The Top 200 Dreamcast Games 2016 - As Voted By You!

We asked. You voted. And boy...did you vote! The Top 200 Dreamcast Games ballot has been counted and compiled, and laid out with with a tonne of stats and interesting insights. I would like to thank Mike Phelan, our in-house stat-master for all of his hard work putting this new and updated Top 200 together and also you, the readers who voted and shared your memories with us as to why you voted for the games you did. As a system that is now knocking on the door of 20 years old, the vast majority of us were in our teenage years when the Dreamcast hit the shelves, and there are multiple tales of college dorm battles and friendships formed over the beeping of a VMU...friendships that still last today. Anyway, before I start blubbing over my keyboard, let's get on with it.

The Dreamcast Junkyard Top 200 Games 2016 can be found either by clicking the link in the ribbon under the header image (look - it's just up there), or if you're reading this on a mobile device you can click on the image below to be whisked away to the dedicated page we set up to house this new list. You can also still find Aaron's previous 2013 Top 200 here should you wish to compare them, although Mike has helpfully provided information on the previous chart positions in the 2016 list. Enough from me though.

Go now and bask in the glory of the Top 200 Dreamcast Games 2016...as voted by you!

CLICK THE IMAGES!

Retro Gaming: Crossing Over To The Dark Side

Hate collectors who don’t play the retro video games they own? Then read this...

The cellular makeup of a human being, not counting neurons in the cerebral cortex, is constantly in flux, with cells continuously being replaced. While these various cells in our bodies change at different rates, on average, every 10 years almost all the cells in your body have superseded those that came before them.

You are now, crudely put, a different person genetically to who you were 10 years ago.

Kind of weird to think through, right? After all, it is only human to think of yourself as a singular entity. We tend to think of ourselves in the now, who we are and what we stand for on any given day. I think, in general, people tend to forget or ignore who they were in the past as it can often destabilise who they are now. It’s not so much about admitting fallibility, so to speak, than submitting to the inevitability of change. Change in all things, including yourself and how you think.

Which, in a long way round, brings me onto the topic du jour - video game collectors.

Top 10 Indie Dreamcast Games 2016 - As Voted By You!

The votes are in, and whilst we work feverishly away at putting the final touches to the Top 200 Dreamcast Games 2016 results, we thought it was about time to bring you the other half of our 2016 voting extravaganza. We asked you, the all-knowing Dreamcast Junkyard readership, to let us know your favourite indie releases. We left the selection criteria open, as we didn't want to just limit it to commercial releases, and now that we've counted all the votes, we can present to you the first ever Dreamcast Junkyard Top 10 Indie Games - as voted by you!

Let's start with some stats though: 46 different games ended up being voted for - a couple were discarded as they weren't actually indie games. I mean, really...who voted for Headhunter? You know who you are, you sneaky little scamp. Of these, 22 were commercial releases, and the remaining were a mixed bag of homebrew, mods and even a couple of unreleased titles getting some early praise.

For most of the voting period, it was a real fight between 3 titles to see who would come out on top, and this remained so until the last few days, where one game pulled away from the rest. Enough already though - on with the list!

10: DUX / DUX 1.5
2009 Hucast / 2013 Hucast

Hucast's horizontal shmup has seen several releases, including the reworked Redux which isn't included here, and it remains popular enough with the DC gaming community to see it sneak into the top 10. The game's distinctive look, a stylised, minimalist, futuristic design aesthetic is mixed with a decent Euro dance soundtrack, but can suffer from high difficulty. 1.5 refined rather than changed things; it switches the respawning of your craft to where you died rather than at the last checkpoint as originally designed, ironing out some bugs and putting the bullet soaking mechanic even more central to the gameplay. 1.5 is the better game here, and sticking through the games frustrating elements will be rewarded, as later stages are even better looking.

Hucast can be found here (their website re-directed to their facebook page at the time of writing), and our developer interview is here.

9: GHOST BLADE
2015 Hucast

Ghost Blade just pips fellow Hucast title Dux to the number 9 spot. It's a game which divided opinion on release, and there is no denying that there are some faults and flaws within the game. It's still an enjoyable vertical shmup, with decent aesthetics and interesting bullet patterns, and the graphics look good - but it is a bit easy, to say the least, which will turn off the hardcore shmup enthusiasts quite a bit, and that's not a particularly useful thing to do when they are the primary audience. As a non-fanatic myself, who has nevertheless put hours into all the DC shmup library, I have to say it's an enjoyable enough title which doesn't do anything particularly exciting but does enough for a few play throughs.


We did 2 in-depth reviews of the game here at the DCJY, the novice review here and the standard one here.

Hucast can be found here (their website re-directed to their Facebook page at the time of writing).

8 (JOINT):  LAST HOPE / LAST HOPE PINK BULLETS
2007 NG:DEV.TEAM / 2009 NG:DEV.TEAM

The first of 3 NG:DEV.TEAM titles in this top 10, and one of the first commercially released Indie titles, Last Hope and it's update Pink bullets is still highly regarded amongst DC fans. The initial release, ported from the Neo Geo, revels in both being old school in it's look and play, and having a difficulty level sitting somewhere between insane and evilly horrific super insanely hard. It boasts colourful, varied graphics (ranging from Geiger inspired space ports and aquatic landscapes to eruptive volcanic backdrops), excellent soundtrack and interesting level design with loads of smart little background additions, and really does play homage to Horizontal shmups of the past whilst having it's own identity. But it was just so damn tough that it was hard for pretty much anyone without the reflexes of a particularly nimble cat to make any progress. Fast forward 2 years, and NG:DEV.TEAM deserve credit for listening to initial criticism and returning with an improved version of the game. It makes the game a little easier, with your ship adorned with more powerful weaponry to begin with, meaning quick, unseen death is a little easier to avoid, and it turns enemy projectiles a little easier to see (the 'Pink Bullets' of the title) as they come hurtling towards your ship. It's still tough as old boots, but it at least feels a bit fairer now.

NG:DEV.TEAM can be found here.

8 (JOINT): BEATS OF RAGE
2004 Senile Team (original release)

Senile team developed this Streets of Rage game engine in 2003, before it was ported to the DC in 2004, and ever since there has been a steady stream of fan made games using the engine, covering practically every video game, movie and TV franchise you can think of. Some of these are great (Battletoads, Crisis Evil, Aliens vs Predator), and could stand as excellent stand alone scrolling beat em ups on their own. It's ease of use makes it a favourite amongst wannabee game makers, and the engine is robust enough to allow memories of playing Streets of Rage 2 to come flooding back to those with nostalgic memories. Several BoR mods received votes themselves in this poll, but it's the original itself, and the whole library of mods, that are ranked here.

Senile Team can be found here.

7: FAST STRIKER
2010 NG:DEV.TEAM

NG:DEV.TEAM's follow up to Last Hope was another Neo Geo port, this time an enhanced version of Fast Striker, a vertical homage to 16 bit shmups. It's a faster, more maniacal approach to the genre than Last Hope was. The difficulty levels present different forms of game, with higher levels requiring supreme reflexes and mastery of the games ship shield mechanic, whilst all levels require getting to grips with chaining. It looks good, sounds good and, as with much of the DC's indie library, has some absolutely incredible artwork on the games box art. The game feels fair throughout - death is avoidable if you're skilled enough, and not overwhelmed by the kaleidoscope of colour and sound the game produces.

NG:DEV.TEAM can be found here.

6: VOLGARR THE VIKING
2015 Crazy Viking Studios / Marc Hall

Crazy Viking studios kickstarted this homage to early 80's action-platformers successfully back in 2013. It was well received, noted for it's incredibly tough difficulty level but balanced gameplay and great design. Fast forward to 2015 and 2D viking platforming action came to the DC, with the full permission of the original developers, and the talent of Marc Hall who was responsible for the DC port. For a game which received no commercial release (well, read on for a bit more about that), it's popularity is a fantastic sign that the DC scene is alive and well, and for a while in the voting it seemed like it could spring a surprise and be even higher. The DC port is still tough as nails, but it's a great addition in a genre that needs some loving in the Dreamcast indie library. There were 100 pressed copies of the game made available, by auction, on a German forum 'Circuit Board', which made the rest of us very jealous.

The Volgarr site can be found here

5: WIND AND WATER PUZZLE BATTLES
2008 Yuan Works

Narrowly missing out on the 4th place by just a couple of votes, Wind and Water Puzzle Battles recently received a re-release which no doubt helped put it back in the public eye. Actually, that's a bit mean, as the game is every bit deserving of it's position. Yuan Works puzzler made it to number 127th in the 2013 DCJY poll, and it's simple yet deep gameplay continues to gain new fans. Whilst on the surface it may appear to be just another block matching puzzle title, it offers loads of extra content;  mini games, well written story, puzzle and versus modes, and a constantly evolving gameplay that will keep you engrossed. It's full of subtle and not so subtle references to the DC, looks lovely and feels far more than just 'another' Indie title.

We recently did a developer interview with Yuan Works, which can be found here. Yuan Works blog/site can be found here.

4: RUSH RUSH RALLY RACING
2009 Senile Team

Senile team showed their versatility with the release of overhead racer Rush Rush Rally Racing. Control is key in this type of game, and the cars in RRRR drive perfectly, around well designed and varied tracks with plenty of little touches in the background to rise a smile or too. It's colourful, well presented and never takes itself too seriously, with great multiplayer options thrown in as well. Tracks need to be learnt to make progression, and the difficulty can be a tad too hard at times, but with that great soundtrack playing in the background you're not going to mind having to redo a couple of tracks. Another great, polished Indie release.

We reviewed RRRR here. Senile Team can be found here

3: GUNLORD
2012 NG:DEV.TEAM

Taking third place after an almighty tussle in the voting, Gunlord is a game which DC gamers have taken to their hearts. NG:DEV.TEAM are one of the most prolific of DC supporters,and Gunlord really is their crowning glory. This adventurous, variety packed, Neo Geo ported run and gunner wears it's Turrican influences proudly for all to see. It has expansive stages full of hidden bonuses and superbly realised enemy characters. Bosses are huge, challenging and impressive, and the platforming action is engrossing from the get go. It's tough, boy is it tough, but the enjoyment level is so high you won't mind repeated plays. The soundtrack is excellent (so many Indie games on the DC have fantastic soundtracks, we really should collectively push for a 'best of' CD from all of them), and the artwork throughout, including the packaging, is just superb.

NG:DEV.TEAM can be found here

2: STURMWIND
2013 Duranik

Highest placed Indie game in the 2013 DCJY top 200 games, it seems Sturmwind has been knocked off it's thrown as best Indie title - but it was close. Top spot beckoned for a long time for Duranik's horizontal shmup masterpiece, before slipping behind the eventual winner late on. Despite this, I cannot rate Sturmwind highly enough. It is beautiful, both in craft design and backdrops, quite possibly the most visually impressive DC title, indie or licensed inclusive. It may be 2D, but the worlds are brought to life with impeccable quality. The soundtrack is excellent, and the stages are long, impressive and always interesting. There's tons of little touches in the backgrounds, and bosses are never less than amazing. The game isn't really a 'hardcore shmup' title, but more an everyman's Shmup, as even those who don't like the genre will be impressed. The 3 weapon system ties in with the life system, so getting hit loses the currently equipped weapon, which can be restored by picking up the power up of the relevant colour - this would usually upgrade the weapon. There's plenty of depth in this system and is a far fairer one than usually used. Even though the game can claim influence from older similar titles, it's visual splendour elevates it past just being a homage to older games. I put this game on when I want to impress non DC gamers, and to a man they think it's a top level XBLA game rather than an indie release running on a nearly 20 year old machine. It even boasts support for the DC SD card reader, for goodness sake. A classic, a beautiful classic. Top spot had better be damn good...

We did a developer interview with Duranik which can be found here. Duranik can be found here.

1: PIER SOLAR AND THE GREAT ARCHITECTS
2015 Watermelon

Watermelon kept us waiting with the release of Pier Solar, but the wait was worth it. A late surge made sure of it's victory in this poll, which shows how quickly we've taken the game to our hearts. After years of shmup gluttony, a decent RPG was well overdue, and Pier Solar's HD upgrade of it's indie Megadrive release is our resulting role playing dessert. A digital love letter to old school RPG's, it can revel in some beautiful design with fantastic artwork throughout. The story is strong; criticised by some for being a weak point, I found it actually to be a rather well written plot with good dialogue, and strong character design. There's a healthy element of puzzles to work out, and the adventure itself takes you on a journey through varied locales. The battle system works well too, although it must be noted that it's not universally acclaimed. It's also another DC indie title with an outstanding soundtrack, which just adds to the games appeal.
Watermelon must also be credited for the work that went into the packaging of these games, whether it be the feature rich special collectors editions or just the choice between packaging which fits into each of the 3 regional designs. Pier Solar won't be everyone's choice of best DC indie release, let's make that perfectly clear, but RPG fans desperate for a new adventure are well serviced here.

The Pier Solar website can be found here.

(A quick mention of those titles that just missed out. NG:DEV.TEAM's shmup-tacular NEO XYX, Orion's charming platformer Alice's Mom's Rescue and Retroguru's cheap and cheery puzzler Fruit'Y were all whiskers away from making the list. Next time maybe?)

So there we have it. 10 (well, technically, 11, and that's not including updated versions) indie titles that the DCJY reading public have ranked as the best for the system. Thanks to everyone who voted, and let us know in the comments or through the usual social media channels, what you think. As always, if you don't agree with the end results, feel free to use the hashtag #DCJYmademecry and let the world know about it!

A Quick Look At What's Shenmue

What's Shenmue? A good question. What is Shenmue? Is it a game? Is it an interactive movie? Is it a cultural phenomenon that has built up so much of a frenzied mythical status that nobody even remembers how flawed it was in the first place? However you look at Shenmue, the fact is that the legend now precedes that actual game, but it wasn't always like this. Back before Ryo Hazuki's quest had even begun, Sega wanted to announce that Lan Di was on his way to kick ass and take names and so they released What's Shenmue - a sort of playable teaser trailer/demo disc hybrid to give Dreamcast owners a small taste of what to expect. Last week I was lucky enough to find a copy of this game on eBay for the bargainous price of £9, and naturally I snapped it up with no questions asked. In a way, this is totally linked to my recent look at Former Managing Director Yukawa's Treasure Hunt, because What's Shenmue uses the former head of Sega as a pivotal character in the plot of the main demo...but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Upon booting What's Shenmue, you are presented with a small but perfectly formed menu. The first menu item leads to a sort of technical demo area where character models from the main game give a brief explanation of who they are, their roles in the quest and also some other features present in the final game. Mark, the only English speaking character explains that he works at the docks driving a forklift truck and that money and convenience stores are a large and integral part of Shenmue's game world. There are also demos featuring other characters, including Ryo himself (naturally) but these are all spoken in Japanese so I have no real idea what they're saying. I can probably hazard a guess that Ryo is saying something like: "Hi, my name is Ryo. That bastard Lan Di is going to pay for shooting up my ride. It's time to kick ass and wear a bandaid on my face..." Or words to that effect.

The Lost Content Of Soul Calibur (Now Found!)

Man, I love the Internet Archive's Way Back Machine. It's literally a real-life version of the chronoscope as described in Isaac Asimov's short story, The Dead Past. Well, not quite...but you get the idea. In The Dead Past, the chronoscope is designed to view the real world of the past, as opposed to the internet, but the similarities are there. Also, I just wanted a reason to mention Isaac Asimov because the dude was a freaking genius. If the chronoscope ever does become a thing, I'll be hitting him up to write a guest article for the Junkyard. Anyway, the point of all this is that I was browsing the internet of 1999 with Way Back Machine, with a specific mission.

See, I was trawling Namco Japan's old site looking for the fabled special VMU save file that gave players access to a hidden Voldo costume, but I inadvertently found myself looking through the pages of the old Namco US site, too. Naturally, I navigated to the Soul Calibur sub-site and my, what a treasure trove that is. There are tons of downloadable files, images, guides and walkthroughs for the game, but perhaps the most interesting thing was the desktop themes section. Yes, Namco created some official Soul Calibur themes for Windows 95 and while the files themselves are no longer accessible, these screen shots are...and I thought they were worth sharing.

Top 200 Dreamcast Games 2016 Voting Is Now Closed!

Just a short info post this. We're updating our Top 200 Dreamcast Games list and we asked for votes from you, the readers of this fine blog to help us compile the definitive list. Well, you answered the call and we've now closed the voting to allow Mike to start the arduous task of compiling the results. Over the coming week, he'll be locked away in a grotty basement somewhere, meticulously going through the voting forms and occasionally stirring a massive cauldron full of slime and body parts. Nothing to do with Halloween - it's just something he likes to do in his spare time. And yes, local authorities have been informed. Anyway, thanks for voting if you did and look out for an announcement soon on who won the fabled 'Mountain of Dreamcast Crap.'

Classic Gaming Volume 2 Features The Dreamcast

The latest instalment of Future Publishing's retro gaming bookazine has hit the shops, and this time it features our beloved Dreamcast. Gamesradar Classic Gaming Volume 2 is 144 pages of retro loveliness, and it contains sections focusing on five different consoles plus a selection of the best games for each platform. The Commodore 64, Atari ST, Super Nintendo, Neo Geo AES and (of course) the Dreamcast are all included, and each chapter gives an overview of the hardware, a selection of peripherals and console variants. As a nice extra touch, contemporary magazines covering each platform are also mentioned, meaning classic mags like Commodore Format, Super Play and DC-UK are all given a shout out.

The games sections aren't exhaustive, but they do cover the best titles for each system, most of them with huge full-page images. The Dreamcast section in particular features games such as Sonic Adventure, Shenmue, Rez, Resident Evil Code Veronica and Soul Calibur; and there's a double page feature on the output of Capcom in general. There are a lot of other bookazines of this type also available from rival (well, former rival) publisher Imagine, and of course there's the monthly magazine Retro Gamer which consistently produces high quality articles on a range of retro topics.