With our last Top 200 Dreamcast games list being released all the way back in 2016, this 2023 list has been a long time coming. We sent surveys out in 2022, asking fans to tell us their favourite games for the Sega Dreamcast, and over 300 people answered the call!
We hope you can forgive us for presenting what is essentially The Top 200 Dreamcast Games 2022 as a 2023 list, but unfortunately time and circumstances amongst the team delayed the process of putting up a dedicated page on the website to house this gigantic list in a state we felt it deserved. Fortunately, we did eventually manage to get into a good groove around the summer of this year, with the work being completed towards the end of November, leading to what you see today - thankfully not a 2022 list being called a 2024 list! In a way, the timing worked out for the best, as it meant we could surprise everyone with this list on a truly special day: the 25th anniversary of the Dreamcast's Japanese launch on November 27th, 1998. That's right, the Dreamcast is twenty-five years old. And what better way is there to celebrate such an important occasion than to celebrate the very games that made Sega's swansong console so unique and incredible? Happy birthday, Dreamcast, this Top 200 list is our gift to you and the community.
We asked each voter to provide us with a list of their top ten favourite Dreamcast games, ranked from one to ten. The top ranked game, marked number one in a voter's individual list, would receive a score of ten points, with their second ranked receiving nine points, the third scoring eight, and so on, with finally their tenth game scoring a single point. All the scores of each voter's favourite games added together to a whopping 16,446!
Your votes resulted in an absolutely fantastic, eclectic list of Dreamcast games, with an even stronger showing for indie titles than seen in past lists! We even saw votes for a few Atomiswave ports, with one even making it into the Top 200, an outcome of which can be directly attributed to the thankless work of megavolt85, who opened the floodgates for such ports back in 2020. There's also been a fair share of dramatic shifts for certain games, with some select titles climbing higher or dropping lower in the rankings compared to their placements from previous years.
There was a total of 244 games voted for. Games that received votes but didn’t crack the Top 200 were Alice Dreams Tournament (Indie release), Armada, Armed Seven (Indie release), Beats of Rage (Homebrew release), Coaster Works, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX, Demolish Fist (Atomiswave port), Divi-Dead (Homebrew port), Dream On Volume 2 (Demo disc), Dux 1.5 (Indie release), Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles, Fast Striker (Indie release), Flag to Flag, Frame Gride, Heavy Metal - Geomatrix, Irides: Master of Blocks (Indie release), Iron Aces, The King of Fighters 2000, The King of Fighters Dream Match 99, KISS Psycho Circus, Knights of Valour: The Seven Spirits (Atomiswave port), Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon & DX, NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC, NCAA College Football 2K2, Psychic Force 2012, Rune Jade, Sakura Wars 3, Sega Smash Pack, Sega Tetris, Shikigami no Shiro 2, Slave Zero South Park: Chef's Luv Shack, Stunt GP, Surf Rocket Racers, Tee Off, Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue, Trizeal, Twinkle Star Sprites, UEFA Striker, Vampire Chronicle, Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense, Virtua Cop 2, World Series Baseball 2K1, and finally, Zia & the Goddess of Magic (Indie release).
James Harvey was responsible for launching the survey we sent out to get these results, as well as counting up the votes. A huge thanks goes out to Kev Mason for writing the copy for the majority of games listed in his spare time. Without Kev, I doubt you'd have seen this list for another year... that's a lot of games to write about! Also, a big shout out to Mike, whose A to Z of Dreamcast Games book helped to fill in some of the more obscure entries in the list. And last but not least, thanks to Derek Pascarella for some graphics assistance.
Throughout this list, you will find some impassioned testimonials about specific games from not only Kev, but also Andrew Dickinson, Brian Vines, Derek Pascarella (aka ateam), Dreamcast Enjoyer, James Brown/SkillJim (from Shenmue Dojo), James Harvey, Laurence Goodchild, Lewis Cox, Matt Oliver (from Shenmue Dojo), Mike Phelan, Patrick Traynor (from Sega Saturn, SHIRO!), PC Wizard, Pizza Hotline (aka Harvey Jones), Retro Faith, Rob Jones, Tom Charnock and Video Game Esoterica.
While there are plenty of lists out there that count down the best Dreamcast games, this one has the difference in that it was voted for by fans, so we'd like to think it's pretty definitive as far as presenting a ranked list of the best of the best this glorious system has to offer. If you want to view the lists from previous years for comparisons sake, you can find them by clicking here.
Without further ado... the list!
200. Buggy Heat (also known as TNN Motorsports Hardcore Heat)
"A fun take on arcade racing from CRI, Buggy Heat was one of the first batch of titles for the Dreamcast. On the surface, it is a decent looking but ultimately by the numbers racer, with a standard single player arcade mode and a handful of almost clichéd environments to race in: deserts, towns, snowy tundras and forests. Coupled with this are a bunch of drivers and vehicles that are far from impressive (with the exception of the fantastically named Drank Schenker). What Buggy Heat lacks in innovation though, it makes up for in terms of good, honest arcade racing fun. Races are tight and it features an excellent first-person camera, and the things it does with AI ‘drivatars’ long before Forza was even a twinkle in its creators’ eye are commendable. Good, cheap, honest fun: that’s Buggy Heat in a nutshell." - Tom Charnock
199. V-Rally 2: Expert Edition (also known as Test Drive V-Rally)
"V-Rally 2 is definitely trending in the wrong direction here, having fallen from its original 106 to 112 in the last two polls; it now finds itself all the way out back. With Colin McCrae 2.0 not making it to the Dreamcast, this left V-Rally 2 as the only alternative to Sega Rally 2, and despite always defending the aforementioned Sega Rally 2, I do feel players who are new to or less experienced with the genre on the Dreamcast would definitely prefer what V-Rally 2 is offering as we near 2024." - Kev Mason
198. Ultimate Fighting Championship
"Remains in the same spot as 2016. Anchor's mixed martial arts game received mixed review scores upon release, with some praising its intricate fighting mechanics, and others wondering what the hell happened when they lost five matches in a row within about three seconds. Great customisation options allow you to believe that you too can be the ultimate fighting champion, but more than likely you'll get your face pounded to a bloody pulp." - Kev
197. Demolition Racer - No Exit
"Pitbull Syndicate’s take on demolition racing sees you needing to damage other cars rather than just trying to avoid them, as damage given out is factored into your score. Demolition Racer is probably best known around these parts for its bizarre light gun mode." - Kev
- Related: The Hidden Dreamcast Light Gun Game
196. Sakura Wars Columns 2 (also known as Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2)
"OBLIGATORY BIAS ALERT! I’ve been a fan of puzzle games for a long, long time. As a result, I’ve often found myself playing Japanese import titles, as a great number of popular and well-made puzzle games were often not brought to the West. Said games usually have a fair bit of charm and cool artwork to accompany the gameplay, and in rare cases, actual depth. Sakura Wars: Column 2 is one such game. It takes place in the beloved Sakura Wars universe sometime during the time period of Sakura Wars 2. Not only does it feature several one/two-player puzzle modes, but even 12 full-blown story modes! These are complete with usual hijinks you’ve come to expect from the Imperial Assault Troupe, as well as LIPS responses, just like the mainline games. All of that said, pouring the effort into developing a translation patch for this game was a no-brainer. It has tremendous replay value, and its mechanics and gameplay are honestly top-notch. I’ve done a number of translations that I may never pick up and play again, but this certainly isn’t one of them. What a game!" - Derek Pascarella (ateam)
195. Soldier of Fortune
"This gory first-person shootfest from Raven Software (ported by Runecraft) has seen a near 80 place drop. Despite some painfully slow load times, it’s still a competent enough experience for the modern discerning Dreamcast fan, and also gives you another opportunity to use the Dreamcast keyboard and mouse. In our Top 200 from 2016, the GHOUL targeting system was highly praised, saying it '[bettered] even some modern day shooters' and the game's story and varied levels were also a highlight." - Kev
194. Cleopatra Fortune
"The fine folks over at Taito put an interesting spin on the puzzle/block dropping genre, as in addition to coloured gems, players are also tasked with matching up stone hieroglyphs they need to explode to grab treasure. Be warned, this is a very expensive title to get hold of nowadays, so one for collectors only! (Or just pay a tenner for the PlayStation version.)" - Kev
193. Dino Crisis
"It’s Resident Evil with dinosaurs… as you would expect from the developer that brought you the mansion of zombies, Dino Crisis treads a very similar path. The visuals and controls will instantly feel familiar to anyone who has played any earlier version of Resident Evil, along with the menus, weapons, sound effects, and the way the characters seem to think for an overly long time before speaking. Also, the way you start off exploring locked down areas, finding keycards and activating switches/levers or removing obstacles to progress further into the game all feels very similar to its other bitey cousin. Whilst I appreciate this is an opinion entirely fuelled by nostalgia, I actually prefer Dino Crisis over the majority of the Resident Evil games that appeared on the Dreamcast (bar one). This was also the first game on the list to make me raise an eyebrow due to its low placing, but I also understand that its lack of killer improvements from the PlayStation version, combined with its higher price these days won’t be helping it appeal to those who missed out or just ignored this version when it released." - Kev
192. Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing (also known as Redline Racer)
"Criterion Studios cut its teeth on racers like Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing. As a blistering, arcade-style motorcycle racer, Alstare’s white-knuckle racing pedigree shines through. Although it isn’t really a futuristic racer, its sensational speed, sterile, industrial aesthetics, and vaguely Tron-like super bikes help make Alstare feel like one. It almost plays like a blend of Manx TT Super Bike and Extreme G, but feels unlike anything else on the Dreamcast. Paired with its intense speed and responsive, glide-like handling, Alstare thrusts players through a gauntlet of twitch curves and winding geometry across orchard fields, industrial complexes, beachside trails, and Brooklyn. The game’s steep learning curve transcends into zen-like states as players master its courses, while wrecking their shit with any misstep. It’ll test players’ mettle, but the ways racers launch off their bikes when they biff it is spectacular and almost always hilarious." - Brian Vines
191. NHL 2K2
"Just as with their NBA 2K and NFL 2K series, serious fans of the sport of ice hockey were serviced well by Sega's own franchise. The first title, NHL 2K, which was developed by Black Box, was a little rough around the edges, but after a year gap, Treyarch came back with the splendid NHL 2K2, which spruced things up and delivered a great hockey game to Dreamcast gamers. While the 2013 rankings paired the two NHL 2K games together, NHL 2K2 was the only one of the pair that manged to find its way into this Top 200, which is a testament to how much an improvement it was over its prequel. Despite this, NHL 2K2 still finds itself the lowest ranked of any major US sports titles that received votes." - Kev
190. Psyvariar 2 – The will to fabricate
"Sweeping majestic backgrounds, impressive boss battles, and a barrage of enemy fire approaching GigaWing levels of screen-filling chaos are the hallmarks of this NAOMI port, as is the gameplay mechanic of 'buzzing', where you're rewarded for chaining close runs on enemy bullets. It also has some of the most spectacular explosions in any game ever. Good looks and fun gameplay mechanics come together in Psyvariar 2 to give you yet another superb vertical shmup for the Dreamcast." - Kev
189. Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein (also known as Star Gladiator 2: Nightmare of Bilstein)
"Once again, Plasma Sword is hanging in there for another Top 200 list appearance, although this is its lowest ranking ever. Despite being a Capcom-developed fighting game - a genre they are well-remembered for on the Dreamcast - this one is often forgotten about. Despite this, it does have its fans, mainly due to how ridiculous some of the special moves are, as well as its psychedelic 3D visuals." - Lewis Cox
188. Cool Boarders Burrrn (also known as Rippin' Riders Snowboarding and Snow Surfers)
"This game has the odd distinction of being known by a different name in each territory, which was due to Sony owning the rights to the Cool Boarders name in the West. Snowboarding games weren’t too readily available on the Dreamcast, and whilst it may recieve scant praise, this one is playable and enjoyable enough to at least give the Dreamcast a passable snowcapade for the powder lovers." - Kev
187. 4 Wheel Thunder
"4 Wheel Thunder is probably a contender for one of the best games you can get on the cheap. It’s challenging and requires concentration, thought and a desire to learn the courses. If you don’t have the time for that, though, watch some videos as prep so you're aware of the much-needed shortcuts and boost points. It’s got that over-the-top Midway arcade spice and it’s great as a result." - Kev
186. WWF Royal Rumble
"It’s very hard for me to separate my objective opinion as a 40 year old game fan, writer, podcaster, video maker and man who hands out low quality store-bought muffins at events, with the 17 year old Wrestling obsessive me, who paid somewhere between £40-£50 pounds for this; a sum of money it would have taken me just over a weekend to earn at my then part-time job. That 17 year old variant of Kev couldn’t believe how poor this game was compared to the Nintendo 64 wrestling titles I loved. Watching some playthroughs of it now, though, it looks like a completely different experience to what I remember, so maybe enough time has finally passed for me to not want to put the game in a headlock whilst shouting 'oh yeah!' like Macho Man." - Kev
185. Pop'n Music
"This Japan-exclusive from Konami is probably best known by many for its unique controller, which is compatible with this and three more games in the series. Rhythm game enthusiasts have managed to vote this colourful Konami title onto all three top Dreamcast games lists now, which a testament to just how much fun it is to play." - Kev
184. Alice's Mom's Rescue (Indie release)
183. Densha De Go! 2
"Pulling up into the charts once again is the game that lets you drive a train, not in a ‘this train is out of control, we need to diffuse this bomb and stop the train before it crashes!’ sort of video game way, but in an arcadey kind of simulation way. An entrant from the famous series of Taito arcade titles, the Dreamcast home console version came with its own train controller peripheral which oddly we have never really explored fully here on our site, although we did get to learn it has its a built-in recess for your pocket watch to rest in whilst playing the game, as detailed in Martin’s debut article on the Junkyard, linked below." - Kev
- Related: More Than Just an Orange Swirl
182. Sakura Wars 2 (also known as Sakura Taisen 2)
"This sequel to the first game in the series was critically acclaimed upon its original Saturn release, and so it is unsurprising that it too found its way onto the Dreamcast. Using the same gameplay mix of tactical RPG battles and dating-sim elements, refined and improved where it needed to be, the story sees Ichirou returning to the Imperial Assault Force and the emergence of a new demonic threat. Everything that was so good about the original is true here as well – so expect extremely high quality storytelling, beautiful visuals (which again have been upgraded from the original) and exceptional audio." - Mike Phelan
181. Grand Theft Auto 2
"I could talk about all the other versions of this game and how they differ from the Dreamcast release, but I haven’t played it since my mum rented it for me one summer back in 2001/2002 from Choices Video. Shout out to my mum for renting games for me when I was 20, broke and listless. Anyway, GTA 2 features the top-down perspective the series was initially known for before taking the giant and very notable step into 3D for its third game. GTA 2 is fine and fairly well remembered, particularly for its retrofuturistic setting. Also, if you haven’t seen it before, a sort of mini film/featurette was made to accompany the game's release back in 1999, so stop reading whatever this write up is and go and search 'GTA 2 - The Movie' and dedicate nine minutes of your time to watching that. It’s the sort of film you and your mate would have made for a media assignment in school if they’d given you a professional-calibre camera and a 90k budget." - Kev
- Related: Parental Guidance
180. Spider-Man
"It feels sometimes like people see modern superhero games as the only good ones, and that the older ones obviously can’t compete with their modern contemporaries, but Spider-Man is an extremely solid game for this deep into the standings. It is also good enough to justify the price that a physical copy from any region will now set you back. The Dreamcast version is the defining version of the game, offering a decent upgrade from the PlayStation version in terms of its colours, textures and lighting." - Kev
179. NFL Blitz 2000
"NFL Blitz 2000 has the unique distinction of being the only PAL title to have no title printed (or not printed, rather) on its spine. My same comments about the sequel (which you will see further up the rankings) pretty much apply here, except this first instalment has much lighter career and single player modes." - Kev
178. Test Drive 6
"A British-developed title that only saw a release in the US. Test Drive 6 didn't place on the first two lists but snuck in as the 200th place game of the 2016 vote, so to see this title jump as many places as it has is considerable. Given the dissemination of GDEMUs and other such methods of playing downloaded games since our last poll, maybe Test Drive 6 can now be sampled by a wider audience outside the States who didn't realise a Test Drive title was even available for the Dreamcast at the time. As for the game itself, well, it’s a perfectly playable but slightly average racer." - Kev
177. Dolphin Blue (Atomiswave Port)
"Oh, how the years have benefited us, for this is a game that just wasn’t accessible to the wider Dreamcast community back in 2016! For those not aware, Atomiswave was an arcade system co-developed by Sammy and Sega which was released back in 2003, and was quite architecturally similar to the Dreamcast. Despite the hardware similarities, Atomiswave games were presumed to be completely incompatible with our favourite white box, until megavolt85 figured out a way to port them to the Dreamcast in 2020. One of the most notable Atomiswave titles was Sammy's Dolphin Blue, which is literally an ocean-themed take on Metal Slug. So it's kind of like... Metal Sea Slug? Crap joke aside, if you love the Metal Slug series, Dolphin Blue is definitely worth a play on your Dreamcast, as the same chaotic rush of side-scrolling shooty gameplay can be found here too, but with the welcome addition of those signature Sega blue skies we all adore." - Lewis
176. Monaco Grand Prix (also known as Racing Simulation: Monaco Grand Prix and Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation 2. Re-released as Racing Simulation 2: Monaco Grand Prix On-line)
"Monaco makes its first appearance ever on the charts and this is more than likely due to the fact that its re-release Racing Simulation 2: Monaco Grand Prix On-line is playable online again. Despite falling behind other Dreamcast racers, the game has three modes to choose from, with a nicely polished presentation and decent graphics. Click the link below to check out footage of our friend PC Wizard and community legend Shuouma testing the online play." - Kev
175. F1 World Grand Prix
"This title left the charts previously but has managed to return this time around, along with its sequel. Somewhat of a blessing for the Dreamcast as both titles represented the finest authentic presentation you could get of the motorsport at the time. Developers Video Systems also brought Aero Fighters to the Dreamcast, but are one of many companies from the era that are sadly no longer around, having closed their doors in 2004." - Kev
174. Hidden & Dangerous
"Have you ever completed Hidden & Dangerous on the Dreamcast? I am convinced no one has, as I can't find any footage on YouTube of anyone playing the late game stages. If you aren’t familiar with the game, it’s an over-the-top 3D tactical command game. You control a squadron of allied troops that each have their own speciality. It allowed use of the keyboard and mouse peripherals too, although trying to play it recently in such a manner made it feel even more archaic than I remember." - Kev
173. Seventh Cross: Evolution (also known simply as Seventh Cross)
"It’s honestly a miracle that this evolution-focused title from Atypical Alchemists even got a Western release, as it could definitely win an award for being one of the oddest entries on this entire list, but that’s just what was so wonderful about the Dreamcast. The game starts you off as an amoeba-blob thing and you’re required to eat stuff, manipulate DNA, and fight other weird creatures to evolve up into the bestest weird creature of them all to overcome any obstacles or predators that cross your path. Reaching that peak requires a lot of patience, however, and your mileage may very as to how quickly you lose said patience, especially considering the game does an absolutely abysmal job of explaining what you're actually supposed to do. Seventh Cross is definitely a novel idea, and definitely has some fans out there, hence its placement on this list... just be sure to consult a walkthrough if giving it a try." - Lewis
172. Street Fighter III: Double Impact
"Street Fighter III was a return to basics for Capcom. Gone were the extravagances and wild air combos of the Alpha series, SF3 was far more like playing Street Fighter 2 all over again. Double Impact is a compilation of the first 2 iterations of SF3 in the arcades. Returning to the core fighting mechanics, and with only a couple of franchise favourites returning, it feels like a reboot of Street Fighter. Blocking remains key, but the addition of parrying in the second title on offer here, allows for a little more depth to the fighting." - Mike
171. Sega Extreme Sports (also known as Xtreme Sports)
"A visually stunning release centred around six extreme sports, Sega Extreme Sports takes a triathlon-like approach, with chains of the various sports making up each environment. One minute you're speeding down a mountain on a snowboard, the next you're attempting to navigate a rocky landscape on an ATV. The idea is awesome, and it certainly looks and sounds the part, with scenic views, a solid frame rate, excellent lighting and relaxing electronic tunes. Gameplay wise, there are some flaws, but the snowboarding is ace, whilst mountain biking and ATV racing deliver good off-road action." - Mike
- Related: Retrospective: Sega Extreme Sports
170. Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles
"Jedi Power Battles has dropped just shy of 20 places. It’s a strange game, as I get why it’s not viewed as particularly good, but I also totally get why people do like it. It’s Star Wars for a start and features all the sounds and music that makes that appeal to those it appeals to. I can totally imagine that if you were of a certain age, and played this with a friend, sibling or family member, that it would have given you some decent memories that you still relive as you play today. While I didn’t play it, or even own it at the time, I have enjoyed every dabble I have had with it since I first picked it up, right down to it featuring Mace Windu holding the incorrect colour of lightsaber, as George Lucas had yet to agree that Windu uses the purple lightsaber seen in Episode II." - Kev
169. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (also known as Tony Hawk's Skateboarding)
"While completely overshadowed by its sequel, the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is still not to be sniffed at. Despite lacking some of the bells and whistles that made its sequel so perfect, the same enjoyable core gameplay remains, and the soundtrack still rocks hard. The game also serves as an interesting showcase for long-time series geeks, as it features some early gameplay concepts that were discarded by the time the second entry rolled around, such as downhill levels and light platforming sections. Treyarch’s port for the Dreamcast is actually pretty good, featuring improved graphics, animations and draw distances, and was the best-looking version of the game available upon release. It also made better use of the VMU than its sequel (which chose to simply opt for displaying the game’s logo), flashing up with text that would rate you or berate you depending on how well you were skating, which was a fun addition." - Lewis
168. F1 World Grand Prix II
"With both games in this series exiting out of the Top 200 altogether in 2016, and being grouped together at 130 in 2013, this is the first time that the individual titles have been spilt apart to stand on their own, and they both made it onto the list, which is a testament to the appeal they can still offer race fans. This sequel edges out its predecessor, however, as it features improvements in the way of updated teams and circuits." - Kev
167. Silent Scope
"Silent Scope was an arcade game that was always going to be an odd fit for any console given its cabinet's original unique selling point of a scoped sniper rifle light gun, and sadly the Dreamcast received no such Sega-branded equivalent. Despite this, aiming with the controller is still decent enough in an age where the game costs a fraction of its original price (or free... if you get my drift). Something I will suggest, though, is trying the game with the arcade stick, as it’s actually slightly more enjoyable to play. It’s no replacement for the original cabinet's sniper scope, but it’s a slightly more tactile set up than the standard controller." - Kev
166. NBA 2K
"The bastards at EA didn’t want to support the Dreamcast, so Sega came out with their own sports range in the form of the 2K games, and in what was the most 'I am leaving and I am taking my ball with me' move ever, the franchise they started on the Dreamcast actually went on to eventually bury EA’s own basketball series. By that point, though, Sega was long gone, having parted ways with Visual Concepts - the studio behind the successful titles - for a paltry 24 million, which is probably less than what modern NBA 2K entries make in microtransactions every year. Anyway, the original NBA 2K wowed Dreamcast adopters at the turn of the millennium with its great graphics and slick gameplay." - Kev
165. Tapeworm Disco Puzzle (Indie release)
"Whilst inhabiting the same universe as Alastair Low's other Dreamcast indie title Flea!, Tapeworm Disco Puzzle - as its name may suggest - takes an altogether different approach when it comes to gameplay. This is a grid-based puzzle title, in which you must collect musical notes and blood as a tapeworm. Our hero, however, is limited in size, so to collect all the elements, you need to work out the best way to navigate the stage, as well as collecting tapes which will increase your worm's length (ahem...) allowing you to reach areas that you'd otherwise be unable to. It sounds simple - and to be fair, the core concept here is - but the game quickly throws all manner of different elements in. Wormholes see our hero popping up in other areas of the stage, fleas will often be present in stages (the only way to collect blood) and it's your task to assist them, buttons need to be covered by your extended worm body to open doors, and there's plenty of bad guys spread throughout the stages too, which you'll need to avoid contact with. I enjoyed my time with Tapeworm Disco Puzzle a lot. Its quirky and loveable characters, its well-designed puzzle mechanic, its superb chiptune soundtrack - all the perfect recipe for a great, 8-bit romp on the console." - Mike
- Related: Review: Tapeworm Disco Puzzle
164. Ghost Blade (Indie release)
"A slick, professional and - crucially - fun shooter in the classic 90s style. For everyone but the hardcore shmupper, Ghost Blade is an accessible and tidy package." - Rob Jones
163. Railroad Tycoon II (also known as Railroad Tycoon II Gold Edition)
"A great strategy game of epic historical railroad-building proportions on the PC, this game's translation to the Dreamcast does a good job of recreating that scale and detail onto a console. Best played with a mouse, you take the reins of your own railroad company over a series of missions based on historical periods of the industry. It isn't perfect – it is noticeably simpler than some similar titles, pad control is awkward and mouse control is sometimes fiddly – but it is one of the best titles for those of a strategic inclination on the Dreamcast." - Mike
- Related: A Quick Look At Railroad Tycoon II
162. Pier Solar (Indie release)
"A digital love letter to old-school RPGs, which allows players to revel in some beautiful design with fantastic artwork throughout. The story is strong; criticised by some for being a weak point, I found it to actually be a rather well written plot with good dialogue, and strong character design. Yes, it is a little predictable, but one man's 'generic' is another's 'nostalgic'. There's a healthy puzzle element, and the adventure itself takes you on a journey through varied locales. The battle system is solid, although this too has come in for some criticism – as a non 'hardcore' RPG player, I found it perfectly serviceable. The soundtrack is also quite superb." - Mike
161. Karous
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"Opening their Dreamcast portfolio extremely late with the release of Chaos Field in 2004, Milestone Inc. brought a glimmer of hope to fans of the ailing Sega console by following their debut with Radirgy in 2006, and then Karous in 2007. Although Karous is a solid vertical shoot-em-up in and of itself, with cel-shaded graphics that give it a particularly distinctive look within the Dreamcast’s heaving shmup library, chances are it has been boosted up this list due to its standing as the final officially-licensed game to be released for the Dreamcast. As a sentimental old fool, I don’t take issue with that whatsoever." - Laurence Goodchild
160. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2
"This is another series we had grouped together with its predecessor in previous lists. This time around, though, R2RBR2 (which is probably a cheat code in the game when entered somewhere) has been counted by itself. Whilst it hasn’t lit the voting alight with its fancy footwork, it has rounded up enough votes to get itself in the back end of this list. Whilst now sadly defunct, Midway and its assets are now owned by Warner Brothers, although it’s unlikely we'll ever see Afro Thunder and his compatriots in video game form ever again." - Kev
"This is the first of three games on this list to feature the King of Pop, Michael Jackson - in this one he is an unlockable fighter." - Lewis
159. Fade to Black (Indie release)
"It’s debut galore as another newcomer joins us. Fade to Black is the 3D sequel to the classic Flashback. JoshProd released both Flashback and Fade to Black for the Dreamcast in 2017 and 2018 respectively, with full blessings from the rights holders and original designers. For a more in-depth retrospective on both releases for the Dreamcast, check out Tom's article below." - Kev
158. Giant Gram 2000 – All Japan Pro Wrestling 3
"A new entry last time round has maintained its footing and stopped itself from being thrown over the top ropes of the Top 200 by WWF Royal Rumble. I doubt royal rumble is even a mode in this one, but wrestling fans in Japan were lucky; whilst we in the West were left with several Acclaim PS1 ports of varying degrees of quality for our grappling needs, Japan received Fire Pro Wrestling D and this, a much more simulation-like wrestling series based around the All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. The wrestling action is really of a different class, with its focus more on the sporting rather than entertainment side." - Kev
157. Floigan Bros Episode 1
"One that should probably be a bit closer to our hearts because it's a Dreamcast game about some guys who live in a junkyard. Floigan Bros isn't always the first topic of conversation when it comes to Dreamcast games, but way back in 2006, our founder Tom Charnock was very impressed by it. Sadly we never saw an Episode 2 and it’s unlikely we ever will, but one day we will get all the DCJY staff together to improv the plot of Episode 2 for you as a special podcast…" - Kev
"This is a game that deserves your attention, not only because it's one of the prettiest-looking games on the Dreamcast, but because it's so God-damned original and refreshing too. And did I mention laugh-out-loud funny? If you see this game: BUY IT." - Tom (circa 2006)
- Related: The Brothers Brill
156. Incoming
"Incoming is another title that has held on for a third time on a Top 200 List. It is a 3D shooter that sees you piloting various vehicles in defence of our planet - from static artillery guns, to helicopters and tanks - and the action is relentless. Whilst the game received criticism at the time of its release due to its short length, it's undeniably good fun." - Kev
155. Re-Volt
"Another title that is a bit of a cult hit amongst several of our staff members. From the now defunct Acclaim, Re-Volt is effectively a port of the fifth generation remote control car racing game of the same name, except everything about it is better, including extra content that its forbearer didn’t have. Re-Volt is still very affordable and is one that I would suggest anyone new to the Dreamcast scene to try." - Kev
154. Toy Racer
"A spin-off of the much loved Toy Commander, with a focus almost entirely on online multiplayer. Legend has it that Toy Racer was released at a budget price, with proceeds going to charity, which may explain why it is rather short on content. Despite there only being a handful of tracks, the cart-like racing plays smoothly and really shines in full four-player rounds where jostling for position can get intense. It is one of only a handful of titles that are currently online which support the Broadband Adapter and was released in PAL territories only. Take that, America. Europe (and Australia) rule, we’ve got Toy Racer!" - Laurence
153. Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
"The fourth entry in one of the founding franchises of survival horror games, The New Nightmare makes its third appearance on one of our lists. Building on the groundwork laid out by its own genre-defining predecessors and throwing in elements from Capcom's genre-refining zombie series, this game is a very atmospheric survival horror title that uses light and darkness to great effect, particularly when your trusty torch illuminates the game's excellent-looking static backgrounds." - Kev
152. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
“Let’s go back to the year 2000. You’re peering through your local game shop's latest release bin when you stumble across this weird looking title. A very anime-esque looking man stares back at you. The name on the cover: 'JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure'. You’re a pretty geeky kid, so you remember seeing a short anime OVA about the game of the same title. You pay the shopkeeper, and carry it with you back home. Putting the game in the Dreamcast, you’re greeted with the most wild, bizarre fighting game you’ve ever played. Selecting a character, they have names that seem familiar to you, but also not quite.. D’Bo, DIO, Chaca, Kan… You swear you’ve heard names similar to these on the radio. Getting into the gameplay, It kinda feels like Marvel vs. Capcom, but not quite. Characters pop out and you can play two at once, but you’re forced back into a 1v1 after you’ve been hit a bit. The game is engaging, and you wonder why they made an entire game based on that short OVA... This was the experience I had playing JoJo for the first time. Wacky mechanics, music references, and bizarre characters. I didn’t learn until many years later that this was actually based on only one of an eight-part manga series in Japan, one that I’ve grown quite fond of now. JoJo has a ton of unique fighters that, for the most part, are a ton of fun to play! Well, Unless you pick Pet Shop as your fighter. On top of a pretty fun and unique story mode, this 1-on-1 fighting game is an example of the fine work Capcom did in the 90s, and a time of unique fighters I’d love to see again sometime in the future." - Patrick Traynor (Sega Saturn, SHIRO!)
151. Half-Life (Unreleased game)
150. Zusar Vasar
149. Alice Sisters (Indie release)
148. Musapey's Choco Marker
"Colourful and cute, Musapey's Choco Marker originally appeared as a NAOMI arcade title, and like many before and after, made the move across to our loveable little console. Another one of the system's often overlooked puzzle titles, the title plays out in 3D as you guide your furry little friend around a three-dimensional shape made up of various coloured blocks. You have to eliminate these blocks by sandwiching one colour between two of the same different colour, setting off chains, with the eventual goal of clearing the playing area down to the central block. It's good fun, simple in concept but with some impressively large shapes to work your way through and plenty of challenge." - Mike
147. Flea! (Indie release)
- Related: Review: Flea!
146. Draconus: Cult of the Wyrm (also known as Dragon's Blood)
145. Sonic Shuffle
144. Wacky Races
143. Gunlord (Indie release)
142. Wind and Water Puzzle Battles (Indie release)
- Related: Developer Interview - Yuan Works
141. Worms Armageddon
140. Guilty Gear X
"Today versus fighters have become a lot more glamorous and, arguably, classy than they were in the first fighting game golden age of the 1990s – just look at Street Fighter 6 as an example. And while there absolutely were classy, artful versus fighters back in the ‘90s and early 2000s, with a lot gracing this Top 200 list such as The Last Blade 2, the majority were far from that, leaning heavily into the Mortal Kombat school of blood, bombast and scantily clad female warriors. And, as I wrote once on the Dreamcast Junkyard, playing those versus fighters made me feel guilty as hell back then. The blood, the violence, the cracking bones, the fatalities, the heavy metal, the gratuitous amounts of exposed female flesh, the razor sharp weapons, the impalement, the freaks of nature, the drugs, the dead-eyed killers, the rock-hard abs, the demonic bosses, the bouncing breasts, the insults, catcalls and taunts – each component in this genre prodded at the prehistoric, animalistic parts of my brain and I liked it, I liked it a lot. And talking of guilt, Guilty Gear X on the Dreamcast ticks all those brain tickling versus fighter boxes. It’s stupid and violent and crazy and it doesn’t give a damn. GGX takes over-the-top to a new level. I mean, almost everything about this game is crafted in that guilty, old-fashioned versus fighter mould. Female characters like Millia Rage and Jam Kuradoberi bare plenty of flesh and wear skin-tight outfits. Muscles, weapons and freaks are in bountiful supply (Faust is one of the most stupid fighting game characters ever created) and each of the game’s crazily over-designed stages is accompanied by an awesome rock soundtrack. The so-bland-it-hurts lead character Ky Kiske even has a belt on that just reads 'HOPE', while his rival’s last name is 'Badguy'. Yeah, Guilty Gear X is that level of dumb. It's a borderline parody on the versus fighter genre like Divekick, but long before that game hit the market. But the thing is, it’s a really good game regardless, just as many of those classic fighters were despite their less-than-holy elements. It’s buckets of fun to play and a right visual and audio treat, too. Its position on this list is fully earned and, with the game remaining cheap to buy in 2022, a must-buy for Dreamcast owners." - Rob
- Related: A Guilty Pleasure
139. Starlancer
"Cloaked in the back half of the Top 200, Digital Anvil’s Starlancer is a mission-based 3D space shooter that holds up remarkably well. Its two dozen missions are superbly structured. They’re enriched with tight, kinetic combat, charismatic squadmate banter, and striking set pieces, while tension thickens in the quiet moments between. Alongside the stellar campaign mode, players can engage in online multiplayer dogfights via fan-run servers today. As one of the more impressive PC-to-Dreamcast ports, the game performs mostly smoothly and boasts an intuitive control scheme with the stock gamepad. In all, Starlancer is a legitimate — if stealthy — classic that continues to fly under many fans’ radar." - Brian
- Related: The Stars My Destination
138. Maximum Pool
"Featuring seven game modes of pool and snooker and an online mode that is now thankfully restored, 2023 sees Maximum Pool make its first entry onto our Top 200 list and probably has the online community to thank for its inclusion." - Kev
137. Vanishing Point
"Whilst having nothing to do with the cult classic 70s film, or the stellar album by Primal Scream that was influenced by said iconic film, Vanishing Point is a racer from Clockwork games who only made one other game under that moniker (that being the Saturn version of Lemmings). Vanishing Point is a title which is addictive and feature rich, with extra stuff being unlocked at a ridiculous rate. It doesn't make the best first impression, however, with lacking graphics and overly sensitive handling. Once you get the hang of things (turning down the sensitivity is a massive help), and get bitten by the bug of constantly unlocking items, you can't help but be converted to its cause. Edge gave this a 3/10 and IGN gave it a 8.6, so it’s obviously a title that spilt opinion." - Kev
136. NFL Blitz 2001
"A sadly missed game series that you’d surely imagine still having an audience today. The NFL cousin of NBA Jam from Midway, NFL Blitz sees the game paired down to a 7on7 contest, and sees players having to gain 30 yards to get a first down instead of the standard 10. The over-the-top gameplay allows you to pile onto players after tackling them and perform basic wrestling moves, all topped off beautifully with the recognisable voice comms of Tim 'He’s on fire!' Kitzrow, whose name you may not recognise but whose voice you will instantly. One of the many entries that is only stronger in multiplayer, it features a useful VMU feature that shows the plays you are running prior to starting." - Kev
135. Xenocider (Indie release)
"In my humble opinion, Xenocider is the crème de la crème of indie Dreamcast releases, and its lowly place on this list only hardens my belief that democracy is decadent and deeply flawed… Next time, I’ll write up the Top 200 list myself, in the interests of the greater good, and bestow it upon the community as a benevolent gift. I kid about that latter part (of course!) but stand firm in my view that Retro Sumus deserve the highest respect for delivering this gem of a game to us, initially as a Dreamcast exclusive no less, after years of careful development. This 3D shooter is chock-full of levels and features, has graphics that are phenomenal for an after-market release, and runs at an unflinching 60 frames per second. In the words of our founder Tom Charnock 'What Retro Sumus have accomplished with Xenocider is nothing short of incredibl'”. Those that missed this one upon release should consider picking up a copy - it is well worth the asking price." - Laurence
- Related: Review: Xenocider
134. Super Puzzle Fighter II X for Matching Service
"Previously stuck up at number 191, Super Puzzle Fighter II X for Matching Service sees the game make the leap from the Saturn to the Dreamcast with added online play (which is offline at the time of writing, but being worked on). Playing in a similar manner to block dropping puzzle games like Columns or Puyo Pop, you match blocks to execute fighting moves for super-deformed cartoon versions of your Capcom favourites. It's basically Street Fighter mixed with Tetris, and therefore destined for greatness." - Kev
133. Virtua Athlete 2K (also known as Virtua Athlete 2000)
"The Dreamcast has three oddly playable track and field or 'button masher' style games which feels like a glut compared to the complete lack of a truly enjoyable Football game. In amongst this bunch was Virtua Athlete 2K, which is an odd creation. Following on from the insanely fun Summer Heat and Winter Heat on the Saturn, it plays similarly, but without the cartoony characters, and is a lesser game for it as it lacks the charm those games featured. Despite that though, it is perhaps unfairly viewed as a result. But it is still a competent game that does feature nice player creation and stat tracking, along with nice visuals and arcade sound effects. Click the link below to hear Virtua Athlete 2K and its button masher compatriots get discussed by myself, Brian and Mike on one of our live stream chats." - Kev
132. Time Stalkers (also known as Climax Landers)
"Featuring characters from past Climax Entertainment titles (including Landstalker and the Shining series), Time Stalkers/Climax Landers is a dungeon crawling RPG which has its fair share of issues, but still manages to retain a strong following, as evidenced by the fact that it is gone up 40 places since our last Top 200 list! Whether the reason for this is due to the general lack of RPGs available for non-Japanese speakers on the Dreamcast is up for debate." - Kev
131. POD 2: Multiplayer Online (also known as POD: Speedzone)
"I’m a sucker for great futuristic racers, particularly for how their blazing velocity thrusts players through a storm of winding courses, pulsating electronica, and vibrant verbosity. POD 2 has none of that shit. But it does have a car that looks like a lobster. After some time racing around in its crustacean cars, players (such as the few who voted for POD) may learn to appreciate the thoughtfully designed, if thematically tame courses and generally relaxed vibe despite the combat racing concept. They may also endure the touchy physics which can send them end-over-end at the slightest bump in the gravel road…which for some reason they’re driving on instead of hovering over. One huge thing POD 2 has going for it is online multiplayer. Today the game is playable online via DreamPi and is one of only 17 total titles to utilize the Dreamcast’s broadband adapter." - Brian
130. Looney Tunes: Space Race
"Even though I have near zero love for Nintendo (yes, the console war marketing campaign from Sega did irreparable damage to my rational decision-making abilities), I’d be lying if I said that Mario Kart isn’t the greatest lineage of kart racers to ever grace the gaming world. I'm pretty sure the term 'kart racer' itself is derived from Mario Kart, after all. That said, Looney Tunes: Space Race is, in my view, the greatest kart racer (or casual racer) on the Dreamcast. Not only does it offer great multiplayer support, but all of the elements that make up a good kart racer are present: zany characters, funny voice clips, creative and colorful tracks, and, of course, weapons! The game’s cell-shaded graphics are gorgeous too. When I think about the shortlist of Dreamcast games that I pick up and play most frequently for some quick fun, Looney Tunes: Space Race makes the cut. Oh, and one more thing… watch out for those anvils!" - Derek
129. NFL 2K2
"Despite being the best version of the NFL 2K titles, 2K2 finds itself back here in the peloton away from the breakaway leaders. One of the titles that is playable online again, and another of the many 'if only' considerations for the Dreamcast and its brethren when you consider what might have been given the legacy its successor ESPN 2K5 would go on to leave as the final instalment in the franchise." - Kev
128. Stupid Invaders
"A point and click adventure game that features bright and appealing visuals. It’s just a shame that the genre was starting to be seen as a thing of the past at this stage in time, as the keyboard and mouse would have surely made the Dreamcast a fine home for more point and click titles." - Kev
127. Segagaga
"Throughout much of its lifespan the Dreamcast ended up being incredibly self-referential, with its marketing often hanging a lantern on the perilous state of Sega’s finances and its troubles in the market versus Sony and its PlayStation 2. Just look at the famous Hidekazu Yukawa advertisement campaign where the real life Managing Director of the company defends Sega from accusations that Sony’s console is better, as well as the numerous Yukawa guest appearances in games, including the famous image of him holding his head in his hands surrounded by boxes of unsold Dreamcasts, as good examples. However, if there was one game that took this self-referential penchant to the ultimate height then it was Segagaga, a super-late Japanese exclusive Dreamcast release where the player is tasked with joining Sega and then making games to make the company profitable and defeat rival company DOGMA (who is set up as a spoof of Sony). The game is largely split into two sets of mechanics, the first seeing the player proceed around Sega HQ defeating enemies in a turn-based manner by hurling insults at them and then, two, once enemies are defeated convincing them to join one of your Sega game development teams. This leads onto more management simulation mechanics, where the player has to decide what games to make, in terms of quality and quantity. After three years of in-game time producing games the game ends, with the player getting one a number of endings based on their performance. This game is just a non-stop series of in-jokes and fan-pleasing easter eggs for Sega lovers, though. The lead character is actually called Sega Tarō and the game is stuffed with cameos and callbacks to other Sega games and characters. There’s also a load of really rather pointed parodies and comments made about the video game industry at the time, too. It’s just crazy, though, really that a game like Segagaga exists. It shows even today in 2022 how, right to the bitter end, Sega was prepared to take risks and try new things with the Dreamcast that simply weren’t offered on other consoles at the time, both in terms of hardware and software. Segagaga wasn’t the final game to be released on Dreamcast but, really, it should’ve been, as it was the perfect self-referential love letter swansong that Sega fans deserved." - Rob
126. Ooga Booga
"Ooga Booga was released late in the Dreamcast's life, which resulted in the game being overlooked by many. This is a tragic shame in my opinion as it’s one of the greatest multiplayer experiences the console has to offer. If you’ve never played the game before, the game’s main mode is called 'Smakahuna' in which you run around a tropical island, hitting other players with sticks, shrunken heads, and a variety of magic spells. This is fantastic fun, but in my opinion the game’s main attraction has to be Boar Polo, which is essentially Rocket League on boars, but far more chaotic. Trust me, get four players together, either locally or via the game’s online mode, and prepare for fun, mayhem, and a lot of yelling." - PC Wizard
125. Evolution: The World of Sacred Device
"Wait! Does that say Pro Evolution soccer!? Oh no, my mistake, it’s that RPG with the cover I always hated the look of. For some Dreamcast gamers, this very well could have been their first RPG experience on the console, and whilst there are far better entries in the genre, there's something quite appealing about the randomly generated, multi-tier dungeon treasure hunting adventures that Evolution provides. The graphics are smart, the battles are fun, and the game has a certain innocent charm to it that clearly still has its fans." - Kev
124. MDK 2
"Bioware's MDK 2 is experiencing another fall here, originally appearing in the top 50, then in the top 100, and now not even mustering that. This third-person shooty adventure has plenty of variety, ingenious level design and superb artistic vision, but also a rock hard difficulty, which probably hasn't helped to win over new fans." - Kev
123. Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
"Back before the Marvel universe was a thing everyone was apparently sick of due to oversaturation, we had this. Marvel vs. Capcom is the third of Capcom's marvel crossover fighting titles, and the concept remains one of the greatest in video game history. Take legendary Marvel comic heroes, pit them against the best of Capcom's numerous hits, and see them battle it out for supremacy. Genius. Tag team 2D fighting doesn't stray too far from the norm, and the sequel adds so much more, but a strong showing in the rankings here, nonetheless." - Kev
122. Puyo Puyo Fever (also known as Puyo Pop Fever)
"Puyo Puyo Fever marks a turning point in the series. The first game not developed by original series developers Compile, there is a change of look and some new elements, although the fundamental gameplay remains, and the story takes more of a back-seat role compared to its predecessors. The new elements are interesting – there can now be combinations of three or four Puyo's falling, rather than the standard two, a fever bar can be used to deal significant damage to your opponent, and clearing the screen gives you a pre-built pattern which, correctly manipulated, can result in large combos. These elements don't inflict any damage on the appealing gameplay though, and it remains a fun and addictive game to play. The last first-party title released on the console, it has hardly any language barrier; it still looks and plays well today." - Mike
121. Shadow Man
"Acclaim's comic book inspired Shadow Man sees you control the titular character in a voodoo horror world. The game boasts a decent story and some good, spooky adventuring. The design aesthetic is suitably dark, and everyone loves an immortal voodoo warrior, don't they? The advertising of this game is often fondly remembered by people but in retrospect, they surely missed a trick not releasing a version of the acid house track 'Voodoo Ray' but changed to 'Voodoo Mike' as part of the marketing campaign." - Kev
120. The Grinch
"Based on the mildly amusing movie, and more widely on the original Dr Seuss character, The Grinch is another one of those kid-friendly 3D platform adventures that doesn't make the most of the console and appears to be little more than a way to make some extra cash from the license at a time of increased interest. Okay, the game isn't terrible at what it does, although there is lots of wandering about and it has a decidedly 'last gen' look to it. With some decent voice work (no, Jim Carey doesn't do the voice) and good use of the source material, those who enjoyed the film or books will get some pleasure out of it – and I'm sure the kids will like it too." - Mike
119. Confidential Mission
"Overshadowed by Sega’s pantheon of classic light gun shooters, Hitmaker’s Confidential Mission stealthily infiltrates the depths of this list with its blatantly 007-inspired secret agent motif. Its main campaign has you thwarting a terrorist collective over three missions, replete with Bond-esque set pieces like museum, train and snowmobile shootouts. In practice, Confidential Mission plays out in the vein of the Virtua Cop games, albeit with half-baked gadget QTEs and groan-inducing quips from the faux James Bond protagonist. The gunplay feels kinetic, with HUD real estate dedicated to mapping where your shots land, including a 'Justice Shot' bonus for hitting enemies’ gun hand. As the most middling of the Dreamcast’s handful of light gun shooters, Confidential Mission is fun to revisit in brief, occasional spurts." - Brian
118. Tokyo Bus Guide
"Fly into Hanada airport in Tokyo and then take the bus to any destination and you’ll get a taste of the joy of Tokyo Bus Guide, which for the time of its release on Dreamcast back in 1999, did a remarkable job of simulating driving a bus around various Tokyo locals, including from the airport. Be under no illusion, though – this is not Crazy Taxi or Carmegeddon, but more of a serious simulation where to play well you have to drive properly and obey the rules of the road. Get into the right zone, though, and playing at being a bus guide is a great way to get zen while also virtually sightseeing one of the world’s greatest cities. This Japanese exclusive is also worth adding to any Dreamcast collection for two other big reasons: one, it is quite cheap to buy, with copies of it retailing online for under 25 notes and, two, you don’t have to worry much about a language barrier." - Rob
117. Rocketron (Indie release)
"Rocketron may have been overlooked by many, partly due the amount of titles Joshprod release simultaneously, but if you haven't yet checked out this Astro Port developed title, I'd encourage you to do so. Rather than 'just another shoot-em-up' from the talented Japanese indie team, this is an old school platforming shooter in the metroidvania tradition. Those familiar with the genre will know what to expect, with light platforming and puzzle elements, an impressively large world to explore with plenty of variety in its surroundings, and a story which is slowly revealed as you encounter fallen comrades. The controls are excellent, and the ability to use your rocket pack to fly around the levels is implemented well. Rocketron is a remarkably fun, enjoyable experience and one of the best JoshProd releases." - Mike
"It’s honestly a delight to see the inclusion of a game in this Top 200 that didn’t even exist in 2016! It’s very clear that Rocketron has made enough of an impression on those that have played it to include it in their Top 200 votes." - Kev
116. Carrier
"Carrier is a genuinely cool survival horror game that is more than just a Resident Evil clone. Sure, it has the same tank controls and fixed camera shots we have come to know and love from Resi, but the systems in this one are actually quite a bit different. You take on the role of Jack Ingles (and later, Jessifer Manning in a second campaign) as you blast, search and puzzle your way through the many decks of a huge aircraft carrier. You’re gunning down zombies left and right (or using your welder to save ammo) but the focus here is actually on saving people. A lot of the crew are still alive and unharmed, so as you trundle around the sleek metal hallways and the beep boop control rooms, you’ll want to be on the lookout for friendly faces (who all have that distinctive Resident Evil voice acting for you to enjoy). Add in the fact that the monsters can mimic the forms of the human survivors and our heroes need to use a thermal imaging scanner to tell friend from foe, and you’ve got yourself a pretty unique and spooky game!" - Dreamcast Enjoyer
- Related: Dreamcast Exclusive Spook
115. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (also known as Biohazard 3: Last Escape)
“Resident Evil 3 has dropped in the rankings since our last list, but it is still fondly remembered by those who played it, despite its shorter length. The last of the main series to use the game engine from the original, before everything transitioned to full-3D for the release of Code: Veronica on the Dreamcast." - Kev
114. Red Dog: Superior Firepower
"Red Dog is an example of how games don't need big budgets and deep storylines to keep gamers entertained - just give us a big wheeled, go anywhere tank with tons of weapons and the ability to blow lots of crap up, and we're happy." - Mike
113. Sega Marine Fishing
"Imagine this as a flow chart: Do you own a Dreamcast fishing controller? If YES - Play Sega Marine Fishing. If NO - Buy a Dreamcast fishing controller then go back to the question. It’s the follow up to Sega Bass Fishing, and so the gameplay is essentially the same, but instead takes place in more exotic locations. If you're a fellow fragile blue case owner, there is a high chance you probably haven't tried this, as we never received this title in Europe." - Kev
112. Airforce Delta (also known as Deadly Skies)
"Airforce Delta is a 3D fighter jet shooter in the vein of the Ace Combat franchise. Eschewing the charm of Namco’s series, it’s about as generic as video game design gets. Airforce Delta’s missions roughly consist of 10% flying to the objective area; 10% destroying select ground targets; and 80% banking around until I can finally get a good missile lock on bogies. The campaign throws in the occasional trench run and obligatory escort mission to 'mix things up' but the mission structures aren’t generally interesting or memorable enough to move the genre forward in any significant way. The game even borrows from Ace Combat’s narrative playbook by depicting a wartime campaign between two stand-in nations: totally-not-Europe vs. totally-not-Russia. Ironically enough, even though its warring forces are fictitious, it still managed to licence dozens of IRL aircrafts for you to pilot. All that said, I still enjoy Airforce Delta/Deadly Skies quite a bit today, mainly because 1) console flight combat games have been surprisingly few and far between for the last couple of decades, and 2) blowing up shit is fun." - Brian
111. Alien Front Online
"When AFO shows up on the online gaming schedules of Dreamcast Live, Dreamcast Talk or the Sega Online discord, it rarely fails to produce a full eight player experience. A team of aliens duking it out with a team of humans really doesn’t need over-analysing. Who wouldn’t enjoy blasting opponents with laser beams, blowing up destructive environments, or sending lo-fi taunts over the Dreamcast microphone? It’s a whole heap of fun and if you aren’t joining in, then you are missing out. Nuff said." - Laurence
110. Speed Devils (Re-released as Speed Devils Online Racing)
"Down from 72 in 2016. An early racing favourite for the Dreamcast, Speed Devils takes influence from numerous 90s racing arcade games, and is fleshed out with good single player modes, most importantly the league-based championship mode. It has some wildly eclectic, exotic tracks, with memorable moments aplenty - UFOs in Nevada and Tornados in Louisiana, to name a couple." - Kev
109. The Nomad Soul (also known as Omikron: The Nomad Soul)
"The Nomad Soul is a mix of genres: part adventure, part fighting, part first-person exploration; all mixed together to try and create something special. It succeeds in part, helped by an intriguing system of reincarnation and an epic world, all tied together with a decent story. It does have its shortcomings, however, with its many gameplay styles not really playing as well as they could. But with a soundtrack (and appearance) from the late David Bowie, and some very impressive ambitions, a trip to the world of Nomad Soul is one you should make to experience its - admittedly flawed - charms." - Kev
108. TrickStyle
"Predating its Burnout and Need For Speed pedigree, Criterion Games’ TrickStyle posits a post-war future where differences are settled via point-to-point hoverboard races through the weathered streets and subways of London, New York, and Tokyo. True to its namesake, the game lets players learn a repertoire of flips, spins, and other sick tricks to perform at their leisure. Meanwhile, the board's unique handling remains a feat of its own. Riding feels appropriately floaty, yet convincingly fluid. Steady acceleration and subtle manoeuvring help sustain velocity for its cast of clichéd, trash-talking racers. If we never get to ride hoverboards in boring-ass real life, TrickStyle may well be the next best thing. It has jumped nearly 50(!) spots since the 2016 poll, and may well be gliding towards cult hit status in 2023." - Brian
107. Worms World Party
"In Worms, Team 17 blessed us with a simple but timeless game format. If you’ve never heard of the game franchise before, then there really isn’t much to catch-up on. Your aim is to use all your cunning and tactical prowess to lead a team of heavily-armed worms to victory over rival teams in a turn-based battle on randomly generated maps. Worms World Party is the second, and best Worms title to come to the Dreamcast. It differs very little from Worms Armageddon in its fundamentals, but nevertheless is undisputed in its superiority due to the addition of online multiplayer, which is available to players again, thanks to the work of the community. The cut and thrust of multiplayer is of course where Worms really shines, and raining sheep bombs down upon your foes, or sticking an acrobatic ninja rope manoeuvre, brings just as much glee as it did in 2001.” - Laurence
106. Capcom vs. SNK (also known as Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000)
"The first in the Capcom and SNK crossover fighting series, combining elements familiar from the two fighting powerhouses. Taking SNK's more tactile fighting technique as its main influence, you assemble a fighting team using a ratio system and battle it out with characters mainly from the Street Fighter and The King of Fighters series. There is a reason a game like this is so playable some 20 years on – it perfectly mixes the accessibility and depth so that both newcomers and seasoned veterans will get something out of each fight. Glorious 2D sprites and backgrounds abound, with a cast of fighters that take some of the biggest names from both companies, whilst the animated stage intros and awesome soundtrack are testament to the levels of quality put into the title – the game really does have it all. Another fantastic fighter for the Dreamcast." - Mike
105. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing
"Let’s get ready to rumble! For myself, this was the first game I ever played on the Dreamcast and for me, is one of the titles that is instantly indicative of the console. The bright over-the-top visuals and zany characters are perfectly of the era, and it was decent enough in local multiplayer that it would make its way into the rotation on many game nights." - Kev
104. Spirit of Speed 1937
"Spirit of Speed 1937 is one of the most criminally misunderstood games on the Dreamcast, because most casual racers expect to boot it up and wallride their way to victory in every race they take part in. The truth nobody wants to hear about Spirit of Speed 1937 is that 90% of people who claim to hate it have played it for no more than 30 seconds at best, and most have never even played it at all. There's loads of cars, and for a motor racing anorak, a lot of accuracy in there. There's loads of tracks, loads of variety, and loads of different game modes. It's a genuinely difficult game. It's not 'let's just make the AI impossibly fast artificially' difficult - you've got to learn to drive these cars, you've got to practise and you've got to think ahead. It's unforgiving. It doesn't hold your hand. It's hard work - but that's what driving a formula one car in 1937 was all about. Spirit of Speed 1937 is the Dark Souls of racing games, and you only hate it because you can't handle it." - James Harvey
103. Rush Rush Rally Racing (Indie release. Re-released as Rush Rush Rally Reloaded)
"Senile Team are well regarded within the Dreamcast indie scene, in part due to the development of the much modded Beats of Rage engine, and also due to this highly entertaining top-down racer. Those familiar with the classics of the genre will feel at home. Taking control of one of a variety of racers, there are both single player and multiplayer modes. modes. For the solo player, the 'grand prix' mode takes an arcade approach, with the aim of finishing in the top three to make progress. Multiplayer is where the real fun is, though, as up to four players compete in three modes which take inspiration from classics such as Micro Machines. The soundtrack is good and there is a feeling of quality to the entire product. Fun, yet highly challenging, and best enjoyed with some friends, Rush Rush remains one of the best indie releases on the console – but make sure you pick up the much-improved Reloaded release." - Mike
102. Unreal Tournament
"A sizeable drop for Unreal Tournament is potentially linked to it being a title that has yet to make a return to being playable online, something PAL players have still yet to experience as that feature was omitted completely from the European release. Visually very close to the PC version, and replicating its beloved first-person shooter gameplay faithfully, it's definitely a worthwhile excuse to crack the Dreamcast keyboard and mouse out, despite solely being a solo experience for now." - Kev
101. Blue Submarine No. 6: Time and Tide
"This very cool Japan-exclusive mixes some excellently-presented visual novel-style sections (that utilise cel-shaded animation to present the game's characters), with 3D underwater segments in the titular submarine that control really well. While this game is playable without knowing Japanese, it is vital to understanding the plot. Thankfully, over the space of year, a talented team put together an English translation patch for this awesome game, and released it at the tail-end of 2020, enabling access to a whole new audience, which has undoubtedly helped it jump up a whole 77 places since our 2016 list." - Lewis
100. Mr Driller
"Namco's arcade port is the spiritual successor to the classic Dig Dug, and has you feverishly searching for air tanks whilst avoiding the ever present threat of falling blocks. It's charming, cute and fun to play, with plenty of modes to play. These days it can be enjoyed on a variety of platforms, but more importantly, still plays well on the Dreamcast." - Kev
99. Star Wars Episode 1: Racer
"The surprisingly handsome offspring of the much maligned trilogy of prequels. While those films are currently going through somewhat of a lens shift with pockets of the internet now finding new appreciation for them, Star Wars Episode 1: Racer is a game that has always been pretty well regarded, and is nowhere near as terrible as its clunky name may lead you to believe. Focusing on the actually fairly good podracing scene from the original film, the game allows you to pick a podracer (no, you don’t have to be Anakin!) and then compete on the podracing circuit, unlocking credits, upgrades and new races as you go. Some of the courses feel a bit generic at times, but overall this is a game that deserves the praise and fond memories many have for it, which probably led to its recent re-release on newer consoles." - Kev
98. Mortal Kombat Gold
"Mortal Kombat Gold actually exited the Top 200 altogether in 2016, only to now make a return and at a pretty decent placing too. An updated version of Mortal Kombat 4, it was a release title for the Dreamcast that received middling reviews, but for those looking for fatalities on the Dreamcast, this sole series entry on the console will keep MK junkies happy." - Kev
97. Outtrigger
"OK, the blockbusting Quake III Arena has beaten plucky Outtrigger once again, which isn’t all that surprising really, because as Kent Brockman wisely once said, 'democracy simply does not work'. I kid of course, but here’s why you might want to reconsider your votes next time around. Other titles have their technical advantages, but the charm of Outtrigger is that it was a genuine Dreamcast exclusive, and everything about it just screams Sega. Tight arcade-esque gameplay, sans the dinge and doom of its peers, with a soundtrack that slaps. Give this game a little of your time, soak up the vibes, and you’ll find it hard not to fall in love." - Laurence
96. Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram (also known simply as Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram)
"The main reason to own the twin stick controller (now thankfully joined by Xeno Crisis), and it's a good one. Tactical robot battler Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram was ported perfectly from the arcade, and remains fiercely popular amongst Dreamcast fans. It looks and plays great, but investing in the twin sticks really is the key to success here, as they really do make you feel like you're in control of a hulking, destructive robot. Well, sort of. Don’t be put off by how ridiculously long its name is and treat yourself by giving this a play." - Kev
95. Tech Romancer
"Tech Romancer is sadly one of the more forgotten Capcom Dreamcast fighters, and if you haven’t played or heard of it, then at least promise me you will go watch some videos of it playing in all its colourful anime glory. Occupying a place somewhere between Power Stone and Marvel vs. Capcom 2, it's at heart a side-on fighter despite being 3D, and fans of other Capcom fighters will feel straight at home. The fighters are all towering mechs, with pilots that could have come out of any good quality Japanese anime show. The main story mode is excellently presented with mini animated segments and branching storylines. Add in great graphics, VMU mini-games and a ton of unlockables, and you have a truly underrated gem." - Kev
94. Sega GT
"Sega GT may be fairly deep into the top half here but it will always have the honour of being the first game covered on The Dreamcast Junkyard Video Game (Book) Club (yes, we know that was a terrible name). GT actually ended up living beyond the Dreamcast's short life to eventually become a competent racing series, although that’s not to say that there isn’t enough game here to warrant a play. It follows the Gran Turismo formula in seeing you purchase a low-end car, then progressing your way up from there. It is available cheaply enough that we are happy to recommend you purchase it, and a fun tip for picking which version to play is that the game's overall feel and licensed cars are actually different depending on whether you choose the Japanese release or one of the two Western releases." - Kev
93. Silver
"Silver is an underappreciated western RPG on a system severely lacking in such competition, but its charming fantasy world brought to life with 3D characters on superbly drawn 2D backdrops has clearly won people over. Featuring real-time battles and a story that is slightly generic but engaging enough, this adventure takes you to some stunning locations which are all beautifully realised. Add in some great voice acting and you have an adventure which deserves way more attention that it receives." - Kev
- Related: Life, the Universe and Silver
92. Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream
"A game that I'm almost certain would have been higher in our rankings had it received a Western release. This beautiful platforming adventure is notable for being worked on by primarily female creative staff, and features a world and plot that is as charming as it is whimsical. While Napple Tale was a favourable import for its side-on platforming sections that required no knowledge of Japanese to enjoy, an excellent English translation patch released in 2019 completely opened the game up to a whole new audience, and in turn gave people like myself a brand new appreciation for it. While platforming around in the season-themed levels remains as enjoyable as ever, I found myself getting wrapped up most in the game's 3D hub world, conversing with the game's unique cast of characters, completing their tasks and running errands for them. Napple Tale's world is an utter joy to inhabit. Oh, and the soundtrack, composed by Yoko Kanno, is undoubtedly some of the best from a Dreamcast game (case and point), and that's saying a lot considering Napple Tale shares a library with the likes of Shenmue and Jet Set Radio." - Lewis
91. Space Channel 5: Part 2
"Many great Dreamcast titles were lost to the West due to the console's untimely demise, and Space Channel 5: Part 2 is perhaps the best of them all. Although it received Western releases on other platforms, it feels most at home on the Dreamcast, just like its predecessor, and for fans of the fabulous first title, the language barrier is small and the game can still be enjoyed. And enjoyed it will be. Taking everything from the first game and just making it better, SC5: Part 2 has camp, ludicrous storylines, a gorgeous retro futuristic feel that positively swaggers in style, and a completely amazing soundtrack that is almost impossible not to dance along too." - Mike
"Yes, Michael Jackson is in this one." - Kev
90. NFL 2K
"I vividly remember the hype surrounding NFL 2K in the summer leading up to launch. Even amid all of the other high-profile launch games, NFL 2K was still heralded as a tentpole Dreamcast release in North America. In hindsight, NFL 2K was a relatively shaky rookie effort for a franchise that would eventually become the undisputed champion of American footballing video games…at least until monopolistic licensing exclusivity deals (another American pastime) fucked that all up. Although it fails to hold up visually, the NFL 2K still stands as a respectably deep and surprisingly intuitive football game. The fluidity of player movement, weightiness of blocking and tackling animations, and convincing ball physics lend this game a decidedly modern feel. In a vacuum, NFL 2K is still an immensely enjoyable game to play, even if the franchise’s future instalments would improve on it in every imaginable way. Even now, I can’t help but regard Visual Concepts’ rookie gridiron effort as a Dreamcast launch showpiece." - Brian
89. Bust-A-Move 4 (also known as Puzzle Bobble 4)
"Taking one giant leap for bubble obsessed dinosaur kind, Bust-A-Move 4 moves all the way from 196th place to its new spot here, the fourth instalment in the classic puzzle series wasn't a groundbreaking Dreamcast release by any means, but you can't mess with a format that's proven so reliably consistent over the years. Once described to me as 'a bubble-based pool game with no cues or balls', if you're a fan of the series, you'll be perfectly happy with this one." - Kev
88. The King of Fighters '99: Evolution
"This game was ranked 46th last time round but was placed as such with the other four Dreamcast KOF games as a collective entry. With the series separated out, Evolution emerges as the victor, while the other four haven't even cracked the Top 200, which is pretty solid evidence to suggest that Evolution is by far the best entry on the Dreamcast from SNK's long-running fighting series." - Kev
87. Tokyo Xtreme Racer (also known as Tokyo Highway Challenge)
"Developed by Genki, Tokyo Xtreme Racer was released on the cusp of the millennium and was one of a handful of titles that probably could be held responsible for the street racing pop culture boom we'd see in the following decade that would see the likes of Need for Speed: Underground and The Fast and the Furious wowing gamers and moviegoers the world over. Picture this: dimly lit, neon-bleached city streets, edgy underground music, cars that were lower than the price of ChuChu Rocket!, with more modifications than a Dreamcast in 2023. Set exclusively at night, this is a tight and stylish racer set on the famous Shuto Expressway in Tokyo. It’s a handsome affair with stunning lighting effects, gorgeous reflections, and a rock solid frame rate to seal the deal. Challenge other racers, drive fast, make money, and then blow it all by modding your car with a GDEMU... I mean, new sexy rims or a two tone paint job - the dream!" - Pizza Hotline (Harvey Jones)
86. Pen Pen TriIcelon (also known as PenPen)
"One of the unsung heroes of the Dreamcast’s launch lineup, Pen Pen TriIcelon is a bizarre little racing game. It’s also a Dreamcast exclusive, and if you spend any amount of time with it, you will be completely unsurprised by that fact. You’ll pick from a waddle/raft of creepy Pen Pens (penguins bred with sharks, octopi, dogs, hippos, and other penguinimals) and make them scamper, slide, and swim through a handful of triathlon-inspired courses. Each course is split into multiple sections – flat, downhill, and water – each decked out in themed decor spanning candy cane jungles, toyland castles, haunted houses, popsicle forests, and, uh, bathtubs. As you win more races, you can even dress them up in fun outfits with cute little top hats, scuba gear, and AK-47s. The titular Pen Pens get into some weird shit, and their shenanigans are even more fun with friends. Get four players in front of your Dreamcast with this game, and together you can truly appreciate this bizarre multiplayer gem." - Brian
85. L.O.L. -Lack of Love-
"Seven years ago, back in 2015, I wrote a piece on L.O.L. -Lack of Love- for the Junkyard describing just why this title is, probably, one of the most innovative and ahead of its time games ever made. And now, even in 2022, Lack of Love remains a glorious, pioneering oddity in the Dreamcast game library and, in my opinion, an essential buy for Dreamcast collectors. Lack of Love sees you, the gamer, taking control of an organism in its smallest, post-chemical catalyzation state on an alien world, before then guiding it through its evolution into ever larger and more complex organisms. So, think Spore but years before Maxis picked up on the idea. What makes Lack of Love so interesting, though, and the reason why it is named as it is, is that to evolve you have to symbiotically help other organisms rather than defeat them. By showing love to other organisms, you yourself benefit, which is the key message its Director, Kenichi Nishi, was trying to impart to humans in creating the game. These symbiotic partnerships form each level’s missions, so to speak, and after completing them - in time, as the organism’s life is constantly ticking down - you evolve and progress to the next creature state and world, with each getting larger in scope as you go. Astoundingly, Lack of Love does all this without recourse to the use of any language, which considering this is a Japanese Dreamcast exclusive, is great for western players. This is a game that can be played and navigated without textual clues, which again is testament to its pioneering game design. Throw in unique art, a haunting and evocative musical score by famous Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, and life-affirming positive messaging and you’ve got a title that pushes the boundaries of what video games can achieve, and one that is an essential play for any Dreamcast enthusiast." - Rob
- Related: Living with a Lack of Love
84. Record of Lodoss War
"Based on a series of novels by Ryo Mizuno, which were in turn highly influenced by Dungeons & Dragons, the Dreamcast's version of Record of Lodoss War remains a system exclusive, and is rather good. Those familiar with the action-RPG, hack and slash, inventory management of Diablo will know what to expect. Whilst characters and plot elements are taken from the novels, no prior knowledge of the series is needed. Gameplay is simple, with hordes of enemies to kill on screen at once, but control is good, with a rotatable camera and easy access to the inventory, potions and spells. The play area is large, and there are various quests to embark on. The story is well written, whether in cutscenes or through in-game dialogue. The highly detailed graphics are excellent, as is the audio. Fans of the genre will appreciate the well crafted, detailed and interesting game world. An excellent and highly enjoyable adventure." - Mike
83. 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker
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"18 Wheeler is sometimes compared to Crazy Taxi, but these comparisons are mostly likely due to its typical Sega visuals and origin as an arcade cabinet. For me, the game has much more in common with a standard arcade racer, but with some different flavour sprinkled on top. The game tasks you with delivering a truckload (not a pun) of materials from your starting location to an end point, all whilst being up against a timer and branching paths, as seen in the OutRun series. It’s not just the clock trying to slow you down, though, as you also have the added goal of beating a rival and not taking too much damage along the way. A fun game that is worth your time if you can get it on the cheap. If you would like to see and hear more about the game, check out the recording linked below from when our team covered it on one of our topical live streams." - Kev
82. Spawn: In the Demon's Hand
"An arena fighter by Capcom based on Todd McFarlane's ever popular dark comic book series, Spawn: In the Demon's Hand's hugely entertaining four-player action can be utterly chaotic and at times, slightly confusing. Fans of the series will definitely get a kick out of being able to battle it out as the cast of the comics. Spawn may not be for everyone, but if you're looking for another arena fighter for the Dreamcast, it's worth a try, especially if you're a hardcore fan of the source material." - Kev
81. Wetrix+
"The Pickford brothers know how to make great games, and with Wetrix they really did create a novel, if slightly odd, puzzler. It's sort of a cross between Tetris and the Civilisation map editor, what with its gameplay involving the deforming of land to store water while attempting to stop your water falling off the map/board. Wetrix is good fun, and can be challenging at times, but like the best puzzle games, when you get the bug, you're going to be coming back time and time again." - Kev
80. Bomberman Online
"Bomberman's worldwide popularity makes the fact this is a US-exclusive a little odd. As the title suggests, Online functionality was the key selling point here, and the single-player does suffer a little as a result compared to that of previous Bomberman titles. While the online functionality is not currently available, any fan of the series will attest that it's gathering some friends around one TV screen for some local multiplayer where this game excels. Some new features, plenty of options and nice cel-shaded graphics and animations mean this is another title I wish didn't just stay in the States." - Kev
79. Super Street Fighter II X for Matching Service
"The 'Matching Service' in the title of this Japan-exclusive release designates that it was part of Capcom's online matching service, which essentially means it was playable online, along with having the modes and options you’d expect from Super Street Fighter II X. This title has become a bit of a rarity and the at time of writing, it’s impossible to find either an auction or a buy it now listing on eBay below £150, which perhaps may not be worth paying considering Street Fighter II's genre-defining gameplay can be experienced on a plethora of other systems. It’s also one that has flip-flopped around our rankings as it initially entered at 81, then dropped to 85, before crashing all the way down to 168, only to find its way at its highest rank yet in this 2023 list." - Kev
78. The Last Blade 2: The Heart of the Samurai
"The Last Blade 2 has a special place in my heart, as I am sure it does for many gamers, as like with Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves, it represents a pinnacle in a gaming age. Another late-stage product of the legendary SNK versus fighter machine, The Last Blade 2 was, on release, the most beautiful weapons-based versus fighter that there had ever been and, with its setting of Bakumatsu Japan, offered orders of magnitude more vision and scope than 99% of its rivals. It was a versus fighter for versus fighter purists, for those who searched for more than cheap Street Fighter knock-offs and believed that the genre could transcend the limitations often thrust upon it. From the game’s impressive roster of fighters, to its poetry in motion art, phenomenal, evocative soundtrack and onto its deep gameplay mechanics, The Last Blade 2 is awe-inspiring to behold. Years ago now I wrote about just one small reason why I love The Last Blade 2, a game that I own both on Neo Geo AES and Sega Dreamcast, but to detail them all would take me forever, so I’ll simply finish with this observation… If truth is beauty, and if beauty is represented often at its most pure in art, then this game is one of the truest pieces of art I’ve ever seen. This is a game that is beautiful to its core in every aspect, from its stunning art style, soundtrack and gameplay mechanics, through to its conceptual scope and ability to spark joy in the player. It’s a masterpiece, and every Dreamcast gamer should make sure this title sits snug in their collection." - Rob
- Related: Kojiroh’s Female!?
77. Gauntlet Legends
"Gauntlet Legends takes the hack and slash formula of its original arcade forebarer and gives it a 3D makeover, complete with a hub world to use as a base and level-select area. Also replacing the potions and pickups of the original is a gold system that allows you to upgrade your character and weapons as part of a light RPG character progression so you can hack and slash the shit out of all the different baddies that really want to kill you. Despite the back of the game's case not mentioning arcade stick support, if you do plug the arcade stick in it will work, and plays even better on that than on the standard controller." - Kev
76. Cosmic Smash
"Much as Rez did, Cosmic Smash takes a simple concept and makes it into a work of art. Like a 21st century hybrid of Breakout and squash, Cosmic's NAOMI arcade roots make for easy gameplay, with simple controls. But it's the utterly compelling minimalist graphics and sound that will soon hook you as you travel along the underground-style map on the cosmic bus with your transparent skeletal character breaking blocks in a series of rooms with a glowing red ball. Simple, effective, completely addictive. Released as a budget release initially (good luck getting it for budget prices now), even the packaging is a work of art, with it's translucent DVD style case up there with the best." - Mike
75. NFL 2K1
"After NFL 2K, the series returned for a new year and everything got an update. The graphics are improved, with a high-res front end (displaying incredibly slick presentation throughout) and detailed, high-poly players and stadia. The audio is superb, with one of the best commentary teams in any sports game, and the crowds are more realistic. Most importantly, the one real issue from 2K has been seen to – gone is the single digit running yardage, replaced by more controllable play and blocking players who do their job. The passing game is still slick, but it's refined to make it more realistic – a praise the entire game deserves. Games progress the way they do in real life, putting NFL 2K1 up there as a proper 'sim' rather than just a video game. With the added franchise mode and a few other tweaks, the game can rightfully be called a masterpiece. With the much lauded online modes now playable once more, the game's most revolutionary mode can still be enjoyed. NFL 2K1 is superb." - Mike
74. Super Runabout (also known as Super Runabout: San Francisco Edition)
"Did you know that Super Runabout didn’t even feature in the 2016 list as it had dropped out of the Top 200 voting entirely? Well it’s back now and is a game worth some of your attention, though it does admittedly have a real six out of ten vibe to it. The game tasks you with driving around San Francisco on a variety of missions, all whilst predominantly competing against the clock. You can even smash into a cable car or a tram! Being a resident of Sheffield in the UK, I was desperate to make a 'Supertram' related gag here as that is what our tram is known as, but I appreciate that's a reference that is probably as niche as a fan club dedicated to Super Runabout." - Kev
73. Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves (also known as Garou: Mark of the Wolves)
"There was, for a brief moment in time, a period where Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves was probably the best versus fighter in the world. This was not really a surprise considering it came from SNK who, at the close of the 1990s, were versus fighting game royalty, but where it probably was surprising was in just how late it was to the party and how briefly it sat upon the throne. A proper, traditional 2D fighter, even when Mark of the Wolves was originally released in the arcades in 1999, it felt a bit old hat with 3D graphics being the new hotness. So by the time late 2001 rolled around and it got a Dreamcast release it felt positively anachronistic. Here you had a game out of time released on a console that, earlier that very same year, had its death knell rang by Sega as it confirmed it was withdrawing from the console market. But regardless of which platform you played it on, to miss this game was like missing the passing of an age, as the game was, arguably, the culmination of going on 15 years of versus fighter expertise and boy did it show. And, even two decades later, it still shows. It looks stunning, has incredibly tight gameplay mechanics, excellent balance, a varied roster, a kick-ass soundtrack and, for the time, innovative tactical offence position and just defend systems. These factors contribute to make Mark of the Wolves a great title for both the casual and hardcore versus fighter fan, and a brilliant reason for any Dreamcast collector to pick the game up." - Rob
72. Maken X
"Many years ago, on the eve of the traditional Dreamcast Junkyard Xmas party, I wrote about the insanity that is Maken X and now, even in 2022, it remains one of the strangest titles on the console. Maken X, for the uninitiated, is a first-person slasher where you play as a daemon sword (Maken translates in Japanese as 'Daemon Sword') wielding school girl called Kei Sagami who, for ludicrous plot purposes, has to proceed to cut her way through hordes of swastika-emblazoned enemies. Oh, and one of the end bosses is the Pope! Yes, Maken X is off the wall conceptually but, just as is the case with many Dreamcast games, it was incredibly unique when released and to this day remains a 'what were the developers smoking?!' experience. For that alone, it is a title Dreamcast enthusiasts should scope out. Indeed, the game was so off the wall that it was heavily censored for its releases in the West, with the Pope-slaying and Nazi imagery removed. This means that to go 'Full X' you need to grab the Japanese version of the game." - Rob
- Related article: A Maken X-mas
71. NBA 2K2
"The third and final Visual Concepts NBA title for the Dreamcast, and boy, did they save the best for last. There isn't a great deal different here than in NBA 2K1; certainly, it doesn't add the numerous extra features that NBA 2K1 did. But what is on offer is refined and improved, delivering one of the best sports games on the Dreamcast. The presentation and graphics were where the biggest improvements could be seen, and defence was better, allowing for a tactical defensive game. NBA 2K2 stands tall as the best basketball title on the Dreamcast. Playable online still too!" - Mike
70. Sega Bass Fishing (also known as Get Bass)
"Sega Bass Fishing is a shining example of a console game where the use of a unique controller was to the betterment of its gameplay, not its detriment. The game marries the use of the Dreamcast fishing rod controller with Sega's signature blend of arcade flavour, chunky bright visuals, and an enthusiastic announcer to produce something that was greater than it had any right to be. While various games since have tried to match the might of Sega Bass Fishing, they have all failed to recreate the same magic. Also, I'd love someone to find either the script or the recording sessions for the voiceovers of Sega Bass Fishing. (Whisper) 'It’s coming near...' (Scream) 'FISH!!!!!'" - Kev
69. Propeller Arena (Unreleased game)
"The story goes that this aerial combat game, whose development was all but complete, was canned by Sega due to their concerns about the reception it may have received in the wake of the September 11 attacks in the United States. While entirely plausible, more mundane commercial reasons most likely weighed heavily in the decision too - poor sales meant that Dreamcast games were being cancelled left, right and centre by publishers by this point. Whatever the reason, it’s a crying shame that Propellor Arena never saw an official release. The game offers up a succulent slab of arcade-style action in trademark AM2 fashion: quick and to-the-point gameplay; bright and dazzling aesthetics; a somewhat cheesy yet uplifting soundtrack. It’s all here. The online multiplayer mode, which was touted to make use of the console microphone for in-game chat, would have topped the package off as a shining example of what the Dreamcast had to offer, but sadly never came to be. Luckily for us, a fully functional version was leaked many years ago and is readily available on the web. If you haven’t played this one then do yourself a favour and revel in the swansong of AM2s endeavours for the Dreamcast." - Laurence
68. Street Fighter Alpha 3
"Street Fighter Alpha 3 is the third of the Alpha series and had already seen a home port on the PlayStation by the time of this Dreamcast release. The gameplay of the Alpha series is tremendously fun, and equally rewarding, as the game is finely tuned to deliver a spectacular and supremely playable 2D fighter. Graphically, it's a high-quality port of the arcade, with lovely 2D art. The 33 fighters which are unlocked from the start are a veritable who's who of classic Street Fighter characters, and all are drawn and animated with near perfection. Played on a good CRT TV, and with a good pad or stick, rather than the standard Dreamcast pad, Alpha 3 is yet another excellent Dreamcast fighter." - Mike
67. Resident Evil 2 (also known as Biohazard 2)
"Not a huge climb for Resident Evil 2 despite this poll taking place on the back of its contemporary remake. The Resident Evil series has given plenty of zombie-based thrills to gamers over the years, and whilst Code: Veronica is the title in the series most associated with the Dreamcast, Resident Evil 2 is arguably the most widely loved of the classic entries. It doesn't necessarily reinvent what the first title did, but it has enough scares and atmosphere to keep horror fans more than satisfied. Sure, the game isn't the biggest looker nowadays, and the voiced dialogue is terrible, but it successfully manages to reinforce the B movie feel these earlier Resi games are known for." - Kev
66. Fur Fighters
"Bizarre's third-person shooter with cuddly characters is a perennial favourite amongst Dreamcast gamers - maybe loads of kids who had Dreamcasts convinced their parents that it was a third-person cuddle-a-thon or something? Whatever the reason, the other game from Metropolis Street Racer's much lauded developers is an absolute riot, featuring nice, colourful graphics, cute characters, and a ton of violent carnage to inflict upon them. Four-player mode is superb too." - Kev
65. Virtua Fighter 3tb
"While not considered the greatest entry to the Virtua Fighter series, 3tb will always hold a special place in my heart. Like many other kids at the time, Dreamcast kiosks running this game were abundant in all the major game and electronic stores, at least here in the US. I can specifically remember the very first time I saw 3tb in person at an Electronics Boutique in our local mall. The character models, as well as things like the water effects, were so beyond anything I’d ever seen on a home console that my young, tiny brain could barely comprehend how it could even be possible. After pre-ordering my Dreamcast and waiting for 9-9-99, I knew that it had to be a game I took home on launch day. Even with the likes of Dead or Alive 2 or Soulcalibur at my disposal today, I still find myself going back to Virtua Fighter 3tb. Part of it is out of love for those classic Virtua Fighter mechanics, but also for that oh-so-Sega-esque soundtrack. If Sega games can be described as colourful, then so can the music that accompanies them. It has a certain tone that’s hard for me to distil down into words, but in the words of Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart, 'I know it when I see (hear?) it.'" - Derek
64. Xeno Crisis (Indie release)
"Bitmap Bureau execute top-down run-and-gun action flawlessly in Xeno Crisis. The game exhibits virtually everything you could wish for from the genre: tough but fair gameplay, tight controls, beefy weaponry, varied enemies, and a soundtrack that SLAPS. Although the Dreamcast release is fundamentally just a port of the Mega Drive version - with some welcome extras such as twin stick support and VMU icons - that clearly hasn't prevented it from gaining the recognition it warrants. The physical release is a thing of beauty, but those with ODEs can pick up the digital version directly from the developer too. Check out the DCJY review for a more comprehensive run-down." - Laurence
- Related: Review: Xeno Crisis
63. Sword of the Berserk: Gut’s Rage (also known simply as Berserk)
"Berserk is an iconic manga and the 90s anime was no slouch either, so given the pedigree of the source material, making a game that felt faithful to the spirit was always going to be a challenge. Thankfully, developers Yuke's were more than up to the task and this remains (in my opinion) the best Berserk game out there. It is essentially a hyperviolent hack-and-slash game with a very arcadey vibe to it; we’re working with credits, getting ranks and rewards at the end of each act, etc., and all of that stuff feels great. Not exactly revolutionary gameplay, but swinging the dragonslayer around through hordes of undead monsters is definitely a blast and if you have any love for Golden Axe or Slashout then you’ll feel at home here. But where this one really shines is in adapting Guts’ darkly tragic narrative, which it manages to do with great aplomb over its roughly 70 minutes of cutscenes. There are some familiar voices here from Michael Bell (Raziel in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver) to Cam Clarke (Liquid Snake in Metal Gear Solid) and they are all on top form. The story, written by Kentaro Miura himself, takes place somewhere between the Eclipse and Millenium Falcon arcs as a kind of “lost chapter” – but it works excellently as a stand-alone story so you can still enjoy this fine game even if you’re new to Guts and co!" - Dreamcast Enjoyer
62. Intrepid Izzy (Indie release)
"Dreamcast scene veterans Senile Team brought us Intrepid Izzy back in 2021, and it quickly captured the hearts of many with its colourful combination of 'metroidvania' platforming, beat-em-up gameplay and great humour, earning itself a reputation as one of the Dreamcast’s flagship indie titles. It was also the release that introduced us to UK-based indie publishing studio WAVE, who have gone on to become a respected publisher as part of the current resurgence of Dreamcast indie titles. If you want to get the full lowdown on Intrepid Izzy, check out my review linked below." - Lewis
- Related: Review: Intrepid Izzy
61. Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 (also known as Tokyo Highway Challenge 2)
"Everything about this sequel improves upon the first game, and the perpetually night-time racing on offer here is top class and exciting. The graphics remain as excellent as before, but the road network has been increased, the customisation options have been made deeper, and the AI is improved, leading to more full contact, tight duels. There's no versus mode - which is a shame - but the quest mode is so large, with so many opponents, that you probably won't even notice." - Kev
60. Gunbird 2
"Jumping a not insignificant 30 places to its 2023 place of 60, Gunbird 2 delivers ludicrous stories, over-the-top characters and well-drawn 16 bit-style sprites. Psikyo's colourful shoot-em-up doesn't rely on bullet hell gameplay solely, as the easier difficulty settings offer a more sedate pace. The two-player mode allows dual stories to emerge for the varied lineup of characters, and even allows you to play dual stories with one player alternatively. Graphically, the game always feels a little like an improved 16-bit shooter, rather than a 'true' Dreamcast shmup experience, but it's enjoyable, accessible and fun." - Kev
59. San Francisco Rush 2049 (also known as Rush 2049)
"Rush 2049 sees the long-standing series brought into the future for sci-fi racing in spectacular surroundings. The vibrant graphics present a futuristic re-imagining of San Francisco, and whilst it doesn't compare with the best Dreamcast visuals, they're detailed and superbly realised. Racing itself sees high speed thrills and an emphasis on learning the numerous shortcuts which populate the tracks. Races can be quite long and challenging, but always remain fun. Rush 2049 is a good, solid arcade racer, and comes highly regarded by many, including DCJY founder Tom Charnock." - Mike
58. Quake III Arena
"One of the big gets for Sega back in the day, featuring heavily in its promotional material. Quake III Arena was a huge hit on the PC and the port to the Dreamcast was executed exceptionally well, even allowing cross-platform online play. The Dreamcast release did everything right, but was not to make the waves it should have done, due to the rapidly curtailed commercial life of the console. Fortunately, for as long as I can remember, Friday nights have been Fragnights; log online with your Dreamcast and you’ll find active players to this day." - Laurence
57. EGG: Elemental Gimmick Gear
"Birthday delivered a little gem with EGG: Elemental Gimmick Gear. Fans of 16-bit RPGs like Zelda will be instantly at home, as it takes the same overhead 2D approach. Piloting an egg-shaped mech, you battle an assortment of nasties, gathering parts for upgrades and coins, and solving a ton of puzzles. The puzzles are well constructed, and the adventuring itself is kept constantly interesting, in no small part to the lovely looking hand-drawn 2D artwork of the world. There are also 3D boss battles, which work well. With beautiful visuals, an enticing soundtrack, and an interesting world to explore, EGG is a game worthy of anyone's collection." - Mike
56. GigaWing
"Do you like Shmups? Do you like sense-destroying carnage on an epic scale? Do you like to have near-seizure levels of colour and explosions happening on your TV screen? Do you like to get pumped up by an awesome soundtrack, the opening stage theme of which relentlessly shouts out 'come on!' as you rain down death on the assembled enemy masses facing you? Do you like a two-player mode so hectic that you have to take a two week holiday in Devon afterwards just to recover? Was that a ‘yes’ to all of them? Then you may like to give GigaWing a go." - Kev
55. Space Channel 5
"The Dreamcast was the home to many quirky titles created by development teams at the peak of their creativity, egged on by a Sega with little left to lose. Games like Space Channel 5 were received with delight by fans, especially this one, who played it over 20 times (and completed it at least once with not one mistake). Perhaps slightly overlooked nowadays due to the release of its studio's next title, Rez – which has gone on to become a bona fide cult classic in the wider gaming scene – there’s still something undeniable about the charm that Ulala brings to the table in her first adventure. The Simon Says rhythm-based gameplay paired with some of the catchiest music this side of the galaxy made for a groovy, if short, experience." - Andrew Dickinson
"The third and final game on this list to feature Michael Jackson. Shamone!" - Lewis
54. Zombie Revenge
"If you haven’t played Zombie Revenge, then it was perhaps best summed up by our very own Mike Phelan during one of our YouTube game discussions: 'it is the bastard offspring of Dynamite Cop and The House of the Dead.' This brawler sees you moving through stages, clearing away the enemies with your fists, feet and a whole host of weapons you can get your mitts on, including a decent array of guns. Zombie Revenge is a fantastic game that I can’t wait to get my own offspring to play with me one day, when she is old enough that it wouldn't result in a call to social services." - Kev
53. Daytona USA 2001 (also known simply as Daytona USA)
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"In what amounts to the Toshihiro Nagoshi-produced director’s cut of AM2’s groundbreaking arcade racing classic, Daytona 2001 is built on a rock Sonic solid foundation of the original three courses, revamped with a vibrant and glossy sheen. For this remake, Amusement Vision and Genki also brought back the two mediocre extra courses from the Saturn’s Championship Edition, plus a few new ones of their own. This version also sports a circuit-based championship mode and online multiplayer, the functionality of which has now been restored. In all, Daytona 2001 is the most robust, feature-rich adaptation ever. That comes with one massive caveat. Daytona 2001’s handling is almost exclusively tuned for steering wheels. With the high sensitivity and jerkiness of its default control scheme, it dares you to try and use a regular gamepad. With a wheel, however, the game gives you several options to fine tune the range and dead zone of your steering, acceleration, braking inputs to guarantee a solid experience with a little tinkering. Work through all that and you’ll find Daytona’s timeless bliss is preserved amid its infectious soundtrack, delightfully chaotic 40-car grids, and blue, blue skies." - Brian
52. The Typing of the Dead
"It’s Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing but Mavis has a Dreamcast on her back and is wielding a keyboard that she needs to type on to stop zombies from biting her, but not from biting G, as he sadly didn't type fast enough and so was bitten prior to Mavis' arrival. Maybe if he’d paid more attention to his home row words that wouldn’t have happened. Anyway, The Typing of the Dead is actually a brilliant game, like truly brilliant. If you are somehow reading this and haven’t played it, it's basically The House of the Dead 2 but instead of shooting the zombies, you type words and phrases to take them out instead. It's worth the cost of having to purchase a Dreamcast keyboard just to play it. If you’d like to see a 2020 version of me playing this in the tiny room I spent most of the 2020 lockdown in, wearing my work shirt and tie, complete with a haircut I gave myself; then click here. A quick skim through shows I made virtually the same Mavis Beacon gag back then, but mistakenly said 'Betty Mavis'. This was presumably due not having been outside or spoken to another person in months." - Kev
51. Border Down
"In the more than a decade space of time after the Dreamcast 'died', the portfolio of post-life shooters on the console grew considerably. Border Down was one of the earliest of these life-after-death releases; a port of the NAOMI arcade title to the Dreamcast, which remains highly sought after and widely acclaimed. It takes many elements of classic horizontal shooters and adds some neat ideas, most notably the 'border system'. Simply put, when you lose a life you 'border down' to a new border, of which there are three on each level. Helping the game along, there are some sublime visuals, with both beautiful backgrounds and solid ship design, an impressive electronic soundtrack and plenty of challenge, as well as a remix mode. These aesthetic qualities are matched by a game that – whilst undeniably tough – will appeal to anyone looking for a quality horizontal shooter. The toughness will put off non-shmup fans, but on a purely technical level it's a highly impressive piece of work, fully playable with no language barrier, and a joy for fans of the horizontal shooter genre." - Mike
50. F355 Challenge (also known as F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa)
"How many cars do you need to make a good game? In 1999, AM2 showed us that it could be done with just one; the Ferrari F355. Although F355 Challenge did see a port over to the PlayStation 2, this will always be an iconic Dreamcast title to me. Zooming around a racetrack with a moody sunset off in the distance, and a hard rock soundtrack (that would sound awful in any other situation) blaring, somehow just gives off that feeling. The hybrid online mode in which players race separately and then have their ghosts mashed together for a combined replay was a peculiar delight, but sadly one that no-one will have experienced since the server closed in 2006. One day it will return, ONE DAY!" - Laurence
49. Super Magnetic Neo
"Dive into the vivid and whimsical world of Super Magnetic Neo, a 3D platformer that channels the spirited essence of gameplay reminiscent of titles like Crash Bandicoot. As Neo charges forward through each level, players must skillfully harness the opposing magnetic poles, essentially transforming the protagonist into a magnetic force to navigate gaps and adversaries, in order to conquer each stage. This simple premise starts to become more akin to a puzzle game, challenging players to exercise their mental prowess amidst intricately designed navigation elements featuring constantly shifting magnetic charges. With the A and B buttons serving as tools to attract and repel, Neo gracefully leaps from one magnetic polarity to another, creating a gameplay experience that, at times, mimics the feel of a rhythm game. Super Magnetic Neo comes as a high recommendation for someone in search of a refreshing gaming experience that is at times somewhat uniquely eccentric - Neo’s character model alone, with his skin tight Mickey Mouse style white trousers emphasising his arse like something out of a Ren and Stimpy cartoon is basically proof in the pudding (pardon the pun!)." - James Brown/SkillJim (from Shenmue Dojo)
48. Virtua Striker 2 Ver.2000.1 (also known simply as Virtua Striker 2)
"Virtua Striker 2 is a game that even its fans (of which I am a big one) will admit has numerous flaws and odd quirks. The lack of a sprint button, the tank-like controls that lack the fluidity you’d expect of a sports game, the fact that the players and keepers seem to stick to rigid, almost foosball-like areas on the pitch... yet in spite of all those things, it can still be a wildly entertaining game. It’s a fantastic-looking arcade port and unashamedly so, bringing home the over-the-top noises and rankings, with the ability to save goals to the VMU. Realistically, it’s not a very fun game to play by yourself, and there is a lack of finesse throughout - the developers made the odd choice of only letting you use the Dreamcast controller's D-pad for movement - yet it still manages to comfortably be the best football title on the system (low bar, I know) and very fun in two-player or with a group taking turns." - Kev
47. Seaman
"Oh boy, what a game… What a strange, but beautifully bizarre game… I bought a used copy of Seaman somewhere around 2003, along with the microphone peripheral. The very first time I fired up the game, I chuckled hearing Leonard Nimoy’s voice, before shortly thereafter feeling immense confusion about what exactly I needed to do in order to progress, or even start, the game. That’s when I engaged in the ancient ritual of gaming days gone by, and consulted the instruction manual. Those who’ve fully experienced this game, or even watched the Angry Video Game Nerd’s famous video on it, know how full of madness that manual is, what with its backstory and all. Creative narrative aside, the manual also teaches players how to start their Seaman adventure. Looking back, I can only laugh at the thought of a young Derek sitting on his bed, speaking into his Dreamcast microphone, working hard to raise his fictional amphibious human-faced pet. The use of the microphone to interact with an on-screen video game entity was something exciting, though. I have particularly fond memories of saying the word 'PlayStation' to Seaman and listening to his hilarious responses. Something to the effect of, 'That’s all anyone talks about these days. Why don’t you just buy a second Dreamcast?' Well, Seaman, you’d be proud of the man I grew up to be. I did buy a second Dreamcast, but I certainly didn’t stop there…" - Derek
46. Mars Matrix
"Mars Matrix is in some ways very similar to the GigaWing series, offering over-the-top chaotic screen filling bullet action with an emphasis on tactics and defence, but only to an extent. As one of the few Dreamcast shooters to get a Western release, it stands out as the deepest. Each time you play you accumulate score, which can be used to buy items in the shop. The 'prices' for these are huge, but the game throws copious amounts of points at you, allowing large accumulations to build up, and therefore plenty of trips to the shop. Mastering the arsenal at your disposal is key - two ships are selectable, one favouring a wide attack system, the other a more narrow beam. Things are kept simple by using a one button set up for a variety of different shots, and mastering this single shot system is key. With the game's genre-defying depth of game modes, there is plenty to do and tinker with, and it is quite refreshing to have such an assortment of modes, options, unlockable content and the like, and unlike pure score-chasing titles, there really is a reason to keep coming back other than just beating your own scores. It lacks a little in the aesthetics (visually it can be a little rougher than other Dreamcast shooters), but it runs well, and the soundtrack is decent enough. Mars Matrix is a game which rewards – and encourages – repeated plays, drawing you into it in a way many of its genre contemporaries failed to do." - Mike
45. Project Justice (also known as Project Justice: Rival Schools 2)
"This excellent-looking 3D fighter combines the side-on style of traditional Capcom fighters with 3-on-3 battles and a major emphasis on team-up attacks, and is a total blast as a result. Continuing where Rival Schools: United by Fate left off, Project Justice has a nicely fleshed out story to go along with its high school setting, with great character designs which capture the many cliched 'high school types' well, incorporating their individual interests into their fighting styles. The game is chock full of content too - alongside its deep story mode is league play, tournament play and free play, with the Japanese version of the game even featuring an odd board game mode which sadly got cut from the Western releases. Even without it, Project Justice is a great game." - Kev
44. Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future
"Sega's cetacean star returned for his first 3D outing. A bit of a reboot of the series, Defender of the Future sees a whole new storyline for Ecco, revolving around humans and dolphins fighting against an inter-galactic threat in a strange sci-fi plot. The game's real strength lies in the atmosphere. The beautiful visuals, with gorgeous underwater environments, teeming with all manner of aquatic life, are some of the most impressive on the console, whilst the mellow, calming audio fits the environment perfectly. Controlling Ecco as he flips and dives in and out of the water is charming, and while the game has its fair share of issues (its difficulty and inconsistent controls), it is a graphical delight, and a game which is often superb." - Mike
43. Bangai-O
"Bangai-O returns to the top 50 with its placing here. Treasure's multi-directional shooter still retains the usual levels of adoration as all of their other titles. Refined from the Nintendo 64 version, you zip around horizontal levels as a little robot, blowing up anything and everything in your sight with an array of superpowered weapons. It's aesthetically excellent, constantly exhilarating, and is solid proof that not every game on the Dreamcast had to have 3D graphics to be worth our time." - Kev
42. Zero Gunner 2
"Zero Gunner 2 is sublime. It may not have much in the way of options, but sometime between the awesome transforming bosses and the gorgeous explosive destruction unleashed by the overpowered helicopter, it becomes obvious how great this is. It takes a more standard shooter approach, but the twist here is your craft being able to rotate around the screen. It may sound unwieldy, but soon it becomes second nature thanks to great controls. Spectacular levels have gorgeous 3D backgrounds, and some truly impressive, massive transforming robotic end of level bosses. The level design is near faultless, whether taking down a crab-robot on a city road, or taking out sections of an aerial city. Another massive positive is the game's accessibility. Enemies never become truly overwhelming, and whilst there is enough challenge on harder settings for seasoned veterans, newbies and the curious can still make good progress. Add in a chaotic two-player mode, excellent soundtrack, and a replay mode to re-live past glories, and it's a great package. Quite possibly the pinnacle of the genre on the Dreamcast." - Mike
41. Illbleed
"If someone were to explain Illbleed to you, and they did the game justice in their description, the listener would still be left wondering 'how in the shit did that get made?', and honestly, that would be the right reaction as well. But Illbleed defies explanation, as even the developers themselves didn't really seem to know what they were making. Standard survival horror? It’s got it! One level where a Woody from Toy Story-esque character goes to hell to save his 'sexy' plastic figurine girlfriend? It’s in there! Demon Sonic? Yep! Veiled references to socially unacceptable familial relationships? Best to let you discover that yourself. But Illbleed is a special game both thematically and mechanically and it’s a game that wholly personifies just how weird and special the Dreamcast era truly was. A must play if for nothing else than to experience the ride that is Illbleed." - Video Game Esoterica
- Related: DCJY welcomes Jörg Tittel
40. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
"Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is a game that made my own personal top 10, even going as far to place higher than a number of the giants I'd also included. I am sure I speak for a fair few people when I say that I actually associate this game entirely with the Dreamcast, despite the fact that Soul Reaver was the only entry we received from the franchise on the console. Whilst the game's visuals and story are rightly lauded, the sound is a key aspect to me. I have such vivid memories of playing this game in my dimly lit student room with my Dreamcast hooked up to my parent's massive 80s HiFI system, a feat I’d achieved through a combination of SCART splitters and sound extractors, all so I could play the game through a massive pair of headphones. The iconic voice of Tony Jay as the narrator and guide for the game is one of those things that is etched into my brain, and hearing his voice - as I did recently when my daughter became obsessed with the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles briefly - I am always taken back to that room and that era of my life." - Kev
39. Cannon Spike (also known as Gunspike)
"Cannon Spike is perhaps best known for being stupidly expensive to pick up nowadays, regardless of what region you're in. This multi-directional shooter from Capcom lets you play as the development powerhouse's brightest and best characters like Mega Man, Cammy (Street Fighter), Arthur (Ghosts 'n' Goblins) and B.B. Hood (Darkstalkers), dropping you into small urban arenas with the task of shooting up oncoming waves of robot enemies. While it is definitely good fun, and the fan service is a nice treat, it is still not worth the price of admission these days (I mean, what game is?), but considering the Dreamcast can play burned games and can be easily modded with a range of ODEs, it is easy enough to enjoy Cannon Spike without having to take a second mortgage out on your home. " - Lewis
38. D2
"To say D2 is a unique game is to say that the sky is blue and water is wet; and anyone who plays it will come to find this obvious truth. Yet it’s this exact uniqueness that makes D2 so special. One part survival horror, one part B movie madness, one part third-person shooter and one part first-person adventure game… D2 is an amalgam of concepts that somehow add up to a sum greater than their disparate parts, which is exactly why it is a game that only the Dreamcast era could bring to us. WARP and Kenji Eno were able to weave a tale of loss, remembrance, love, kindness and of course, horror, together to give the player one of the most unsettlingly unique games on the Dreamcast. It was not only an exclusive for Sega's final home console, but was also the final game developed by WARP, and it's a fitting swansong." - Video Game Esoterica
37. Under Defeat
"For many years following its demise in Western markets, the Dreamcast managed to eke out a faint official existence in Japan via a trickle of officially licensed shoot-em-ups, ported from the closely related NAOMI arcade system. Perhaps because it was initially touted to be the last ever Dreamcast game prior to release (it wasn't), Under Defeat drew a lot of attention at the time, and seemingly sold well, even helping to shift a smidge more hardware via its bundle with officially refurbished Dreamcast consoles from Sega. G.Rev's vertical helicopter shooter isn't likely to feature amongst the top picks of hardcore shmup fans, but it's accessibility certainly gives it a wider appeal. The game still looks gorgeous played in TATE mode over a VGA connection and the co-op mode makes for a superb experience to be shared with a friend over a few brews." - Laurence
36. Le Mans 24 Hours (also known as Test Drive Le Mans)
"When Melbourne House were tasked with porting a racer met with middling reviews to the Dreamcast, they ended up creating one of the very best titles for the system in the process. Le Mans is neither arcade or simulation, but instead takes the same approach that Codemasters took with their TOCA series – racing as a sport, with fun handling and exciting, close, racing action. The racing is exciting from the off, with paint being traded between cars and close, competitive action throughout. Through the games many championships, you get to learn the handling quirks of each of the cars, the intricacies of each of the perfectly created circuits (including the eponymous Le Mans circuit) and the competitive nature of your opponents, with a variety of cars to unlock as you progress. There is the 24 hour race itself too – and yeah, that includes a recreation of the real 24 hour race, although it can be scaled down. As time passes by, the sun sets and rises with some beautiful lighting effects, and throughout the game, the graphics are gorgeous. With the game featuring weather effects too, it creates one of the greatest sights on the Dreamcast – a downpour at night is a sight to behold. Le Mans does just the right amount of everything – it is realistic without being boring or inaccessible, thrilling without being 'on rails', and challenging without being unfair." - Mike
35. Sturmwind (Indie release)
"Almost a decade on from its release, Duranik’s Sturmwind is still clearly held in high esteem within the Dreamcast community, arriving as the top ranked indie game in this particular iteration of the Top 200. The graphical prowess of this title undoubtedly helped put it on the map, given how it compared to many other indie titles of the era, but behind the stunning aesthetics there is also an eminently playable side-scrolling shmup that delivers an experience just as enjoyable as many of its officially licensed peers. The original publishers, RedSpotGames, have sadly long been out of the picture, but copies are still available from the likes of PixelHeart and DragonBox Shop." - Laurence
- Related: Why Sturmwind Is Still Incredible
34. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
"3rd Strike stands proudly as the most refined version of Street Fighter III on the Dreamcast. Expect tactical, technical fighting, a more accurate hit box system, a handful of extra characters including the return of the always popular Chun-Li, a grading system, and an impressive 'System Direction' option to allow you to tailor your SF III experience the way you want it. Graphically, an improvement to resolution allows the hand drawn, silky smooth visuals to shine, and the usual high level Capcom audio is here to delight the ears. Still a firm favourite with fighting aficionados, 3rd Strike is the best Street Fighter release on the Dreamcast." - Mike
33. Blue Stinger
"Blue Stinger may well be my favourite Dreamcast game, period. As much as anything on this list, it is a game that could really only exist on Sega’s swansong console. And coincidentally, it only does. Launching alongside the Dreamcast in the West, Blue Stinger is Shinya Nishigaki and Climax Graphics' endearing homage/parody of Hollywood action and sci-fi cinema, and it plays wonderfully as a B movie beat-em-up today. Upon its release, Blue Stinger was widely misunderstood and critically dismissed under the umbrella of its survival horror contemporaries. In the decades since, it has emerged a cult classic in its own right. The game has steadily climbed The Dreamcast Junkyard Top 200 charts over the years, and it’s great to see the community celebrate its delightful charm and janky brilliance today." - Brian
32. Dynamite Cop (also known as Dynamite Deka 2 or Dynamite Cop 2)
"It’s fascinating to see how genre trends ebb and flow over time. As a direct follow up to Die Hard Arcade (Dynamite Deka in Japan), Dynamite Cop (Dynamite Deka 2 in Japan) released as beat-em ups had fallen sharply out of vogue. In 1999, the game was derided for its lack of longevity (each of its three scenarios can be completed in 20-30 minutes) and adherence to shallow, quarter-munching genre conventions amid the boom of longer form cinematic and narrative-driven action titles which commanded the zeitgeist, and the same asking price. Today it’s fair to say fans have come back around on the genre in a huge way, evident in the buzz from more recent instalments in the classic Streets of Rage and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. For their part, Dreamcast fans have also rallied behind Dynamite Cop as its brief playtime and easy-to-grasp brawler action have proven to be enduring assets rather than drawbacks. Charm oozes from every rivet of its cruise ship setting, where players can wield baguettes, urinals, and frozen tuna fish as they pummel platoons of pirates and the occasional kraken. Even the character wardrobes feed into Dynamite Cop’s palpable charm. The player character sheds their clothes as they take damage while enemies’ attire combines the slapdash chaos of Mad Max with the flamboyance of Our Flag Means Death. Dynamite Cop is zany as hell and we love that for it." - Brian
31. Sega Rally 2 (also known as Sega Rally Championship 2)
"Despite the improved power and visuals, Sega Rally 2 couldn’t surpass the original Sega Rally, so lets just be clear on that from the outset. However, if you can agree that it’s possibly unfair to ask a game to live up to a near perfect original (in my opinion) of its era, and you are also willing to forgive some of the technical errors, then Sega Rally 2 is a very enjoyable entry that is worthy of its high ranking on this Top 200. Sega Rally 2 isn’t quite the crown jewel it could have been, but it’s certainly very deserving of the praise it does get. Personally, it’s my favourite racing game on the system, as proved back in 2015 during The Dreamcast Junkyard 10th Aniversary competition, when I dedicated a decent chunk of the summer attempting to win the Sega Rally 2 competition. Details below should you fancy a crack at the winning times." - Kev
30. Samba de Amigo (Re-released as Samba de Amigo Ver.2000)
"Samba de Amigo has become an oddly sentimental tradition for me in recent years. As one of the few Dreamcast games I’ve gotten my non-gaming friends hooked on, we still break out its plastic maracas at least a couple times a year (including last weekend, as I write this). As a rhythm game, it’s fine. Its catalogue of Reel Big Fish’s ska cover of Take on Me, the Austin Powers theme, and faux Ricky Martin hits are iconic in their own absurd way, insomuch as we can even hear them over our incessant rattling. The maracas themselves have aged about as poorly as you’d expect for turn-of-the-millenium motion sensor tech – they’re not always accurate and the awkward height options often have us hunching over just to get the damn things to register. (Pro tip: stack the floor sensors on top of a book or two to make them better match your height.) Still, the shoddiness has just become part of the charm at this point. When Amigo comes out to play, he’s the life of the party. Or at the very least, it means we’re a few margaritas in and we’re already having a damn good time. ¡Samba! ¡Dijonnaise!" - Brian
29. Toy Commander
"A criminally underrated launch title which sees you take on the role of a young boy called Andy who gets new army-themed toys for Christmas, neglecting his childhood favourites. The neglected toys, led by Huggy Bear, Andy's childhood teddy bear, rebel and try to destroy the new toys. For me, no other game has ever come close to getting the feeling of scale right, and you spend the entire game really feeling like you’re just a toy in the real world. Missions are fun and varied and you’ll always want to come back again to beat your high score. No Cliché would shut its doors for good in 2000, just one year after releasing Toy Commander, meaning we never saw a real sequel (aside from the spin-off Toy Racer), ultimately dashing any real hope of a modern console remake." - James Harvey
- Related: The Land Before DLC: Toy Commander
28. Rayman 2: The Great Escape
"Rayman 2 marks a triumphant departure from its 2D platforming roots, seamlessly transitioning into the realm of 3D with unparalleled success. Few games navigate this leap with such finesse, but Rayman 2 emerges as a true masterpiece, firmly establishing itself as one of the top 3D platformers on the Sega Dreamcast. Boasting an expansive world, an enjoyable narrative, and a plethora of collectibles in the form of lums and cages, it delivers an exceptionally memorable gaming experience. The Dreamcast version of Rayman 2 is the definitive way to play the game as it also comes with six exclusive mini-games, and was one of the first games to boast DLC, with three extra levels downloadable from the Rayman 2 website via the Dreamcast’s web browser! As not only one of my favourite games on the Dreamcast, but also one of my favourite 3D platformers of all time, if you haven't experienced this fun colourful charming journey yet, consider making it your next gaming adventure!" - James Brown/SkillJim (Shenmue Dojo)
27. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
"As someone who lived and breathed skateboarding for many years, the Tony Hawk series was a breath of fresh air, offering players a natural-feeling skateboarding video game experience for the very first time. In my view, nothing before this franchise came close, and certainly no copy-cat attempts have either. That said, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 took everything good from the first entry in the series, then built on and improved it even further. For me, it’s the best Tony Hawk game ever developed. Furthermore, the Dreamcast version is without a doubt my favourite! To this very day, it’s a Dreamcast game I pick up and play at least twice a week, and I’ve had a rolling VMU save file for years where I’ve worked on beating my high score. 'Lights out, guerrilla radio!'" - Derek
26. Hydro Thunder
"Despite the fact that this game’s video alternates between 524 and 525 vertical lines in a totally non-standard, inconsistent way, thus breaking VGA compatibility in 99% of cases, I still find it to be one hell of a boat racer! I’ve always had a fondness for the physics found in racers like WipeOut or the now leaked unreleased Millennium Racer - Y2K Fighters, and I feel Hydro Thunder delivers the same great gameplay. The level design is always fun, and from start to finish, each race keeps the player engaged in twists, turns, ramps, and more. Not only that, but the voice and sound effects really add a lot to the experience too. To me, this game is representative of Midway’s golden era of 3D arcade games." - Derek
25. Capcom vs. SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001
"'This is what the world is watching!' If bringing together the fighting giants of Capcom and SNK once wasn’t enough, the second instalment ramps it up to overdrive. Who doesn’t want to know who will win in a fight between Ryu and Terry? Can Bison take Gesse? Using the powerful NAOMI arcade board, Capcom and SNK truly outdid themselves to create the greatest match up since King Kong vs. Godzilla. It features an abundance of fighters from the best Street Fighter and The King of Fighters games with more moves, supers and combos than you can shake a nunchuck at. It also features a unique scoring system that rises depending on how technically adept you are at taking your foe down. Add in a thumping dance soundtrack and a crazy announcer and you have everything you need for a top tier fighting game." - Retro Faith
24. Crazy Taxi 2
"Crazy Taxi 2 took on a big risk by moving a winning formula from California to New York and adding in a jump button. Maligned by some but loved by many, Crazy Taxi 2 retains all of the charm, speed and downright arcade goodness of the original. Add in an expanded Crazy Box mode (now called Crazy Pyramid) and you have hours of fun and challenge lined with some tinges of frustration. Throw in some classic sounds from The Offspring and Methods of Mayhem and you have an often missed Dreamcast classic in your hands. Think of the equally talented but quieter younger sibling in your family…. This is Crazy Taxi 2." - Matt Oliver (Shenmue Dojo)
23. Dead or Alive 2
"A worthy competitor for Soulcalibur's 3D fighting crown, Dead or Alive 2 may look even better - which is quite a feat. It's silky smooth throughout, has breathtaking scenery and the counter-based fighting action is easy to get to grips with. The later Japanese release had a facelift and contains extra stages, costumes and moves. Whether you go for that version, or the western releases, you're still in for a good time." - Mike
22. ChuChu Rocket!
"For decades now, copies of ChuChu Rocket! have sadly been harvested for their pristine case parts in PAL territories, thanks to a persistently cheap price caused by its ubiquity. However, this bright, funky and creative multiplayer puzzler deserves to be recognised first and foremost as one of the Dreamcast's most iconic games. ChuChu Rocket! has all the hallmarks of a Sonic Team that was at the peak of its development game. From the originality of the concept, to the endearing world design, and the unforgettable music; everything is just right and coheres together into a thoroughly endearing experience. To get the most out of this cat and mouse story, the hectic four-player mode, whether online or local split-screen, is a must. Cackling with delight as you direct a stream of ravenous KapuKapus into your rival's defenceless rocket is optional but highly recommended." - Laurence
21. Headhunter
"I was lucky enough to interview one of the producers of this game for the DreamPod (I will never stop plugging this) and even met him in real life for a drink and a chat. But long before I ever spoke to the man, I enjoyed the game that he and his team at Amuze had worked on over 20 years ago. A late release for the Dreamcast, and only ever available in PAL territories (until its port to the PlayStation 2), this game stood out on the system for its stealth action gameplay, motorcycle riding, incredible graphics and 90s action movie style – think Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers and you can likely imagine the live-action news bulletins the game boasted. It wasn’t without its flaws, but there’s something special here, and it’s a game all Dreamcast owners should try." - Andrew
20. Virtua Tennis (also known as Power Smash)
"Virtua Tennis is as close to a perfect game as you can get - it's simple, but with nuance. It's so much more than just a tennis title, and in fact you don't have to be a tennis fan or know anything about the sport to enjoy the game. Whilst it has a solid single-player mode, it’s the addition of a second player (or even a third or fourth!) that really makes the title to a ‘must own’ for Dreamcast fans. Some people prefer the original to the sequel, some the other way around, but given the closeness of both games in the standings it shows that there isn’t necessarily a clear winner, and either is a superb choice. An often under-appreciated element of Virtua Tennis is its fantastic sound and visuals which still impress to this day. " - Kev
19. Virtua Tennis 2 (also known as Tennis 2K2 and Power Smash 2)
"Sega Sports was truly something special in those days. Between the hyper-realistic 3D character models that moved like real people and the incredibly fun gameplay, both Virtua Tennis entries on the Dreamcast are stellar. If anything, the second instalment only built on the first game for the better. Hell, you can even play as professional female tennis players now! 'What a time to be alive,' we all thought. Funnily enough, I still turn to Virtua Tennis 2 whenever I want to show somebody what a good time on the Dreamcast is all about. In fact, it’s the very first game I had my wife play on the console when we first met some years ago in order to slowly introduce her to my sick obsession! I’d say that it helped break her in gently… I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy this game? It’s very easy to pick up and play, and has some of the most intuitive controls ever designed in the history of tennis video games!" - Derek
18. The House of the Dead 2
"The House of the Dead 2 stands as the quintessential reason to wield not just one, but possibly two, Dreamcast light gun peripherals for your Dreamcast! This flawless arcade port takes the already stellar Arcade/Saturn original and cranks up the graphical and gameplay finesse, solidifying its status as one of the ultimate light gun gaming experiences, not just on Dreamcast, but perhaps in video game history. Venturing beyond the original's confined "house" setting, the sequel transports players to the vibrant streets and canals of Venice, Italy. Brace yourself for diverse gameplay scenarios—speedboat escapades, on-foot segments, and even a pulse-pounding car-driving sequence. Embark on a gripping narrative as James and Gary hunt down the elusive Agent G from the first game, only to unveil a new zombie outbreak orchestrated by the sinister mastermind, Goldman. The voice acting in House of the Dead 2 takes the crown, delivering lines like 'Don't come... don't come!', 'To protect the lyfffe cycle,' and the iconic 'Dogs of the AMS, it's time we made a move.' Truly breathtaking. Goldman's voice actor in particular steals the show with a five-star, unforgettable performance - check out the best of Goldman on YouTube here. With a fantastic soundtrack featuring a remix of the Magician's theme from the first game, House of the Dead 2 hits all the right notes in this department. However, the challenge arises in modern times as original Dreamcast light guns demand a CRT display, rendering the game less accessible on modern TVs. While using a standard controller to aim at zombies is an option, the gameplay does suffer (like G did!). This factor may make recommending the game a tad challenging today. Yet, if you do have the setup with a CRT and a light gun, The House of the Dead 2 remains an absolute must-play for a timeless gaming experience!" - James Brown/SkillJim (Shenmue Dojo)
17. Power Stone 2
"You. Your Dreamcast. Four controllers. Three of your best friends. One copy of Power Stone 2. Fun times are guaranteed to ensue. Yeah, I get it, the first Power Stone is perfect, but there is definitely fun to be had from Power Stone 2’s left field, balls-to-the-wall attempt at turning the series’ beloved formula into a chaotic, easily accessible party game; complete with moving arenas, crazy weapons, ridiculous special moves and less of an emphasis on combos and multi-hit chains. Considering the amount of incredible moments I’ve had playing it with my friends, it definitely paid off." - Lewis
16. Power Stone
"Not being a Nintendo 64 fan, I didn't get the chance to play Super Smash Bros., and not having played the original Power Stone on a NAOMI arcade cab, seeing, buying, and playing Power Stone at home on the Dreamcast was the first time I’d ever really been exposed to this brawler-type genre, and boy did I love it! This was one of the earliest games that everyone picked up during Dreamcast fever, and for good reason. Capcom’s unique style of quirky, cartoony characters, along with intuitive, fast-paced fighting action really made this title a favourite for me and all my friends and cousins." - Derek
15. Ikaruga
"To this very day there are those who say that Treasure perfected the shoot-em-up with the 1997 release of Radiant Silvergun on the Sega Saturn. I own that game, and as a one-time shmup fanatic I can confirm that it is a masterpiece. So how do you go and try to improve on a masterpiece? Well, you produce Ikaruga, which gets a console debut on the Dreamcast in Japan, and then sit back and watch as it goes and becomes one of the most beloved, stylish and innovating shmups in the history of gaming. What makes Ikaruga so essential for Dreamcast owners? Well, for a kick off it is more accessible than Radiant Silvergun, but more importantly, this is a shmup that took the pre-existing polarity switching mechanic - where the player can shift at a button press between black and white to absorb bullets of that colour - to a level of perfection not seen before. On top of this throw in some memorable, ingeniously designed levels, big end-level bosses, an atmospheric score and a poetic finale, and you can see how this game became a cult import Dreamcast title long before its official western release. To this day, in 2022, Ikaruga remains a firm favourite within the classic shmup community (as well as the speedrun community) and while it arguably hasn’t gone down as the best shmup of all time in the years since its release, it still remains what I am sure will be a top 5-10 title for many shoot-em-up fans. An essential Dreamcast pick-up if ever there was one." - Rob
14. Grandia II
"Following up on the original Grandia – at least in its mechanics and structure – Grandia II eschews the bright-eyed adventurous spirit of both its predecessor and its legendary Dreamcast contemporary, Skies of Arcadia. Grandia II shares a frequently vibrant aesthetic, but it belies its comparatively cynical and sinister tone, indulging in a darker and more streamlined journey that emphasises urgency over discovery. Grandia II is a solid JRPG all-around, and its swift pace is underscored by its punchy combat. Ditching random encounters, battles unfold through a variable, partially turn-based combat system which rewards strategic timing and efficient prioritisation of counters, combos, and special attacks. Grandia II delivers consistently intense and well-balanced combat, which continues to stand as its best defining highlight." - Brian
13. Metropolis Street Racer
"Racing in reasonably priced family sedans around the city centres of London, Tokyo and San Francisco never felt or looked so good…is what Bizarre Creations should have put on the back of the Metropolis Street Racer box. Several long years in the making, the Dreamcast’s killer app racing title started life as a traditional arcade style racer but eventually morphed into the kudos (skill) based experience we now all know and love. Set across multiple ‘chapters,’ each with a variety of race styles, the single player campaign in Metropolis Street Racer tasks players with earning their stripes against both the time and AI adversaries; all while keeping an eye on how well you control your vehicle. Hit a wall or a curb and you incur a penalty… but cross the finish line without trading paint and you’ll take maximum points. A visual treat for the era, MSR did things no other game did at the time, and is still a unique experience today. And of course, without MSR there would have been no Project Gotham." - Tom
12. Resident Evil - CODE: Veronica (also known as Biohazard - CODE: Veronica)
"When you think of 'survival horror', the first franchise that is likely to spring to mind for most is Resident Evil. Slaughtering countless walking dead in the Spencer Mansion and Raccoon City kept many 90s gamers glued to their PlayStations. So when Capcom announced a brand new entry on Sega's new Dreamcast console, people were taken aback. Gone were the pre-rendered backgrounds, replaced with full 3D. No more static camera (mostly, anyway), as the shift to three dimensions also meant greater freedom in camera movement. Pair this with new locations, the return of beloved siblings Claire and Chris Redfield, a bonkers story, and the ability to see your health status right on the VMU, and you had yourself a new must-have entry in the series. Resident Evil Code: Veronica was, and still is, a real gem of a title. It proved the Dreamcast could do much more than blue skies and Blue Stingers. The little white box could tackle anything thrown at it with gusto. Now where's our modern remake, Capcom? Come on, I DARE you to remake RECV! And Power Stone while you're at it. Oh yeah, and Dino Crisis. And..." - Andrew
11. Rez
"A game so far ahead of its time that its creator, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, actually couldn’t make it due to hardware limitations when he first conceived it in the mid-1990s. And then, even when Mizuguchi could make it, he then struggled to communicate his vision for it to his team members. But if Rez had never been made then the Dreamcast and the entire video game industry would’ve been significantly poorer for it. Rez basically created the genre of musical rail shooter and managed to synchronise incredible music, tight gameplay and stunning graphics into an experience that once experienced was then never forgotten. Shooting your way through corruptions in a malfunctioning AI system to absolutely banging tunes was something to get lost in – to plug-in, zone-out the real world, and go mentally diving into a virtual realm of colour, sound and music. The synchronisation of gameplay inputs with music and vibration created a cohesive whole and cleverly trained the player how to play optimally, too. The game was also a commercial failure like so many of the innovative, pioneering experiences the Dreamcast delivered in its short time in the sun, but Rez blew critics away and slowly, ever so slowly, the cult of Rez formed. Today, in 2023, it remains an essential title for any Dreamcast enthusiast to play and own, while its influence can still be seen in games of many genres." - Rob
10. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (also known as Marvel vs. Capcom 2 – New Age of Heroes)
"When the worlds of Marvel superheroes and Capcom’s greatest characters combine, you know you’re in for a real treat. The concept started with X-Men vs. Street Fighter but all the characters from both companies quickly became involved - resulting in the first Marvel vs. Capcom - and it was a constant riot. This second offering is like an assault to the senses with over-the-top visuals, blasting music and a mad voiceover that just brings everything together. It wasn’t just the aesthetics and presentation that made Marvel vs. Capcom 2 stand out though - there was a deep fighting game encapsulated inside with a straightforward combo system that could be built on by chaining characters or super moves together. It also had over 50 characters to learn, so had a lot of replay value when compared to the usual fighting games of the time. Berzerker Barrage!" - Retro Faith
9. Phantasy Star Online (Re-released as Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2)
"The absolute OG grandaddy of online console RPGs. Sonic Team were rightly heaped with praise upon the release of this ambitious game which ably demonstrated the capabilities of the Dreamcast, particularly online play. Phantasy Star Online revived one of Sega's beloved IPs to deliver smooth multiplayer monster-slaying action, with an addictive emphasis on grinding and item collecting. In and of itself the gameplay and story aren't much to write home about, but the experience is totally transformed in the online arena. The thrill of battling through boss fights with your virtual comrades, spending the wee hours tracking down an elusive item, or shooting the shit with folks from behind the comfort of a fictional character, all still stand up to this day. The final days of the official European and Japanese servers in 2007 were a poignant moment of beauty, with hundreds of players flooding the lobbies to say their goodbyes. Yet what is perhaps more telling about the love felt for this game is that hunters have not needed to miss one single day of roaming Ragol, as unofficial servers have been in operation since circa 2003. If you haven't been entangled in the PSO web yet then do yourself a favour: get your Dreamcast online, log in to the Sylverant servers, and find out what all the fuss is about." - Laurence
8. Sonic Adventure 2
"I have a very specific memory of this game’s North American launch. Less than six months prior to its release, Sega had already announced it’d be leaving the home console hardware market. Needless to say, my Dreamcast-loving self was already feeling deflated, and when I took a trip to the local mall the weekend after Sonic Adventure 2 saw its release, that deflated feeling only grew worse. At the time, Sears was still a thriving store here in the US, and like most mega-department stores, they sold just about everything, including video games. In fact, their video game and home electronics section was quite sizeable. On this particular day, I walked past the video game section to discover that the Dreamcast and all its games had been relegated to a single, tiny shelf. A fraction of what it once was, the sight of this downsized Sega corner was just another in a long line of tough to swallow pills, signifying the end of an era. At the time, I was old enough to have the sort of moment where a person takes pause and reflects on what all of that meant. It made me sad, and I knew the home console landscape would never, ever be the same. I was right. What I’ve written here may not cover the gameplay itself in much detail, and for that I apologise. However, what I will say is that I bought Sonic Adventure 2 that day, played it, and loved it, despite all the flack people still give the Dreamcast’s 3D Sonic games to this very day. I’ll close by adding that I still love this game, its music, and even its frustrating camera angles. It didn’t age poorly. Rather, it’s a product of its time. There’s a difference, and SA2 will always go down in my books as one of the greats. 'Follow me, set me free…'" - Derek
7. Shenmue II
"Shenmue II has everything its predecessor has but with a much broader scope. Ryo’s journey in II never has a slow moment, with his situation ever changing as he makes his way through multiple sprawling and varied cities, with a new cast of charismatic characters making appearances along the way. The game also includes some very important gameplay improvements, like a time skip mechanic, as well as the introduction of beloved series staples, such as Lucky Hit. Shenmue II is also home to one of my favourite moments in a video game ever, which comes on the game's fourth disc when Ryo finally meets Shenhua and they walk to Bailu village together. The music in this section is beautifully serene, and the conversation between the two reveals a side of Ryo that we hadn't seen up until that point what with his intense focus on revenge." - Lewis
6. Sonic Adventure
"As the best-selling Dreamcast game, Sonic Adventure opened our hearts to Sega’s swansong console and ushered its flagship hedgehog into a new era, for better or worse. Its janky seams have frayed with time but with it comes a palpable charm. Sonic Team took some big swings with this massively ambitious effort, which spans several playable characters, each with their own sets of gameplay mechanics, action stages, mini-games, and cheesy, intertwining plotlines. Not all of it has aged well, but its blistering, rollercoaster-esque Sonic stages and virtual pet Chao gardens remain compelling hooks for fans revisiting the game today. Flaws and all, Sonic Adventure endures as a remarkably charming and ambitious theme park of gaming comfort food." - Brian
5. Skies of Arcadia (also known as Eternal Arcadia)
"As I write this, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is practically the only video game that exists for me at the moment. Games like TotK and BotW enthral me in their sheer sense of adventure, driven by my own curiosity and the absurdity of my imagination. For me, only a tiny handful of video games have ever harnessed a similar adventurous spirit. Skies of Arcadia is one of them. Developed by Sega Overworks/AM1 and helmed by the legendary producer Rieko Kodama, Arcadia charts the swashbuckling voyage of air pirates Vyse and Aika, and their mysterious new friend, Fina. The trio sails from continent to continent – and discovery to discovery – eluding the grasp of an empire that will give them no quarter until it captures Fina and asserts its grip over every corner of land and sky between. A humble, turn-based JRPG in structure, Arcadia’s charm swells through each new locale you discover, every crewmate you recruit, and in the escalating stakes of its epic ship battles and rich, twist-filled narrative. The charisma of its tale is topped only by the endlessly endearing and expressive cast of characters who help weave it. Despite its increasing (and borderline tragic) rarity, Skies of Arcadia remains widely appreciated as one of the most delightful RPGs of its generation. Its legend is rooted in an enchanting, adventurous spirit that flies high among the community’s most beloved Dreamcast experiences today." - Brian
4. Jet Set Radio (also known as Jet Grind Radio)
"The four pillars of hip-hop: deejaying, rapping, graffiti painting, and breakdancing - Jet Set Radio lovingly represents all of these, with the result being the funkiest, hip-hoppiest game to ever grace a video game system. With a wild storyline and a cast of characters that are all as cool as a pair of aviator shades, JSR is still an absolute blast to play. Nothing can beat that satisfaction you get when you shake off the cops pursuing you to lay down that final lick of graffiti as the timer nears zero. Of course, Jet Set Radio’s most notable characteristic is undoubtedly its presentation, which is dripping with style. From its colourful, cel-shaded visuals, to the incredible hip-hop/big beat soundtrack by Hideki Naganuma et al, it’s no surprise that, to this day, Jet Set Radio still maintains a passionate cult following and continues to inspire artists and music fans alike outside of its gameplay." - Lewis
3. Crazy Taxi
"The Dreamcast had many fun and unique titles released in its lifespan that left us yearning for more, whether that be in the form of a sequel or a remake of some kind. But if there was ever a game that needed exactly none of that treatment, it’s Crazy Taxi. Crazy Taxi is, quite simply, perfect. Who thought a game that offers up quick, stylish bursts of high score chasing adrenaline in the form of reckless taxi driving would be so fun, addictive, and age this well? Because of this, Crazy Taxi has been able to be ported onto new systems countless times, and as long as the rockin’ tunes from The Offspring and Bad Religion are left intact, it can still be enjoyed to this very day in the same way it was back when it hit the Dreamcast in 2000." - Lewis
2. Soulcalibur
"I’ll never forget picking this one up shortly after the Dreamcast’s launch, along with a second controller of course. My friend and I played the hell out of it for countless hours, in total awe of the polished 3D graphics. When people say that Soulcalibur still looks and plays beautifully over two decades later, they aren’t just seeing the world through nostalgia-tinted glasses. Rather, Namco pulled off something quite amazing with this release. Speaking of Namco, the “The Dream, Cast” documentary revealed how Namco didn’t plan to do much of any development for the Dreamcast, but rather opted to focus its home console efforts on the PS2. However, it was decided that they owed Sega “one great title”, and boy did they deliver. Lastly, I’ll mention that, unlike many other fighting games, this one is tremendously accessible for those who are only trying it for the first time. With just a bit of methodical button mashing, a player can feel like they really know what they’re doing. On the other side of the coin, players who really do know what they’re doing will enjoy a fighting game with a lot of depth. For me and so many others, the soul still burns…" - Derek
1. Shenmue
"Look, I don’t think there’s much I can really say about this game that hasn’t already been said. It’s a game that isn’t for everyone but those who like it, love it. I think where a lot of people go wrong, however, is thinking about Shenmue as a 'game'. To me, it’s always been more of an experience. I’ve never been more immersed in a digital world more than when I played through Shenmue for the first time. Yu Suzuki created a living, breathing world in a video game - one that kept on living and breathing regardless of whether you interacted with it or not. I think that’s what makes Shenmue so special. It’s not about non-stop action, it’s about being swept away into a new place where you get to live a life that’s not your own. Video games don’t always need to be over-the-top fun. Sometimes you just want a new place to explore." - PC Wizard
The Dreamcast Junkyard will return... look out for The Top 25 Dreamcast indie Games 2024!