The heyday for Sega in the console market is the Dreamcast era, as the games on it are timeless. The finest software offerings on the Dreamcast not only hold up today, but they’re still influential on game developers.
We’ll go over the 10 best Dreamcast titles of all time, ranking them to settle the debate once and for all. With 10 slots to fill, we’re pretty sure you’re in for at least a couple of surprises, so let’s go!
Which Sega Dreamcast Games are the Greatest Of All Time?
Well, let’s not beat around the bush; we’re diving into the list straight away. A general rule of thumb for today’s list of excellent Sega Dreamcast games is that we’re going for titles that are super accessible. We’re not going for hardcore games, even though we’re fans of those. This list is all about inclusivity, and mainstream appeal, meaning almost every type of gamer can enjoy them.
Also, today’s selection of Sega Dreamcast games will not include the tedious types of titles, so no Shenmue. Yes, yes, we can practically hear the meltdown already. Anyway, our reasoning is that we want to play games, not watch movies or do painstaking mundane tasks in games; that’s what real life is for. Welp, now that we’ve laid our cards on the table, we can kickstart today’s list. Here we go!
10. Resident Evil: Code Veronica – The Survival Horror Game on the Sega Dreamcast is Drop Dead Gorgeous
Resident Evil: Code Veronica was one of the most beautiful games on the Sega Dreamcast that showcases its graphical prowess. The console wasn’t doing so hot saleswise; it needed system sellers and Resident Evil: Code Veronica was one of them. As far as how it holds up in the upper echelon of Resident Evil games? Simply put, Resident Evil: Code Veronica is phenomenal in every aspect.
From the cinematic style of storytelling to faster character animations, and much more satisfying shooting mechanics, the game’s a step up in every way. Resident Evil: Code Veronica also has some welcome cameos, *Cough* Albert Wesker *Cough*; the game is perfection. The visuals are crisp, and it’s a much-welcome change from staring at pixel faces from previous entries.
The environmental design and ambiance of Resident Evil: Code Veronica take Easten gothic inspiration. The game’s puzzles and enemy placement is sure to hold players’ focus and keep them on their toes. Resident Evil: Code Veronica’s amazing vibe is right in line with our favorite horror adventure games. In post-game content, players take on the role of Albert Wesker! That right there is why you should play it.
9. Power Stone 2 – One of the Most Ambitious Fighting/Adventure Games Ever
Power Stone 2 on the Sega Dreamcast is a tough game to explain in words. You just have to play it yourself to grasp it fully. We’ll try our best to summarize it for you, so here we go! Power Stone 2 is a 3D fighting game that you’ll enjoy if you like 4-player co-op games. There’s an explorable map that players can navigate with their chosen character. Each fighter has a unique character design, fighting style, and abilities.
Power Stone 2 is evidence of the diversity in games on the Sega Dreamcast. Even today, not many players will find fighting games where you can use the environments to their advantage with such depth. The different modes that focus on story and gameplay are a nice touch. Each character’s got a groovy design, and basic combos, which can later expand to include fusion combo attacks.
There’s one stage in particular that’s the main highlight of Power Stone 2. The fight starts in a crashing plane; after a brief melee, the stage shifts happen, and the characters jump with a parachute. The fight happens mid-air while falling! The final sub-stage is on a floating stage on the sea that the characters land on. If that’s not enough to knock your socks off, we don’t know what is.
8. The House Of The Dead 2 – One of the Most Entertaining Horror-Shooters Ever
Moving things along on our list of fantastic Sega Dreamcast games, we have The House Of The Dead 2. This highly addictive rail-gun shooter is one of the most enjoyable games ever, regardless of platform. You’ll constantly be on edge as the undead monstrosities can jump right at the players. The goal is to hit enemies right in the critical zones to stop them dead. Otherwise, they’ll get the drop on the player.
The House Of The Dead 2 is full of surprises. There will be intersections where players will need to decide which direction to go in. Going down one path will close the other one off for that particular playthrough. Each new path will have different zombies and other mini-bosses awaiting players. If you shoot their weak points, their HP will drain much faster. However, you must first discover it.
The House Of The Dead 2 isn’t a super complex Dreamcast game, but darn it, it’s super fun. You’re shooting zombies, for crying out loud! What else do you need? And if you’re an enthusiast about such titles, you’ll have a blast going through our top Xbox 360 zombie games. As for The House Of The Dead 2, it’s right up there with the best ones because of its simplicity and accessibility.
7. Crazy Taxi – Enter the Absurd and Over-The-Top Zaniness of this Retro Cab-Driving Simulator
From one basic premise to another, we shift gears to dive into the fast-paced Sega Dreamcast game Crazy Taxi. The goal is to be the most awesome cab driver to have ever lived. The goal is to drive around the open map, spot any customers hailing out to you, and then pick them up. You’ll have to drop them at their destination within a set amount of time for a bonus. Fail, and the passenger bails hilariously.
Crazy Taxi is super fun because, quite possibly, this unique concept was unheard of at the time. Crazy Taxi, as the name implies, rewards players for their driving performance, but here’s the twist. You don’t get points for safety; rather, the game encourages you to act out the crazy part of Crazy Taxi. So, if there’s a near miss, where you just miss an oncoming car, you’ll get a bonus boost.
When you’ve had your fill of thrills from driving in Crazy Taxi, the game once again spices up the gameplay. Yep, there’s also a bit of variety in Crazy Taxi, and to be honest, it’s much welcome. Players will play a game of bowling, where the cab itself will serve as the striking object. Also, players can ram the cab into balloons to pop them up. The point is, you’ll love playing this Dreamcast game and keep playing it, so what’re you waiting for?
6. Phantasy Star Online – One of the Pioneers of Online JRPGS Knocks It Out Of the Park
Phantasy Star Online is perhap the Sega Dreamcast game, which resulted in the birth of the online feature in major JRPGS. There was nothing like it in the gaming scene. For this reason alone, Phantasy Star Online deserves a spot on our list. Anyway, in Phantasy Star Online, players can team up via online internet connections hooked to their Dreamcasts and jump into the fantasy landscape to go on epic adventures.
The game’s got a single-player feature too, so if you like going solo, Phantasy Star Online still has you covered. Phantasy Star Online brings a lot of standard JRPG mechanics but finetunes them to give the game a distinct identity. Players can fight in vast open-world maps populated by monsters and hostile creatures. The attacks and combo chaining in real-time are superb in this top-tier Sega Dreamcast roleplaying game.
Phantasy Star Online also has a huge emphasis on exploration, but since there’s enough to hold players’ interest, it doesn’t ever feel tiresome. If you’re a fan of classic Japanese roleplaying games like the best PS2 JRPGS, you owe it to yourself to try Phantasy Star Online. It’s one of the best, if not the best roleplaying game on the Sega Dreamcast and a must-play for fans of the JRPG genre.
5. Marvel Vs. Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes – Hands Down the Best Fighting Game of All Time
We’re in the final half of our list of excellent Sega Dreamcast games, and we’re super pumped for this one. There’s no other game more deserving of a spot than Marvel Vs. Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes. This game, right here, folks, is the stuff of dreams. The most unique crossover fighting game of all time also happens to be the best one of its genre. A bold claim, we know, but it’s our opinion, and we’re sticking to it.
Yes, we realize and are aware of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but Marvel Vs. Capcom 2:New Age Of Heroes is on a whole other level. The colorful art style, the highly compelling roster of Marvel and Capcom characters, plus the soundtrack are its allure. The other compelling facet of Marvel Vs. Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes is the gameplay. You can be a novice, a veteran, or a pro; regardless of skill level, you’ll love to play the game.
We’re not blowing hot air here, either. You power up your Sega Dreamcast right now or any other platform and boot up the game. Once you start a random match in Marvel Vs. Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes, you’ll notice how easy it is to learn every character’s movesets. If you like games with Marvel licenses, consider checking out our piece about the best 3-star characters in Marvel Puzzle Quest.
4. Hydro Thunder – One of the Most Unique Racing Games Ever, is Worth Playing
Keeping the trend of uniqueness going, this next game exemplifies Sega Dreamcast as the console with innovative games. Hydro Thunder, while seemingly pretty basic, is one of the best racers ever to grace video game consoles. Players can choose from a multitude of boats, with each one’s traits and handling different from the other. Oh yes, did we mention instead of road racing, Hydro Thunder is a boat racer?
You’ll have a blast with this game’s amazing attention to detail within each level. The game’s environments are spectacular to look at. As you rush past the aquatic tracks, the water’s animation and physics also feel close to realistic levels.
It’s a groundbreaking feat if you consider other consoles didn’t have this visual prowess in their games, except for Sega Dreamcast. Not much else to say here, except if you’re a racing games connoisseur, Hydro Thunder will scratch the itch. It’s a must-play game if you own a Sega Dreamcast.
3. Sonic Adventure – Sega’s Blue Blur Mascot’s 3D Affair Still Holds Up Magnificently
For this next pick, we’re going with a game featuring none other than the face of Sega himself, Sonic. The sublime Dreamcast game Sonic Adventure is not only one of the best in the franchise but also Sonics’s 3D debut. Before Sonic Adventure, all other mainline titles had 2D settings. Anyway, the gameplay of Sonic Adventure is presented through the perspective of 6 six playable characters, including Sonic.
Whichever characters players choose, the players will go through the same stages but in different ways. The obstacles will need to be overcome using each one’s signature style of traversal and skillset. Sonic’s the most fun, though; there’s nothing like the feeling of rushing at full speed with the blue blur. Aside from the main plot, Sonic Adventure also has plenty of mini-games to keep players busy.
The game’s 3D style is a treat for Sonic, who thrives in the setting. The boss fights feel intense and will require constant dodging and precision striking, as well as making full use of the environments. Sonic Adventure is a game full of fun and has a lot of heart. For games with a similar vibe and feel, we point you toward the best adventure games where you play as an animal hero.
2. Jet Set Radio – The Most Fun Action-Adventure Game on Sega Dreamcast is Our Runner-up Pick
For the runner-up choice for top-tier Sega Dreamcast games, we’re going with a popular choice, Jet Set Radio. This game’s a trip, and we love it all the more because it’s this way. The game’s taken the best of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater formula and added a unique twist to propel itself above the competition.
To make a long story short, Jet Set Radio has wonky 90’s vibes with action and platforming elements. The game’s aesthetic has a quirky charm that’s unlike any other game. Players must focus on traversal and tagging the city with graffiti. There are rival gangs and authorities that will give chase, and players must outmaneuver them.
Jet Set Radio is a Sega Dreamcast game with a diverse set of challenges and modes to keep the experience fresh. We highly recommend this gem, and we wish it gets a comeback.
1. Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Best Game of All Time on Sega Dreamcast is A Shakespearean Masterpiece
Alright! This is the final pick on our list of excellent Sega Dreamcast games, and we’re ecstatic to talk about it. The game in question is Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver. It’s part of the most extraordinary time-travel saga in video game history, perhaps all of fiction if we may be so bold. The game stars the most sympathetic anti-hero ever, Raziel, the titular Soul Reaver. His character arc is awe-inspiring.
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver is an action-adventure game with a special emphasis on logical puzzles and, of course, its intriguing narrative filled with rich dialogue. Seriously, you’ll feel so immersed in the story of the game you’ll want to see every facet of it. When that’s done, you’ll still want to talk about it on online forums. The combat requires a lot of strafing; seriously, there’s a lot of it, and it can get annoying because the camera is your enemy.
Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver is about Raziel’s tale of vengeance that quickly turns into a complex web of intrigue. Kain, a devilishly charming vampire and seemingly the enemy, attempts to unravel the conspiracy for Raziel. The ambiance and soundtrack of Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver is top-notch, with the main theme still stuck in our heads. We love this excellent vampire game on the Sega Dreamcast and think it easily eclipses others.
Final Thoughts On The Best Sega Dreamcast Games Of All Time?
Ah, thank goodness, we’re at the end. The urge to gush and fawn over these awesome Sega Dreamcast games is strong. However, for conciseness’s sake, we’re holding ourselves back; you’re welcome, internet. Anyway, what do you all think of our picks? Do you agree with our choices or feel we’re missing an obvious choice? Fire away in the comments below; we look forward to the feedback.
If you’re pining for more retro gaming, you gotta check out our top-tier selection of Sega Saturn games. It’s another console we fondly remember playing games on, the same as the Sega Dreamcast. Well, that’s it for today; we’re signing off now; we hope you have fun reading today’s list. Until next time, take care, everyone, and happy gaming!
