5 Indie Dreamcast Games Worth Your Time


While there are a lot of great independent Dreamcast games out there, many worthy of a Dreamcast collector’s collection, not every game is worth it for the casual fan. Some games are too short, too difficult or too simplistic. Gamers shouldn’t be expected to pay $20 to $60 for a so-so indie game simply because that money goes towards development of new games. We’re not dealing with charities. People buy games with the promise that the game will be worth their money.


As such, I thought I’d share five independent Dreamcast games that are worth the time and money of not only collectors, but also those who have a Dreamcast console but aren’t into the indie scene. The following five games are just as good, and in some cases better than official Dreamcast games.

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In the comments, let me know what indie Dreamcast games you've enjoyed!

100 Games and Counting!

Over the weekend I realized that I've hit the 100 games mark with my Dreamcast collection! The epic event started when I paid a visit to the local used games store and found a few treasures: the Limited Edition version of Shenmue, complete with Jukebox CD for $17, Alien Front Online in box with microphone for $14, Versus Books Official Shenmue Perfect Guide with poster for $9 and the SEGA Saturn's Puyo Puyo Sun for $8 (check out the Saturn Junkyard for a look at that game).


Arriving home, I found that the indie shmup Fast Striker standard edition had arrived in the mail from Play-Asia (InsideOut video to come). So I got on the computer, went over to my playfire.com profile and added the games to my collection list and the counter hit 100! No flashing lights went off, and there wasn't any confetti, but it was a fun moment. I should note, the 100 count doesn't include games I own in multiple regions, demo discs and browser discs. If that were the case, I'd be at around 125. I plan on doing a collection photo roundup, just as Gagaman did back in November when he hit 200, but will hold off until a few other items arrive in the mail. Specifically Unreal Tournament, Quake III, Fur Fighters, Wetrix+, Seventh Cross Evolution, Slave Zero, Soul Fighter, Time Stalkers, Trick Style and Tokyo Xtreme Racer which were all in a lot sale. The seller just has to get back to me once he "finds all the games", lolz.

There's something about the winter months that make me buy more Dreamcast games than usual. I think it's due to the lack of new games being released in January and being stuck indoors.

DCJY InsideOut - Clear White Dreamcast

Frequently seen in my collection photos, but never featured in a video, it's my clear Dreamcast!

NG.DEV.TEAM bringing GunLord to the Dreamcast in 2011!


Less than a month into 2011 and already we have two games to look forward to on the Dreamcast! RedSpotGames announced the shmup Strumwind, and now NG.DEV.TEAM announced a game called GunLord! Very little is known of the game, aside from a teaser site and logo. However, above the logo are the words "Jump. Shoot. Explore." as well as "A Jump N Shoot Action Game", leading me to believe that the game will play very much like Metal Slug and Contra. An indie Dreamcast game that ISN'T a space ship shmup!? Exciting! Check out the teaser site for a bit of music, presumebly created by SoniQfactory.

Thanks to Anthony817 for the tip! Remember readers, the little comment box on the right column is a great place for comments and news tips.

EDIT: I took a closer look at the teaser image and spotted what I assume to be the star of the game:

Dreamcast Collection for 360 and PC Revealed (don't get excited)


From SEGA comes the full press release revealing just what that Dreamcast Collection compilation disc contains. For those not in the know, back in December we made note of an XBOX 360 Dreamcast Collection compilation disc momentarily made available for pre-order at GameStop's website. This collection was confirmed in a Game Informer interview with Alan Pritchard. Well speculate no more, it contains exactly what I thought: Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, Space Channel 5 Part 2 and SEGA Bass Fishing. As Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 have yet to hit downloadable marketplaces, I assume they will first release on the disc, thus providing a little incentive to pick it up. Also, I should note that no PS3 version has been announced. Then again PS3 owners get Virtua Tennis 4 this year, so it all evens out. ;)

SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that a packaged compilation of  classic titles from  SEGA’s  popular Dreamcast™  console will hit retail shelves on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PC. The Dreamcast Collection will be available on February 25th 2011 in Europe and February 22nd in North America, February 24th in Australia and February 25th in New Zealand.
The Dreamcast Collection includes the fan favourites Sonic Adventure™, Crazy Taxi™, SEGA Bass Fishing™ and Space Channel 5™: Part 2.  Players will get to enjoy four very different Dreamcast experiences, from hopping behind the steering wheel of Crazy Taxi, to taking things a little slower by luring in their fish before catching them hook, line and sinker with SEGA Bass Fishing. Alternatively, take over as intergalactic news reporter Ulala in Space Channel 5: Part 2 and dance your way past the evil Rhythm Rogues, or make it all about speed in Sonic’s first Dreamcast outing, Sonic Adventure!
SEGA’s Dreamcast Collection features enhanced graphics for both platforms versions, providing an even more engaging experience. In addition to this, achievements and online leader boards will be available for each game providing a competitive edge and allowing players to prove their skills!
“The Dreamcast console is still remembered as a pioneering console for online gaming,” commented Gary Knight, VP of Marketing at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe “We are delighted to be able to offer to our large community of dedicated fans a collection such as Dreamcast Collection for them to enjoy old favourites on this generation of consoles”.
Dreamcast Collection will be available in Europe in February 2011 for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PC and PC digital download.

While I know this might be a letdown for some who were hoping for many more games on the disc (such as Skies of Arcadia, Shenmue, Sonic Adventure 2 and Jet Set Radio), did we really expect SEGA to cram all those great games on one disc? What is more likely the case, we'll see all those other games down the line and hopefully they'll receive the same treatment as successive volumes. If the retail price of $30 remains, at the very least those who didn't pick up the games on XBLA will save $10 by getting the disc.


Dreamcast rarity Space Channel 5 Part 2 could be a great port and the cover art is pretty cool. There's also a chance that there will be a disc menu in which you can select the games, unless the disc simply causes the titles to appear in your game library. I'll probably pick it up simply because it isn't every day that you see something Dreamcast related on game store shelves.

DCJY InsideOut: Dreamcast Doujinshi + Maken X Manga Comics


Probably the weirdest thing you'll ever see me feature for DCJY InsideOut, and actually a bit NSFW although unlike most Doujinshi (fan comics) it's not a hentai porn comic, but it is in places a tad perverted with quite a few er..well you'll see but you have been warned.

The comic features short stories based on Shenmue, Space Channel 5, Code Veronica, Soul Calibur and many others, but they pretty much all resort to rubbish and just plain weird jokes. The art is mixed, sometimes pretty decent and other times wonky.

Because Maken X features in the Doujinshi I also decided to show off a Official Maken X manga I bought years ago, which is just a tad more gory than I recall the game being. So yeah, this one is defiantly not for the younger lot or easily offended this vid. :P

DCJY InsideOut: Segagaga Box Set + Perfect File Book


This is a video from sometime in 2009 I found on my hard drive that I never got around to editing and uploading for some reason. Better late than never I suppose! This is of course that rather wonderful Segagaga box set that I bought back then, with the t-shirt, pin set, organizer and game in a DVD case. I posted some photos and info about it here back when I got it, but somehow this video got put aside until I found it today.

I have another InsideOut video that I made a few months back that I've also finally sorted out that will be up (probably) tomorrow and then after that I will work on some new videos with any luck!

Talking Classics – Keith Dreams of Dreamcast

It had to happen sooner or later. Keith of Talking Classics takes a bizarre look at the Dreamcast. Enjoy!

Click the image below to view the video:


Thanks to George of SEGAbits

Indie Game SQRXZ 2 Brings Free Run and Jump Action to the Dreamcast


While the Junkyard missed the boat on the first SQRXZ (pronounced... hell, I don't know!), developers of the freeware run and jump platformer recently announced that the sequel to the game is now available for the Dreamcast! According to the first SQRXZ (Squirxzey?) website, SQRXZ was originally a computer game developed in 1996. In early 2010, different folks got permission from the SQRXZ creator to remake the original game with improved graphics and new play modes. In addition to being available for computers, the game was also released on GP2X handhelds and our beloved Dreamcast! Better yet, its free! If you know how to burn Dreamcast game discs, check out the download page.


The sequel features ten more levels and can be downloaded here. While I've yet to master Dreamcast CD burning techniques, I have played both games for a bit on my GP2X Caanoo and they're quite fun! Sort of like a faster Mario with improved graphics. The music is definitly a highlight, and it's great to see indie platformers released for the Dreamcast. So if you need a break from puzzle games and shmups, give SQRXZ and SQRXZ 2 a try! All they'll cost you is a blank CD.


Links:
http://www.sqrxz.de/
http://www.sqrxz2.de/

Dreamroom 2010 Marathon Videos Hit YouTube!


Dreamroom 2010 was an eleven hour marathon that took place on September 9th, 2010 in celebration of the Dreamcast's 11th birthday. I streamed the event live from my living room, and throughout the day a number of viewers popped into the live chat to talk about Dreamcast memories. If you missed the event, you can watch the event in full (almost) thanks to YouTube's latest policy of allowing super long video uploads. The videos were originally recorded from the Justin.tv web stream that I held, so I apologize that they aren't in the HD we're so accustomed to.

The first part is above, the second and third are below. I have a good three or four more videos to share, so stay tuned to the DCJY and YouTube for more videos! For whatever reason, one video was being problematic. So I might not be able to share the final stages of Space Channel 5, Zombie Revenge, 18 Wheeler and Sonic Adventure 2. Still, there are a good 9 hours of gameplay footage to look forward to, enjoy the videos!



UPDATE: Added two more videos! Part 4 features Star Wars Demolition, part 5 features Rush Rush Rally Racing and Samba de Amigo. Again, enjoy!