The 11 best SEGA Dreamcast games of all time
Topics: List, Retro Gaming, Sega, Features
Featured Image Credit: Future Publishing via Getty Images
Topics: List, Retro Gaming, Sega, Features
The SEGA Dreamcast may have lived a short but sweet life, but during its time, it treated us to some absolute classic games, many of which continue to leave a lasting impression to this very day.
First launched in Japan in 1998 before rolling out to other regions across the world the following year, the SEGA Dreamcast was only with us for a few years after it was discontinued in 2001, but it still went on to become one of the most beloved consoles in video game history.
The SEGA Dreamcast had some awesome console features, such as built-in online gaming, and the VMU (Virtual Memory Unit) was more than just a memory card, because in some cases, it almost acted like a second screen in your controller.
It also had GD-ROM technology, meaning that games had greater potential in terms of quality and size. It had keyboard and mouse support. Above all else, it had some great games. In so many ways, the SEGA Dreamcast was way ahead of its time, which makes its untimely demise all the more heartbreaking.
Resident Evil Code: Veronica takes place after the events of RE2 and RE3, with the returning Claire Redfield investigating the whereabouts of her missing brother, Chris Redfield. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Claire found herself in the middle of yet another Umbrella conspiracy. Shocking, right?
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Now considered to be the last true survival horror game in the series, Resident Evil Code: Veronica was not only a technical showcase for the SEGA Dreamcast, but it’s one of the most beloved games of the series. Which is why it’s getting a remake in 2027 with Resident Evil Veronica.
During a time when the likes of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat were the kings of the fighting genre, along came SoulCalibur, which set the bar of what’s expected of a 3D fighting game. Super-slick gameplay, deep combat mechanics, gorgeous visuals, and a generous character roster. To this day, SoulCalibur remains a timeless classic.
One of the reasons that people loved the SEGA Dreamcast was due to its arcade-quality games, and perhaps no game was a better example than Crazy Taxi. Fast and frantic gameplay, an awesome soundtrack, tons of replay value, easy to play but hard to master. Crazy Taxi is, without a doubt, one of the best games ever released on the SEGA console.
This was one of the most unique games on the console, and to this day, it still has a loyal following of fans. It had fast grinding gameplay that required players to simultaneously tag the world in graffiti. It also had a banging soundtrack and stylish cel-shaded visuals. To this day, it remains one of the most inspirational video games of all time.
Talk about being influential, Shenmue, as an open-world RPG, is up there with the best of them. Its story of revenge kept players hooked from start to finish. Its open world was incredibly immersive, businesses and NPCs would have daily routines, its deep combat is inspired by Virtua Fighter, and it even had some amazing mini-games to boot. Put it this way, if there were no Shenmue, there probably wouldn't be Yakuza/Like a Dragon.
Virtual Tennis 2 was such a good game that it got gamers who never had an interest in the real-life sport picking up the SEGA Dreamcast controller, and losing countless hours hitting a ball with a racket over a net, back and forth with their opponent, whether it's against the computer or a friend on the sofa. Its arcade-inspired, easy-to-pick-up-and-play gameplay and fun modes are just some of the reasons many consider this to be the best tennis game.
Yet another unique game that went on to inspire Donkey Konga on the Nintendo GameCube. In Samba de Amigo, players would immerse themselves in its innovative motion controls using maraca controllers. Players would then have to match the beats on screen at the perfect time to score big points. Everything about this game was fun, its colourful visuals, gameplay, music and above all else, sharing that experience with family and friends.
While not the first proper 3D Sonic the Hedgehog game, Sonic Adventure 2 is not only considered by many to be the best game of its type, but many would say that it’s the best game in the entire series. While many struggled to move away from the 2D games, those who never crossed over to the Dreamcast entries missed out on amazing, fast-paced platforming gameplay. It was also the game that debuted the infamous Shadow the Hedgehog.
Yet another true, unique game that graced us with its presence on the SEGA Dreamcast, Rez was a shooter like no other. It perfectly blends mesmerising shooting, rhythm-based gameplay and stunning visuals. It really is an experience that will never be forgotten and has inspired many video games over the years, including the brilliantly addictive Tetris Effect: Connected.
This game blended simulation and arcade racing to near perfection. Racing in the streets of London, Tokyo and San Francisco, earning Kudos points for your best performance, while listening to the car engine purr and imagining the smell of burning rubber on the tarmac. While Gran Turismo is considered to be the most influential sim racer, Metropolis Street Racer went on to be Project Gotham Racing, which went on to be Forza Motorsport. So Metropolis Street Racer absolutely deserves some respect on its name.
Along with Final Fantasy, it’s fair to consider Phantasy Star Online one of the most inspirational RPGs ever, which made the most of the SEGA Dreamcasts built in online connectivity. This inspiring RPG proved that immersive online gaming can work on consoles, which caught the attention of Microsoft and its Xbox Live service. Phantasy Star Online had fun real-time combat, epic battles and boss fights that required players to work as a team, loads of rare loot, lush visuals and more. Like the SEGA Dreamcast, Phantasy Star Online was way ahead of its time.
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