I feel I have been a little negative of late in my posts so I will dedicate today's to being a little more positive. However when the clock hits midnight I'm putting Linkin Park back on at maximum volume and pulling out the Kalashnikov to take pot shots out the window at the little cunts who shoot fireworks at the house. That'll learn em.
Until then though, let's rejoice at the some of the marvellous examples of Sega-powered gaming that have made it into the Junkyard thus far...Daytona USA 2001The ultimate NASCAR game. I had both of the originals on the Saturn and was something of a fan back then, but it's so much better being able to race around Three Seven Speedway and be able to actually see the Sonic wall when you're more than 20 feet away from it (the pop up in the original was horrendous and not massively improved in the pseudo sequel
Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition). The car handling leaves a lot to be desired, but for all out arcade style action you can't beat Daytona for thrills a minute. And the graphics...
Oh God the graphics...Dreamcast underpowered? Have a look at Daytona then come back and say that. Cretin.
The 2K Sports gamesBy '2K' I mean NBA2K and NHL2K. The 2K2 updates were never launched in the PAL territories I presume because Sega didn't think they'd sell enough to warrant it. However, the original 2K Sports games really are spectacular renditions of their subject matter. I'm not a big fan of US sports (for the most part they don't make much sense...what the hell is NFL all about?!), but basketball and hockey are pretty simple sports to game-ify and when you add presentation like that seen here, you're onto a winner. Both games look awesome and the attention to detail is astounding. Commentary is very life like and there are lots of options to tinker with...I don't even like basketball but I play NBA2K quite often simply because it's such a good game.
Virtua Tennis 1 & 2The best tennis games ever created and that's a fucking fact. Graphics are unbelievably good, the sound is perfect and the gameplay...well that's perfect too. Virtua Tennis 1 doesnt have that many play modes, but Tennis 2 has a full blown career mode built in and you can kit your tennis player out with all sorts of tennis based guff, from head bands to new shoes etc. As with most Sega games, the attention to detail is astounding - watch the ball boys/girls dodge a wayward volley or the shadow of the clouds create changes in lighting on the tennis court. Amazing stuff.
F1 World Grand Prix 2This F1 game is, in my very humble opinion, one of the best ever made. It's not as indepth or as good looking as some of the later F1 games on the Xbox for example, but for pick up and play handling and tight gameplay you can't beat it. It's also got PlayStation advertising in it, but I'll forgive and forget.
Jet Set RadioOne of the Dreamcast's defining games. A truly unique title at the time it was released (since then everyone and their mum has done cell shading), and a true genre definer. The soundtrack is fantastic - I could actually listen to it while not even playing the thing...it's that good. In an age where originality is lacking in games, Jet Set Radio is a prime example of Sega's unrivalled greatness when it comes to new ideas.
18 WheelerNot a big hit with everyone, but I think its an often overlooked title. Sure, it's got a few problems (scruffy graphics, not a lot of replay value), but who else could make trucking into a game - and make it fun?! Since this came out there's been the apalling mess that is
Big Mutha Truckers, but that pile of shite doesn't come close to 18 Wheeler.
There are a host of other titles that the Dreamcast Junkyard would like to give a special mention to and I urge you to seek them out and play them...and witness true greatness...
Space Channel 5, Out Trigger, Crazy Taxi 2, Code Veronica...
Just thinking about all the FUCKING KICK-ASS games on the DC is making me Dr David Banner style angry...can't control hands...things becoming hazy...
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!...SHOW THE NON BELIEVERS WHAT THEY ARE MISSING!!! PS2? FUCK THAT SHIT! DREAMCAST IS KING!!!
Now where's that Kalashnikov got to...