plate. For now at least…

I’ll give you a quick tip – if you like gaming, and want some absolute bargains then get a DC soon, before it’s too late and stock has run out, there aren’t many left with Japanese Dreamcast consoles all sold out, it will only be a matter of months before our spirally friend becomes fully accounted for. Expect a total sales figure to be around 8-9million units worldwide when it does eventually sell out. Not bad, but when you consider the number of PlayStation units sold (80million), you’ll soon realise why Sega won’t be treading back on the thin ice that they have now left. Starting off at £199.99 last year, I think there have been around 2 changes in official price – from the sub-200 pounds mark, down to £149.99, then down further still to just £99.99. In everyone’s eyes this should be a bargain, but unfortunately, not everyone have their eyes open. Still, you’ve read this so get one now if you can afford it, it’s just over a third of the PS2 price, and many places throw in a free game or two!

It’s a compact size, comes in a shiny blue and white box – aesthetically astounding, very ergonomic control pads and other peripherals including the fishing rod, steering wheel, light gun, VMU memory unit, microphone and rumble pack, the DC has also an incredible vocabulary of top games for your satisfaction. So, just when you thought there wasn’t any point in getting one, just because there won’t be many more future games, magazines or ‘community feel’ from the crossbreeding Sega, now is the time to pick up the classic that is the Dreamcast. It’s had a short official life, but in all honesty, it will never die – just so long as people keep playing, and they will. Here’s a quick rundown of the seedlings hanging onto the Dreamcast vine. (Quick round up 3 genres)

Sports titles! If you like sports, then well, you may like to play on a console instead, perhaps it’s raining outside! We’ve even some decent extreme sports games, and a few wrestling titles available too:

Virtua Tennis,
NBA 2K, 2K1, 2K2,
UEFA Striker
UEFA Dream Soccer,
Sega Worldwide Soccer 2001/Euro Edition,
European Super League Football,
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1/2,
Sega Extreme Sports,
Matt Hoffman Pro BMX,
Giant Killers (football management),
Championship Surfers,
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX,
ECW Anarchy Rulz,
MTV Sports Skateboarding,
Sega Bass Fishing,
WWF Attitude,
WWF Royal Rumble,
Sydney 2000,
Virtua Athlete 2K,
ESPN Track and Field,
Tee Off,

Ok, so many here - avoid anything to do with wrestling, unless of course you like diabolically dire games, be careful with the football titles, most are trash, but you’ll be safe with either UEFA. I’d personally recommend Virtua Tennis, NBA 2K (if you can get hold of a later version, then do so – they’ll be imports, so be careful, but NBA 2K is the only one officially out in the UK), Tony Hawk’s is obviously the best extreme sports game, but don’t be fooled by Sega’s tripe ‘em up Extreme Sports. The fishing game may sound intriguing, try buying it – you will be bored out of your brain. Avoid! Not quite sure why I put the wrestling titles here – they’re a mix of fighting, sports and ashamed plop.

Fighting games. Blessed or cursed by Capcom’s bombardment of 2D fighters, it’s up to you. One would be enough, none sold particularly well, but they’re good if you like that style of game. Read the list:

Dead or Alive 2,
Fighting Vipers 2,
Marvel versus Capcom 2,
Soul Calibur,
Virtua Fighter 3TB,
Mortal Kombat Gold,
Slave Zero,
Capcom vs SNK,
Power stone 1 & 2,
Ready 2 rumble 1 & 2,
Ultimate Fighting Championship,

Best of the tree here are DoA2, Soul Calibur, UFC – it’s better than you may think, Power Stone 2 & Ready 2 Rumble 2. Unfortunately Virtua Fighter 3 looked dated on arrival, Fighting Vipers is another rehash of an old game, and I’d stay clear of anything funny-sounding – like Slave Zero. Best bet, rent a game out, or just stick to what you know – read the individual reviews of a game you’re interested in and make a judgement. Soul Calibur kicks 300lb person’s backside though ;-)

Racing…vrooooom… I love racing games too, and the Dreamcast has these:

Le Mans 24,
MSR,
Toy Racer,
F355 Challenge,
Speed Devils,
Star Wars: Pod Racer,
Daytona USA 2001,
4 Wheel thunder,
Vanishing Point,
Gran Turismo 2 (needs Bleem disc),
Roadsters
Sega Rally 2
V Rally 2

Best here is MSR by a long way, but most DC racing games are good enough to buy, steer clear of Roadsters, Spirit of Speed and I wouldn’t recommend V Rally 2.

Ok, so there are plenty of genres, but I am sure you don’t want a whole list of DC games – other supreme titles include Quake 3 Arena, Sonic Adventure, Grandia 2, Shenmue, Samba De Amigo, Crazy Taxi, Sonic Adventure 2, Crazy Taxi 2, ChuChu Rocket and Skies of Arcadia. In nearly all cases, the games will look and play better than 32 and 64bit games, but some are drab and lifeless, whereas the better games, receiving better reviews, as you’d expect, really do stretch the boundaries of the Sega machine. Shenmue is awe-inspiring. ChuChu Rocket is insane, and Samba De Amigo is incredible fun. Choose wisely.

So, get a DC - £99, great range of games and of course the online features thanks to the modem built it. 4 control ports mean you won’t need a multi tap adapter! Superb sound, superlative visuals and a selection of games to suit die hard fans of anything.

So how on earth did the DC fail? Blame Sony if you like, in my eyes it didn’t fail.

This is Great

Thanks

This could actually win gameaday. It's a good post.

I agree and I hope that people won't forget that

Well said and it's true.

sega will never die. they make the best games after all

Dan?

Felix?

I know

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